Also interesting to note is that there is an Anderton's video of the Yamaha P45 from a couple years ago, and it sounds pretty decent and seems a value for the money. Plus it's fully weighted, where the Roland really isn't. Probably needs an update in the samples, but... Just throwing that out
Awesome video! Great improvement from previous blindfold challenge, but I can think of another (rather absurd) possibility: Cover the casing of the keyboards in a uniform way (so that the outline of the cover stays the same for all keyboards - like wrapping it with a cardboard box,) and let him fly freely over the keybed :D Cause he doesn't need blindfold then.
A good '& entertaining' video as usual. I find the best way to truly compare K/Bs or DPs samples in a shop is to use a quality set of Headphones, as internal speaker quality can vary . It is also worth noting that some budget (& not so budget !) boards may sound ok on their own speakers or through Headphones but do not 'amp up' well thus affecting any direct comparisons . I have found that Casios generally amp up brilliantly for gigging (I use a PX 560) whilst something like a Korg Havion 30 whilst very good on its internal speakers sounds awful when connected to an external amp , I am also not a great fan of the lower end Roland's when amplified although they are very good for home use on their own speakers .
I have used the Yamaha P45 and the Roland Go:Piano88. The Yamaha has a good weighted keyboard that feels like a piano. The Roland has an unweighted keyboard that feels cheap. The Yamaha build quality feels solid, while the Roland build quality feels more lightweight. It's clear the Roland is designed for portability and cheapness. Soundwise the Yamaha has a solid classic Yamaha digital piano sound. This Yamaha sound is simpler and brighter than Roland's more expensive SuperNatural digital pianos, but this Go:Piano88 doesn't have the usual Roland sound. Instead it's a simplified variant of the Roland sound, brighter and more cutting, with some pleasing stereo spread and upper harmonic ring, and some depth that you don't really hear through the tinny onboard speakers. The Yamaha has better speakers onboard with more bass and a warmer tone. If I were playing mostly through the onboard speakers I'd choose the Yamaha. Through headphones though the Roland sounded fairly pleasing, if a little on the harsh side. It seems to be optimized for the kind of piano sound that would cut through the mix in a band, while the Yamaha is more for home practice. (Which makes it a little odd that the Roland doesn't have a proper line out.) The Roland has a pleasing tone through headphones. I generally prefer Roland digital piano sounds to Yamaha, but as I said this is a bright and simplified sound, not much like their more expensive SuperNatural range except that it sounds slightly more harmonically complex compared to Yamaha (more movement within the note). I'm undecided between them soundwise; it's definitely not as clear as this review suggests. On the Yamaha if you listen closely you can hear the point where the sample loop kicks in on the sustain. On a single sustained note without effects that can be annoying, but you won't notice it much in everyday use. The Roland, however, just lacks sustain even with a sustain pedal. Soft notes sound better on the Yamaha - the Roland's soft notes just sound like the regular sample played quieter. And the cutover from a regular sample to a forte sample as you play harder is crude on the Roland - suddenly you're hearing a much harsher sound, and you can trigger it by accident causing some notes to stick out. The Roland is not for playing gentle classical music. Where I live the Yamaha P45 is a fair bit more expensive than the Roland Go:Piano88. If you want something that feels like a piano and has a nice tone when you play softly, the Yamaha is a better choice. If you are on a tight budget or want portability the Roland isn't bad and its sound has some pleasing qualities. In the same price region I also tried the Williams Legato III, and the Roland Go:Piano88 had a better sound than that and doesn't depend on an iOS app, but there's also the Williams Allegro III whose weighted keyboard would make it worth considering. The Roland Go:Piano88 patch selection is really basic: one piano, one fairly bright electric piano, a terrible church organ and some mushy "strings". The Yamaha P45 has a couple more usable patches. My overall feeling was that the Yamaha fell into the category of basic home digital pianos, while the Roland is a portable keyboard you might use as a second instrument for moving around with while leaving the heavy one at home. If I had to pick one for home practice I'd choose the Yamaha, but if I had a free choice I'd spend a bit more money on one of Roland's SuperNatural pianos.
