From Yamaha’s Portable Grand line, the Yamaha YPG-535 digital piano is a fantastic piano with features to excite any pianist. Although the piano wasn’t released recently, it has managed to hold its worth and remain popular for a long time now.
Here, we are going to show you why the Yamaha YPG-535 digital piano is among the brand’s most beloved keyboard.
The Y.P.G. series is well known for producing very portable digital pianos that sound the same as the grand pianos. Since the Yamaha YPG-535 comes from this line, it has plenty to offer. The keyboard comes with 500 built-in sounds of different varieties, including, of course, the Grand piano.
It is a full-size digital piano with 88 semi-weighted keys, and the keyboard features Yamaha’s Graded Soft Touch technology.
Below is our in-depth review of the piano. Read on to get more information on the piano’s features and benefits.
Features of the Yamaha YPG-535 Digital Piano
Specifications
- 88-note keyboard
- Graded Soft Touch technology
- Semi-weighted keys
- Maximum Polyphony of 32-notes
- 3-levels of Touch-Sensitivity
- A.W.M. Stereo Sampling
- Dual, Split Modes
- 160 Preset Styles
- 30 Preset Songs
- Sound Effects: Chorus (4 types), Reverb (9 types), Harmony (26 types)
- Yamaha Educational Suite (Y.E.S.)
- 6-Track/5 Song MIDI Recorder
- Functions: Metronome, Transpose, Fine Tuning
- 6W + 6W Speakers (12cm x 2cm + 5cm x 2cm)
- Dimensions: Width= 58â€, Depth= 22.5â€, H= 12.5â€
- Weight: 24 lbs/11 kg (without the stand), with the stand- 37.5 lbs/17 kg
- Connectivity options: USB to Host and Device, Sustain Pedal Jack, and Headphone Jack
Yamaha YPG-535 Digital Piano Design
For a portable digital piano, the YPG-535 fairs quite well. It isn’t perfectly portable, especially when you add the stand. But, it isn’t something that you can’t handle yourself.
The piano is a fantastic choice if you live in a small apartment since it doesn’t take up too much space. Most manufacturers end up sacrificing essential features in order to come up with more compact designs.
However, Yamaha managed to equip theYPG-535 with tons of sounds and features, while maintaining the portable character of the Y.P.G. series. It is one of the reasons why this digital piano is so popular among pianists.
Unlike many pianos under the same price range, the Yamaha YPG-535 comes with its matching black-stand. The stand doesn’t only match the piano’s looks, but it’s built to hold the keyboard in place securely.
The user interface comprises over 40 different buttons. Almost every function on the piano has its dedicated button. Therefore, you don’t need to struggle with cramming different button combinations for specific functions.
You also get a monochrome display that makes it easy to navigate through the instrument settings, as well as take full advantage of the YPG-535’s learning features. Finally, the YPG-535 is only available in one color called Gold Champaign.
Keyboard
Just like acoustic pianos, Yamaha YPG-535 has a full range of 88 keys. However, the YPG-535 doesn’t replicate the hammer action present in acoustic pianos. Instead, the mechanism used here is called the Graded Soft Touch (G.S.T.), which is Yamaha’s most affordable keyboard action.
The G.S.T. gives you semi-weighted action, which means that each key contains a spring mechanism underneath for increasing the amount of resistance. The semi-weighted action might not be the best in mimicking an acoustic piano, but it is better than most of the entry-level keyboards that lack any action at all.
Since the YPG-535 features the Graded Soft Touch action, the keys on the lower-end feel heavier than the keys on the higher-end of the keyboard.
Additionally, with 3-preset settings on the piano, you can adjust the touch-sensitivity to match your playing technique. On default, it means that the louder you press the keys, the louder the corresponding sound.
The keys on this digital piano are made entirely out of plastic, just like most instruments in the same price bracket. One issue we have with the G.S.T. action is that it makes a clicking noise. Of course, this is hard to hear until you decide to play at a lower volume.
