The Japanese manufacturer has decided it’s time for a new upgrade, and in April 2018 Yamaha introduced the new P-125 digital piano, which replaced the P-115 and became the new midrange keyboard in the P (Portable) series, It is one of most popular portable digital piano is Yamaha P 125 . I was very excited to learn about new features and improvements Yamaha has prepared for us since you don’t just release an old model and call it a new one, right?
The Yamaha P125 is very easy to use
If you ask me about one lasting impression that the Yamaha P125 makes on someone getting in contact with it, it would have to be the ease of use. See, when we talk about a highly developed musical instrument packed with the latest technology, making it easy to use is not easy at all. Piano beginner does not know a great deal about digital pianos. It’s really hard to simplify some actually complicated things. More so to a degree that their easy and fast to pick up by someone just starting out. Some models are not thought out to be used by beginners. But if you can produce an instrument appreciated by professionals but also easy to use by beginners, then you have something pretty great in front of you. And the Yamaha P125 falls under this category.
The Yamaha P125 lacks an LCD screen. Its design is cleaner but if you are used to navigating a digital piano only by using a screen, then you might consider this aspect as a disadvantage. The lack of a screen is not such a big disadvantage. Even without having a screen, navigating the menu is very easy.
You can adjust the volume from a Master switch in the top left side of the dashboard. The piano also has 2 headphone jacks to make more convenience. These will come in really handy when you don’t want to bother the rest of the household with your practice. Because there are 2 headphone jacks, you and your teacher can use this feature at the same time.
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The Look
The Yamaha P125 has a modern minimalist design. It is clean and sleek. This instrument would fit most modern decor style and you can use the P125 as a focal point of the room.
Compare to the entry level model P45, the P125 looks much more premium and well-built. Yamaha provide some good details about this model. Unlike its predecessor, the control panel on the P125 no longer has that concave curve. Instead, two straight lines from end to end wraps the buttons.
Keys
It comes with 88 keyboard. These are plastic keys. There is red velvet at the back end of the keyboard and it looks premium and adds a nice accent to this sleek instrument. This keyboard is well-built and the gap between keys are minimum and even.
There have been several reports that some of the keys are stuck or doesn’t produce a sound. Usually having a replacement unit would fix that issue. If you purchase the Yamaha P125, I would encourage you to try every key immediately after unboxing.
Size & Weight
from Yamaha portable series there is being the mid range model, the P125 is small and lightweight. You can comfortably move it around between gigs.
It weighs about 11.8 kg (26 lbs). it has 132 x 31 x 17 cm dimensions , Without stand and music rest.
Control
The control panel on the Yamaha P125 is clean and straightforward. There is the power button, volume slider and some quick access buttons.
Much like its predecessor and other models of the same price range, many settings and features require a combination of buttons and piano keys.
The buttons and keys are well labeled. You can get to the most commonly used settings and features without consulting the user Manuel.
There are LED indicators on some of the buttons to highlight which setting/feature you are currently using.
Awesome features of P-125:
P-125 offers some outstanding features to the pianists. The most prominent features of P-125 includes;
Yamaha P-125 is harmonious with the smart-pianist app by Yamaha, which, for the time-being only work with iOS. As P-125 can now be connected with the smart-pianist app, the sound can be selected, layered and then split with the aid of an extensively user-friendly interface, in addition to this, the pianists can now choose the song from the play-lists in the phone.
Price & Reviews on AmazonBass and Drum tracks: P-125 provides some bass and drum tracks. They are pre-installed in the system through which a pianist can follow the harmony and keep playing in time. There are some surprising rhythm patterns such as ballads, pop or rock, making piano practicing fun to be choose.
New “Table EQ” feature: As this piano does not come with a furniture stand, it can be kept on any desk or table. There is a feature of “Table EQ” that helps a pianist play the keyboard while placing it on the table. With this feature, the sound coming from the internal speakers is optimized to get the best possible sound.
There Are Following Pros and Cons
Pros
- Yamaha CFIIIS 9′ Grand-like sound
- 2-track MIDI recorder
- 20 diversified rhythms with 50 songs in the built-in library
- They Improved our speaker system
- Compatible with the smart-pianist app.
- Can be used at homes and even in front of the audience.
- Pure CF sampling with 4 layers.
- 192 notes polyphony
- A high-quality instrument, 24 sound options
Cons
- Limited sound-effect solution
- The absence of Bluetooth connectivity
- Not a very realistic key-action
ACCESSORIES
It comes with a foot switch and a music rest. There are many bundle deals you can find that includes a stand, bench and an upgraded pedal unit.
The included foot switch is the same one you would get from the entry level P45. It is just terrible. You need to upgrade it immediately. This foot switch is a simple binary switch that can only detect on vs. off. It does not support half pedaling. If you are gigging with the P125, you will need to invest in a travel bag. Not only is it easier to carry the instrument, but the bag also serves as a protection for the piano.
Depends on the size of your home or the venue of your gigs, you might want to use an external speaker/monitor system to enhance the sound quality of the P125. Last but probably the most important, a good pair of headphone is essential for any digital piano.
Comparison between the Yamaha P125 and the P115
Ultimately, you might be wondering whether or not the Yamaha P-125 is really worth upgrading to, especially if you either already have the P-115 or are deciding between these two P-series pianos.
Well, this is a great question, especially since both of these pianos have so many similarities. For instance, they both have the same amount of keys (88), and both feature Yamaha’s GHS weighted action (or Graded Hammer Standard weighted action). Therefore, you can expect that each piano will feature keys that are heavier to the touch on the lower end of the keyboard and lighter to the touch on the higher end.
The difference though can be rather heard than felt. The speaker system is much improved on the new P125. This is something you can notice right from the start if you compare the two models. With the former model, you have needed the stand as well. With the latter, you can use a table and it will sound even better than the P115. The sound is a lot richer on the latest model. It’s a lot richer when compared to other Yamaha models as well, like the P45 for instance.
there are some interesting differences. The P-125 features an improved speaker system that allows the sound you’re playing to move in both upward and downward directions. This allows for a sound that will be more lush, lively and rich.
Difference Between Yamaha P125 and Yamaha P255
So right off the bat, it’s probably worth noting that the P255 is a more physically substantial digital piano as compared to the Yamaha P-125. The P255 has about two more inches in depth compared to the P125, and its 38 pounds is much more challenging to carry around for long periods of time as compared to the P-125’s 26 pound frame.
The reality here, however, is that the Yamaha P255 is just a more substantial digital piano than the P-125. That doesn’t mean the P-125 isn’t a good digital piano, especially if you’re shopping on a budget. Its 192 polyphony is certainly solid—despite the fact that you’ll be able to play more complex pieces thanks to the P255’s 256 note polyphony count. With that said, you have to factor in price in this comparison. the price of Yamaha P-125 is .about $600. And double price of Yamaha P-125, you can purchase the Yamaha P255.
Conclusion
Whether the P-125 is worth $499, or if you should just try and find the P-115 or even the P-45 at a reduced price is really a matter of personal choice. And a lot of these choices depend on how much sound, recording features, and ability to use the Yamaha Smart Pianist App matter to you.
While some piano upgrades can be a bit minimal and not worthy of your consideration, I actually think the ability to incorporate your iPhone or iPad into your piano playing sessions (and done in a very straight-forward and intuitive way), along with the addition of richer sound compared to its predecessors, makes the Yamaha P-125 an impressive and worthwhile digital piano for beginners and intermediates alike.
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