yamaha dgx 620 lcd screen free sample

My respect! this is the truth, My repair lasted a few month and finally I changed the screen module to a new one, it"s cheap in aliexpress. I can see some improvement and so far so good, 3 years already.0

This Tuesday I opened the DGX620 and checked the display. I saw no way to open it easily but when lifting a side tape I came across two (only two) backlight leds. There it was easy!

I had some similar issues with my DGX-620 that showed to be due to pressure of the flat cables contacts. This was solved using a small piece of cellulose acetate cut from a 35mm negative and inserted in between the display flat cable end the connector.

Awesome instructions. After taking out all the screws and the board, I didn"t think it was going to work because the connections on the LCD board looked perfect. But I followed the instructions exactly anyway. I have zero experience with repairing electronics but the instructions were so good that I fixed it on the first try. I especially appreciated the detail of setting the screwdriver torque to 1 so as not to strip the casing when putting it all back together. Thanks!

Great advice. Thanks! Looking to buy one of these very cheap (because - you guessed it - screen problem!). Before I attempt to fix/replace... is it possible to play as regular piano WITHOUT screen function? My daughter needs a nice keyboard for piano practice... Hate to pass this one up!

Yes, you can catch the offer, the overall quality and durability are ok, as it made by YAMAHA, sound quality is decent if the internal speaker still original, or you can just connect to an externally powered speaker system. one thing I feel the keys are little noisy compared to a Casio, the strike sound, maybe the shock absorber is getting old.... Mine one is about 7 years stationary use. Hope this help.1

Thanks for the advice on the anisotropic conductive film cable. My DGX620 LCD was down to half screen and I wanted to avoid the cost of replacement, when it was clearly only a connection issue.

Hi there! glad my note helped in solving the issue, seems it"s a genetic bug of all DGX keyboards (i just can"t call it piano even it sounds good, but the keys stoke feels toy). I do recommend you have a hot gun to finish this kind of job, as the iron slide quickly on the contact ribbon, maybe may become open again in a few days. good luck!

I came across this website while looking for a solution for why the screen looks so messed up on my DGX-620. I am taking the time to post this comment cause I was actually crapping myself at how to fix this issue. Now that o have thanks to you guys, holy crap thank you soooooooooo much. CHAMPIONS.

I have problems with my LCD display also! At the back of the Yamaha 620 you will find to the right a small protruding knob! This will adjust the light.

If the LCD is not displaying at all it could be a faulty connection ie where the temperature changes in the room and the soldering etc expands and contracts, therefore, when its cold it will contract and the connections fail, written information will no longer show. When it expands the connections are made and you will have the information in the LCD screen! This is what I was told when I asked in a music shop in Evesham. Hope this helps!

The display of this Dix 620 is only showing right side half and the left half is blank like a white paper is covering the left half of this display widow. Can you give a hint to get the left half working.

I have a DGX-620 and it has started to play a B+C second when I hit middle C, but only when certain other notes are being held in sustain at the same time. Sometimes only the B sounds loudly when C is hit, but again only with other note combinations in sustain. I have tried both the last-white-key and 3-blacks+last-white key resets, but there is no improvement. Anybody know what to do?

Dear Peter: The symptoms you describe point POSSIBLY to the rubber underlay pads under the keys being dirty/defective. I do not have a lsiting for a Yamaha Repair Service in Honolulu, but you can either ask the store where you boughT the unit who they use for repairs, or contact

I moved and when i tried to hook up DGX 620, nothing happens. The computer sais I have new hardware, but I have used it before and it is not new. Then, I try and download drivers and it downloads but the screen stays white and I can"t find the driver download. My computer says that I don"t have a DGX attached.

Dear Sue: 1) WITHOUT HOOKING UP THE DGX 620, if your computer works normally, it is an indication that 2) the patch cord from the DGX to the computer may be defective 3) you may not have followed the instructions in your Owner"s Manual when setting up the DGX after your move. The sequence of steps as required is important and must be followed. I hope these comments are helpful. Please post a follow-up message in this Forum to let other members know haoew you have fared. Thanks and good luck.

We"ve had a litlle accident with our DGX620: our cat has peed over the keyboard. The man at our local musicstore warned us, that in time the circuitboards underneath the keyboard will get damaged by the acid of the fluid. First it functioned well, but after a week or 2 indeed hitting a key resulted in messy notes, as if all notes are messed-up and played in random highs.

So: the contactstrips/arrays underneath the keyboard need to be replaced (all 4 of them). Total costs (including worktime) about ? 400,00. We didn"t think it was worth the investment and have now bought an dgx 630 (with keyboardcover :) ). However.. the soundpart of the damaged dgx 620 is still functioning well. If i connect it to my pc, all midi-files and internal songs and voices are still sounding correct. I can even trigger it by using an external keyboardcontroller via USB through Sonar on the PC.

