Image source: Pixabay
For as long as pianos have existed, so has the predicament of how to transport such large and elaborate music instruments. In addition to the different piano moving methods that have been employed over time, there are also countless variations of the instrument that are much more portable.
These include, but are not limited to, the baby grand piano, upright piano, electric piano, digital keyboard, and compact MIDI controller. Although one might assume that a more compact instrument means for a compromise in sound, the Yamaha DGX 650 digital piano is a prime example that this is not always the case.
What Is Yamaha DGX 650 Digital Piano?
The Yamaha DGX 650 is a full sized, 88-key, professional digital piano. With an array of digital effects, weighted hammer action, and Pure CF sound sampling, it offers some of the most sought-after features at an affordable price. Besides its versatility and supreme functionality, the very design of the Yamaha DGX 650 exhibits both authenticity and professionalism. Although it is easy to use, it is by no means only an entry-level instrument.
Players of all skill levels will quickly be able to use the realistic preset sounds and various functions of the DGX 650. With both velocity and touch-sensitivity, the weighted keys allow for an authentic feel and expressive playing. Its general interface is straightforward to navigate and even features a full display screen. Therefore, the Yamaha DGX 650 is just as practical for the beginner as it is for the recording and performing professionally.
Product Specs
Its different capabilities make the Yamaha DGX 650 such a versatile instrument. Its original preset sound is an authentic sounding acoustic grand piano, which was sampled using PureCF recording on a real Yamaha grand piano.
The weighted keyboard is heavier on the low end and lighter on the high end, just as it is on an actual piano, thanks to its Graded Hammer Standard Action. Practicing on such realistically weighted keys builds the proper finger technique that is required to play a full-sized piano.
The Yamaha DGX 650 also features Damper Resonance, which digitally reproduces the sustaining and dampening of strings that can be achieved on a piano. It can support up to 128-note polyphony, meaning that, even with a sustain pedal and flying fingers, it’d be extraordinarily difficult ever to create a dropout.
The DGX 650 comes with Smart Chord capabilities, which can help beginners play full, complex chords with one finger on the left hand while focusing on the melodies being played by the right hand. Unlike many other digital pianos, it comes with built-in audio effects, such as 44 types of choruses and 35 types of reverb. Lastly, it features an auxiliary input and a USB connection so that you can play along to your favorite songs and easily record your own!
Pricing
Not only is the DGX 650 one of the most versatile digital pianos on the market, but it is also one of the most affordable. Starting at around $$$, it is a much more professional instrument than almost any other in that price range. With over 150 realistic sounds, its unbeatable sonic capabilities and practical functionality set it apart from other digital pianos.
How It Compares
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
Ease of Use
Within minutes of unboxing, a customer can easily set up and play a vast array of realistic preset sounds. The Yamaha DGX 650 offers a wide array of functions, such as dual mode, split mode, Smart Chord, and transpose, which are all easy to utilize.
However, some customers complain that it is difficult to navigate the piano menu and change options while playing. Therefore, it may not be the most convenient instrument for someone who switches between sounds a lot in the middle of their playing.
Sound & Connectivity
The DGX 650 has some of the purest sounding samples that a digital piano can offer. Its onboard speakers, which can also be accessed through an auxiliary input, produce exceptionally clear audio. Players can record audio directly onto the instrument and transfer it to their computer via a USB connection. The Yamaha DGX 650 can also be used as a MIDI controller, via the same connection.
Design Quality
Aside from the difficulties that some users have navigating the menu while playing, the DGX 650 has a very straightforward design. Its multiplicity of preset sounds and effects are easy to use. The instrument itself weighs around 50 lbs. and it is exceptionally durable, as it was designed with professional touring musicians in mind.
Warranty
It’s unfortunate that the DGX 650 only comes with a one-year long warranty. However, it does guarantee that Yamaha will either repair or replace the product if it fails to function under regular use within the first year of ownership.
Pros
Cons
This digital keyboard can be purchased for around $900. The Casio Privia PX-870 was designed to be as close to a natural feeling and sounding piano as possible. It is one of the only professional digital pianos that features a dynamic Sound Projection speaker system, which consists of four speakers facing both forward and back to replicate the sound projection of an upright piano.
