Today, we are going to review the Yamaha YPG-235 digital piano. If you aren’t familiar with the company’s Y.P.G. series, then you are in the right place. In this series, Yamaha focuses on creating portable grand digital pianos; hence, the name Y.P.G.
Therefore, digital pianos under this line have always been something to make you marvel. However, the Yamaha YPG-235 is the last product under this series. Yamaha has since discontinued the line and moved on to a new model known as the PSR-EW300.
That aside, the piano has tons of fantastic usability, all backed up by plenty of features for both beginners and intermediate players alike. It is an entry-level electric digital piano with 76 touch-responsive and semi-weighted keys.
The Yamaha YPG-235 sound library is overwhelming with 489 built-in sounds, and better yet, a 6-track/5 song MIDI recorder. With this type of recording ability, any professional would find good use in the YPG-235.
To understand more of what this digital piano has to offer, read on our thorough review of the Yamaha YPG-235.
Features of the Yamaha YPG-235 Digital Piano
Under the features category, we have the piano’s specifications, design, keyboard functionality, sound, and connectivity options.
Specifications
- Semi-weighted keyboard with 76 keys
- Yamaha’s Graded Soft Touch action
- 3-levels of Touch-sensitivity
- LCD and a note display function
- Polyphony count of 32-notes
- A.W.M. Stereo Sampling
- 489 built-in sounds
- 30 Preset songs for learning + 5 User Songs and 70 Accessory CD-ROM songs
- Split and Dual Modes
- Sound Effects: Reverb (9 types), Harmony (26 types), Chorus (4 types), Mastery E.Q. (5 types)
- Yamaha Educational Suite (Y.E.S.) Lesson Function
- Metronome, Transpose, Pitch Bend and Fine Tuning
- 6 Track MIDI Recorder/ 5 Songs
- 6W + 6W Speakers measuring 12cm x 2cm and 5cm x 2cm, respectively
- Connectivity options: Headphone jack, Sustain Pedal jack, USB to Host
- Weight- 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg)
- Dimensions: 46.4†in Width, 5.4†in Depth, and 16.3†in Height
READ ALSO: Yamaha YPG-535 Digital Piano Review
Yamaha YPG-235 Digital Piano Design
The YPG-235 has a compact design, which makes it more flexible to move around. It only weighs 18.3 lbs, and this contributes largely to the YPG-235’s portability. Therefore, you can effortlessly take this piano on gigs and trips since it is very portable.
Because of the many sound features present in the Yamaha YPG-235, this piano is pretty deep. Additionally, the piano comes with a compartment for 6 D batteries that power up the YPG-235 when there is no A.C. power.
You, therefore, don’t have to worry about where to plug in the piano, since you can play it anywhere. The keyboard has a blue backlit LCD, which means that you can play it even in a semi-darkened room.
On the finishing, Yamaha incorporated what it likes to call the champagne gold color on the YPG-235 that makes it look elegantly appealing. The interface is very intuitive with buttons for every function, and light-grey colored meshed wires house the speakers.
Keyboard
The keyboard comprises 76 semi-weighted keys, which means that the keys feel a lot like those on acoustic pianos. Also, like an acoustic piano, the Yamaha YPG-235 features the Graded Soft Touch mechanism.
It means that keys on this digital piano feel heavier in the lower register and lighter as you progress towards the higher register. Most digital pianos within this price range lack this feature. So, the YPG-235 has a better keyboard functionality when compared to its competitors.
The soft-touch feature ensures that the piano registers faint keystrokes and play according to your technique. Also, YPG-235 has 3-levels of touch-sensitivity that registers keystrokes depending on each setting. Unlike a 76-key acoustic piano, the width of the YPG-235 keys is 1 inch narrower.
All of the features of the keyboard are to optimize the YPG-235 into an acoustic feel digital piano. However, most professional players find 76 keys on a digital piano, a limiting factor.
This might not be the case for beginners, but you will still need a full-size 88-key digital piano if you advance from the YPG-235. Overall, the YPG-235’s keyboard functionality is the best for beginners, especially if you are coming from a 61-key keyboard.
Sound Quality
If you are familiar with Yamaha digital pianos, then you know that the sounds they produce are spectacular and diverse at the same time. Therefore, don’t expect anything less in terms of sound with the YPG-235.
The tones in this digital piano are fantastic, and the A.W.M. (Audio Wave Memory) Stereo Sampling system enhances them. Yamaha uses the A.W.M. sampling technology to record samples from its famous Grand piano.
The YPG-235 has plenty of sounds, 489 tones in total. There are 116 Panel voices, 12 Drum Kits, and 361 Yamaha XGlite voices. Additionally, this piano has 30 built0in sounds, and 70 more songs that you get from the included CD-ROM.
With such a sound library, Yamaha has made it easy for any aspiring pianist to accomplish their desires.
In conclusion to the sound capabilities, the YPG-235 has a six-track recording system. Therefore, you can layer together different instruments, as well as sound effects on the six different tracks available.
Connectivity
The piano features a USB to Host, Headphone Jack, and a Sustain Pedal jack.
You can use the USB to Host port to connect the YPG-235 to a computer and transfer songs and files. Also, the USB to Host port enables you to use the piano as a MIDI controller with different music applications.
However, for all of this to be possible, you’ll need to purchase the USB AB-type cable separately.
With the Headphone Jack, you can listen to your compositions or practice silently. You can also use the headphone jack to connect external sound sources.