Surfing the internet has resultet in very poor info about keyboards for the dgx 620. Our man at the musicstore told us, that FATAR produces good value for money keyboards. I have a few questions about the damaged arrays:

If all gets too expensive i am planning on ripping the circuitboards of the sooundmodule out of the dgx casing and rebuild it in another casing, thus using it as an soundmodule (kinda rackversion of the dgx 620) and then trigger it with my easycontrol 49 usb midicontroller. I even have the instrument definitionset for use in sonar, so i can access also the sweet and livevoices.

Sonar is a very complex midi/audio recording programm, so i guess i will be spending a lot of time figuring how to do all the midi stuff according to the 620.

Question: is there a way (or a programm) wich helps me to get more control over the dgx620? For example if i want to start a style using syncstart, it now don"t react on keyboardhits from my keycontrol. Also i want to be able to use split and dual etc. .... the functions that can be accessed on the dgx by pressing the buttons. But i want to access/controll them via midi. Can this be done?

Dear Harry: Dick has beaten me to the punch, but as you will see from what follows, he must have been reading my mind while I was preparing to reply: "I believe my first message mentioned probable damage to the Rubberpads and Copperlines (TRACES) of the Circuit Boards, and how they might be cleaned. I also indicated how I might go about disassembling the Unit (Making notes along the way). That process as you are beginning to see, is going to be a ?work of love?. That is why Yamaha (and Dick and I) normally discourage any DIY activities. As far as the Traces of the PCBs are concerned. You can always ?bridge? any corroded ends with carefully soldered pieces of copper wire (Use low wattage iron.Never soldering gun). You are right about the Sensor points (Graphite Dots and the Key Velocity). As to updating threads, you have the option when you end your post to request alerts when other members enter their posts on the same subject. I am not a PC nerd and don?t know how to post pictures. Isn?t it done in the same way as you did in your original post?

NEITHER DICK NOR I HAVE ANY CONNECTION WITH YAMAHA. WE, LIKE YOU, ARE JUST MEMBERS of this Forum giving our best efforts to a friendly meeting place for enthusiasts. Mantius is the Webmaster and if you refer to the subtitles to the left of all posts you should find one that says ?Contact Mantius?. Dick, by coincidence, may have a Service Manual for your DGX, but I doubt it, and to purchase one you probably should get in touch with the Yamaha people at the following address: Yamaha Music Europe GmbH Branch Benelux

You have to understand that we have nothing to do with Yamaha as such or any other factory. People who are answering questions on this forum are keyboard enthusiasts, with a bit (more or less) experiences, (good or bad) with in general one or two Yamaha keyboards and/or piano"s.

Dick, is there any chance that u can get me a technical manual in which is described how to disassemble the keyboard and its arrays? (pdf will do). I understand that Yamaha only communicates via its retailers and not directly to endusers/customers, but i was kinda hoping u could pull some strings for me at yamaha :).

2. Being as mechanically and electronically inclined as you obviously are, why not do everything possible to salvage your 620? You have nothing to lose (you have the 630). Just avoid forcing anything, and make notes as you go along so you will be able to reassemble the unit when the job is done. Start by gently cleaning all accessible parts with a mild solution of detergent and water, followed by a COMPLETE DRYING of each part. This means all the Keys, Internal Circuit Boards (Traces), Sensors (be they rubber pads or other). Be aware that some of the internal Components may be static-sensitive, so take the necessary precautions to keep them safe.

Hi, I recent bought a Yamaha DGX 620 and i was wondering if there is any way to open USER SONGS on a windows computer, possibly with windows media or be able to open the file as a mp3 file or a .wav file.

We have the DGX-620. Is there any way to link all the songs together so you can listen to continuous music instead presing the start/stop button and selecting each song?

Dear Stefan: If you first google Yamaha DGX 520 and learn about that Unit, then do the same for Yamaha 620 you will be in a position to post any lingering questions in this Forum. No disrespect is meant, but you should do some "homework" before posing any questions such as yours. Most participants do not own more than one keyboard, and presuming the one they own is one of the two in question, they have no way of really responding without doing some "homework". All this said, please accept my advice in the positive spirit in which it is meant. I look forward to helping you further, so please don"t be shy to post future Forum messages. Keep well

After plugging in the power supply I push the "on" button and nothing happens. No display,zip. The power supply (Yamaha of course)works with other equipment but the Dgx620 has no response. No lights of any kind.

Hit "Function" on the Keyboard, and then on the upper right hand side hold down "Demo". This then opens up the PC mode on the little screen on the keyboard. Now use the scrolling circle (where it a "Data Entry" arrow is pointed) and move it up a couple notches to get to PC2 mode!

