After two years, the Yamaha CLP-745 replaces its predecessor, the CLP-645, which remains a strong mid-range model. Still, the improvements Yamaha has made to the core digital piano features are impressive.
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After two years, the Yamaha CLP-745 replaces its predecessor, the CLP-645, which remains a strong mid-range model. Still, the improvements Yamaha has made to the core digital piano features are impressive.
If you placed the CLP-745 next to the CLP-645, you would hardly notice any difference in appearance. The dimensions remain unchanged—they are even virtually identical to those of the CLP-635 and CLP-735 models. A fully enclosed rear panel and the front legs of the cabinet give it a high-quality look.
Compared to its predecessor and the smaller CLP-735, however, the CLP-745 offers a few subtle feature upgrades that justify the higher price. The highlights include new piano sounds, the GrandTouch-S keyboard, and a more powerful speaker system.
The Yamaha CLP-745 is available in six finishes, including the particularly elegant but also more expensive polished ebony version. The keyboard cover is extendable—a design choice that places the music rest on top of the cabinet. At 60 kilograms, the CLP-745 is three kilograms heavier than its predecessor. This is likely due to the revised sound system and new keyboard.
Learn more: Yamaha CLP-700 Series Overview
Similar to its predecessor, the CLP-745 has 256-note polyphony and offers the same 38 sounds as all models in the CLP-700 series. Only the flagship CLP-785 includes a few additional exclusive sounds.
Like the top model, the CLP-745 features the meticulously sampled and modeling-enhanced sounds of two world-class concert grands: the Yamaha CFX and the Bösendorfer Imperial. Compared to the previous CLP-600 series, Yamaha has provided the new Clavinovas with entirely new sample sets of both instruments. Another highlight is the binaural version of the Bösendorfer sound, which creates a more spacious and immersive listening experience when using headphones. On the previous model, this feature was limited to the CFX sound.
These two sounds were already standouts in the CLP-600 series, convincingly capturing the character of the original concert grands. With the update to the CLP-700 series, Yamaha has further refined the response: The piano sounds now react with greater detail to variations in playing dynamics. In other words, the pianos offer a high degree of tonal flexibility, rewarding expressive playing—even subtle touches of the keys—with nuanced changes.
Enhanced Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM), first introduced in the previous series, together with the new Grand Expression Modeling, adds detailed string, damper, and cabinet resonances to the sound. The player’s touch is translated into subtle tonal nuances with great precision.
To complement its more nuanced sound engine, Yamaha has equipped the CLP-745 with a new keyboard that closely matches the expressive capabilities of its grand piano sounds. The GrandTouch-S keyboard is a slightly upgraded version of the action found in the more affordable CLP-735: On the CLP-745, the white keys are made of wood.
Compared to the Natural Wood X (NWX) action of its predecessor, the CLP-645, the GrandTouch-S offers further refinements in weighting, as well as a pivot point for the black keys similar to that of a grand piano. The overall playing feel is well-balanced and responsive, with excellent repetition. Additional features include let-off simulation and textured key surfaces for better grip. Players can also fine-tune the touch response using five selectable touch curves in the system settings.
The Yamaha CLP-745 is equipped with a four-speaker system. With dedicated tweeters and combined low-midrange speakers, it delivers a spacious and well-defined sound. Two 50-watt amplifiers give the CLP-745 a noticeably fuller, more powerful sound than its smaller sibling, the CLP-735, and its predecessor, the CLP-645, which had only half the amplifier output. The two premium concert grand sounds benefit from the increased headroom in particular, gaining clarity and presence.
The CLP-745 also includes additional acoustic piano voices. Alongside the two main concert grands, you’ll find the sound of Yamaha’s SU7 upright as well as a variety of rock, pop, and jazz pianos.
A highlight of the CLP-700 series is its authentic reproduction of 18th- and 19th-century fortepianos. On the CLP-745, these include the “Mozart Piano” and the “Chopin Piano. Both give players a vivid sense of how the works of great classical composers might have sounded on the instruments of their time.
