The Yamaha P-145 B is a digital piano that builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, the P-45, offering enhancements in sound quality, design, and functionality.
Design and Build
One of the notable improvements in the P-145 is its more compact and lightweight design. With dimensions of 1,326mm (W) x 129mm (H) x 268mm (D) and a weight of 11.1kg, it is more portable and suitable for various settings, including home use and stage performances.
Keyboard Action
The P-145 features Yamaha’s new Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) action, which is fully weighted and graded, providing a realistic playing experience akin to an acoustic piano. This action is designed to be more compact, contributing to the instrument’s reduced size and weight.
Sound Quality
Equipped with the Yamaha CFIIIS sound engine, the P-145 delivers high-quality piano sounds sampled from Yamaha’s renowned CFIIIS concert grand piano. This is a significant upgrade from the P-45’s Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) sampling. The P-145 offers 10 instrument sounds, including two grand pianos, two electric pianos, two pipe organs, strings, harpsichord, accordion, and a Di Zi (a Chinese flute).
Polyphony
The P-145 provides 64-note polyphony, which, while sufficient for most beginner to intermediate pieces, is lower compared to some competitors that offer higher polyphony counts. This limitation may become noticeable in more complex compositions or when layering multiple sounds.
Connectivity
The instrument includes a USB to Host port that supports both MIDI and audio, allowing for direct recording and integration with various music software without the need for an external audio interface. Additionally, it features a 1/4″ stereo headphone jack and a sustain pedal input. Notably, the P-145 is compatible with Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app, providing an intuitive interface for voice selection and settings adjustment.
Speakers
The P-145 is equipped with stereo, back-firing 7W speakers that deliver clear and clean sound suitable for practice and small performances. However, for larger venues, external amplification may be necessary to achieve the desired volume and sound projection.
Additional Features
The P-145 includes Dual Mode, allowing players to layer two voices simultaneously, and Duo Mode, which splits the keyboard into two identical halves, facilitating teacher-student interactions. However, it lacks a Split function, which would enable different voices to be assigned to the left and right hands independently.
Conclusion
The Yamaha P-145 B is a commendable entry-level digital piano that offers significant improvements over its predecessor, particularly in terms of sound quality and portability. Its realistic keyboard action and compatibility with educational apps make it a strong contender for beginners and intermediate players. However, the limited polyphony and absence of certain features like the Split function may be considerations for more advanced users.
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