Also, for Mac users, just as a side note: when you unzip the file, there will be a lot of "installation guides" to open. Just skip all those and double-click the "Yamaha USB-MIDI Driver.mpkg" to get the real installation started.

1. I would like to hook up my dgx 640 to my mac and go into garage band and be able to hear my actual piano sounds and record them in there ( How do i set that up and how do i listen to it while i play it? if i am going from a 1/4 thats connected in back of dgx640 to my macs headphone jack, that means i cant hear as the headphone jack is in use

1) Get a 1/4inch cable, which you can connect to your yamaha in the output port on the back. Connect it to a mixer, and connect the mixer to the audio input jack on your Mac. If you have a macbook pro, the input is the headphone jack, but you need to go to system preferences, sounds, and change the port from an output to an input.

Hi all..need help. I have been able to record from dgx to GarageBand..(using the garage band sounds).HOWEVER, I have nit been able to record the full sounds and effects I want to use directly from my dgx 220 into GarageBand...why is this?

I"ve got a Yamaha Portable Grand DGX-505, and I"m trying to connect it to my Mac laptop (running OSX 10.5.8.). I"m trying to be able to record into Logic or Garageband through MIDI. And nothing works. :( I installed the driver mentioned on this page, and it installed fine. Garageband recognizes one MIDI input (presumably my keyboard) but won"t do anything about it. Any advice is welcome, I"m at my wit"s end here. Thanks for your input :)

Dear Tracey: Google the Yamaha Parts Dept. (Essex in UK??? Then google Yamaha UK). Provide your model number, etc., and hopefully you will thread your way to the webpage. Happy hunting!

I want to use the A-B repeat function on my DGX-620 a bit like a loop pedal i.e. record a phrase and have it play over and over so I can play along with it.

This hasn"t been looked at in a few months so hopefully there is an answer soon. I"m having the same problem. I"ve been able to mute it so that the metronome doesn"t play, but now it"s just a gap where the sound of the metronome would have been. I"m using a DGX-230. Here"s what I"m doing. I recorded a piece onto the first slot in song memory that I want to loop. Then I press repeat A-B before i play it back so that it records from the start (as it says in the manual). I then press repeat A-B again where i want it to end. Everything works except I get a get an 8-beat gap between the looped recording. How do I get rid of this? Thanks!

I have a DGX 620 which is 2 1/2 years old. The display screen has faded and only shows 50% of the screen. This appears to be a common fault with various owners reporting the same or very similar problmes. I assume that as this appears to be a faulty part this should changed free of charge.

I never followed this through but have noted wide world that this is still a problem for DGX 620 and similar models that use the same screen. There is a solution on You Tube for replacing the screen yourself.

My Yamaha DGX 640 is about 1 (one) years old. Today after switch it on I got a badly surprise when only half of the display was on. The other half was fade-out. Just right in the center. I have the ORIGINAL adapter which I bought with the piano. If it is a common problem, THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT FOR FREE. No question about it.

I have a Yamaha DGX 620 Grand Piano and the F# and C keys have stopped working when I press them. Can this be easily fixed? Can someone guide me on opening up the keyboard to check for a loose connection, etc.

I have the same DGX 620 and the 3 lower C"s and the 2 lower F and G sharps quit working.. I was playing today and the 2 lower D"s all of a sudden quit midsong! FRUSTRATING. It was a "refurbished" instrument, its just barely a year old -- I hope its warrantied!

You problem, if all C"s and F#"s are not working it looks like a contact pad (for a better word) underneath the keys is broken. If that is the case, it can easily be replaced by a Yamaha repair person with the right tools.

How do I create new styles for the DGX-620? The existing selection is a bit short in the Waltz department and I would like to be able to have a few more.

Thanks for your comment. Only problem is that I don"t see the DGX-620 anywhere. Tons of PSRs and Tyros, but nothing for my keyboard. Is this a case of one name for the UK and different name for the same thing everywhere else (as in some Canon cameras) or am I just not looking in the right place?

I am a computer programmer, among other things, so am not daunted by complex procedures, but cannot discover - even from Yamaha support or Michael Bedesem a year or so ago - how style creation or adaptation actually works.

ations:Dear David: If you are using an Adaptor, it may be defective. Sometimes the output degenerates. Try a new one. If the Display still is blurred, you should contact one of these two Yamaha operations:

ations:Dear David: If you are using an Adaptor, it may be defective. Sometimes the output degenerates. Try a new one. If the Display still is blurred, you should contact one of these two Yamaha operations:

I"m planning to buy a digital piano for my 12 yr old daughter. Deciding between a very good condition second hand dgx620 and a brand new dgx630. We want to save some money all right because the cost difference is about $1000. But is there any major difference between the 2 models?

