Coming as a successor to the P95 from Yamaha, the Yamaha P105 digital piano comes with many fantastic features, as well as functions for pianists to enjoy. The control panel comprises of user-friendly functions that make this piano easily approachable.
Since Yamaha is already an industry giant, the P105 is nothing short of quality. The instrument has a standard compact design that won’t take up too much space in your home or studio. If you travel a lot, then you can’t go wrong with this piano.
Before we start our full review of the Yamaha P105 digital piano, here are some of the piano’s highlights.
The Yamaha P105 digital piano has 88-keys, and to make it feel like an acoustic piano, Yamaha added their Graded Standard Hammer action on the keyboard. You get to experience lighter keys on the high notes and heavier keys progressing towards the lower notes.
Yamaha did an excellent job with the P105’s sound, featuring it with its Pure CF Sound Engine. The sound samples in the mentioned engine are recorded from Yamaha’s CFIIIS acoustic grand pianos.
Connectivity options in this digital piano include USB, Aux ports, and many more.
So, let’s check what the other features of this digital piano are in our full review below.
Features of the Yamaha P105 Digital Piano
Here we’ll discuss the Yamaha P105 digital piano Specs, Design, Keyboard, Sound, and its connectivity options.
Specifications
Technical specifications of the Yamaha P105 include the 88 keys equipped with the Graded Hammer Standard action. The keys also come with four different levels of touch-sensitivity that range from Soft, Hard, Medium, and Fixed.
For an instrument with such an affordable price range, the P105 digital piano offers fantastic keyboard functionality. As for the sound technology, the P105 uses Yamaha’s Pure CF Sound Engine. It has a total of 14 in-built voices accompanied by a maximum of 128 polyphony notes.
Effects onboard this digital piano include four different Reverb effects, as well as an Intelligence Acoustic Control. Hence, your piano’s sound will always adapt itself to your current volume settings.
The keyboard comes with a Damper Resonance that acts the same way as the one in acoustic pianos. With the Yamaha P105 digital piano, you also have four functions that allow you to learn better in practice sessions.
They are; Split, Duo, and Dual/Layers. Furthermore, this piano is well-tailored to a beginner’s advantage with 14 Preset Demo songs, and another 50 Preset Piano songs.
ALSO READ: Yamaha NP 11 Digital Piano Review
Yamaha P105 Digital Piano Design
The P105 has a compact build, just as we mentioned earlier. Its dimensions measure 58.1 x 15.1 x 11.1 inches. The compact build explains everything since this digital piano is a product-line of the Yamaha P-Series.
The series comprises compact digital pianos that offer the same capabilities and features of some of the prime models on the market. Therefore, the P-Series gives you an easy to manage and portable prime keyboard at an affordable price.
That said, the P105 digital piano is not that portable since it weighs in at about 36 pounds. Most portable digital pianos weigh 25 pounds or below. But because the P105 has exceeded that mark, it becomes a hassle to travel with it more often.
Its compact design, however, lets it fit anywhere around your studio, house, or the dorm. The piano’s finishing comprises a matte black finish, which gives it an aesthetically pleasing look. Finally, on the design, the P105 digital piano comes with music rest to place your music score sheets.
Keyboard
What we like in the Yamaha P105 digital piano is the quality of its keyboard. It’s simple and basic but yet very easy to use, especially for the novice piano players. The piano comes with a full-size keyboard with 88 notes.
As we mentioned earlier , Yamaha equipped this piano with their Graded Hammer Standard action. It means that the keyboard comes with tiny hammers, which are responsible for the traditional feel on this piano. Just like acoustic pianos, the P105 has variation in tension across the keyboard, all thanks to the graded feature.
However, the keyboard function on the Yamaha P105 has received some fair share of critics. Mostly because the keys have a bit of a clicking sound, but this is understandable from a sub $1000 digital piano.
The piano includes many keyboard functions, such as the Duo mode. It allows you to split the keyboard in two; this is in case you are practicing for a duet session.
The Duo mode is also helpful during learning because it allows a teacher and their student to play together at the same time. With the Layer mode, you can play two sounds together simultaneously on the keyboard too.
Sound Quality
Unlike most digital pianos that come with hundreds of voices, the P105 doesn’t feature such magnitudes. Some have bashed the piano’s number of voices, but we opted to look at the P105 digital piano from a different perspective. You should know that this is a digital piano and not a keyboard.
Therefore, its primary concern in terms of sound is the quality of it rather than the quantity. And when you look at the P105 that way, it has high-quality built-in voices ready to pop up during playtime.
It features 14 built-in tones offered by the brand’s Pure CF Sound Engine. The sound engine does an excellent job of replicating Yamaha’s well-known CFIIIS concert grand piano.
Combined with a polyphony count of 128-notes on board the P105, you get a superb sounding digital piano. So, according to us, the sound is a plus on the Yamaha P105 digital piano.
Connectivity
The P105 digital piano comes with a USB to Host port that you can use to connect the keyboard to your PC, tablet, or any smart device. With this port, you can expand the functionality of your piano’s settings. There are also line outs on the keyboard that let you get a better experience during live performances.
You also get two headphone jacks for a duet, or if you prefer a silent practicing session. Additionally, you get one Sustain Pedal jack, but it’s good you know that the piano doesn’t come with a pedal of its own. Therefore, you have to spend some extra cash on a pedal or pedals if you prefer all three of them.
