Yamaha Ydp S34 - Best Piano Review

Introduction

Introducing the Yamaha YDP S34, a digital piano that redefines the boundaries of musical expression and performance. Designed with meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship, this instrument embodies the perfect fusion of cutting-edge technology and timeless artistry.

The Yamaha YDP S34 sets a new standard in digital piano innovation, offering an immersive and authentic playing experience that will captivate musicians of all levels. From aspiring beginners to seasoned professionals, this instrument is designed to inspire creativity, refine technique, and unleash the full potential of every pianist.

At the heart of the Yamaha YDP S34 lies a remarkable sound engine, meticulously crafted to faithfully reproduce the nuanced tones and timbres of a concert grand piano. With its rich and dynamic sound, this digital piano delivers an unparalleled sonic experience that will transport you to the grandest concert halls.

But the Yamaha YDP S34 offers more than just exceptional sound. Its keyboard, built with the utmost precision and care, features Yamaha’s renowned Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action. This technology replicates the touch and response of an acoustic piano, allowing for expressive and natural playing. Each key has a graded weight, making the lower keys heavier and the higher keys lighter, just like an acoustic piano.

To further enhance your musical journey, the Yamaha YDP S34 offers a vast array of features and functions. Choose from a wide selection of instrument voices, including grand pianos, electric pianos, strings, and more, allowing you to explore a diverse range of musical genres and styles. Engage various digital effects to add depth and character to your playing, or experiment with the dual and split modes to layer different sounds or divide the keyboard for simultaneous playing.

First Impressions

From the moment you lay your eyes on the Yamaha YDP S34, it exudes an air of elegance and sophistication. Its sleek and streamlined design instantly captures your attention, making a lasting impression. The polished finish, available in various attractive colors, adds a touch of luxury to any space it occupies.

As you approach the instrument, you can’t help but be drawn in by its impeccable craftsmanship. The Yamaha YDP S34 boasts a sturdy and well-built construction, ensuring durability and longevity. Every detail, from the smooth texture of the keys to the responsive buttons and controls, reflects the commitment to quality that Yamaha is renowned for.

As your fingers graze the keys, you immediately feel the exceptional touch and responsiveness of the Yamaha YDP S34’s keyboard. The Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action replicates the weight and feel of an acoustic piano, allowing for effortless expression and control. Whether playing delicate passages or unleashing powerful chords, the keyboard responds faithfully to your every touch.

But it’s when you press the first key that the true magic happens. The Yamaha YDP S34’s sound resonates through the room with astonishing clarity and depth. The meticulously sampled grand piano tones transport you to a world of musical enchantment. Each note sings with a rich and vibrant quality, capturing the nuances and subtleties of a real acoustic instrument.

How Does the Ydp S34 Play?

The Yamaha YDP S34 offers an exceptional playing experience that is both immersive and satisfying. When you sit down at the keyboard, you’ll immediately notice the realistic and responsive touch of the keys. Equipped with Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action, the YDP S34 emulates the feel of an acoustic piano. The keys have varying weights, just like those of a traditional piano, with a heavier touch in the lower register and a lighter touch in the higher register. This thoughtful design ensures that you can accurately convey your musical expression and dynamics as you play.

The GHS action provides a natural and authentic playing experience. Whether you’re playing gentle melodies or unleashing powerful chords, the keys respond with precision and sensitivity, allowing for nuanced and expressive performances. This feature makes the YDP S34 suitable for pianists of all levels, from beginners to advanced players. Additionally, the YDP S34 offers adjustable touch sensitivity settings, allowing you to customize the keyboard response to your preference. You can choose from different touch sensitivity levels, ensuring that the instrument adapts to your playing style and comfort.

With the Yamaha YDP S34, you can confidently explore a wide range of musical genres and styles. The responsive keys enable you to articulate intricate passages, while the authentic touch enhances your ability to convey emotion and musicality in your playing. Whether you’re practicing, performing, or simply enjoying the pleasure of playing, the Yamaha YDP S34’s playability will inspire and empower you to reach new heights in your musical journey.

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Sound

The sound of the Yamaha YDP S34 is nothing short of extraordinary. It combines cutting-edge technology and meticulous craftsmanship to deliver a rich, expressive, and immersive musical experience. At the heart of the YDP S34 lies a powerful sound engine that faithfully reproduces the nuanced tones and timbres of a concert grand piano. The meticulously sampled piano sounds capture the essence of each note, allowing for a truly authentic and realistic piano-playing experience. Whether you’re playing soft and delicate passages or unleashing powerful and resonant chords, the YDP S34’s sound quality remains consistently impressive.

The Yamaha YDP S34 offers a wide selection of instrument voices beyond the grand piano. You can explore a variety of sounds, including electric pianos, strings, organs, and more. Each voice is carefully crafted to deliver exceptional clarity and depth, enabling you to create versatile and dynamic musical performances. To further enhance your sound experience, the YDP S34 provides a range of digital effects. Experiment with reverb, chorus, and other effects to add depth, ambience, and character to your playing. These effects allow you to customize and shape your sound to suit your musical preferences and creative vision.