The rest of the sound palette will be familiar from the 600 series. It features carefully selected Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and DX7 electric pianos, electric and pipe organs. Further, there are pad sounds including natural strings, as well as harpsichord, vibraphone, nylon- and steel-string guitars, and four basses. Together, they cover everything a digital piano needs, delivered in Yamaha’s proven quality. Moreover, you can use the split and layer functions simultaneously for flexible sound combinations.
In addition to reverb and chorus, two more modulation effect slots are available, offering delay, rotary speaker, phaser, and now even distortion. This is ideal for electric pianos or Hammond-style organ sounds. The brilliance control has also been upgraded to a three band EQ with user-adjustable settings, providing greater flexibility for shaping the overall sound.
Fifty classical piano pieces and 303 études are designed to inspire a desire to practice. Many of the pieces have separately playable right- and left-hand parts. In the familiar Duo mode, two players can perform four-handed using the same piano sound in the same register.
The CLP-745 can play MIDI files and audio songs in WAV format from a USB stick or an iPad/iPhone via its internal sound system. Unlike its smaller sibling, the CLP-745 supports Bluetooth for connecting to such playback devices. Alternatively, you can feed in an audio signal via the aux input.
You can also record your performance as a song in the internal memory or on a USB stick as a MIDI file, or as an audio file on a USB stick. There is even a playback feature for monitoring while recording. Twenty preset drum rhythms are available for jamming, and a new automatic bass track generates accompaniment based on the harmonies you play.
As with current Clavinovas, the CLP-745’s control panel is located to the left of the keyboard. Equipped with an LC display and 17 buttons, the basic operation of the instrument is straightforward. However, the free Smart Pianist app makes many functions much more convenient. An exclusive feature of this app is the registration memory for split and layer configurations, allowing you to create as many memory slots as you like. On the piano itself, however, you can only save custom settings once.
A special feature of the CLP-700 series is the ability to adjust the grand piano sounds. The corresponding settings are clearly visualized in the Piano Room menu within the app. Smart Pianist is compatible with iOS and some Android smartphones, including Google Pixel and Samsung devices.
Another new feature of the CLP-745 is its ability to connect wirelessly to tablets and computers via Bluetooth MIDI.
Yamaha CLP-735 vs. CLP-745: If you’re looking for an affordable Clavinova, the CLP-735 is a solid option. Its main limitation is its less powerful sound system: two 30-watt speakers compared to the CLP-745’s four-speaker setup. Further, the Grand Touch-S keyboard in the 735 is slightly less refined and does not feature wooden keys. This model also lacks Bluetooth connectivity. However, the recommended retail price difference of around $900 is significant. Visually, the two pianos are virtually identical.
Yamaha CLP-745 vs. CLP-645: The improvements over the previous model are immediately noticeable in terms of both sound and touch. The CLP-745 delivers a more nuanced playing experience. This allows the two main grand piano sounds, the Yamaha CFX and the Bösendorfer Imperial, to gain presence and tonal detail. The mid to high registers, in particular, benefit from enhanced sonority and more authentic sound reproduction.
In the home piano price range up to $4,000, Yamaha has made significant upgrades to the CLP-745 compared to its predecessor. This mid-range piano not only offers a wide range of sounds, but also comprehensive practice and recording functions.
Above all, the two concert grand piano sounds, Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial, have been enhanced. The improvements that are clearly audible, especially in combination with the upgraded keyboard and rich sound system of the CLP-745. Another notable feature is Bluetooth support paired with the Smart Pianist app, which adds real value through touch control of the Piano Room menu and the ability to save registration memories.
Release date: October 2020
Keyboard: GrandTouch-S, let-off simulation, ebony/ivory key surfaces, hybrid wooden keys (white keys with wooden elements)
Polyphony: 256 voices
Included: Power supply, 50 Classics music book
Special features: 353 practice songs, 20 rhythms
Piano app: Smart Pianist (free, iOS and Android)
Manufacturer: Yamaha
Henrik Bruns
Above all, the two concert grand piano sounds, Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial, have been enhanced. The improvements that are clearly audible, especially in combination with the upgraded keyboard and rich sound system of the CLP-745.
Stylish design, smart operation, plenty of great piano sounds, and many features: The new Casio Privia PX-S7000, PX-S6000 & PX-S5000.
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