Dear DowmUnder: Thanks for contacting us. Google (separately) Yamaha DGX 620 and DGX 630, and you should be able to compare the specs of the two models. This Forum is not an arm of the Yamaha Corp., and other than the info to be found in the index to the left of this post, our discussions do not include unit comparisons. When you decide which unit you purchase, we welcome you to come back as a participant. Good luck.

I am looking at the Yamaha DGX-630 (at Costco) (I imagine it is called 630 as opposed to 620 because it is at Costco). I see it has weighted keys, but cannot find if it has touch response

I have YAMAHA-DGX620 and i"m playing in the band, but i"m having trouble when using Sustain pedal, because it"s decay just lasts for too long. Is there any possibility of reducing it? I need quick help!

I have a DGX-620 and using the mains power adaptor. the keyboard is on but the key sounds in intermittant. The demo is working ok. The menu function key will only show one setting and cannot be adjusted.

I have PC windows vista. I am trying to record my keyboard sound with Mixcraft 4 trial version. However, I do not hear any sound output neither through the soundcard nor from the instrument (could be it is headphones out jack). I tried to connect my DGX 620 through USB cable and also phone output to PC soundcard. My PC has recognised the USB driver. I have also upgraded the USB driver. Mixcraft also recognized the Keyboard. So what is the issue? Shall be grateful for help.

At last managed to transfer the song data through USB flash drive in Midi format. However, when I played it in Mixcraft4 I found to my horror that the sounds of most of the voices were altered!! (I read about this problem in another site too). Some background style (pre-recorded) disappeared showing blank midi track lines. I later used virtual instrument voices of the software to envelope the sounds. It took some time. I am still to exploit the MIDI feature of the DGX 620 vis-a-vis computer.

Does anyone know where I can locate the plastic cover for the LCD display? The glue came undone and I have lost it. Keyboard is fine, but need to know what I"m playing. Thanks.

A month after I posted the above message the display died again. I opened the DGX620 and the problem was, again, a bad contact on the display flat cable connection.

My DGX-620 is also crapping out on me. Somtimes it works...sometimes the screen looks as though its moving but it"s really hard to read and other times I have only a couple of vertical lines with a lit up but blank screen. Pisses me off!!.. I paid good money for this and by the looks of it, this is a common issue that should be repaired free of charge.Bastards at Yamaha!!

My name is Paulo de Tarso and I’m from Brazil. I also have a DGX620 with problems on the LCD display. Sometimes it works fine, sometimes completely blue !

All keyboards from Yamaha that use this display have problems. I have not analyzed my unit but from the reports and comments from people throughout the web it appears there is a loose solder joint problem on the display itself, as when you tap the back of tail of the display the display comes back to life.

Same thing here. I own two of these keyboards (DGX 620) and both do the same thing. LCD screen fail!! I wish Yamaha would recall these screens or send replacement screens free of charge. I"m willing to go at the screws for 2 hours and do the repair myself. Let"s all say Class action........

I noticed on utube a guy just touching one of the cables to the display and you could see the display change. This was not a DGX620 but a different Yamaha keyboard that uses the same display.

my dgx did have the same error. the dealer believed the display is bad. he sayed i must bay a new display. you open the keyboard. you must lay it at the top and open all the screw.inseits you see conducter plates. you take off all the cable bands which go to the display. now you do contactoil on a soft paper and put it on the contact. now the dispay goes ok.

my dgx did have the same error. the dealer believed the display is bad. he sayed i must bay a new display. you open the keyboard. you must lay it at the top and open all the screw.inseits you see conducter plates. you take off all the cable bands which go to the display. now you do contactoil on a soft paper and put it on the contact. now the dispay goes ok.

The problem has something to with the flat cable on the board. If I tap the unit I sometimes get the display back. There is a utube video showing this on a different yamaha keyboard.

Neither Canadian and USA Yamaha representative accepted to help me in any ways. So finally i must agree that it"s the last time i buy Yamaha"s products. It"s a shame that they dont support their products more than that. Too bad my next synth will be Roland, Moog, Casio etc. If i want to repair i"ll have to pay more than $200 plus custom fee $100 plus shipping and taxes $100...Forget it!!!

Unbelievable. If that is what Yamaha is charging for what seems an overly common defect with their units then that is seriously the last time i am buying a Yamaha product. Why don"t they just issue a recall or something of that nature?

Dear Jan: In addition to Dick Rector"s wise caution, you may want to contact Yamaha Canada Music Ltd. at 135 Milner Ave., Scarborough, Ontario, M1S 3R1, Canada

If I was to connect my Yamaha DGX620 to a computer, what cable would I use? Did the piano come with one? (I don"t know if I got one, and my piano was used when I brought it) Or do you need to buy it? If so, where from?