ALSO READ: Yamaha YPG-235 Digital Piano Review
Sound Quality
The piano’s sound is fantastic, thanks to Yamaha’s A.W.M. Stereo Sampling technology. Yamaha uses this technology on some of its high-end digital pianos. It means that the YPG-535’s sound is exactly the same as that of an acoustic piano.
The A.W.M. technology records the actual sound of an acoustic piano but at different volume levels, also known as multi-layering. The YPG-535 bares several voices, 500 to be exact.
They range from Panel voices, Drum kits, among many more. On the front panel, you get 127 listed panel sounds that are the primary set of sounds for the YPG-535.
They include:
- 9 Electric Pianos
- 10 Guitars
- 8 Pianos (Grand, Bright Piano, Warm Piano, etc.)
- 14 Organs
- 8 Bass Guitars
- 5 Accordions
- 9 Trumpets
- 4 Choirs
- 13 Strings
- 13 Saxophones
Additionally, there are 10 Drum Kits, 2 SFX Kits, and 361 XGlite sounds onboard the YPG-235. You can get creative and have fun with the 2 SFX Kits, which are a combination of different funny sounds like a dog bark, or the sound of lightning.
As earlier pointed out, you have many types of Reverb, Chorus, and Harmony sound effects to customize the piano’s sound. Also, the YPG-535 has a pitch bend wheel that you can use to change the pitch of the notes played.
Depending on the kind of sound reproduction system you are using, this piano has a Mastery E.Q. that you can use to tame the sound accordingly.
Connectivity
Located on the rear panel of the YPG-535 digital piano are five (5) different kinds of connectivity options.
USB to Host –This port can be used as an alternative for transferring MIDI data to your P.C. using the USB type B port because the YPG-535 doesn’t have MIDI In/Outports.
USB to Device –You can use this port for exchanging MIDI files by connecting a USB flash drive directly to the YPG-535. Therefore, you can quickly transfer your compositions to the flash drive, or load downloaded songs from the internet onto the piano.
Sustain Pedal Jack –Since this piano comes with the included FC5 footswitch, there is the Sustain Pedal jack to connect it or any other sustain pedal with ¼†plug.
Headphone Jack –The piano also has ¼” phones jack that you can use to connect a pair of headphones. It is an excellent facilitator for when you want to practice in private or listen to your compositions individually.
On the other hand, you can use the phones jack as Line Output for connecting external sound systems to the Yamaha YPG-535.
Extra Features of the Yamaha YPG-535 Digital Piano
Learning Features –The YPG-535 comes with many useful learning features to help beginners, as well as enhance the intermediate player’s playing skills. It has 30 built-in Preset Songs, and an additional 70 Songs from the included CD-ROM.
There is also the Performance Assistant Feature that ensures you play the right type of notes for any music piece. For further learning, the YPG-535 comes with the Yamaha Educational Suite, which allows you to utilize the 30 built-in Preset Songs for either hand lessons or each hand separately. The YES feature comes with three different types of experiences which are: Waiting lesson that pauses the song until you play the right notes.
Your Tempo, which adjusts the speed of the song according to your playing speed. Finally, there is the Minus One lesson type that allows you to choose which hand of the piano you want to play on.
With 6-Track MIDI recorder, the YPG-535 allows you to record and save up to 5 User Songs in its flash memory. To transfer the compositions on a flash drive, you have to convert them into S.M.F. format.
The Auto-Accompaniment function also present on the YPG-535 lets you enrich your performance, whether on stage or in a studio. Also, this digital piano comes with 160 different accompaniment styles. These styles accompany your performance with many instruments as if you have a band playing along.
Additionally, the Yamaha YPG-535 comes with the Metronome, Transpose, and the Fine-Tuning function, as well as the Pitch Bend Wheel.
