Tag Archives: Yamaha CP88

Yamaha DGX-670: Do you love me?

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Yes, I played one! The pandemic has let up to the point where I can drag my old bod to music stores, again. Fortunately, I haven’t worn out my welcome with local shop owners and clerks (yet).

I don’t intend to run down the DGX-670 features in detail. The Yamaha DGX-670 has been on the market for two+ years and you can find all the details on the Yamaha Web page. Yamaha position the DGX as a “portable grand piano,” part of the “P” line of digital piano products.

And, as of late, my primary interest is in a digital piano that will help me to sharpen my piano skills. I want those skills to translate to the acoustic piano (Petrof acoustic grand) at church.

In that regard, the DGX-670 does not disappoint. The action is Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) and the main piano multi-sample is Yamaha CFX. The 670 has Yamaha’s Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) which “reproduces the complicated interaction between both string and soundboard resonance.” The CFX sounds very good through the in-built amplification and speaker system: 2 x 6 Watt amplifier, 2 x (12cm + 5cm) speakers. If I have one immediate slam on the DGX-670, its front panel legends are difficult to read in poor light (black model).

Yamaha DGX-670 digital piano decked out in white

In short, the DGX-670 has me asking, “Do I really need to move up to the Yamaha P-515 digital piano?” This question is more complicated than it sounds, especially when you roll the Yamaha CK88 into the analysis!

The DGX-670 street price is $850 USD versus $1,600 for the P-515. The store which hosted my adventure was prepared to discount the DGX-670 to $750 — that’s half of a P-515. That’s half of a Yamaha CK88, too ($1,500 MAP).

It comes down to personal musical goals — and desire. 🙂 Let’s take each alternative separately.

The P-515 has the Natural Wood X action with escapement (NWX) and the glorious Bösendorfer Imperial. That’s a lot to argue against. The P-515 sound system is more capable: 2 x (15W + 5W biamplified) amplifier, and 2 x (12cm x 6cm) woofer and 2 x 2.5cm dome. The DGX-670 has a very nice 4.3 inch (480 × 272 dots) LCD display that adds a splash of color to Yamaha’s drab black. The P-515 display has less resolution (128 x 64 dots) and is monochrome. [Yamaha should adopt the color display for the P-515 successor].

Those P-515 characteristics would be easy to live with. My biggest beef with the P-515, however, is the paucity and lower quality of its non-piano (AP or EP) sounds. The DGX-670 outstrips the P-515 for non-piano sounds. I quickly compared the DGX-670 voices against my once-beloved, owned and played PSR-S950. The DGX-670 is (roughly) a PSR-S950 without the Organ Flutes drawbar organ. I know these voices and would be very happy to have them in my piano instrument.

As to auto-accompaniment, the DGX-670 is “arranger lite.” It has styles and chord recognition. The styles are now represented in the Style File Format Guitar Edition (SFF GE) form. SFF GE makes the DGX-670 compatible with styles from the mid- and upper-end Yamaha arranger keyboards. A virtual ocean of styles are available at the PSR Tutorial web site as well as a growing community of DGX-670 players on the PSR Tutorial forum.

Yamaha do not say much about P-515 auto-accompaniment other than it’s bass plus drum, and that it follows chords. What is P-515’s chord recognition technique? Is it similar to full keyboard, A.I. recognition? Wish I knew more about this aspect of the P-515…

Regular visitors know that I test drove the Yamaha CK88, too. The CK88 is positioned in Yamaha’s stage keyboard product line. The sound system is comparable to the DGX-670: 2 x 6 Watt amplifier and 2 x (12cm x 6cm) speakers. The CK88 has the lower resolution (128×64 dots) monochrome display.

Piano-wise, the CK88 has the CFX multi-sample and GHS keybed. No VRM. No Bösendorfer. The CKs are well-equipped for drawbar and pipe organ. (The pipe organ multi-samples originated on Genos™.) The DGX-670 — and P-515, for that matter — are relatively deficient in the drawbar and pipe organ department. The CKs have a good selection of other non-piano voices. No Super Articulation. The CKs do not have auto-accompaniment of any kind.

So, if a player doesn’t care about drawbar organ and wants VRM, why not DGX-670 at half the price of a CK88?

At this point, I would be remiss to not mention slab weight:

    DGX-670 weight:  47.1 pounds (21.4kg) 
    P-515 weight:    48.5 pounds (22.0kg) 
    CK88 weight:     28.8 pounds (13.1kg)

Yamaha’s engineers did a remarkable job of slimming the CK88 down to 28.8 pounds. The respectable GHS-equipped P-125 is 26 pounds and I doubt if Yamaha can design a lighter, robust, 88-key GHS keyboard.

I neglected the whole issue of connectivity and app support. Your mileage will vary. The DGX-670 does not have 5-pin DIN MIDI. That might be a deal-breaker for some folks. Smart Pianist does not presently support CK88. Look to Yamaha Soundmondo, instead.