Great video. Love these blindfold videos. Would maybe have like to see the difference with the reverb all on and to let him retry them after the blindfold is off. Thanks Jack. Maybe next £500 to £1k.
Actually ''the winning tribe '' about the middle range don't understand that middle range is exactly where you make the difference.High and low ends will sound ok on most pianos.
I don't think I was one of the whiners - hope not! In a way you're right. The priority is the centre, but I still like to hear the treble and bass too, when convenient. I much prefer the Yamaha CF patch bass notes, for example, to the bass notes on most other patches I've heard. A bass note should say "dang", and not "boom" IMO. Some Roland patches are/were weak in the centre but the latest ones are pretty good.
I am actually pretty sure you accidently set the "touch sensitivity to fixed" while disabling the reverb on the P-45 because that piano is no way that bad compared the the others.
Im using Yamaha P-45 and I definitely experience the same problem. At default setting, the velocity sensitivity seems very off. I have to hit the keys really hard to get a normal sound, otherwise the sound is very muffled. In the end, I set the velocity sensitivity to "Low" to get a good sound although it will be hard to play quiet piece
Thanks for these challenges. Certainly very entertaining & informative. One thing worth mentioning, is it seemed to me that the Yamaha P45 was tuned down a couple of octaves. If it was transposed down, you're not going to get any brightness in the samples, and this would definitely make for an unfair comparison.
Wow. So that means Yamaha's transpose button is transposing the samples instead of the MIDI Note sent to trigger the samples? If so, thanks for the information.
Should've kept with stock piano speaker. Someone going out to buy low budget piano will not spend extra on speakers. Also speaker sound will change with his head position, off axis response of speakers changes quite a bit. Once again, Casio will always be one of if not the best. Good sound, very realistic graded hammer action, and low price.
Great approach and good price point. But I’m watching all of these videos (these a year ago and the more recent ones), and just love everything about these piano sounds!
I love this blindfold videos specially the last one,you should do one just comparing EP's which is something I really take in mind when buying a brand new Digital piano
Amazing! Thanks for the review guys I really appreciated it! Trying to order a new keyboard online during COVID when I don't get to out to the store and test them out is really daunting. Your review helps so much!
A belated thanks for this review. It was fun. I've only just seen it now, but back then the Roland Go 88 was new, and probably had the most up-to-date patches out of the three instruments tested. You didn't say much about the actions, and playing blind it must have been difficult testing that aspect, but you did notice that the sustain is strange. I suggest that this is because of the un-piano-like action on the Roland. Considering that this piano has only 4 patches (but 88 keys!) it should have a proper weighted action to make the best use of the main patch. To me, the Roland Go 61p (with fewer keys but more patches) makes more sense. I'm not a fan of the P45 but I think you would have liked it a little better in a more general comparison. Yamaha's AWM patches seem to be very dependent on the internal reverb and stereo effects, and that's one reason why I don't rate AWM for stage use. Sounds sublime with headphones though. I agree that the Roland piano patch sounded best, but Yamaha now puts the CF & CFX and Bösendorfer patches on its newer instruments. I prefer those piano patches to any Roland piano patch I've heard. PS I see that Europe's biggest online instrument supplier is not stocking or offering the Roland Go 88. That says a lot.
P45 was my favourite straightaway. The recording we're hearing is much more authentic than through the speakers he's listening to which can be negatively affected by room conditions and settings. I think Yamaha do it better
I have another request. I am fairly set now with 88 weighted key MIDI controllers, but still curious to know in case I want to upgrade. Can you do the same exact test, with MIDI controllers, instead of stage pianos? Where you test how well they trigger piano VIs, and test out the velocity range and smoothness, as well as playability of each? I have the M-Audio Hammer88, and while it's very inexpensive, it kills a lot of the competition in terms of velocity range. It's completely effortless from velocity 1-127, with no bumps straight out of the box...it plays exactly how I would expect, and I can't say the same about more expensive controllers. So would be great to do a blind test with MIDI controllers...from the Kawai VPC-1 to the M-Audio and get some feedback. BTW, some stage pianos are also great controllers as well, such as the Roland RD-2000....but I feel it's a bit of a waste of money to spend if you will never user the internal sounds. Thanks!!!