I don"t know how old your post was and you may have sorted it out. I have a dgx500 and Have just ordered a Roland midi/usb interface from Ellaways Music at Kedron in Brisbane. Amanda there was very helpful and convinced me that I didn"t need the much more expensive Yamaha UX16

The Yamaha DGX-620 is the name of a digital piano (also known as the YPG-625). The lettering DGX encompasses the word Digital Grand whereas YPG stands for Yamaha Portable Grand, and the only difference between the names are the markets they are sold in.Yamaha Corporation in late 2006, the first model of the DGX/YPG series with weighted keys.

The DGX-620 is an improved version of the earlier Yamaha DGX-520 keyboard. In June 2008 the Yamaha DGX-630 (aka YPG-635) replaced the DGX-620. The next successor, the Yamaha DGX-640, was released in 2010. In 2013, the DGX-650 Digital Piano was released. This was later replaced by the Yamaha DGX-660 (available in the same colors as the 650). The DGX-660 was replaced in 2021 by the DGX-670, which adds a color display, as well as features similar to the PSR-S and -SX series keyboards such as Super Articulation voices and an improved style section.

The DGX-660 has replaced its successful predecessor, the DGX-650, and comes with increased polyphony as well as some new sounds, effects, and features, which I’ll get to later in the review.

The keyboard is pretty big and heavy compared to other models in the line and digital pianos from the P-series. However, the latter doesn’t come anywhere close to the DGX-660 in terms of sounds, features and connectivity options.

And if portability is crucial for you, I’d recommend taking a look at the Casio CGP-700, which is similar to the DGX-660 in terms of features but has a more compact design.

You’ll also be able to see what notes you’re playing and what notes you need to play (on the on-screen scores and virtual keyboard) when using the Lesson function.

At the heart of the DGX-660 is Yamaha’s proprietary Pure CF sound engine. It’s the same sound source as used in the Yamaha P-125, the P-255, and some Arius (YDP) models.

The DGX-660 is also equipped with a Pitch Bend wheel, which will allow you to reproduce some interesting effects (e.g. guitar vibrato, choking) by bending notes up and down while playing the keyboard.

The polyphony has been expanded from128 notes on the DGX-650 to 192 notes on this model, which means you can freely play and layer multiple sounds, use backing tracks and accompaniment styles without worrying about the memory capacity and notes dropping out.

Not only does the DGX-660 have all the essential qualities to provide a realistic piano experience but it’s also equipped with a variety of features that you would usually see on an arranger keyboard.

Not to get lost in the keyboard’s numerous features and settings and make it easier for piano players to access piano sounds and piano-related settings, Yamaha has equipped the DGX-660 with the “Piano Room” function (has a dedicated button).

The DGX-660 can work with two types of data, MIDI and Audio. You can record and play back your performances in both MIDI (SMF) and audio (WAV) format.

The DGX-660 offers a wide selection ofauto-accompaniment styles and rhythms, which will accompany your performances making you sound like you’re playing with a band or an orchestra.

You can also use the DGX-660 as aMIDI controller, transferring MIDI data between the keyboard and the computer to control various music production and learning apps (e.g. GarageBand, FlowKey, etc).

Another great feature of the DGX-660 is that you can connect a microphone directly to this 1/4″ jack and sing along with your keyboard performance or a song playback.

As I said, the DGX-660 is not the best choice to take to gigs due to its size. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s unsuitable for that, it’s just not the BEST option.

In fact, many musicians manage to transport and use this keyboard to perform on stage. And if you decide to do so, you’d probably need a bag to safely transport the DGX-660.

The first option is the Yamaha Artiste Series Keyboard Bag for 88-note keyboards, which is quite a big bag even for the DGX-660 and you’ll have some space left inside.

As I said the Yamaha DGX-660 is a very versatile keyboard and anyone from a beginner to an experienced player will not be disappointed with what it has to offer. I bet your kids will love it too!

As a digital piano, the DGX-660 features fully weighted keyboard with 88 keys and incredible piano tone sampled from theCFIIIS Concert Grand. That along with 192-note polyphony creates a realistic piano experience.

The piano also has a bunch of educational features that will make learning more interesting and effective with on-screen notation and virtual keyboard.

But if you need something extra, you can always use the DGX-660’s connections to further expand its functionality by connecting it to different devices and equipment.

So the DGX-660 is not the best choice for gigs and playing out due its size. However, if you manage to safely transport the keyboard, it’s more than suitable for performances, considering how many bells and whistles it has.

The keyboard offers you much more than a regular digital piano. The DGX-660 is basically an entertainment center, a digital piano and alittle studio all in one.

The Yamaha P125 is another popular intermediate digital piano from Yamaha’s P series. The P-125 is basically the same keyboard as the DGX-660 but without all those extra functions and sounds.

I’d recommend the P-125 over the DGX-660 for those who just need an alternative to an acoustic piano and don’t care about the extra sounds and features.

