Introduction
The Yamaha Piaggero keyboards are a range of lightweight, entry-level keyboards designed with the beginner pianist in mind. They offer an introduction to digital pianos without the expense, weight and required playing strength of more advanced instruments. As they are manufactured by Yamaha they still have some quality to them, but would likely not satisfy a more proficient musician, particularly one looking for a realistic piano-playing experience.
First launched in around 2007, there are currently ten distinct models, the latest (NP-15/NP-35) being released in 2023. Released with the product code beginning NP, and with two slightly more feature-rich versions launched as NP-V. plus a YNP-25 which is virtually identical to the NP-30.
Key Features
Keyboard
All Piaggero keyboards use some variation of Yamaha’s Graded Soft Touch system, which is supposed to provide a much lighter, and hence easier to play, keyboard feel than a more realistic piano simulation such as the Graded Hammer Touch. Keys in the lower registers should still be slightly heavier than those higher up.
It is designed for those with reduced or limited dexterity, or who simply prefer a lighter touch, although some have said that there is virtually no ‘weight’ to the keys at all. This is a subjective point. but it is worth noting that this is deliberately not simulating the key weight of an acoustic grand piano.
All but three models have 76 keys, which is akin to a number of smaller digital pianos but stops short of the full 88 keys many advanced pianists expect. Three models have just 61 keys, which may be acceptable for beginners and simpler music but may feel rather ‘cramped’ in use, particularly for certain styles of music such as classical.
All the keyboards are touch responsive.
Polyphony and Sounds
Most models have a limited range of piano/keyboard based sounds, usually around 10, and including several acoustic pianos and electric pianos, organs, vibraphone/harpsichord and strings. The NP-V models have many more, in the hundreds.
Polyphony arguably lets these models down significantly. Earlier models, even the NP-Vs which can handle accompaniments, have a paltry 32 notes of polyphony, while later have 64. This will be easily noticeable when playing all but the simplest music.
On the plus side, Yamaha uses its tried and trusted AWM Stereo Sampling which, although not as advanced as the acoustic modelling/sampling systems it has on higher specification keyboards, is decent enough for beginners.
Effects
Most of the range have simple reverb effects, while the NP-V duo also add chorus and master EQ. The NP-35 also has ‘sound boost’ for altering the sound to enable it to cut through other instruments.
Sounds can be played in dual or layered, although it’s worth bearing in mind that this will effectively halve the polyphony available.
Accompaniments
Most standard Piaggero instruments do not feature any accompaniment functionality. The NP-V models have well over 100 styles, and various controls and chord systems for manipulating them, as well as user styles. This makes them quite capable but, again, accompaniments do quickly eat into available polyphony.
The NP-V models also have arpeggiator functionality, which can be a fun accompaniment feature.
Controls
The NP-V models feature pitch bend, which may be of limited use to many piano-focused musicians, whereas the ordinary models do not.
Aside from this there are the usual fare of metronome, transposition and overall tuning. The NP-V models also feature additional panel buttons for accessing the additional features.
Several models allow for basic recording although the specifications can be rather vague as to how much storage is available.
Education
Only the NP-V models feature Yamaha’s Education Suite, although the documentation and specs are rather vague as to exactly what is covered in this.
Amplification
Most of the keyboards in the range have 6Wx2 amplifiers and 12cm/6cm x2 on board speakers, with slight variations on smaller models.
Connectivity
Connections are pretty much standard across the board. The keyboards can be powered from the appropriate AC adaptor, or batteries.
Most models have USB to host connectivity for audio and MIDI, although several models have the older MIDI 5-pin DIN connectors. All can use a sustain pedal, with the option of half-pedalling if a supported pedal is used.
The NP-V models have onboard memory and can connect to a USB drive for additional storage.
Aesthetic
All models are available with black casing. Different models may also be available in white and/or silver.
Realism
With Yamaha aiming this at beginners interested in a piano experience, it seems only fair to measure the keyboard’s realism against that.
For the price and given the deliberate design choices made to keep costs and weight down, we would have to give this about a 5/10 for overall realism.
The feel of the keys will be much too light for those expecting a piano experience, so it’s important to try to test out one of these keyboards before buying it. They may be slightly heavier in touch than a home keyboard or synth, but not by much.