So excited about another DBingers video. After the first one I searched all over the internet to find more of his beautiful playing. I just loved everything he did. In this video, maybe it was because the piano's were lesser quality, or maybe because Bing's felt self conscious about the internet hive mind? But he didn't play nearly as much, and I missed that.
Pretty sure I've played the P45 a few times and it sounded pretty good. I think he was playing in the wrong octave for a good portion of it. ;) . Are you sure its not phasing or in mono? Yamaha pianos were always known for that..
I've been looking to learn the piano but with all the comparisons out there its overwhelming. For someone who doesn't even know how to read notes, should I even worry about weighed keys? The only thing I've gotten out of all the beginner piano videos is 88 keys are a must and beginner pianos suck but are ok. Besides that I'm not sure if I'd even see a difference between all the pianos. Or if it would even make a difference. This video was great for someone like me. They threw all the tech bla bla out the window. And went by sound and touch. With this review I bought the go88 hopefully I can learn the basics within the year and finally understand what I need out of a expensive piano. Shoot maybe I wont even like playing, who knows. Lol btw that guy looks so sad he picked the cheap piano. Like he was disappointed with himself.
Great video Jack, always fun, entertaining and informative. Never going to be a perfect way to do these tests but this was pretty much as good as you can get. My preference is the Casio followed by the Roland and then...well, have to say it I just would not buy the P45. Yamaha make some blinding products but sorry guys this is not one of them. The Casio is also the better specced of the three and I can definitely recommend it. We are giving away a PX-S1000 at the moment..check the website...but might do a CDP-S100 giveaway next month :)
@@eyesofvenus That's subjective though. You may think it sounds better. I don't. That doesn't mean I am right and you are wrong. We just prefer a different sound.
Yeah. Even with bouncy spring-loaded keys, Roland is better than hammer keys Yamaha and Casio. Are we talking about sound only or it is the total score? For a piano player, not hammer keyboard is not acceptable, I think.
I am normally a big korg fan, but I tried a SP260 in a music store the other day and was very disappointed with both the sound and feel. The Casio pianos were far better IMO. Worth trying out for yourself. Still love the SV1.
Doug Dixon I have the older SP170s and can confirm I’m totally satisfied. I know it’s not the greatest or lightest but it does have a midi din which means 🎰
They did an FP-30 in the 600 pound group, which is twice the price in the US. I've seen good reviews of the FP-10, but it's out of the 400 pound price class. Maybe in a 500 pound comparison?
Hey guys Great video As a parent of a 4yr old and looking for his first keyboard or digital piano - can you think about doing a £200 and under shootout - the Yamaha NP12 against similar true first piano type instruments Cheers to you both
The Go:Piano 88 only has one piano patch, one electric piano, one godawful church organ (WHY?) and some sludgy strings. Basically you can ignore the last two and it has one piano sound and one electric piano.
Another great video guys but didn't you check out the Casio CDP-S100 in an earlier blindfold challenge? Remember the comment about the Casio's samples being a little short.
They try to sell Casio. About that other video... Casio is a good choice if one wants to make a career as a blindfolded pianist! One won't need, so won't pay for the voices and features in better pianos. If action and feel are important than why not Clavinovas or CP-88?
HI guyz ! In this range of price... under the fingers.., which keybed has the best feeling? the best rebound to play fast? i'm searching a second-hand good beginner piano. Thank you !
If you have little more money buy Casio CDP-S350 it have better sound than s100, BUT if you save money enough choose Roland fp 30 or fp 60. They have supernatural in them and they sounds heavenlike grand pianos.
What about their keys feeling? Someone has ever tried the Casio CDP s100 and the Roland FP-10? I mean, both of them. I have gone to a lot of music stores but I could only tried the Casio CDP s100 because it was the only available, so, it's my only reference. It feels good, and I read that the Casio keys feels like an ivory piano keys. I got an offer with the Roland FP-10, it's going to be the same price between the Casio CDP S100 and the Roland FP-10, but I don't know which one to buy, because I haven't tried the Roland and I'm afraid (if I buy the Roland) that I'm not going to like how the Roland feels compared to the Casio... What should I do? Which one should I buy?