I didn’t work the Yamaha CP88 into the analysis. After its updates, the CP88 is a virtual library of pianos! It’s also $2,600 USD (MAP), $1,000 higher than the three digital pianos in my analysis.

Finally, why did I enjoy playing the DGX-670 GHS and not so much the CK88. Yamaha swears that the GHS action is the same everywhere. If there is an external factor, perhaps it is the insane way trial pianos are set-up in stores? Often, I feel like a contortionist. (Forget reading sheet music in some settings, too.) Playing piano is, after all, a physical act.

If you enjoyed this analysis, please check out my comments about the Yamaha P-S500. I compare the P-S500 against the DGX-670.

Other reviews and comments about digital pianos:

Copyright © 2023 Paul J. Drongowski

Yamaha CP73 and CP88: Da manuals

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The Yamaha CP73 and CP88 Owner’s Manual (PDF) and Supplementary Manual (PDF) are now on-line at the CP products download page.

The Supplementary Manual has a compact list of CP voices, including the new voices added in OS Version 1.10.

All right, all right, you’re wondering about the organ voices:

     # Name            CC#
    -- --------------  ---
    01 Bright Bars     33
    02 Click Organ     34
    03 Draw Organ 1    35
    04 All Bars Out    36
    05 Draw Organ 2    37
    06 60s Combo       38
    07 Compact         39
    08 Panther         40
    09 Pipe Organ 1    41
    10 Pipe Organ 2    42

These look like voices that are copped from the Motif/Montage. It’s a little disappointing to not have drawbar control and so forth. I’m not sure what “CC#” means in this context.

The “other” voice category is quite limited, too:

     # Name            CC#
    -- --------------  ---
    01 Syn Lead 1      50
    02 Syn Lead 2      51
    03 Syn Bass        52
    04 E.Bass          53
    05 A.Bass          54
    06 Steel Gt        55
    07 Clean Gt        56
    08 Syn Brass       57

Forget woodwinds and acoustic brass. Forget voice editing. All you get is attack and release parameters to tweeze in the Sub section. You’ll need to buy a synth.

I think the CP73/CP88 are the “pro” version of Reface CP. Surely, their design was influenced by the immediacy of the Reface CP front panel — very intuitive and easy to change effects while playing. The CP73/CP88 are stage pianos. They are “bottom boards” in need of a “top board” for woodwinds, brass, lead, organ and all of the other stuff multi-keyboardists need to cover. The “other” voices are just enough to cover the odd non-piano part at a gig.

The CP73/CP88 have master keyboard capability with four zones. All of the usual configuration parameters are provided including bank select(s) and program change.

Check out the latest issue of the Yamaha Production Guide, too.

Copyright © 2019 Paul J. Drongowski

Winter NAMM 2019: Yamaha CP73 and CP88

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As I mentioned in my last post, Yamaha have announced two new stage pianos: CP73 and CP88. Features in common are:

  • Three premium grand pianos: CFX, S700 and Bösendorfer Imperial 290
  • Two upright piano Voices: vintage U1 and flagship SU7
  • Five electric pianos for covering all music genres back to the 1970s
  • Yamaha CP OS updates enhance features and add new instrument Voices
  • CP OS v1.1 adds 67 Rd (Bright and Dark), Wide Wr & Yamaha C7 grand piano Voices
  • Dedicated effects and effect controls for each Section (Piano, E Piano and Sub)
  • Master delay, reverb and EQ effects with dedicated realtime controls
  • Soundmondo social sound sharing gives access to thousands of free sounds
  • Seamless Sound Switching: change sounds while holding notes without sound cutoff
  • One-to-one UI for direct sound control during stage or studio performance
  • 2 Ch. USB Audio/MIDI Interface for audio recording and playback & MIDI control
  • Balanced XLR & unbalanced 1⁄4” stereo outputs covers a wide-range of connectivity
  • Four-zone Master Keyboard mode lets you control external hardware and software
  • Dual 1/4″ AUX line inputs connects second keyboards, mobile devices and more

The CP88 has an NW-GH3 keyboard with synthetic ebony and ivory key tops and the CP73 has a balanced hammer 73-note action. The CP88 is 41 pounds while the CP73 is a lighter 28.9 pounds. How much is this going to set ya back? CP88: $2,499.99 and CP73: $1,999.99.

Here’s a link to the official Yamaha demo (no yakking).

Kraft Music has demo videos with no talking and a full demo with Blake Angelos. The Kraft demo shows off the CP73, which looks quite portable! The Sub adds a the usual pads, synths and things, but has its own tricks. In the non-talking demo, Blake shows off a “live looping” type performance at roughly 6:00. And, yes, the CP does B-3. Blake shows off “All Bars Out” starting at 8:30 with rotary speed changes.

