Product Review: Yamaha NP-35 Piaggero Keyboard

A lot can change in seven years, also for a manufacturer of (digital) musical instruments. After this period of time, Yamaha has renewed its two Piaggero series piano keyboards. The new larger, 76-key Piaggero model is called Yamaha NP-35.

The new Piaggeros have remained light and stylish, with hardly any changes in appearance compared to their predecessors. The features of these piano keyboards are based on those of a home piano, but semi-weighted keyboards and simple workmanship make them an absolute lightweight. They are therefore ideal wherever there is no room for a real home piano.

A Piaggero like the six-kilo NP-35 can thus simply be taken along, e.g. on a trip to keep practicing. Since it is not an adequate replacement for a piano with an 88 hammer action keyboard at home, it is mainly recommended to pianists looking for a second instrument.

The NP-35 comes with a power supply and music rack, and is available in a white and a black version. The foldable metal stand L-2C is optionally available.

Redesigned control panel

The control panel is in no need of a display as it is actually very simple to use. However, in this context we should already keep the Smart Pianist app (iOS/Android) in mind. Compared to its predecessor, there aren’t any new buttons, but the control panel was well redesigned.

For each sound group – “Piano”, “E-Piano”, “Organ”, Harpsi/Vib.” and “Strings” – there are three sounds on the NP-35. Each of the sound buttons is equipped with a diode that sometimes glows white, sometimes red or even blue and thus makes the selection of sounds 1 – 3 of each group distinguishable. With 15 sounds, the new Piaggeros now provide five more than their predecessors.

Upgraded grand piano sound

A new feature is the stereo grand piano in group 1, also available in two other variants – sometimes muted, sometimes open and shimmering. Of these, the first preset is the most dynamic sounding universal derivative of a Yamaha concert grand (CFIIIS), offering distinct resonances of the strings and body. Overall, the sound has inherited a lot from some of the piano sounds represented in Yamaha’s Clavinova home piano series, even if their quality is admittedly not quite the same.

Additional sounds bring variety

With a Fender Rhodes, a DX7 and a Wurlitzer each, the electric piano sounds have now become a trio for all occasions. A church organ in two registrations forms a group with a Hammond-B3 with clean jazz sound, as does a harpsichord with an octavated alternative as well as a vibraphone sound.

The fifth group offers a realistic, dynamically controllable string orchestra, synthetic slow strings as well as a universal synth pad. A reverb effect with six types, adjustable in ten intensity levels, also contributes to the sound aesthetics. Some of the sounds, such as electric pianos and strings, also have a chorus effect, which adds more dimension.

What is missing is a double or electric bass sound along with matching split function. Layering two sounds is simple as well: just press two of the sound group buttons at the same time. Therefore however, such a dual sound within a sound group is not possible. The polyphony is the same as that of the old NP models, but with 64 voices the NP-35 is well prepared for most situations.

Feeling good

The keyboard of the “Graded Soft Touch” type ultimately offers the playing feel of a portable keyboard. However, it is still semi-weighted and even has heavy key weights in the bass and lighter ones in the treble. Modelled after a piano, the keys are enclosed at the bottom (box shape). All in all, the result is a fairly coherent playing feel that also allows for light dynamic intonation.

The built-in speakers with 2 x 6 watts of power have their limits, but even fully turned up the Yamaha NP-35’s present sound cleanly fills the entire room.

A headphone jack socket for standard jack is located at the back left of the NP. Another jack connector at the back right is made for a sustain pedal. A jack for a triple pedal, as available on most digital pianos, has been omitted.

Digital piano functions

Also on board with the current NPs are a transposer, a metronome and a MIDI recorder. Here, changing the metronome beat to a three-four time signature, for example, or setting the tempo by feel is quickly done. However, setting a concrete tempo such as 96 BPM is more complicated because it involves using keys on the keyboard.

The metronome can also be added to a MIDI recording – its beat is not recorded. Otherwise, the recorder works rudimentarily and only records live playing on the keyboard. Also, only one song can be saved.

USB audio/MIDI included

Connecting to mobile devices is a breeze with the Yamaha NP-35 thanks to USB audio/MIDI. Via USB-to-Host, the Yamaha NP-35 supports the Yamaha “Smart Pianist” app, which is available free of charge for iOS and Android devices. But other music apps also transmit their audio stream to the sound system of the NP-35 via USB. Online lessons, play-alongs, even DAW apps – possibilities are endless.

For Apple devices, a connection via the Lightning-to-USB camera adapter is favored for this. In the Android world, only a few mobile devices from Samsung and the Google Pixel series are officially compatible at the moment.

Yamaha NP-35 & apps

With Smart Pianist, various settings can be adjusted much more conveniently than on the instrument itself. Additionally, you can practice numerous MIDI piano pieces for one or both hands from the app on the Piaggero. Audio songs from your own smartphone or tablet library are reproduced by the NP speakers to play along with them.

The new NP series is also compatible with Yamaha’s “Rec’n’Share” app, released in 2019 and initially intended primarily for the company’s in-house electric drums section. The app not only captures a performance in an audio track, but also syncs it with a video recording using the camera of the mobile device. Afterwards, the app allows easy editing to make the complete work fit for sharing on YouTube or other social networks.

Yamaha NP-35 in comparison

NP-35 vs. NP-15: The main difference between the two Piaggeros is clearly the size and quality of the keyboard. The smaller model is once again much more compact, which can also be crucial in terms of portability. Its 61-key keyboard is unweighted. Furthermore, it offers less loudspeaker performance than its big brother. In return, the list price is 176 Euros cheaper than that of the 76-key model.

Graded Soft Touch vs. hammer action: The NP-35 can actually only score with mobility and is interesting for those who explicitly want such a semi-weighted keyboard. Beginners who value an authentic as possible playing feel will find a large selection of attractive products for the price of the NP-35. If you stay with Yamaha, you get the P-145 – a portable piano with an 88-note hammer action keyboard – for less than 100 euro more.

Conclusion: Special features, special price

The NP-35 is ideal as a mobile second instrument, so you don’t have to miss out on making music while out and about. With 76 keys and built-in speakers on each side, it is not as compact as possible, but still handy to carry and above all lightweight. Here, the semi-weighted “Graded Soft Touch” keyboard is an advantage, as it saves weight compared to a hammer action keyboard.

However, given the relatively high market price of just below 500 euro, it is not an absolute recommendation for beginners. You can already get various portable pianos with 88 keys and hammer action mechanism for the same money, for example Yamaha’s P-45.

Yamaha NP-35 – Overview

Available since: 06.2023
Keyboard: 76 keys, Graded Soft Touch
Polyphony: 64 voices
Piano app: Yamaha Smart Pianist, free of charge for Android & iOS, Rec’n’Share, free of charge for iOS & Android
Included accessoires: music rack, power supply
Manufacturer/Distributor: Yamaha

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