Conference napalm::commusic_v1

2225.0. "Yamaha YPP50 Piano" by MALLET::BARKER (Pretty Damn Cosmic) Thu Jan 04 1990 10:23

	As promised in 2223.0 I'll enter a few words about my other new 
purchase. This is a Yamaha YPP-50 'Personal Electronic Piano'.

	The basic specifications are 76 piano weighted, touch sensitive keys. 
Tone generation by Yamaha's AWM (advanced wave memory) which is based on real 
samples. 8 voices: Piano, Electric Piano, Harpsichord, Vibes, Strings, Brass, 
Pipe Organ, Bass. Metronome. Simple sequencer to record & playback in real 
time. Sustain pedal. MIDI IN/OUT (no THRU). Built in 10W amplifier & speakers 
(not stereo). Auxillary input (L&R) and output (L&R). It weighs about 50lbs and 
comes with a neat elegant wooden stand that makes it look more furniture-like 
than if it was on a tubular stand.

	My wife (the pianist in the family) tells me that the keyboard is very 
good with an excellent feel, it certainly seems better than our old upright. 
The piano sound is excellent, my ears would appreciate a touch of reverb
however. The pipe organ sound is startlingly good, like sitting in front of a
church organ. Vibes are nice and funky, not so good electric piano, OK
harpsichord, strings and brass not very convincing. The bass sounds just like a
plucked double bass and can be played with the left hand while the right plays
another voice e.g vibes, this is the only form of keyboard splitting available.

	There are only a small number of buttons and LEDs, changing MIDI 
transmit or receive channels is simply a question of holding down the MIDI 
button and hitting the appropriate piano key. You can set up transmit & receive 
separately so can play another SGU while the piano's SGU is being driven by 
something else.

	All in all we are very happy with it. My wife because it looks, sounds
and feels like a piano and me because it is a good quality master MIDI 
keyboard with built in amp & speakers. I paid list price �699 (approx $1000) as
I wanted it for an Xmas present and didn't have a chance to shop around. It is
a new product and in short supply so may not be discounted much yet. It seems 
to be the best value for money digital piano on the market at the moment, 88 
keys would have been nice I suppose but then the cost would be higher.

Nigel