The video below explains the key differences between the two keyboards very well (in the video, Chris talks about the older P-115 and DGX-650, but most of that applies to the new models as well):

The CGP-700 is the direct competitor to the DGX-660 not only because they have the same price tag, but also because they are very similar concept-wise.

The CGP-700, just like the DGX-660, is a very versatile keyboard that offers a realistic piano experience as well as lots of features for music production, learning, etc.

Another great feature of the CGP-700 is its 5.3” color touch screen, which beats the DGX-660’s non-touch monochrome screen and makes navigating more convenient and intuitive (particularly useful on stage).

The CGP-700 features Casio’s famous Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II with simulated Ivory & Ebony keytops, which to my taste provides a more realistic feel than the DGX-660’s GHS keyboard.

As for the extra sounds and features, the CGP-700 boasts 550built-in sounds (DGX-660: 554 sounds), 200 accompaniment styles (DGX-660: 205 styles), 128-note polyphony (DGX-660: 192 notes), layer/split functions, duo mode (not available on the DGX-660), 17 reverb, 16 chorus and 6 delay types (DGX-660: 41 reverbs, 44 choruses).

The CGP-700 features a 17-track MIDI recorder with memory capacity for 100 songs (DGX-660 has memory only for 5 songs). Audio recording is also available on the keyboard.

The CGP-700, on the other hand, offers a much more powerful speaker system, a more convenient 5.3” touch screen and arguably a more realistic keyboard action.

So let’s start with the Yamaha PSR keyboards first off, PSR stems from Yamaha’s first portable keyboards called ‘PortaSound’, and the ‘R’ is just the latest version. With most of these models the keyboard itself is limited to 61 keys (5 octaves), meaning it’s perfect for the beginner pianist who’s just starting out, maybe as a present for your child, or even if you are later on in life and are looking to start a light musical hobby, the PSR are a great keyboard to go to.

The PSR series have been in popular demand ever since they were made in 1984, with Yamaha having now made over 100 different models of the PSR keyboard. The higher range PSR models include ‘touch response’, the best of these also having ‘Hammer Graded Action’. Touch response allows you to control the volume of each note you press based on how hard or soft you play it. A very important feature for the keyboard to have, as it will really help you work on and develop your ‘feel’ for the instrument.

A great feature of many of the PSR keyboards is something called a ‘YES’ feature, which stands for Yamaha Education Suite. This allows you to learn the keyboard at a much faster and more productive rate. Acting almost as a self learning tool, it comes with built in lessons for each handbook and chord dictionary, plus you can even learn how to play various songs with it too… another reason why the PSR keyboard is well suited for beginners!

But on top of being a great keyboard for those just starting out, Yamaha have expertly designed a feature with the advanced PSR models that allow professional working musicians to use it to their advantage too! This feature styles the keyboards as ‘Arranger Workstations’, allowing you to perform with these keyboards, create your own music, record and arrange on it. This also includes polyphony, recording features, different accompaniments, a vast bank of different sounds, and internet connection which is a must for the advanced musician as it allows you to upload midi songs straight from your keyboard. All of these features vary in their amounts and abilities depending on how much you are willing to spend on getting an advanced or basic model of the PSR keyboard.

Next up, we have the Yamaha DGX keyboard… this keyboard is the perfect blend between a digital piano and an arranger keyboard. The DGX-660 is currently the flagship model for Yamaha’s ‘Portable Grand’ line, it is also the only one in the line that has fully-weighted keys.

The DGX is also equipped with a huge selection of different voices, styles and connectivity.The DGX-660 has replaced its successful predecessor, the DGX-650, It comes packed with hundreds of sounds, songs, styles, and rhythms, making it a perfect instrument not only for playing piano but also for learning and making music.

The DGX keyboard really excels in terms of its features in comparison to its younger brothers from the Yamaha P-series models, though unfortunately, all these effects and gadgets on the keyboard really do add to the weight of it, making it slightly less portable than those of the lower models. Though, to counter this, Yamaha has equipped a sturdy stand that comes with the keyboard, and even matches the colour you choose to have it (black or white).

I’d like to talk a bit about the layout of the keyboard… due to its vast amount of features, there are a whole lot of buttons to press and play around with which allow you to jump straight to all of the different options it has, at just the click of a button… literally! The DGX-660 also features a 320×240 LCD screen, which I find is a massive help in terms of navigating your way around the depths of the keyboard.

A really cool feature that Yamaha have equipped with this instrument is the ‘Piano Room’, which allows you to choose the kind of room you are playing in, for instance; I could be in a concert hall, which would give me a big, rich and perhaps echoey sound as I play, or I could be in a small compact practice room which would deaden the sound but would be perfect if you were planning on just practicing all your scales and arpeggios. On top of this, it even keeps all the other settings you have chosen as well… very clever!

