The Yamaha YPG-235 76-key portable grand is a sleek and powerful keyboard loaded with features that are great for musicians of all ages.
With Yamaha’s Graded Soft Touch piano style keys and weighing in at just over 18 pounds, this lightweight piano replacement is perfect for all your music needs.
For the beginner pianist, Yamaha’s Education Suite, various lessons modes, and lesson grading system are a magnificently powerful tool that can help you start playing and performing in front of friends.
For the advanced musician, its 6-track/5 song slot recording system is great for outlining and creating music.
Technical Specifications
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 46.375 x 5.375 x 16.25 inches
- Weight: 18.5 pounds
- Keys: 76
- Type: Graded Soft Touch Keyboard
- Touch Response: Yes
- Polyphony: 32
- Pitch Bend: Yes
- Voices: 116 + 361 Xglite + 12 Drums/Sfx Kits
- Amplifiers: 6W + 6W
- Speakers: 12cm x 2 + 3cm x 2
Effects
- 9 Reverb types
- 4 Chorus types
- 5 Mastery EQ Types
Functions
- Dual Mode
- Split Mode
- Yamaha Education Suite
- Metronome
- Transpose
- Pitch Bend
Songs
- 30 Preset Songs
- 5 Song Recording Slots
- 6 (5 Melody + 1 Chord) Recording Tracks
Inputs/Outputs
- USB to Host
- Sustain Pedal
- Headphone Jack
Features of the Yamaha YPG-235
Graded Soft Touch
The Yamaha YPG-235 uses a Graded Soft Touch system which helps capture the feel of a real piano, making for an easy transition to acoustic for any serious learners.
Yamaha Education Suite V6
The Yamaha Education Suite is a learning tool that comes with three distinct modes:
- Waiting Mode – The song will pause until the correct note is played.
- Your Tempo Mode – The song speed will adjust to match the speed at which you play.
- Minus One Mode – The song will play at a normal tempo until it reaches the area that you choose to play.
It also includes lesson grading, repeat and learn, and a chord dictionary.
Song and Track Record
Capture and preserve musical ideas with this powerful 6 track/5 slot recording system.
Connectivity
USB to Host connectivity provides an easy method to transfer and back up any recordings.
Performance Assistant Technology
Turn on a song and the Performance Assistance feature and the keyboard will automatically assist you in playing right notes. Whether you are playing a melody or chords, the keyboard will shift the pitches to work with the song every time.
Master EQ
Five different equalizer sounds are included to provide the best playback, whether it be through the keyboard’s internal speakers, headphones, or external speakers.
The Pros and Cons of the YPG-235
The Yamaha YPG-235 includes the Graded Soft Touch keys while remaining light and portable. This system, while providing enough depth to get a beginner used to the touch of a real piano, is not quite up to part with a full weighted-hammer system.
If you want a more realistic touch, then you should choose from some of the best weighted keyboards on the market.
The 76-key model, while being quite high for a portable keyboard, may not be enough for those who wish to pursue more traditional, acoustic piano playing.
The 6 track recording system and 5 song slots make this keyboard fairly strong for recording ideas and outlines pieces.
However, while it is a great music production station in and of itself, the lack of MIDI connectivity hinders the musician’s ability to take their ideas further and refine their works.
The Yamaha YPG-235 is a good cheap keyboard piano. It can be found bundled with a stand and headphones for around $300 online. If you are a musician on a budget, this keyboard is a dream come true.
If money is not an issue, the next step up is the Yamaha YPG-535, which includes a full 88-key keyboard and stand as well as a lyric and chord display which scrolls along as you play.
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Graded Soft Touch great for new learners
- Includes Yamaha Education Suite
- Great for recording ideas and outlines
- USB to Host Connectivity
- High Quality Speakers
- An absolute wonderful tool for new musicians
- 76 keys may not be enough for those pursuing classical training
- Graded Soft Touch is not as comprehensive as a fully weighted hammer system
- Does not include MIDI Connectivity
Conclusion
The Yamaha YPG-235 portable grand piano is a great digital piano for beginners, especially catering towards those who are just starting their musical careers. It has a rich variety of variety of sounds that are perfect for any type of performance.
While it is an absolute marvel for those who are new to music and is a magnificent portable piano replacement, it may not be enough for those who wish to perform in traditional acoustic methods.
Additionally, for those who wish to find an all-encompassing music workstation, the lack of MIDI IN/OUT connectivity can be a dealbreaker.
As long as you are aware of its few shortcomings, the Yamaha YPG-235 is a keyboard that is certain to deliver.