The sound is generally good, with the AWM system still used on some of Yamaha’s more advanced digital pianos as well. What lets it down is the poor polyphony, which will likely result in sounds being cut off abruptly, particularly if accompaniments are used or passages of music employing the sustain pedal are attempted.
At least the later models have 64 notes of polyphony, which is passable.
Portability
These instruments (without batteries) weight anything from 4.5kg (~10lbs) to just over 7kg (~15½lbs). This makes them fairly light to transport, should it be required.
NP vs NP-V Models
As mentioned previously, the NP-V models (which are both discontinued) are the only Piaggero models to feature accompaniments, a significantly higher number of sounds, pitch bend, extra effects, external storage, and the education suite. That said, they only have 32 notes of polyphony and may not be the best choice.
Specifications
Here are the specifications as taken from the official Yamaha pages/manuals for each instrument. They are as complete as possible but bear in mind that even the style of specification, and detail given, varies between models.
|
|
NP-11 |
NP-12 |
NP-15 |
NP-30 |
NP-31 |
NP-32 |
NP-35 |
NP-V60 |
NP-V80 |
YNP-25 |
Control Interface |
|||||||||||
Keyboard |
Number of Keys |
61 |
61 |
61 |
76 |
76 |
76 |
76 |
76 |
76 |
76 |
Type |
Piano-style keyboard |
Piano-style keyboard |
Box Type |
Graded Soft Touch |
Graded Soft Touch |
Piano-style keyboard, Graded Soft Touch |
Box Type (Graded Soft Touch) |
Box type keys (E0–G6) : Graded Soft Touch Keyboard |
Box type keys (E0–G6) : Graded Soft Touch Keyboard |
Graded Soft Touch |
|
Touch Response |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (Soft, Medium, Hard, Fixed) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (Soft, Medium, Hard, Fixed) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Panel |
Language |
English |
English |
English |
English |
English |
English |
English |
English |
English |
English |
Voices |
|||||||||||
Tone Generation |
Tone Generating Technology |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
AWM Stereo Sampling |
Polyphony |
Number of Polyphony (Max.) |
32 |
64 |
64 |
– |
32 |
64 |
64 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
Preset |
Number of Voices |
– |
10 (Piano1, Piano2, E.Piano1, E.Piano2, Organ1, Organ2, Strings, Vibes, Harpsi1, Harpsi2) |
15 |
– |
10 |
10 (Piano1, Piano2, E.Piano1, E.Piano2, Organ1, Organ2, Strings, Vibes, Harpsi1, Harpsi2) |
15 |
489 (116 Panel Voices + 361 XGlite Voices + 12 Drum/SFX Kits) |
500 (127 Panel Voices + 361 XGlite Voices + 12 Drum/SFX Kits) |
10 |
Effects |
|||||||||||
Types |
Reverb |
4 types |
4 types |
6 types |
Yes |
4 types |
4 types |
6 types |
9 types |
9 types |
Yes |
Chorus |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
4 types |
4 types |
– |
|
Master EQ |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
5 types |
5 types |
– |
|
Sound Boost |
– |
– |
Yes |
– |
– |
– |
Yes |
– |
– |
– |
|
Functions |
Dual/Layers |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Split |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Yes |
Yes |
– |
|
Accompaniments |
|||||||||||
|
Number of Preset Styles |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
160 |
165 |
– |
|
Fingering |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Multi / Full Keyboard |
Multi / Full Keyboard |
– |
|
Style Control |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
ACMP ON/OFF, SYNC STOP,SYNC START, START/STOP, INTRO/ENDING/rit., MAIN/AUTO FILL |
ACMP ON/OFF, SYNC STOP,SYNC START, START/STOP, INTRO/ENDING/rit., MAIN/AUTO FILL |
– |
|