Extra Features of the Yamaha YPG-235 Digital Piano
The Yamaha Educational Suite is one fantastic addition to the Yamaha YPG-235 digital piano. The Y.E.S. v.6, which is an acronym for the sixth generation of the Yamaha Educational Suite available here, is the best for both the novice and pros. It features three different modes that include:
- Your Tempo Mode – This adjusts the speed of the song to match your playing speed.
- Waiting Mode – The song automatically pauses until you play the right notes.
- Minus One Mode – The song plays at a normal tempo until it reaches where you choose to play.
On top of that, the Y.E.S. v.6 comes with a chord dictionary, repeat and learn, as well as lesson grading.
There is also the Performance Assistant Feature, which automatically assists you in playing the right notes needed in a song.
The YPG-235 also features a Mastery E.Q. with five different sounds to give you the best playback on the market.
Also, this digital piano has 373 KB of internal memory that allows the transfer of up 256 files into the instrument.
Benefits of Having the Yamaha YPG-235 Digital Piano
Unlike most digital pianos that only come singularly with zero accessories included, the YPG-235 is different. There is a comprehensive package that has a stand, headphones, and an AC adaptor for the Yamaha YPG-235.
Therefore, you get to enjoy these accessories at no extra costs. Although it is worth mentioning that these accessories aren’t of the prime quality.
For instance, the keyboard stand for the YPG-235 doesn’t match the piano’s elegant looks. But, considering the price of the YPG-235, these accessories are fantastic.
The other benefit of this digital piano is that it has graded keys. Although it doesn’t have the standard 88 keys, the YPG-235 has amazing keyboard functions that enhance your playability. Featured with Yamaha’s G.S.T. action, this keyboard tries very well to mimic an acoustic piano.
As for the beginners, the Yamaha Educational Suite is a plus in owning the YPG-235. The Y.E.S. feature teaches you the right way to play the piano and lays a comprehensive foundation in piano play.
There are 30 Preset songs, as well as 70 more songs included in the piano’s CD-ROM. Furthermore, the Performance Assistant Feature makes sure that you are playing the right notes.
For any aspiring pianist, this is more than you can ask for during practice sessions. The YPG-235 is very portable, thanks to its lightweight nature, and the piano’s compact design allows for secure storage and transportation.
Finally, with this digital piano, you won’t have to worry about an A.C. plugin as it comes with a compartment for 6 D batteries. You can, therefore, play or practice from anywhere.
Reasons Why You Should Buy the Yamaha YPG-235 Digital Piano
Affordable –the Yamaha YPG-235 76-key portable grand piano is reasonably accessible to even those on a low-budget. Also, you get accessories that we consider a big plus from an instrument of this price.
Plenty of Sound Effects –to enhance your creativity, the Yamaha YPG-235 digital piano comes with many sound effects. As stated earlier, the piano has four different types of Chorus Effects, nine types of Reverb, twenty-six of Harmony, and five different kinds of Mastery E.Q. All of them contribute to the robust and expressive nature of the piano’s sound.
Selections of Tones –there are over 489 voices on this digital piano. They range from flutes, organs, and drum kits, among many more. Therefore, the sound library here is more than you can chew, considering the piano’s price.
6-Track/5 Songs MIDI Recorder –this capability is excellent for any level of the pianist because it captures and saves your musical creations.
Who is the Yamaha YPG-235 Digital Piano For?
Although this piano has features that can match up to a professional’s needs, it can’t fully satisfy them. One factor that limits the YPG-235 to be used by professionals is the lack of 88 keys. Most pros by now find it very hard to downgrade from the full-size set of keys.
For beginners, however, the 76-key semi-weighted keyboard here is perfect for them to use. It is a very favorable keyboard that promotes proper and natural learning at the same.
Most beginners would find it hard to play on a fully weighted digital piano. But since they will upgrade to that someday, the YPG-235 is a fantastic start to the journey.
Therefore, the YPG-235 digital piano is a beginners’ musical instrument.
Buyers Guide
For a sub-$500 product, don’t expect perfection. The Yamaha YPG-235 digital piano has more than enough features to satisfy its worth. The accessories it bears work just fine as they are supposed to, nothing more nothing less.
According to us, most digital piano around this price bracket offers way less in terms of keyboard functionality and accessories too.
If you prefer something better or more refined, then you have to upgrade your budget. But, in this price range, the YPG-235 stands out.
How to Clean the Yamaha YPG-235 Digital Piano
- Purchase a mild-detergent
- Mix the detergent with some warm water in a small bowl
- Acquire a lint-free, soft cloth and dampen it slightly in the mixture
- Make sure the fabric is only wet before proceeding to wipe the keys
- Wipe gently through the sides and edges of the keys
- The outer parts of the keyboard should also be wiped
- Using another dry fabric, dry the piano’s keys and body too
To keep your piano clean, you can purchase a piano cover, and they don’t cost too much.
Pros
- Affordable
- Portable and Lightweight
- Yamaha’s G.S.T. keyboard great for beginners
- Y.E.S. feature
- Multi-functional display
- 2-way High-Quality speaker system
- 6-Track MIDI Recorder
- 489 built-in sounds
Cons
- Lacks an A.C. Adapter, as well as a Sustain Pedal
- 32-note polyphony count
- Lacks the hammer action
- Doesn’t have a USB to Device connectivity
Conclusion
There are plenty of options that are competing with the YPG-235 in the same price range. The only difference is that this piano exceeds many expectations and matches its worth exceptionally.
If you are serious about becoming a professional pianist, this is the piano to start the job. It has plenty of features to help you set the proper foundation, as well as complement your creativity.
We highly recommend the Yamaha YPG-235 digital piano for mostly beginners. The piano seems basic, but Yamaha optimized it to the best level for the benefit of the novice piano players.