Another great feature that Yamaha have included, much like its younger brothers from the P series,this DGX660 also has ‘Graded Hammer Action’, meaning that the keys are weighted based on their velocity, so for example the deeper notes on the lower octaves have heavier keys, and the higher notes on the upper octaves have lighter keys, this is to mimic the feel of a real grand, making you feel like you are behind an acoustic.

Ranging between 600-700 pounds, this keyboard is a great value for money, considering the vast amount of features that it has, including the Graded Hammer Action and so much more, at a way cheaper price then the P515.Another thing I’d like to mention with the DGX, is that it is equipped with a ‘Pure CF Sound Engine’, meaning that it reproduces the meticulously recorded sound of the Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand piano.

Now you may be wondering “if it has all these sounds, then what kind of speakers does it have?”, well… the DGX-660 is equipped with 12cm x 2 + 5cm x 2 built-in speakers with two 6W amplifiers, which produce a rich, well-balanced sound, this really helps meet all of the requirements of all the different sounds and voices it has, and captures them all very well. The speakers are also open-faced, meaning that the sound is projected directly upwards and outwards, giving you a powerful, punchy sound.

Lastly, we have theYamaha Arius YDP series, as you may have guessed, this stands for ‘Yamaha Digital Piano’. You may also have heard of these pianos being called the ‘Arius’ range. They are the entry-level of digital pianos that Yamaha make for the home market, and there are currently four different models of this series; the S35, S54, 144 and the 164. All of the Arius range pianos are also compatible with the ‘Smart Pianist’ app which allows you to connect your device to the keyboard using the app, and change the different settings on it as you please, as well as sight-read and much more!

Another attribute to mention is that the YDP series looks a lot like a real piano too, with its slick, upright, modern appearance. Starting from the lower end of the range, the YDP144 digital piano is well known for its affordable and compact pricing, offering Yamaha standard quality yet for a great price. This model of the keyboard also includes 10 different voices, Graded Hammer Action and fully weighted keys (much like the DGX660), and 10 voice demo songs and 50 piano songs.

Next, we have the Yamaha YDP S34 model, both of the S-models stand for slimline, meaning they are only a foot deep, rather than the 44cm depth of the other models. This feature gives the piano a more slick, smart look to it and when the lid is closed, it can act almost like a console table, like a desk for you to rest various things on such as picture frames and books, etc.

The S34 model is basically the more compact version of the YDP144, it includes 10 voice demo songs and 50 piano songs, digital reverb, and a Yamaha CFX piano sound. All of these features give the instrument a diverse range of dynamic tones and sounds which are very well projected through its double 6W amplifiers and double oval speaker system. It is also equipped with Graded Hammer Action and matte black key tops which give you the feel of a real piano very nicely.

Lastly, the Yamaha YDPS54, is a more compact version of the 164, it has a modern design and advanced keyboard functionality. Its upgrades from the S34, include smooth release, Grade 3 Standard Hammer Action keys, synthetic ivory and ebony key tops and two 20W amplifiers. This adds to the keyboard’s similarities to a real acoustic and really gives you a better feel for the instrument. I also find it encourages you to play more too, which is also a positive feature to have on a keyboard!

So we have covered Yamaha’s PSR, DGX and YDP models in depth, going into all their different features, effects, character traits, styles and functionalities. I hope this broadens your perspective on the instruments and gives you some guidance into what one might be suited for you… until next time!

If you’re looking for a top-notch arranger keyboard, look no further than the Yamaha Genos Workstation. This powerful workstation is...Leave a ReplyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

It’s fair to say that Yamaha knows a thing or two about keyboards. The Japanese company has been manufacturing them since the 1880s, and was responsible for making 54 percent of the portable keyboards sold around the world in 2019. But what are the best Yamaha keyboards you can buy today, and what makes them so special?

The sheer number of Yamaha keyboards can be overwhelming for those thinking of making a purchase, so we’ve narrowed our focus down to the company’s beginner-friendly arranger keyboards (to find out what’s meant by an arranger keyboard, click on the buying advice tab above). This rules out professional stage keyboards like the new CP88, digital pianos such as the P-125, Yamaha’s well-established range of synthesizers, including the MODX and the Motif, synth workstations like the Montage range, and also the wallet-busting Genos arranger keyboard.Our pick of the best keyboard stands for home and stage use

Choosing a favourite from such a broad range of beginner keyboards was always going to be a challenge, but in the end we plumped for the Yamaha PSR-E373(opens in new tab), as it sits firmly in the sweet spot for breadth of features, quality of sound and value for money. It really is an excellent instrument and should give you years of learning, composing and playing pleasure. There are too many great features to list here, but we were especially sold on the keyboard’s built-in audio/MIDI interface and 38 digital signal processors.

