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Acoustic & Electronic Instruments, Musicians, News, Tutorials, Videos & Interesting Finds

Yamaha expands Arius digital piano line for 2019

Yamaha has introduced three new models in its line of Arius digital pianos. The YDP-144, YDP-164 and YDP-S54—like their predecessors—are aimed at improving music students who need something more advanced to practice and hone their piano skills, but for whom an acoustic piano is impractical or out of budget.

Last year’s Arius YDP-184 and YDP-S34 still sit in the available range, with the new trio of models available to cater to more budgets.

The newest Arius line feature meticulously-crafted stereo multi-samples of the Yamaha CFX. They all feature variants of Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard key action, with the YDP-144 having GHS, and the YDP-164 and YDP-S34 being upgraded to GHS3, which adds textured, synthetic ebony/ivory key surfaces to increase playing grip and wick away moisture.

Yamaha YDP-S54
Yamaha YDP-S54

The YDP-S54 has a slimline design, so is ideal for smaller spaces such as apartments and classrooms.

Yamaha YDP-164
Yamaha YDP-164

All models feature 192 notes of polyphony, a high quality internal speaker system, damper and string resonance modelling. They’ll be available from March 2019.

Yamaha YDP-144
Yamaha YDP-144

Here’s a run down of the main specifications of each instrument, for comparison. The RRP for each Arius model is at the bottom of the table.

YDP-164 YDP-S54 YDP-144
Size/Weight
Dimensions Width 1,357 mm [53-7/16″] 1,353 mm [53-1/4″] 1,357 mm [53-7/16″]
Height 849 mm [33-27/64″] 792 mm [31-3/16″] (Key cover open 976mm[38-27/64″]) 815 mm [32-1/16″]
Depth 422 mm [16-5/8″] 309 mm [12-11/64″](Key cover open 317 mm [12-15/32″]) *With anti-fall brackets attached: 404 mm [15-57/64″] 422 mm [16-5/8″]
Weight Weight 42.0 kg (92 lbs., 10 oz) 40.0 kg (88 lbs., 3 oz.) 38.0 kg (83 lbs., 12 oz)
Control Interface
Keyboard Number of Keys 88
Type GH3 keyboard with synthetic ebony and ivory keytops GHS keyboard with matte black key tops
Touch Sensitivity
Touch Response Hard/Medium/Soft/Fixed
Pedal Number of Pedals 3
Half Pedal Yes
Functions Damper/Sostenuto/Soft
Display Type
Size
Language
Panel Language English
Cabinet
Key Cover Key Cover Style Sliding Folding Sliding
Music Rest Yes
Voices
Tone Generation Piano Sound Yamaha CFX
Key-off Samples
Smooth Release
Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM)
String Resonance
Damper Resonance Yes
Polyphony Number of Polyphony (Max.) 192
Preset Number of Voices 10
Compatibility
Effects
Types Reverb 4 types
Chorus
Brilliance
Master Effect
Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC) Yes
Stereophonic Optimizer Yes
Damper Resonance Yes
Functions Dual/Layers
Split
Duo
Songs
Preset Number of Preset Songs 10 Voice Demo Songs, 50 Classics
Recording Number of Songs 1
Number of Tracks 2
Data Capacity 100 KB/Song (Approx. 11,000 notes)
Compatible Data Format Playback Standard MIDI File (SMF) Format 0 & 1
Recording Standard MIDI File (SMF) Format 0
Functions
Piano Room
Overall Controls Metronome
Tempo Range
Transpose
Tuning
Scale Type
Other Control
Rhythm
Miscellaneous Dual/Layers Yes
Duo Yes
Metronome Yes
Tempo Range 5 – 280
Transpose -6 – 0 – +6
Tuning 414.8 – 440.0 – 466.8 Hz
Storage and Connectivity
Storage Internal Memory Total maximum size approx. 900 KB (User song : One song approx. 100 KB Loading song data from a computer : Up to 10 songs)
External Drives
Connectivity Headphones Standard stereo phone jack x 2
MIDI
AUX IN
AUX OUT
USB TO DEVICE
USB TO HOST Yes
Amplifiers and Speakers
Amplifiers 20W x 2 8W x 2
Speakers 12cm x 2
Acoustic Optimizer
Power Supply
Power Consumption 13W (When using PA-300C AC adaptor) 9W (When using PA-150 AC adaptor)
Auto Power Off Yes
Power Supply Adaptors
PA-300C or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha PA-150 or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha
Accessories
Included Accessories Bench Yes (Optional depending on locale) Yes (Optional depending on locale)
Song Book 50 Classical Music Masterpieces (Music Book)
Others Owner's Manual, Quick Operation Guide
RRP $1,999 $2,199 $1,499