Product Review: Yamaha YDP-145 digital piano

One of the best-value digital pianos on the market, the Yamaha YDP-145 is a fully functioning, compact and powerful instrument that can sit just as proudly in a school practice room as it can in the home. With its blend of authentic sound quality, realistic touch, and educational features, the YDP-145 provides a comprehensive package for learners to develop their skillset, and it’s a good enough instrument to keep most players satisfied even in more advanced territory.

What does Yamaha say?

“The YDP-145 features a piano Voice sampled from Yamaha’s flagship CFX concert grand piano—a renowned piano that delivers sparkling highs and a powerful resonant bass combined in a superbly expressive sound, full of clarity and rich in colourful harmonic content. It gives you extraordinary expressive power and nuance, that authentically responds in your daily practice as well as your most emotion-filled performances.

The luxurious tone and expressive ease of playing stays true to the basics of a real piano. It almost plays itself, releasing the sound and music you have within. Start your day with music and a huge smile on your face—the ARIUS piano makes you want to play more and more.”

• Adapted from Yamaha’s description of the YDP-145

Feature breakdown

A particularly impressive aspect of the YDP-145 is its Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keyboard, which mimics the touch and feel of an acoustic piano. This feature is particularly beneficial for students who are serious about developing their piano skills, as it helps them build proper finger strength and technique from the outset. The keys are weighted to provide a heavier touch in the lower register and a lighter touch in the upper register, just like an acoustic piano, making it an excellent tool for transitioning to a more traditional instrument.

The YDP-145 is equipped with Yamaha’s Pure CF Sound Engine, which delivers stunningly realistic piano sounds, especially for something in the £700-800 price bracket. It is meticulously sampled from Yamaha’s flagship CFX grand piano and combined with new Virtual Resonance Modelling Lite (VRM Lite) for an impressively rich soundscape. The inclusion of various voices, including electric pianos and strings lets you mix things up, making it a versatile option for teachers to help keep students engaged.

A piano for school or home

For teachers, the YDP-145 offers several features that enhance its educational value. The built-in metronome is a great tool for developing timing and rhythm, and the dual mode allows students to play alongside their teachers or peers, making lessons more interactive. The inclusion of MIDI connectivity opens up possibilities for integrating technology into lessons, enabling students to use music software and educational apps that complement their learning, perhaps even using the piano as an input tool for composing and recording using DAW software.

However, the YDP-145 is not only suitable for classrooms; it also shines as a practice instrument for dedicated learners at home. Its compact design and attractive cabinet make it a stylish addition to a room, while the headphone output allows for quiet practice without disturbing the rest of the household. This is particularly valuable for students who may want to practice late at night or in shared living spaces. It is also where the excellent sound of the YDP-145 really comes into its own; for many, it’s good enough to be a dedicated home piano for years to come! It can even serve a purpose for an advanced pianist on a tighter budget, although some might consider upgrading to a Clavinova or similar instead, where possible.

How does the YDP-145 compare?

When looking at digital pianos in the same price range as the Yamaha YDP-145, it's important to understand what features are offered and how they stack up against the competition. The YDP-145 provides excellent value, especially for those prioritizing an authentic playing experience and Yamaha’s renowned piano sound. Yamaha's Pure CF Sound Engine is comparable to Kawai’s Harmonic Imaging based on the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX concert grand, which is used in the slightly pricier KDP-120. Both of these technologies aim to create rich, detailed soundscapes, as does Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL Piano technology, which can be found in both the F107 and RP107.

One possible differentiator in the <£1000 digital upright range is Bluetooth connectivity, something the YDP-145 does not have. If you're looking to integrate your digital piano with educational apps or stream music directly through the instrument’s speakers, both Roland’s RP107 and F107 offer Bluetooth MIDI and audio connectivity, although it does come at a cost, with the former over £100 more expensive than the YDP-145, and the latter sitting at a similar price point despite a less intuitive interface. However, if Bluetooth isn’t a priority for you, the YDP-145 remains a great choice. Similarly, the Casio Privia PX-870 offers an impressive range of sounds and a sleek design without Bluetooth, but is priced around £100 higher than the YDP-145.

The next step up in the Arius range, the Yamaha YDP-165, offers a more refined playing experience with its Graded Hammer 3 (GH3) action. This provides a more responsive and realistic feel, particularly for fast note repetition and expressive control. The YDP-165 also features a more powerful speaker system, delivering richer, fuller sound compared to the YDP-145. Both models use the Pure CF Sound Engine, so they share the same high-quality piano tones, but the YDP-165's enhanced action and sound projection make it a better choice for more advanced players or those seeking a fuller, more immersive experience. At around £300 more, it's worth considering if you've got some budget to spare!

What does Chamberlain Music think?

In summary, the Yamaha YDP-145 is a very reliable digital piano that meets the needs of both music educators and ambitious learners. Its authentic touch, superior sound quality, and educational features make it a valuable asset in any classroom or practice room, and the compact yet handsome design makes it a pleasant furniture piece too.

Similar to the Clavinova range above it, the YDP-145 really is a strong imitation of an acoustic piano, with all the advantages of a digital model that you’d expect like lower price, headphone compatibility and an impressive range of sounds. It’s an enjoyable play for anyone and represents great value for both the home and the school.