Extra Features of the Yamaha P105 Digital Piano
The piano comes with a two-track Recording and Playback function, which you can use to record one song. The controls on this digital piano include the Metronome that allows you to monitor your time when playing, the Transpose, as well as the Tuning functions.
You also get ten built-in Rhythms, as well as ten built-in Styles that come with the P105.
One additional feature we like about the P105 is the Intelligence Acoustic Control (IAC). This feature automatically shifts based on the volume settings for it to come up with the best tonal balance at any level.
Benefits of Using the Yamaha P105 Digital Piano
There are a ton of benefits that you can point out already in using this digital piano. First of all, the keyboard functionality is impressive. Beginners can learn quickly with the hammer action and set a solid foundation for their finger technique.
The Graded Standard Hammer action tries as hard to replicate the feel of an acoustic piano. So, at the Yamaha P105’s price, we think that it has outstanding keyboard functionality.
The sound of this piano cannot be left out at all. Using samples from Yamaha’s famous CFIIIS concert grand pianos, the P105’s sound is fantastic in every way.
You are also in it for a good time with a very intuitive interface that’s easy to use. There is an LED screen that enhances the interaction between you and the piano’s functions.
For private practicing, listening to your compositions, and duet sessions, the P105 offers you two headphone jacks.
Finally, you can use the multiple connections available on this piano to enhance different functions such as sound, recording, and even playback features.
Reasons You Should Buy the Yamaha P105
There are plenty of appealing reasons for you to purchase the Yamaha P105 digital piano. One reason we think is the piano’s price-it is affordable enough to fit any budget. The other reason we feel is because of the piano’s keyboard abilities.
At such a price, not many digital pianos offer a hammer-action keyboard, and in this case, a full-size 88-key digital piano. Most digital pianos under the sub-$1000 price bracket offer pianos with 61 to 76 keys.
The piano’s keyboard also comes with Yamaha’s GHS action features that replicate the feel of an acoustic piano. Having a full-size 88-key digital piano is a plus, especially if you are just starting.
And to own one equipped with Yamaha’s GHS action is the first step to becoming a pro piano player. Therefore, the P105 digital piano would be a perfect fit for starting your musical journey with a digital piano.
Who is the Yamaha P105 For?
The P105 is, by no doubt, a beginner’s digital piano. Some intermediate players might also find use in the P105, but overall we think that it would offer the best service to an upcoming serious piano player. Another reason for our thoughts is how the piano comes right off the box.
You get no accessories at all, only the basics. Now, for a pro musician, this is a bit discouraging, especially the lack of any pedal. Other than that, we believe that any beginner who’s ready to horn their skills on a digital piano would find this instrument beneficial.
So yes, the P105 digital piano is hands down a beginner’s instrument.
Buyers Guide
Before you purchase a digital piano, ensure that you do some research and analyze its value. Do this by comparing it with other digital pianos in the same price range to see how it fairs.
One of the most critical factors you should observe before purchasing a piano is its keyboard. Whether a professional player or an armature, the best keyboard action on a piano is that which tries to replicate an acoustic piano feel.
The sensitivity of the keys matter a lot, and since the Yamaha P105-digital features four levels of touch sensitivity, it is already an advantage to own this instrument.
Finally, you should check on the piano’s sound, which we think is any piano’s heart. As you already know now, the P105 does not disappoint when it comes to sound quality.
Featured with Yamaha’s Pure CF Sound Engine, you are getting one of the best sound capabilities on the market with this digital piano.What we don’t like about the P105 is that it doesn’t come with any accessories.
How to Clean the Yamaha P105 Digital Piano
Maintenance is essential when you own a digital piano. To keep your keyboard vibrant and fresh always, you need to clean it and clean it thoroughly.
You don’t have to do it all the time, but only when necessary. To help you, we’ve employed some procedures that have always worked for us and many pianists alike.
Below are the procedures to follow to keep the P105 clean at all times:
- Buy a mild dish-washing soap
- Warm some water and add it in a small container
- Add 2-3 drops of the mild detergent to the already warmed water
- Stir the contents in the bowl to form a solution (cleaning solution)
- Get a soft cloth and dampen it slightly in the cleaning solution
- Wipe gently through the tops, and edges of the P105’s keys
- Wipe the external body parts of the keyboard as well
- Use another dry, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the keys and the outer body parts of the P105.
Use the cleaning method above on any piano, and it will always be shining waiting for the next playing session.
Pros
- Suitable for Practice
- Authentic Feel
- Good Action
- Realistic Audio
- Features an LED display
Cons
- Lacks accessories
- Keys still give a few squeaks here and there
- Small speakers
Conclusion
The Yamaha P105 digital piano is a fantastic instrument. Not just for beginners, but pianists who can afford it.
The key-action on the P105 feels realistic, and although it may have some weird clicks, we still think it’s the best at this price range. You get to enhance your creativity with the many keyboard functions available too.
Yamaha didn’t disappoint when it came to the sound of the P105. The piano gives you rich sounds sampled from the company’s CFIIIS concert grand pianos, that to the Pure CF Sound Engine in use.
The piano might not come with accessories, but it has just enough to accommodate its worth.