Benefits of the Yamaha YPG-535 Digital Piano
Accessories – One of the best things about owning the Yamaha YPG-535 digital piano is its inclusion of accessories. The keyboard comes with it’s Matching Stand, FC5 Sustain Pedal, Music Rest, a CD-ROM with Drivers and Software, an A.C. Power Adapter, as well as a Manual for the Yamaha YPG-535. With such providence from Yamaha, you get to save a lot of money on your end of the budget.
Affordable – Although the price of the YPG-535 isn’t one of its features, it is a significant benefit. The piano comes with an irresistible package of accessories. Most digital pianos that come with such accessories and the G.S.T. action are mostly expensive. Therefore, this is a fantastic deal you are getting.
Brilliant Sound Library – For the price, the YPG-535 offers some high-quality variety of sounds, including Yamaha’s XGlite. You also get plenty of sound effects to enhance the different kinds of sounds onboard.
Connectivity – Unlike many digital pianos within this price range, the YPG-535 comes with a bunch of connectivity options. In total, you get five ports, including the USB to Device, which is rare in most digital pianos around the same price range.
Reasons You Should Buy the Yamaha YPG-535 Digital Piano
We know that you want a digital piano with the ability to meet your preferences. The YPG-535, as you have, is a fantastic instrument when looked at in the right perspective. It is not a high-end digital piano, but it perfectly works where it’s supposed to.
The piano has a pretty decent keyboard action, impressive sounds, and technical features. Most people are in love with the Yamaha YPG-535 full-size keyboard that features all the 88 keys. It isn’t only perfect for beginners, but even professionals would find good use with this piano.
For an entry-level digital piano, the YPG-535 stands out, and you can’t afford to overlook its potential.
Who is the Yamaha YPG-535 Digital Piano For?
The YPG-535 has features that can complement even the most skillful of pianists. But we strongly recommend it to aspiring musicians out there.
The Yamaha Educational Features is one of the best lesson functions on the market and has helped shape a lot of beginners into a professional piano player.
Again, if you are advancing from a 71-key digital piano, then the YPG-535 is an excellent instrument for this purpose. It isn’t too complicated, but the keyboard is detailed enough to satisfy your learning requirements.
Buyers Guide
Before purchasing any digital piano, ensure that you research it thoroughly. Compare it with other instruments in the same price bracket, and see how it fairs. One crucial factor you should observe before purchasing a piano is the keyboard.
Whether you are a beginner or professional, the best keyboard action on a piano is that which goes closest to an acoustic feel. The sensitivity of the keys matter as well, and since the YPG-535 88-key features three levels of touch sensitivity, it is already a plus for this instrument.
The other part you should mind is the piano’s sound quality. On top of the YPG-535’s amazing sound technology, it comes with 500 built-in voices that are rich and expressive.
Finally, the YPG-535 comes with all of the accessories you should need to operate the instrument entirely.
How to Clean the Yamaha YPG-535
Below are some of the steps that we suggest for cleaning the Yamaha YPG-535:
- Buy a washing detergent
- Warm some water then add the water into a small bowl
- Add 2-3 drops of the soap to the warm water in the bowl
- Stir to form a cleaning solution
- Use a soft, lint-free cloth and dampen it slightly in the cleaning solution
- Wipe gently through the edges, and tops of your keys
- Wipe the external body of the keyboard
Pros
- Full range 88 notes keyboard
- 500 built-in sounds
- 6-Track/5 Song MIDI Recorder
- Learning features: Y.E.S. and the Performance Assistant
- Multi-functional LCD
- Powerful Speaker System
- Comprehensive Sound Effects, built-in styles, and rhythms
- Plenty of accessories
Cons
- Maximum Polyphony of 32-notes
- Lacks the Hammer action
- Flimsy footswitch
Conclusion
While there is a lot to love about the Yamaha YPG-535 digital piano, you should also know it has its fair share of disadvantages. The main question here is if the pros outweigh the cons, and this only you can decide.
Just brush over a few of the advantages, this is an affordable, full-size digital piano that comes with good quality furniture stand. The accessories that the YPG-535 comes with are also a plus for this keyboard.
