has a special advantage relative to most manufacturers of digital pianos in that they are a highly respected manufacturer of the instruments digital pianos seek to emulate: acoustic pianos. The culture of great piano action and great piano sound are deeply embedded into the company culture, and the P-255 piano is an elegant reflection of that orientation.
The P-255 is an 88-key weighted action digital piano with excellent quality sound and feel, with a strong complement of additional sounds and a design that counts portability among its integral features.
The chief design factor is of course the sound. The piano sample used in the P-255 features three sample details that are absent in many digital pianos but that contribute to the realism of the sound. Key-off sampling is a process that reproduces the subtle change that is heard in a piano when the hammer disengages from the piano strings. This sound differs with legato versus staccato playing and is reproduced with a striking accuracy.
It also reproduces the soundboard resonance that is heard when the sustain pedal is engaged, as well as the resonance of strings adjacent to the strings that are being struck with the key hammer. The combined effect of these ancillary components of the piano sampling creates a stunning replication of an acoustic piano timbre.
The feel of the P-255 is another impressive technical achievement. It features ' Graded Hammer action, which means that just like an acoustic piano, the action on the left of the keyboard is heavier than it is on the right. The overall feel is satisfying to any pianist and even features synthetic ivory key tops that have an absorbent property that ensures against slippage, even after playing for an extended period of time.
The speaker system is likewise thoughtfully produced, with tweeters aimed directly at the performer for better-defined top end, and stereo woofers that produce a rich, satisfying, well-balanced sound. A Sound Boost function increases volume and presence at the touch of a button, a handy feature if in the middle of playing with a band you have the sense that you cannot be heard.
It features drum patterns in a variety of idioms, a USB flash drive port for recording, a 256-note polyphony, and a free App for iPhone or iPad that allows you to control the primary features of the P-255 with a touch screen interface. It weighs a mere 38 pounds and comes with an FC4 sustain pedal and a music rest.
In a very competitive category, the P-255 emerges as one of your best options in this price range.
Order today and sample the state of the art.
SPECIFICATIONSP-255 88-Key Digital Piano
KeyboardNumber of keys: 88 Key
Action: Graded-hammer action
Key size: Full
Aftertouch / Velocity: Velocity
Sounds
Number of voices: 24
Polyphony: 256-note
Layers/Split: Yes
Connectivity
AUX input: Yes
MIDI Connectivity: MIDI In/Out
Line output: Yes
USB Connectivity: Yes
Headphone jacks: 2
Pedal inputs: 2
Storage type: Internal / USB
Onboard Features
Recording/Playback: Yes
Preset songs: 24
Display: LED
Effects: Yes
Built-in speakers: Yes
Pitch bend/Modulation: No
Effects
Reverb: Yes
Chorus: Yes
Delay: No
Equalizer: Yes
Other
Width: 52.5 in.
Height: 5.8 in.
Depth: 13.8 in.
Weight: 38.1 lb.
Power adapter: Included
Stand or bench included: Sold Separately
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I have played Steinway concert grands and cheap portable Casios and everything in between . the new yamaha p-255 is the best all around piano i have ever had the pleasure to play . the p-255 has 258 note polyphony so i never hear a dead key . the action is better than some acoustic pianos let alone most electric pianos . the built in sounds are excellent and i have the ability to hook up my computer and use sampled grands from Ivory and Native Instruments which are amplified in stereo with studio monitors . Other than the more expensive yamaha c series stage pianos ( which are not really any better than the p-255 ) the new 2014 black p-255 is the best portable piano ever made .Yamaha P-255 88-Key Digital Piano Black
.I did a lot of research before replacing my beloved Fatar controller of 25+ years. Sure, this isn't a dedicated MIDI controller, per-se. But it has the best piano action I've played (outside of a real grand piano, that is). The "USB to host" and "USB to device" options are great -- no need for a standalone MIDI interface for your computer. Of course it comes with standard MIDI-in,out,thru as well as connections for a piano-style 3-pedal system and a sustain pedal jack which works with continuous action to allow partial pedaling.
The built-in sounds are good for general-purpose use. The piano sounds as good as the Native Instruments New York Grand...at least when played through a good sound system. The built-in speakers are mediocre. They do the job, but they add a lot of undesirable color to the overall sound and overdrive easily. BUT, they're fine for a small chamber music gig (which saves hauling a separate amp for many of my gigs).
The controls and display are basic, but straightforward. I haven't played with the iPad interface as I'm not an Apple fanboi. That looks to have some nice features -- if releases a PC or Android version, I'll ammend this review!
Bottom line -- this would work great as a standalone digital grand in a home (with a good sound system) or as a more general purpose MIDI controller and "main stage piano." I'm planning on augmenting my rig with a separate control wheel / MIDI fader box so I don't really miss those on my main keyboard. But it's the action that wins this game. It can in many cases completely replace a real piano...something I was beginning to doubt was possible for me.
Oh, and Custom Guitar's Friend allows their coupons to apply to this (unlike some other brands). I got 20% off!! ;-)
Yamaha P-255 88-Key Digital Piano Black
.Keybed is excellent very little noise compared to other companies. To my ears so is the tone. The pressure took about a hour to get use to. As they are not just higher n lower pressure Like everyone advertises. They feel just like a grand. Tone I think they nailed. For the few extra 100, well worth it.
Yamaha P-255 88-Key Digital Piano Black
.As a classical pianist, I use this to steal a few minutes of practice here and there. The action is excellent and the samples are generally good and usable--better samples, in my option, than the Roland fp-80, which I had and returned.
Yamaha P-255 88-Key Digital Piano Black
.Buy this keyboard you want be sorry that you did.
Yamaha P-255 88-Key Digital Piano Black
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