Thus, the sounds from a PX-870 can feel up any room with lush textures and sounds. It can also connect to the Chordana app on both Apple and Android smartphones so that you can learn how to play your favorite songs quickly and easily.
Ease of Use
With its straightforward and simple design, the PX-870 is extremely simple to navigate. Its 88 weighted keys provide an authentic piano feel, and it features a ton of onboard practice and recording features.
Sound & Connectivity
The PX-870 features some of the most realistic sounds that a digital piano can produce. It also comes with a Hall Simulator feature, which uses real measurements to recreate room ambiance. This variety of acoustics can add many layers to the Privia’s preset sounds.
Design Quality
This is Casio’s latest flagship digital piano, and as such, it features a sleek design alongside its top-notch functionality. The instrument itself weighs around 70 lbs. However, it only features less than 20 built-in sounds.
Warranty
Casio’s warranty on the PX-870 extends for three years after it has been purchased. It covers all basic and regular use of the instrument and guarantees either repair or replacement within these conditions.
Pros
Cons
This digital keyboard can be purchased for around $1250. The Roland F-140R is one of the best compact professional digital pianos on the market. It was very clearly designed with mobility and space conservancy in mind, as it can easily fit in a small apartment.
However, despite its compact size, its main preset, Supernatural Piano delivers the deep, rich tone of a full grand piano. It features over 300 more preset sounds and a velocity sensitive keyboard. Lastly, it has onboard recording and guided practice capabilities.
Ease of Use
The F-140R’s design is very simple and straightforward, even when it comes to navigating its 300+ built-in sounds. It also has Bluetooth capabilities, so that players can connect the instrument to a smartphone or a tablet.
Sound & Connectivity
This keyboard features two USB connection ports and one MIDI port. This means that it can be used as an external MIDI controller and for onboard recording (which can then be transferred to a computer via USB). Its built-in sounds were built from top-quality samples.
Design Quality
It’s truly incredible that such realistic grand piano sounds can be produced from such a compact instrument. Early pianists would have never dreamed that they could hear the lush tone of a grand piano in a small home or apartment. The F-140R takes up minimum space while providing maximum sounds.
Warranty
The F-140R, like all other Roland F-Series digital pianos, comes with a 5-year warranty. This covers all defects of malfunctions that occur under the terms of regular use.
Pros
Cons
The Kawai CE220 is one of the top professional digital pianos on the market. It features 88 wooden keys with Graded Hammer Action, meaning that it feels incredibly similar to playing a real grand piano. It comes with 22 built-in voices, as well as various audio effects and functions such as transpose, four-hand duet mode, and tuning. Its sounds were sampled using Progressive Harmonic Imaging, which means that it features some very realistic sounds.
Ease of Use
The CE220 is fairly straightforward to use. Shortly after setup, players will quickly find that they can easily switch between voices and audio effects. On the other hand, some functions such as split and dual modes can be tricky to navigate to. It can be easily connected to a smartphone, tablet, or a computer.
Sound & Connectivity
The main reason that the CE220 costs so much more than other professional digital pianos is because its sounds are so clear. Since its voices were sampled with Progressive Harmonic Imaging sound technology, they are some of the most authentic in the industry.
Design Quality
This digital piano is much heavier (around 150 lbs.) than many other digital pianos. Although this does mean that it’s extremely durable, it also means that customers often need the assistance of at least one other person while assembling it. Its wooden keys do make for a much more authentic feel than the plastic keys that are on most other digital pianos.
Warranty
The CE220 comes with a standard 3-year warranty. This covers all malfunctions that occur during regular use within this timeframe.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
Image source: Pixabay
In conclusion, the Yamaha DGX 650 offers the most bang for your buck when shopping for professional digital pianos. Not only is it one of the most affordable digital pianos, but it also delivers some of the clearest and expressive sounds in the industry.
Its main grand piano preset is based on multiple samples of a real Yamaha grand piano, and its keys are velocity sensitive, meaning that players can utilize dynamics just as they would on a standard acoustic piano. While many digital pianos only produce digital sounds, the DGX 650 could probably pass a blind test between a grand piano a majority of the time.
With its plethora of onboard sounds and effects, USB and MIDI ports, recording capabilities, and various other functions, the Yamaha DGX 650 is not only affordable but versatile. At its current price, it’s undoubtedly the best digital piano of the year.
Last update on 2022-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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