Yamaha P70 Digital Piano
There is a good reason why this digital stage piano sounds like an
acoustic piano. The Yamaha P70 uses a special stereo sampling process
called AWM. AWM is the Advanced Wave Memory Sampling. Yamaha’s special
technique records samples in full stereo approach. The result is the
sound of a true Grand piano because you are able to get an accurate
representation of every note across the stereo field. Because of this,
tone is accurate and each tone contains warmth and character.
Fundamental tonal quality is what should be your primary concern when
selecting any digital piano. And that is why this is our #5 pick of our
Top 5 Digital Pianos. But there are many additional features. The GHS
keyboard gives you the authentic touch and feel of a genuine acoustic
piano. Half-damping expressions, onboard amplification, large preset
library and other nice enhancements.
Digital Piano Sound Quality:
Because Yamaha is one of the exceptional manufacturers of both acoustic
and electrical instruments, they are in a unique situation to represent
acoustic pianos into digital stage pianos. In part, you can understand
how this would lead them to their special Advanced Wave Memory
technique for stereo sampling. So the quality is as close to acoustic
as we could imagine. Definitely if a professional heard this digital
piano without seeing it, would be as crisp as an acoustic piano. In
addition, to the clean grand piano sound, this digital piano introduces
several other “voices.” Voices are how Yamaha defines different
instrumental sounds. Like the grand piano voice, their digital piano
has a very clean pipe organ, strings and others. The sustain pedal
imparts what you would expect only from an acoustic piano. In all, this
digital stage piano delivers each voice faithfully along with warmth
and character of each tone for every instrumental voice.
Playing this Digital Piano:
At the foundation of this stage digital piano is an 88 key (GHS)
keyboard. GHS is Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard and this digital piano
holds strictly to this standard. What we found different is where other
producers of digital pianos will use a graded weight approach, they do
so across either all keys or groups of keys; whereas this digital
piano’s keys have been individually weighted. And although the
difference is subtle, it becomes very apparent as you play for any
period of time. Base keys have heavier action and treble keys less just
as you would expect from genuine acoustic pianos. It’s an authentic
touch and feel which means no transition time or learning curve to get
past to use this digital piano. Playing experience is enhanced even
more with damping pedals. Included is the F5 sustain pedal with the
standard on/off damping which is more realistic than typical keyboard
pianos. However, there is an optional half-damping pedal, the Yamaha F3
that really enhances the playing experience. The half- damping gives
access to 127 levels of pedal-depth for way more detailed playing
expressions. Therefore, you can let some notes ring out long and clear
in degrees while clamping down on other notes. GHS individual key
weight, AWS Stereo sampling, sustain and half- damping at 127 levels.
The result is this digital stage piano delivers free-wheeling play and
composition.
Other Digital Piano Features:
Dual 6-watt amplifiers are built in that drive two 12x6 cm stereo
speakers. This makes the approximately 29 pound digital piano
self-contained. There are 50 preset songs that can be for listening and
learning. An interesting learning strategy is introduced because you
mute left or right hand parts so you can build in steps. So you can
work melody, bass and/or chording. We really liked this ability.
Digital Piano Accessories:
Included is the F5 sustain foot pedal for on/off damping. AC power
adaptor is included. Ten Voices (instruments Yamaha calls Voices).
Included are 2 headphone jacks for private practice and teaching
privacy. MIDI I/O for controlling external drum machines and special
effects processors and/or adding tracks to digital recording
environment.
Conclusion:
This digital piano is incredibly accurate in delivering acoustic piano
realism. A grand piano voice that is impeccable, along with 9 other
instrument voices that deliver equal accuracy. Yamaha’s AWS technology
delivers note-by-note. The GHS Keyboard Standard and that each key is
weighted individually rather than across keys or key groups, enables
this stage piano to impart a true-to-life touch and feel. The 127
levels possible via the F3 half-damping pedal gives a sound and play
experience otherwise not possible. We were quite pleased with this
digital piano in every aspect and is why this is our #5 pick. |
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Advanced Wave
Memory Sampling |
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GHS Keyboard |
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Ten Voices |
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Dual 6-Watt
Amplifiers |
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Keys
Individually Weighted |
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127 Level
Half-Damping |
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Half-Damping
Expressions |
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29 Pound
Digital Piano |
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50 Preset Songs |
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Sustain Pedal |
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MIDI I/O |
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2 Headphone
Jacks |
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