User Styles |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Yes |
Yes |
– |
Songs |
|||||||||||
Preset |
Number of Preset Songs |
10 Voice Demo Songs + 10 Piano Preset Songs |
10 Voice Demo Songs + 10 Piano Preset Songs |
15 Voice Demo Songs + 10 Piano Songs |
10 voice and 10 piano demo |
10 voice and 10 piano demo |
10 Voice Demo Songs + 10 Piano Preset Songs |
15 Voice Demo Songs + 10 Piano Songs |
30 |
30 |
10 voice and 10 piano demo |
Recording |
Number of Songs |
– |
1 |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
– |
Number of Tracks |
– |
1 |
1 |
– |
– |
1 |
1 |
6 (5Melody + 1Chord) |
6 (5Melody + 1Chord) |
– |
|
Data Capacity |
– |
Approx. 7,000 notes |
Approx. 7,000 notes |
– |
– |
Approx. 7,000 notes |
Approx. 7,000 notes |
– |
– |
– |
|
Functions |
|||||||||||
Overall Controls |
Metronome |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Tempo Range |
32 to 280 |
32 to 280 |
32 – 280 |
32 to 280 |
32 to 280 |
32 to 280 |
32 – 280 |
11 to 280 |
11 to 280 |
32 to 280 |
|
Transpose |
-6 to 0, 0 to +6 |
-6 to 0, 0 to +6 |
?6 – 0 – +6 |
-6 to 0, 0 to +6 |
-6 to 0, 0 to +6 |
-6 to 0, 0 to +6 |
?6 – 0 – +6 |
-12 to 0, 0 to +12 |
-12 to 0, 0 to +12 |
-6 to 0, 0 to +6 |
|
Tuning |
Yes |
414.8Hz – 440.0Hz – 466.8Hz |
414.8 Hz – 440.0 Hz – 466.8 Hz (approx. 0.2 Hz increments) |
Yes |
Yes |
414.8Hz – 440.0Hz – 466.8Hz |
414.8 Hz – 440.0 Hz – 466.8 Hz (approx. 0.2 Hz increments) |
-100 to +100 cents |
-100 to +100 cents |
Yes |
|
– |
Pitch Bend |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Yes |
Yes |
– |
– |
Number of Buttons |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
4 Pads x 8 Banks |
4 Pads x 8 Banks |
– |
– |
Performance Assistant Technology (PAT) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Chord,Chord / Free |
Chord,Chord / Free |
– |
– |
Yamaha Education Suite (Y.E.S.) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Yes |
Yes |
– |
Storage and Connectivity |
|||||||||||
Connectivity |
DC IN |
DC IN 12V |
DC IN 12V |
12V |
DC IN 12V |
DC IN 12V |
DC IN 12V |
12V |
Yes |
Yes |
DC IN 12V |
Headphones |
Yes |
[PHONES/OUTPUT] x 1 |
Standard stereo phone jack (PHONES/OUTPUT) |
Yes |
Yes |
[PHONES/OUTPUT] x 1 |
Standard stereo phone jack (PHONES/OUTPUT) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Sustain Pedal |
Yes (Half pedal available with optional FC3A) |
Yes (Half pedal available with optional FC3A) |
Yes (Half-Damper compatible with optiona FC3A) |
Yes (Half Pedal) |
Yes (Half Pedal) |
Yes (Half pedal available with optional FC3A) |
Yes (Half-Damper compatible with optiona FC3A) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (Half Pedal) |
|
USB TO HOST |
– |
Yes |
Yes (MIDI/AUDIO) |
– |
|
Yes |
Yes (MIDI/AUDIO) |
Yes |
Yes |
– |
|
USB TO DEVICE |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
No |
Yes |
– |
|
MIDI |
In/Out |
– |
– |
In/Out |
In/Out |
– |
– |
No |
No |
In/Out |
|
Internal Memory |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
1.8MB |
1.8MB |
– |
|
USB Drive |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Yes |
Yes |
– |
|
Amplifiers and Speakers |
|||||||||||
Amplifiers |
2.5W x2 |
2.5W x2 |
2.5W ×2 |
6W x2 |
6W x2 |
6W x2 |
6W ×2 |
6W x2 |
6W x2 |
6W x2 |
|
Speakers |
(12cm x 6cm) x 2 |
(12cm x 6cm) x 2 |
(12 cm × 8 cm) ×2 |
(12cm x 6cm) x 2 |
(12cm x 6cm) x 2 |
(12cm x 6cm) x 2 |
(12 cm × 8 cm) ×2 |
(12cm x 6cm) x 2, 5cm x2 |
(12cm x 6cm) x 2, 5cm x2 |
(12cm x 6cm) x 2 |
|
Power Supply |
|||||||||||
Power Supply |
Adaptor (PA-3C/PA-130), or batteries (Six “AA” size, LR6 or equivalent batteries) |
AC Adaptor (PA-130) or 6 x “AA” size batteries (alkaline [LR6], manganese [R6] or Ni-MH rechargeable batteries) |