Whether you’re practicing at home, performing in a small venue, or recording in a studio, the Yamaha YDP S34’s sound quality remains consistent and impressive. Its high-quality speakers deliver clear and immersive audio, ensuring that every nuance of your playing is faithfully reproduced.

Connectivity

The Yamaha YDP S34 offers a range of connectivity options, allowing you to expand your musical possibilities and integrate with other devices seamlessly. One of the key connectivity features of the YDP S34 is its USB-to-Host port. This allows you to connect the piano to a computer or mobile device, opening up a world of creative opportunities. By connecting to music software, such as digital audio workstations (DAWs) or notation programs, you can compose, record, and edit your music directly on your computer or mobile device.

Additionally, the USB-to-Host connection enables you to access a wealth of educational resources, interactive apps, and online lessons. You can enhance your learning experience by connecting the YDP S34 to educational platforms or music-learning applications that offer tutorials, practice exercises, and performance feedback. The YDP S34 also provides a headphone jack, which is ideal for practicing silently and privately. By plugging in your headphones, you can immerse yourself in your playing without disturbing others. This feature is especially beneficial for late-night practice sessions or when you want to focus intently on your music.

With its diverse connectivity options, the Yamaha YDP S34 seamlessly integrates into your musical setup. Whether you’re using it as a MIDI controller, connecting to educational resources, practicing with headphones, or integrating with external devices, the YDP S34 ensures that you can explore and expand your musical horizons with ease and convenience.

Yamaha Ydp S34 Specs

Keyboard: 88 keys with Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) action
Sound Engine: Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial piano samples, Pure CF Sound Engine
Maximum Polyphony: 192 notes
Voices: 10 voices including Grand Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Strings, and more
Effects: Reverb (4 types), Intelligent Acoustic Control, Stereophonic Optimizer
Recording and Playback: 1-track MIDI recording, internal memory
Connectivity: USB-to-Host, MIDI, headphone jack, auxiliary audio input/output
Amplification: 8W x 2 amplifiers, 12cm x 2 speakers
Dimensions: 1,357 mm (W) x 815 mm (H) x 422 mm (D)
Weight: 35.9 kg (79 lbs., 2 oz.)
Finishes: Black, Dark Walnut, White
Power Supply: Included
Key Cover: Sliding key cover to protect the keys when not in use.
Pedals: 3 built-in pedals (damper, sostenuto, and soft) for expressive control.
Metronome: Built-in metronome with adjustable tempo and time signature settings.
Tuning: Fine-tuning control for precise adjustment of the instrument’s pitch.
Transpose: Transposition function for playing in different musical keys.
Lesson Function: Integrated lesson function with a variety of built-in songs and practice features.
App Connectivity: Compatible with Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app for additional control and features.
Half-Damper Pedal: Support for half-damper pedal control, allowing for more nuanced sustain effects.
Power Consumption: Energy-efficient design with low power consumption.
Auto Power Off: Automatic power-off function to conserve energy when the instrument is not in use.

Pros

Sturdy construction, ensuring durability and longevity.
Excellent key traction, providing a comfortable and responsive playing experience.
The Yamaha P45 features a lightweight and portable design, allowing for easy transportation and setup.
User-friendly controls, allowing for effortless operation and adjustments.
Includes ten authentic voices, offering a wide range of instrument sounds to choose from.
Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) sampling technology, delivering high-quality and realistic sound reproduction.

Cons

Unfortunately, the Korg SP-170S lacks the feature of track recording, which means you cannot record and save multiple layers of music.
does not have an auxiliary output.

Cons

The Yamaha YDP S34, while an impressive digital piano, does have a few drawbacks to consider. It may offer limited sound customization options compared to higher-end models, and its built-in speaker system may require external amplification for larger performances. The connectivity options are useful but may not be as extensive as those found in more advanced models. Additionally, the YDP S34 has a limited selection of instrument voices and may be less portable due to its size and weight. Considering these factors will help you determine if the YDP S34 aligns with your specific needs and preferences.

Despite its many strengths, the Yamaha YDP S34 does have a few notable weaknesses that deserve attention. One prominent issue is the underwhelming speaker system. It’s disappointing that Yamaha didn’t equip this keyboard with speakers capable of properly showcasing the incredible sound quality of the CFX piano samples. In particular, the bass reproduction is lacking, potentially undermining the overall performance experience. However, it’s worth noting that using headphones can significantly improve the sound quality, providing a more satisfying listening experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Yamaha YDP S34 is a remarkable digital piano that offers a rich and immersive musical experience. With its authentic keyboard feel, impressive sound quality, and a wide range of features, it caters to both beginners and experienced musicians alike. The meticulously sampled piano tones, versatile instrument voices, and customizable digital effects ensure a versatile and expressive playing experience. Additionally, its connectivity options provide flexibility for integration with various devices and expand your musical possibilities.

While the YDP S34 does have a few limitations, such as limited sound customization, the speaker system’s performance, and fewer instrument voices compared to higher-end models, these drawbacks are outweighed by its overall excellence. The YDP S34’s compact design and user-friendly interface make it a suitable choice for home practice, studio recordings, and small performances.

Yamaha Ydp S 34 Review 2018- a Great Piano?