This Yamaha NP-11 review will take a look at the features and what other users have to say about this keyboard. The one word that really describes that Yamaha NP-11 is “portable”. It was designed with portability in mind and usability.
As a beginner using a keyboard the portability, ease of use and low price are all very attractive features of the Yamaha NP-11. It is extremely light and very easily portable.
It is actually the little sister to the NP-31. It offers a lot of the great features that the bigger sister has to offer but in a compact space.
The key to really appreciating the NP-11 is to keep your expectations in line with the idea that this is a portable keyboard with the beginner in mind.
If anyone is disappointed with the performance of the NP-11 it is because they are expecting a full size digital piano. This is in no way a full sized digital piano. It has 61 keys while most full size models have 88 keys. This is a great way to get kids involved in music.
Unlike other kid’s types of digital pianos this digital piano is not a toy. It is an actual instrument that just happens to be kid friendly in size, features and ease of use. The Yamaha NP-11 is built with children and beginners in mind.
The price point is ideal for anyone that wants a good inexpensive piano keyboard but that does not want to sacrifice quality. Yamaha is well known for producing quality instruments and they did not fail with this instrument.
Any instrument that wears the Yamaha logo is a going to be a quality instrument that you can depend on no matter what the price point is. Just because this model is very low cost does not mean that you should not expect Yamaha quality.
Yamaha has been creating musical instruments since the late 1800’s so you know that you are getting years and years of experience that is being poured into each instrument that they develop.
They have used the same innovative technology on the Yamaha NP-11 that they put into all of their instruments. Don’t let the low price fool you.
The Features of the Yamaha NP-11
For this price you cannot expect tons of features but will be pleasantly surprised by the features that it does have. It is as mentioned previously a very lightweight model so lightweight in fact that you may wonder how they are able to fit all the components that they do into this keyboard. The price and the size really is not a good example of its abilities.
This is a 61 key model that has a compact controller that allows you to choose the voice that you want. The Yamaha NP-11 offers 32 polyphony voices. It includes the Dynamic Voice Allocation by Yamaha to give it a crisp clear sound.
The keys have a natural feel and offer a nice spring to them. The keys are graded to give you a more natural acoustic feel. The keys are full sized even though the size of the keyboard is compact.
A lot of people expect the keys to be small because the keyboard is so portable but the keys are regular sized which is a nice surprise.
It is completely battery operated. The Yamaha NP-11 takes 6 AA batteries only there is no AC power charger that comes with the keyboard but you can buy one separately.
Many users actually do wind up purchasing an AC adapter because they enjoy using the keyboard so much that they want to be sure that they never run out of power. You do not have to buy the power adapter if this is for a child.
The portability is a great selling point for beginners because it can be played anywhere. There is an energy conservation feature that allows the Yamaha NP-11 to shut down after 30 minutes of idleness.
This great energy saving feature ensures that no energy is wasted and you get all the life you can out of your batteries.
Of course the fact that the power source is batteries means that even the youngest players can be left to play with it without fear that they will try to plug it in and get shocked.
The small compact size makes it great for dorm rooms, apartments and any place where there is not a lot of room but where you still want to be able to play.
The panel is very easy to operate and offers 10 different voices which is not a huge amount but it is really nice for a beginner.
The bestselling point of the Yamaha NP-11 is the sound. It is compact, lightweight and inexpensive but is sounds ideal. The piano sounds are excellent because of Yamaha’s innovative technology.
It is a pleasant surprise to hear what can be created by this keyboard. Giving the size, the price and the limited features you would not expect the type of sound that it emulates.
It may be inexpensive and portable but you will not find a keyboard that sounds this good at this price point. You can expect to hear true tones. The 10 voices are enough to really make this keyboard turn out some tunes.
Who is It Best for?
This is ideal for children, especially young children. It is a great starter instrument for a child. It is a great way to get children involved in music.
It offers the perfect balance of usability for a child without being a toy. It would make an excellent gift for a special child in your life and it would be something that they could really use to grow their musical ability. It is a gift that would easily change a child’s life by helping them to develop a love of music.
It is also a good starter piano keyboard for any adult that wants to learn how to play the keyboard because it is so simple to use and very inexpensive.
It is a great way to try out the keyboard and see if it is something that you would like to learn more about.
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It is perfect for young adults that are living in close quarters that want to have something to play but cannot afford the space requirements of larger options.
Of course the price makes it a great option for anyone that is on a tight budget but still wants the opportunity to play an instrument.
On the Downside
There are enough features but there are not any sound effects installed which can be a problem for anyone that has any experience at all.
This is really a very early starting type keyboard that will only be enough for someone with zero experience with a keyboard. Anyone that has even some experience may find that there are not enough features.
Of course if you purchase it knowing that it has limited features for advanced users than you would be happy with it.
The other issue is that it does not come with a stand. It does come with a music stand but not a stand to prop the keyboard up on. It really is not too much of an issue but it would be nice if the stand was included. Of course you can always buy one separately, although again it is not really necessary.
You do have to keep your expectations in check like mentioned earlier in this review. This is not a full size keyboard with all the bells and whistles that much more expensive models have to offer.
Understanding that there are certain things that do not come with this model is part of deciding whether or not the model is for you.
If you can live without all of the extras like sound effects and you want a keyboard that sounds really good than this would be a good choice.
Overall
The Yamaha name is a sign that this is a quality product. It is absolutely affordable for most any budget. It would be a great instrument to get a child started and get them interested in music. It would be also great as an extra keyboard to have in addition to your full sized keyboard for basic practice sessions.
One of the most attractive qualities about the Yamaha NP-11 is the price. And it is no doubt one of the best cheap keyboards under $200. If you are hoping to find a great entry level keyboard for a child this is a really good choice.
Yamaha has put the work into this portable keyboard and has developed a portable option that works great and that offers just the right amount of features. This may very well be the keyboard that starts someone’s musical career.
It is affordable Yamaha quality and well worth the small investment. If you are on a budget or you would like to help a child get a start on the road to loving to play music the Yamaha NP-11 is a good bet!