AC Adaptor (PA-130, PA-3C, or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha) or batteries (Six “AA” size alkaline (LR6), manganese (R6) or Ni-MH rechargeable (HR6) batteries) |
Adaptor (PA-5D/PA-150), or batteries (Six “AA” size, LR6 or equivalent batteries) |
Adaptor (PA-5D/PA-150), or batteries (Six “AA” size, LR6 or equivalent batteries) |
AC Adaptor (PA-150) or 6 x “AA” size batteries (alkaline [LR6], manganese [R6] or Ni-MH rechargeable batteries) |
AC Adaptor PA-150 or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha, or six “AA” size alkaline (LR6), manganese (R6) or Ni-MH rechargeable (HR6) batteries |
AC Power Adaptor : Yamaha PA-150 (May not be included depending on your particular area.Please check with your Yamaha dealer.)Batteris : Six “AA”size, LR6 or equivalent batteries |
AC Power Adaptor : Yamaha PA-150 (May not be included depending on your particular area.Please check with your Yamaha dealer.)Batteris : Six “AA”size, LR6 or equivalent batteries |
Adaptor (PA-5D/PA-150), or batteries (Six “AA” size, LR6 or equivalent batteries) |
|
Power Consumption |
20W |
8W |
3.5 W (When using PA-130 AC adaptor) |
20W |
20W |
18W |
6.0 W (When using PA-150 AC adaptor) |
– |
– |
20W |
|
Auto Power Off |
– |
Yes |
Yes |
– |
|
Yes |
Yes |
– |
– |
– |
|
Battery Life |
|
6+ hours |
– |
– |
– |
6 hours |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Accessories |
|||||||||||
Accessories |
Music rest |
• Owner’s Manual • Music Rest • My Yamaha Product User Registration • AC Adaptor: PA-130 or an equivalent * May not be included depending on your particular area. Please check with your Yamaha dealer. |
Owner’s Manual, Online Member Product Registration, Music rest, AC adaptor: PA-130 or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha *May not be included depending on your area. Check with your Yamaha dealer. |
Music rest |
Music rest |
• Owner’s Manual • My Yamaha Product User Registration • Music Rest • AC Adaptor: PA-150 or an equivalent * May not be included depending on your particular area. Please check with your Yamaha dealer. |
Owner’s Manual, Online Member Product Registration, Music rest, AC adaptor: PA-150 or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha *May not be included depending on your area. Check with your Yamaha dealer. |
Music rest |
Music rest |
Music rest |
|
Size/Weight |
|||||||||||
Dimensions |
Width |
1036mm |
1,036mm (40-13/16″) |
1052mm (41-7/16”) |
1244mm |
1244mm (49″) |
1,244mm (49″) |
1260 mm (49-5/8”) |
1228mm |
1264mm |
1244mm |
Height |
105mm |
105mm (4-1/8″) |
104 mm (4-1/8”) |
259mm |
105m (4″1/8′) |
105mm (4-1/8″) |
104 mm ( 4-1/8”) |
111mm |
111mm |
259mm |
|
Depth |
259mm |
259mm (10-3/16″) |
260 mm (10-1/4”) |
100mm |
259mm (10-1/4″) |
259mm (10-3/16″) |
260 mm (10-1/4”) |
312mm |
312mm |
100mm |
|
Weight |
Weight |
4.5kg |
4.5kg (9lbs., 15oz.) |
5.2 kg (11 lbs., 7 oz.) |
5.4kg |
5.7kg (12bs., 9oz.) |
5.7kg (12lbs., 9oz.) |
6.0 kg (13 lbs., 4 oz.) |
6.3kg |
7.1kg |
5.4kg |
Should You Buy a Yamaha Piaggero keyboard?
The Piaggero range of keyboards are aimed at a particular niche market, and it’s worth carefully considering if you want the features Yamaha is pushing on these instruments.
Piaggeros are not digital pianos—in fact, they are not even listed under “digital pianos” on the Yamaha product website, but under keyboards. Your expectations need to be realistic.
There are other entry level digital pianos which may offer a better experience, and if you want additional bells and whistles then definitely look at a home keyboard instead of the Piaggero range.
Only the NP-15, NP-35, NP-12 and NP-32 are currently still manufactured and sold new by Yamaha; all other models are discontinued.