You have 3 different modes for the sesibility on the Yamaha You turned on the lightest so it was unfair comparison because on the hardest mode this keyboard is great :)
For the cheap pianos like these (and under 600£) I'd prefer to hear them through their own speakers, since if I choose a cheap keyboard I won't also buy monitors for it
I am interested in the Casio and wanted to ask if it is possible to use the software Synthesia with it and if it can be used as a midi controller for Daws or such programs as Kontakt / Maschine 2?
Hey! can you help me? Im thinking on buying a Casio cdp s100 (or any other piano with line in) to conect it thru usb to a laptop to use a VST and then going from the laptop to the line in insert to hear the VST thru the Casios built in speakers , do you know if its possible? (Sorry for my english)
Good review however don't understand why the inbuilt speakers weren't used in the test. Surely these are integral to the performance of the piano. A PA system is certainly not something everyone will have access to.
Fake Account... I'm not very fond of Casio actions, but at this pricepoint the action is very acceptable. None of these pianos has anything like a good acoustic piano action, but not all acoustic pianos have good actions anyway. If you're a serious piano student then the Casio would satisfy you for the first two or three years. The Yamaha P45 just a bit longer. Don't even consider the Go Piano or any other non-weighted digital piano action if you want a piano feel. There are digital pianos at all prices, but I'll list a few others which are only a bit more expensive than these three reviewed here. Consider the Yamaha P-121 which has only 73 keys but a much better sound, and costs only a bit more than the P45. Also consider the Casio CDP-S150 and the Roland FP10. Also the Kawai ES110 and the Korg B2 & D1. Avoid the B2N. The D1 probably has the best action of all these instruments, but it has no internal speakers. Update: I have tried some more pianos, including the ES110, with which I was very disappointed. Alesis has just released two new graded hammer action pianos: the Prestige and the Prestige Artist. They are inexpensive in the US and look very promising. The prices seem a bit high here in Europe. Hope they'll drop.
I find while just jamming/improvising i play with my eyes closed anyway, will break out some welding glasses to see what it does to my playing lol. Great video. Waiting for a new dual Piano Stand from you today as it happens :-)
Casio CDP's timbre are too artificial and its sustain is so short Yamaha P45 performs much better, but still not on par with the more pricey Casio PX160 So for me Yamaha P45: better sound and very well balanced. Casio sounds plastic like a toy with lots of EQ, and artificial dynamics. Many people are wondering "Why is the sustain on casio is so short?" "Did you use a pedal " Thats just the way Casio is, I tried it at local shop and was really disappointed with how short the notes were
Interesting... I thought the Yamaha sounded the best, followed by the Roland (I didn’t particularly care for Roland’s micing technique or whatever they did to represent the stereo field). The Casio was a very very very very very distant third for me. Sounds like a digital piano that was released in the early 90s with nothing in terms of harmonic complexity. The sustain was very unnatural to the point where it sounded like someone applied an ADSR to the sample with a very fast decay instead of just letting the sample ring out naturally.
Just curious to know that if indeed he is a seasoned Piano player, how can he not feel the difference between weighted(Casio & Yamaha) and non - weighted(Roland) keys?😞
good grief, how can you not notice or mention the Roland is semi weighted and it comes out as winner. Something to do with it being a new product at the time? Can't trust anything said in these vids now...
They design it to sound good and clear through the built in speakers and with reverb on. This is without reverb and I believe they put it through external woofy speakers. Also was apparently too loud.
great video but not a valid test for people looking to buy a piano for under 400. the second you said you were playing through a pair 700 dollar speakers and probably a mixer it ruined the test because who is looking to buy a piano under 400 and then buy or have a 2000 sound system for it. the under 400 is for people who either dont have money or are just getting stated and therefore will not have a professional studio setup and wont be able to make it sound anything like your test. thanks for the attempt though.