As I mentioned earlier, these instruments are built for pros. The acoustic pianos have wide dynamic range — no cheap out sampling. The chassis is sturdy aluminum. Both models provide balanced XLR outputs and internal power supply (no wall wart). The front panel interface is divided into sections: Live Set, acoustic piano, electric piano, sub and master. Each section is enabled by retro toggle switches. If you scan the front panel, there are lots and lots of (dedicated) digital effects. The sub section adds pad/strings, organ, chromatic percussion and other (bass, guitar, etc.). [Wish I knew what else is hiding under “other.”]

The auxiliary inputs do not route through the internal effects. Shame, lost opportunity, but could save hauling a separate mixer to small piano gigs. External audio can be routed through USB into the CP.

A big question is “Are the CP73 and CP88 Nord Stage killers?” Hmmm, no real-time drawbar control and no “mini synth” like the Stage. On the other hand, the CPs have Advanced Mode for creating novel instrument and effect routing (e.g., looping). Yamaha makes excellent, pro digital pianos (stage, studio, or home). So, if piano were my primary instrument, I would definitely have a fly-off between the CP and Stage before putting one on the credit card.

Copyright © 2019 Paul J. Drongowski

Winter NAMM 2019: Korg and more

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Back on the streets at home just in time for Korg to drop its newest products. The details are up on the Korg Web site, so there isn’t a need to deep dive the details here.

The Kog Minilogue brings a smile to my face whenever I play it. Since I don’t have an actual need for it, “play it” means “noodle in the store.” However, it is a constant temptation for an impulse purchase.

Thus, I’m pleased to see a new model: the Korg Minilogue XD. Like its updates to the venerable microKorg, Korg are smart to pursue and extend winners. The XD keeps much of the basics intact. The front panel slider is now a joystick — a good change in my opinion. The XD adds a VPM (Variable Phase Modulation)/FM oscillator allowing two op FM voices. Memory is greatly expanded to 500 locations. And two control voltage (CV) inputs.

Expected street price is $650 USD. (The original model streets for about $520.)

Korg also dropped the Volca Modular. If you want to dip into synthesis, here’s your toy, er, tool: eight modules, 50 patch points, 16-step sequencer, “West Coast” style. Yeah, sure, Korg cut cost. The patch points are printed circuit board (PCB) mounted SIL and DIL connectors which take pin-style patch cables instead of 3.5mm plugs. But, wot did you expect for $200 street?

I have to wonder how the Volca Modular would mate to littleBits synth elements?

Finally, Korg revealed the Volca Drum digital percussion synthesizer. Bang on the drum all day with a 16-step sequencer and MIDI IN. Expected street price is $170 USD. Both Volcas will ship in early 2019.

Piano storm

It’s just rainin’ pianos up in here!

Casio have been teasing what could be a new stage piano. [I don’t do teasers any more.] Casio also have new CDP models: CDP-S100 and CDP-S350. “CDP” apparently means “Compact Digital Piano.” Both pianos feature new piano samples and the new Casio Scaled Hammer Action II Keyboard. The CDP-S100 and CDP-S350 have estimated street prices of $500 and $675, respectively. [I’m awaiting USA pricing.]

The CDP-S100 is aimed squarely at the cost conscious and portable Yamaha Piaggero series. The S100 has 64-note polyphony, ten voices, reverb/chorus, two built-in speakers, and battery power (six AA batteries). It weighs 10.5kg (23.1 pounds) and is quite slender. The speakers are front-firing a la the Studiologic NUMA Compact 2x.

The CDP-S350 takes a page from the Korg Havian playbook and the Yamaha DGX series by incorporating arranger keyboard features with a high quality piano. Quick specs include 64 note polyphony, 700 voices, 10 user songs, 200 rhythms (AKA “styles”), auto-harmonization, 100 arpeggios, and battery operation. Weight is 10.9kg (24 pounds). The S350 also employs built-in, front-firing speakers.

Yamaha are announcing the new CP73 and CP88 stage pianos, both clearly positioned to compete with Nord on-stage. The CP88 features Natural Wood Graded Hammer (NW-GH) action while the CP73 has 73 equally-weighted keys. Both axes have Yamaha’s best piano sounds: Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial grands. Yamaha also got the message from pros: Seamless Sound Switching and XLR balanced outputs.

Taking a close look at the front panel, the new CPs offer three sound sections: acoustic piano, electric piano and “sub” from which one builds splits and layers. There are LIVE SET buttons to quickly change between configurations. Pitch bend and modulation control are through two levers located in the upper left corner of the work surface.

Like Nord, Yamaha are offering “content upgrades.” The first available sound upgrades include Rhodes (“1967 tine piano), Wurli (“reed piano”) and Yamaha C7 “studio” grand piano.

Expect $2,499.99 USD for the CP88 and $1,999.99 for the CP73. I find it interesting that the press release is out of Rellingen, Germany — home of the Genos™ and other Yamaha arranger products. Probably not significant.

Copyright © 2019 Paul J. Drongowski