Pros and Cons
The Yamaha CP88 stage piano marks a philosophical turning point in the CP family. With a surprising new design and contemporary sound, the CP88 performs a daring balancing act between vintage elements, stage suitability, and state-of-the-art digital technology. In this way, it is perfectly in tune with the spirit of the times.
Compared to the clean design of previous models, the colorful vintage elements make the control panel almost playful. Still, it is a cool mix that looks modern and iconic at the same time. Bright yellow, green, and red rocker-style preset buttons are especially eye-catching in both shape and color. The toggle switches accentuate this look. In addition, the Yamaha CP88 features LED rings around all relevant controls for optimal visibility in low-light environments.
In the case of the CP88, putting “stage” before “piano” is not just marketing, it is a promise. While the CP4 Stage was made of lightweight plastic, the CP88 is a robust stage piano in a metal casing. The CP88 is built to a very high standard, which is reflected in both the feel and the ratio of the actual weight of 18.6 kg to the solid construction of the cabinet.
As an alternative to the CP88, Yamaha offers the smaller CP73, which is technically identical to the larger model. The only difference is the 73-key “Balanced Hammer Standard” (BHS) keyboard and the resulting differences in dimensions.
The sounds of the Yamaha CP88 are divided into three sections: Piano, Electric Piano, and Sub. While the concept of the first two sections is quite clear, the last section functions as an additional library set with sound categories such as Pads, Organs, Strings, Bass, or Chromatic Percussion. While all three sections work independently, you can of course combine them to create split and layer sounds.
In typical Yamaha fashion, the sound quality of the presets is up to the expected high standard and covers all the relevant categories with ease. For rudimentary sound editing, you can make quick use of the attack, release, and tone controls. Moreover, four high-quality effects are available to further refine the sound, offering everything from rotary speaker to chorus and drive, including depth and speed modulation.
The Yamaha CP88 comes with a total of ten acoustic piano sounds. Apart from optional damper resonance, the piano sounds lack sound details such as sympathetic resonance. As a result, it lacks some of the subtleties that are standard on many digital pianos today. However, when playing over a PA, dynamic details such as damper noise or fallback noise can be distracting, and it is often better to turn them off when playing live.
Ultimately, a stage piano is only as good as its live performance. This is where the CP88 shines, delivering the piano sounds for which Yamaha has rightly become world famous. Especially in a band setting, the assertiveness of the CFX concert grand and the U1 and SU7 uprights is exemplary for a stage instrument in this class.
You can access and route the delay and reverb effects to any of the three sound groups (Piano/E-Piano/Sub) via a separate section.
On the other hand, the four effects compressor, distortion, drive, and chorus, including the intensity control, are immediately available from the Piano section to quickly modify the basic sound.
What is perhaps the most comprehensive effects library accompanies the obligatory Electric Piano section. It includes classics such as Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and Clavinet, as well as the company’s own electric piano heritage in the form of a DX tribute.
Two separate processors combined with electromechanical instruments provide essential effects such as auto pan, tremolo, ring modulator, touch wah, phaser, flanger, and chorus. Combined with a little bit of drive, the phaser effect can even crown a Rhodes sound.
Another new feature of Yamaha’s stage pianos: While it is not possible to load individual sounds, as is the case with the Nord Keyboard, for example, Yamaha offers extensive library expansions via updates. The currently available OS update in version 1.3 gives a good impression of what Yamaha means by this new type of product maintenance. It includes a completely new sampling grand piano called CFIII and the electric piano recreations Rd73 Studio and Rd74.
Another improvement from 1.1 to 1.2 concerns the vibraphone. While it sounds very cool with the typical tremolo effect, it was not possible to turn this off. Starting with version 1.2, the vibraphone is now available without tremolo.
It’s almost impossible to imagine a more ideal control concept for live performances than that of the Yamaha CP88. Every parameter up to the global EQ has its own knob, button, and section. You can simply create layers by activating additional sections (Piano/Electric Piano/Sub). Individual volume controls let you dial in the perfect mix. What you see is what you get!
The “Natural Wood Graded Hammer” (NW-GH) keyboard is carried over from the predecessor CP4 Stage. The term “Natural Wood” immediately suggests a hammer action keyboard with wooden keys, but they are actually a composite of wood and synthetic materials. This means that the white keys are “covered” with wooden elements. Nevertheless, the graded, weighted keyboard plays with a good grip and precision thanks to the synthetic ivory and ebony keytops. This keyboard has no let-off mechanism.
The keyboard not only appears to be high quality, it actually offers an excellent playing feel. You can further refine this with 5 different dynamic curves.
The Yamaha CP88 is a well-developed, robust stage pro that delivers both sonic and technical excellence. Yamaha’s latest stage piano is a real winner in terms of its pleasant update policy, professional features, and practical design. Good sound, a good feel, and a cool yet fresh vintage look.
Release date: March 2019
Keyboard: Natural Wood Graded Hammer (NW-GH) 88 keys, graded weighting
Polyphony: 128 Voices
Manufacturer: Yamaha
Pros and Cons
Jörg Sunderkötter
The Yamaha CP88 is a well-developed, robust stage pro that delivers both sonic and technical excellence.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Facebook. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information
