In recent years, the successful P series has sparked a price war among portable pianos. Once again, the Yamaha P-125 appears to be a record-breaker in this discipline: How much piano can you get for a small budget?
The new Yamaha P-225 will be in stores from July 2023 on. New features include CFX concert grand piano sound, the “Graded Hammer Compact” keyboard, a more compact design as well as Bluetooth and USB audio/MIDI for connecting to mobile devices and music computers.
Pros and Cons
Compared to the predecessor, the CFX sound is a noticeable upgrade.
The direct successor to the Yamaha P-115 is inherently obliged to make improvements. The Yamaha P-125, which weighs just under 12 kilos, presents itself as a typical candidate of its class: external power supply, robust plastic casing with built-in speakers. The lack of an illuminated display and the rudimentary connection possibilities are due to a price-related reduction to the essentials. However, Yamaha has gone the extra mile where it counts: you can hear and feel this when playing the P-125.
The Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keyboard is known from other Yamaha instruments such as the Arius digital pianos or the MX88 synthesizer stage piano. The fact that the Yamaha P-45 also benefits from the GHS keyboard certainly speaks in favor of Yamaha’s smallest portable piano.
“Totally okay” would be a casual way to describe a keyboard that is great to play. Hammer action simulates authentic piano touch, and additionally, keys are weighted: while ‘heaviness’ in the bass increases, it, in turn, decreases in the higher registers. In the portable class, it is also important that the keyboard does not weigh too much. This ensures that the overall weight of the instrument remains portable in the truest sense of the word. The surface of the black keys is slightly matt – the overall playing feel is excellent considering the price and weight.
The 24 sounds are good across the board, with a particular focus on acoustic piano sounds. As usual, Yamaha gives you the best you can get for the price. Beautiful acoustic pianos with nice string resonance, damper resonance, and key-off effects. The piano sounds are full and brilliant, and they also impress in terms of dynamics.
The electric pianos cover the most important categories, and further are the four included variations suitable for many genres. The additional sounds such as strings, synthesizer pads, and basses also provide a good selection for layer and split sounds. On the control panel, you can access the sounds via six buttons and a variation button. Each sound has four variations.
Activating the “Rhythm” button for the first time is great fun. 20 accompaniment patterns, which can also play a bass figure if desired, are available here. They harmoniously follow the chords played on the left side of the keyboard – a joyful approach to the instrument. If you prefer to practice the piano by itself, you can also activate the metronome which comes with different time signatures.
Keyboard instruments have plenty of keys, which in combination with the few buttons make up for the lack of control elements. This is almost standard in this price range. The most important functions, such as the metronome, are printed directly on the edge of the keyboard. One or sometimes two buttons always have a corresponding value on the keyboard. However, you cannot directly access some function without a manual, e.g. setting the reverb effects.
The Yamaha P-125 offers standard digital piano equipment – no more, no less. With Split, Layer, and Duo modes, the sounds on the keyboard can be split or layered; the Duo mode perfectly prepares the keyboard for the teaching situation: Student and teacher each have the same range to show something and play it back to the other. Also important in this context: there are two headphone jacks. The built-in speakers sound good and are more powerful than on the P-115. However, their design makes them lack a bit of bass and therefore fullness of sound.
The sustain pedal, which comes in the form of a simple footswitch, is not quite as innovative. The quality of the footswitch is nothing to complain about, but the sound would be different with a decent sustain pedal. The FC3A is a recommendable alternative.
There are no MIDI sockets, connecting to a computer only works via the USB-to-Host port – tolerable in the modern day. You can also connect the Yamaha P-125 to sequencer programs such as Steinberg Cubase & Co. Or enter the world of mobile devices via USB to connect to the free Smart Pianist app (iOS & Android).
Smart Pianist is a universal piano app intended for Yamaha instruments. You can conveniently control Yamaha digital pianos this way, but Smart Pianist can do much more. An outstanding possibility of Smart Pianist is certainly being able to convert any song from your music library into sheet music and lead sheets.
As expected, Yamaha has once again raised the bar in this class. The Yamaha P-125 offers a lot of performance for little money. Most importantly, the excellent sound and easily playable keyboard achieve top marks straight away. The sound selection and simple operation of the basic functions also stand out. However, the included footswitch gets less applause. If you want a decent sustain pedal, you should plan on purchasing the Yamaha FC3A pedal for an additional 70 Euros along with the P-125.
Available since: 04.2018
Keyboard: 88 keys, GHS
Versions: black and white, wooden stand optional
Polyphony: 192 voices
Sound generation: Sampling (Pure CF Sound Engine)
Included accessories: power supply, note stand, foot switch as a sustain pedal (optionally available: FC3A)
Special features: SmartPhone app „Smart Pianist“ (iOS/Android)
Manufacturer/Distributor: Yamaha
Ralf Willke
Most importantly, the excellent sound and a very easily playable keyboard achieve top marks straight away.
FC 3A : 79,00 €
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