Yamaha has updated its Yamaha P Series of digital pianos with the P-255. Yamaha suggests it has a more authentic piano sound and feel than before. It’s highly portable and can also be used with matching stand and three-pedal accessory, making it great for both on-the-move and in the home. In addition, an optional iPad app can be used to graphically alter the instrument’s settings.
The P-255 has three functions not found together on any other P Series instrument before:
- Key-off samples: This feature reproduces the slight change in sound at the instant you remove your fingers from the keys. What’s more, different key-off sounds are produced for staccato and legato playing.
- Sustain sampling: The resonance of the soundboard and strings heard when the damper pedal is used has been sampled in order to recreate this acoustic effect. The P-255 responds to how deep you depress the pedal.
- String resonance: When the hammer of a grand piano strikes its string, the other strings will also resonate. The P-255 can reproduce this effect using its String Resonance feature.
Additionally, the P-255 uses the Pure CF Sound Engine for its samples.
The instrument has synthetic ivory key tops for a more authentic playing experience and with moisture absorption properties.
Its built-in circular speakers vibrate in a natural manner to produce a well-balanced tone. In particular, lower notes are richer than digital pianos featuring oval speakers. The P-255 also features tweeters, for improving higher note reproduction, and dual 15W amplifiers.
The Sound Boost button can be used to increase the volume and presence of the sound. Coupled with this, three EQ sliders allow more fine-tuning of different frequency ranges.
The P-255 also features rhythm tracks (ten in total), a range of other non-piano sounds including organs, a string section, basses and a wide variety of other instruments, variable touch response setting, direct-to-USB audio recording, and 256 note polyphony.
The free P-255 Controller App for iPhone or iPad lets you can control a wide range functions with an easy-to-use, touch-screen interface. This visual approach to configuring the P-255 makes it easy to try out functions that you may not have considered using before. Graphically choose which Voices to layer, adjust the split point, manage songs you record to a USB device and more, all with the touch of a finger. You can also use the app to store your favorite settings and recall them instantly whenever needed. Explore the settings and sounds of the P-255 even before yours arrives at home.
Full Specifications
Size/Weight
Dimensions Width 1,333mm (52-1/2”)
Height 148mm (5-13/16”)
Depth 351mm (13-13/16”)
Weight Weight 17.3kg (38lbs., 2oz)
Control Interface
Keyboard Number of Keys 88
Type Graded Hammer (GH) Keyboard with Synthetic Ivory Keytops
Touch Sensitivity Soft, Medium, Hard, Fixed
Display Type LED
Size 7-Segment
Panel Language English
Voices
Tone Generation Piano Sound Pure CF Sound Engine
Stereo Sustain Samples Yes
Key-off Samples Yes
String Resonance Yes
Damper Resonance Yes
Polyphony Number of Polyphony (Max.) 256
Preset Number of Voices 24 ( Grand Piano: 4, E.Piano: 4, Organ: 4, CLV/VIB: 4, Others: 8 )
Effects
Types Reverb 4 types ( Room, Hall1, Hall2, Stage )
Chorus Yes
Phaser Yes
Rotary Speaker Yes
Tremolo / Auto Pan Yes
Equalizer 3 bands
SOUND BOOST 3 types
Functions Dual/Layers Yes
Split Yes
Rhythm
Preset Number of Rhythm 10
Functions Start/Stop, Intro/Ending
Songs
Preset Number of Preset Songs 24 Voice Demo Songs, 50 Piano Preset Songs
Recording Number of Songs 10
Number of Tracks 2
Data Capacity approx. 1.5 MB (approx. 550KB/Song)
Compatible Data Format Playback SMF (Format 0, Format 1)
Recording SMF (Format 0)
Other Functions Part Cancel, A-B Repeat, Start/Stop with pedal, Changin Voice & tempo after recording
Songs (Audio)
Recording Time 80 minutes/Song
Compatible Data Format Recording .wav (44.1 kHz sample rate, 16-bit resolution, stereo)
Playback .wav (44.1 kHz sample rate, 16-bit resolution, stereo)
Functions
Overall Controls Metronome Yes
Tempo Range 5 – 500
Transpose -12 to 0, 0 to +12
Tuning 414.8 – 440 – 466.8 Hz
Scale Type 7 types
Storage and Connectivity
Storage Internal Memory approx. 1 MB
External Drives USB Flash Memory (optional)
Connectivity DC IN DC IN 16V
Headphones x 2
Sustain Pedal Yes
Pedal Unit Yes
MIDI In/Out
AUX IN Yes
AUX OUT [L/L+R][R]
USB TO DEVICE Yes
USB TO HOST Yes
Amplifiers and Speakers
Amplifiers 15W x 2
Speakers (10cm + 2.5cm) x 2
Power Supply
Power Supply AC Power Adaptor (PA-300C or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha)
Power Consumption 15W (when using the PA-300C)
Auto Power Off Function Yes
Accessories
Included Accessories Music Rest Yes
Pedal/Footswitch FC4
Pricing and availability to be confirmed.