A special mention goes to the Piaggero NP-12(opens in new tab) for delivering that satisfying Yamaha digital piano tone in such a classy portable package. It also reintroduced this writer’s 90-year-old mum to the joys of playing piano during the last lockdown!

A significant upgrade on its predecessor the PSR-E363, the PSR-E373 offers features and sounds that you won’t even find on some of Yamaha’s most expensive keyboards. Among the impressive selection of 622 voices, there are 11 new Super Articulation Lite presets that faithfully reproduce the tricky-to-mimic nuances of stringed instruments such as the cello and the mandolin.

The PSR-E373 also comes with 205 accompaniment styles, plus a class-leading selection of 38 digital signal processor effects. Sounds can also be layered and/or split across the keyboard with a single button press. Yamaha’s onboard lesson system, Rec’n’Share mobile app compatibility and a useful built-in USB audio/MIDI interface round things off nicely.

Pushing the portability envelope somewhat at a hefty 8.1kg, the PSR-SX600 is the lowest-priced model in Yamaha’s SX range of pro-level keyboards. Blurring the lines between a portable arranger and a proper workstation keyboard, it packs in a lot of high-end features, justifying its status as the most expensive instrument on our list. Real-time control over a range of user-assignable settings, an informative 4.3” TFT colour LCD screen, two powerful 15W speakers and 128-note polyphony are just a few of the highlights here.

Known as the YPT-270 in some markets, the PSR-E273 is the entry-level product in Yamaha’s E-series of arranger keyboards. Its more-affordable price tag is reflected in the lack of some of the more sophisticated features found on the PSR-E373, such as velocity-sensitive keys, MIDI capability, LCD backlighting, and the ability to split and layer sounds across the keyboard.

You still get a lot for your money, though, including 61 full-size keys, 401 sounds from Yamaha’s renowned AWM sample library, and 143 styles to play along with. With 112 songs, Yamaha’s built-in lesson feature will help you to polish your playing skills, and there’s even an entertaining ‘guess the note’ quiz mode.

Yamaha"s range-topping E-series keyboard builds on the PSR-E373’s fabulous feature set with extras like an upgraded LCD screen, a 32-slot patch memory, a proper pitch-bend wheel, a 3.5mm auxiliary audio input and a quick-sampling mode.

Looking for a keyboard that’ll help your kids learn to play? The Yamaha PSS-F30 is designed with children in mind, boasting a number of fun, educational features, not to mention a tiny form factor.

Available in two wood-effect finishes – dark walnut or maple – the PSR-E360 is one of Yamaha’s more-stylish keyboards (you can also get a plain black version). But there’s a lot of substance behind that smart exterior, with 384 voices, 130 auto-accompaniment styles and a 112-track Song Book on board.

Something a little different, the PSS-A50 does not come with a standard auto-accompaniment feature. Instead, it has a phrase recorder, an arpeggiator and what Yamaha calls ‘motion effects’ – pitch, filter and modulation features that can be called up instantly by pressing a button.

Yamaha’s piano-making pedigree is second to none, and this portable piano-style keyboard is a brilliant solution for kids to learn on, or for more mature pianists who don’t have room for a full-size piano.

One of four retro-themed mini keyboards in the Reface range – the others being an FM synthesiser (the Reface DX), an organ (the Reface YC) and an analogue synthesizer (the Reface CS) – the Reface CP is a tiny, modern tribute to Yamaha’s 1970s electric pianos.

For us, the PSR-E373 gets the nod because it’s cheaper, and not everyone will like the EZ-300’s white colouring – but, make no mistake, this is a very good option for budding musicians.Today"s best Yamaha keyboard deals

With a couple of exceptions, all of the models on our list fall into the ‘arranger keyboard’ category. An arranger keyboard is one that has built-in accompaniments you can play along to. These ‘backing tracks’ have traditionally had a whiff of the uncool about them – who could forget those clunky-sounding 1970s home organs played by pensioners? These days, though, the tiny digital musicians sequestered away in the bowels of your keyboard are pretty sophisticated, and although it’s still possible to sound like a Nintendo videogame intro screen if you really want to, that’s no longer the most likely outcome!

Super Articulation is Yamaha’s term for a sampled sound that emulates the behaviour of a real instrument by including certain nuances you’d expect to hear. These might include string squeaks on an acoustic guitar voice, or the sound of a saxophone player taking a breath between notes. Previously the preserve of Yamaha’s higher-end keyboards, the technology has now started to trickle down into some of the less-expensive models.

After suffering for many years with the YPG-625 screen (lines, half, half with lines, then nothing), this was a welcome relief. Lots of screws (over 100) and a couple solder joints, and it's just like new. Fast shipping, well protected. Ordered Friday morning, Monday night my keyboard is all fixed. Thanks. It also appears that this is a newer version of the screen, so hoping for longer life.