This is a play through of all the factory sounds (not just live sets) in the Yamaha CP88/73. This is a raw presentation of these sounds - with no effects besides a small amount of reverb from the CP itself.
sounds to me that the piano/rhodes/strings/brass/synth sounds are well represented and can just about cover any live playing gig.. The weakest link is the organ area..Not too heavy to carry, great keybed feel, not too expensive, smooth sound transition and quick access via favorites buttons...It's a winner. I'm in!
I too have a stage 3, and even though it is the compact version, I’ve also owned the 88 and HP versions. I have the CP88 and YC61 in my studio right now, and I can tell you... even the YC88 is NOT a competitor for the Nord Stage 3. Do the CP and YC 88 have amazing key actions? Absolutely. But does the total CP or YC package compare to what you get with a Stage 3? No... not at all. Nord has a FAR better organ engine in their Stage and Electro series, than Yamaha has in the YC series. The Leslie sim is bad in the YC..Nord has a Leslie sim that compares favorably to the real thing. The Synth features and ability to add your own samples in the Nord Stage 3 blow the Yamaha out of the water- and finally, Nord has a much better selection of piano samples to choose from. Yes, the piano and ep samples in the CP and YC are excellent, but the overall package of a Stage 3 blows the CP and YC out of the water. Now... since we will both agree that Nord’s Fatar actions aren’t the best in the Stage 3- I suggest getting an external keyboard to connect to your Nord (my setup is a StudioLogic SL88 Grand under a Stage 3 compact). This will give you the beat of both worlds, and in dual keyboard mode, the Stage 3 becomes TWO keyboards. The SL88 Grand uses a Fatar TP40 Wood action, which feels incredible, responds very well, and to me, is a joy to play. It’s the better version of what is in the Stage 3 88 (which is a Fatar TP40 M weighted the same across all keys). Also, the Roland board with PHA-4 or PHA-50 play very nicely with the Nord. The RD-88 or A88 for example.
@@sphinx9517 I’ve got a YC vs Nord Stage 3 series of videos coming out Monday- that is the more direct competitor to the Nord Stage 3, since it is essentially a CP with an organ engine. Stay tuned!
@@ferdearmas8732 That is hard to say.. it is personal preference. The Yamaha action feels more like a light version of a C7 keyboard, whereas the SL 88 Grand feels more like a 20 year old Steinway to me. They are both very fast, very responsive.. incredibly solid feeling, and I don't foresee you having any major issues with either.
Depends on what you value most. Keybed is like miles better on the CP88, soundwise they‘re in the same ballpark (Personal taste: for acoustic Pianos the Nord and for Rhodes the CP88). But with Nord you can ofcourse Download their sounds from web and of has a higher resale value if that matters to you :)
@@benallen5967 Thanks. Literally just come out my local store and tried them all (well, the YC rather than the CP as they didn't have the latter, but it's the same action.) That YC/CP action sure is lovely. RD wins for functionality but pretty ugly! :)
Not sympathetic string resonance, but Yamaha has implemented damper resonance which does model some string resonance, as well as that of the soundboard and body of the piano. In a live setting, with other instruments, it is quite effective... but no, it isn’t true sympathetic string resonance like Korg, Roland, Nord, Kawai, or Dexibell.
Great question! So, the Kawai is flawed in one big way. It sounds great, has a simple interface, and is a well built instrument.. BUT..I was never able to get the velocity I played at to correspond with the sound I heard. That is to say, no matter how hard I played the Mp7Se, it just never felt like I could get it loud and raucous enough. Weirdly, the same wasn't true when using it as a MIDI controller for other keyboards, and it isn't true of the other Kawai instruments I've played. But I tested several of the MP7SE and never could get them to respond like I wanted, despite playing with the velocity curves.
@@benallen5967 I have narrowed my search down to the Kawai MP7se and the Yamaha CP88, so I really appreciate your input. Some features I like about the Kawai MP7se that are not on the CP88 are the built-in recorder, drums (and 100 patterns), 256 voice polyphony, the 4 layering "zones", and the many more sounds. I do like the fact that the CP88 is upgradeable, has wooden keys, and it has XLR connections. Regarding the action . . . Does the MP7se have more of a bounce or bobble when the hammer "returns" after the key has been played compared to the CP88? If so, did you find that annoying? Is there more keyboard "noise" on the MP7se? Also, is there a way to plug in another sound source (CD player, music from a usb drive, etc.) into the CP88, so I can play the keyboard along with a recording (like you can do with the MP7se)? Again, thank you for your time and expertise !
@@jazzvent I do plan on having a Q& A Live soon, but I wanted to let you know that I do personal FaceTime/zoom/skype, whatever consultations as well, just one on one, and if you'd like to take advantage of that - feel free to reach out. Godisopen @ G Mail
@@jlhc1552 I think you would be quite happy with ADAM T7V studio monitors. Headphones are also a good choice, and for that, I recommend Focal Listen Pro.
A great question. The P515 is more of a home instrument, but has extra sound editing options for the piano specifically, whereas the CP88 is definitely more Studio/Stage based. The connection between the sound, and when you hear it, is excellent on both.
@@benallen5967 thanks for reply, and which is your favorite keybed and sound?. Is the lack of escapement and string resonance in the CP88 a real drawback and downstep against the P515?.
@@ferdearmas8732 I really enjoy the C7 and Bosendorfer, but also the CFX and Nashville C3. Escapement isn't an issue for me..most of us can't feel it and don't notice when it isn't there. Sympathetic string resonance isn't a problem in a live setting, especially since you have the damper resonance, which almost makes up for that.
@@benallen5967 Thanks!. Which is your favorite between both (P515-CP88)?. And please, tell me which sound engine, key action and finger to sound connection is better and more reliable for you, between: Yamaha P125, Casio PX-S1000, Kawai ES110/520, Roland FP10/30X and Korg D1?.
Frankly the CP88 should be able to walk all over the P-125 in every way since similarly equipped, the CP88 is trice as much. If that’s the case I think I would be just as happy with a Kawai ES920 since I’m a very new beginner and at age 68 I’ll never be that good since I’m not related to Colonel Sanders.
The question I have not been able to find an answer for is - do the newer Yamaha YC stage piano/organs add any new or improved sounds in the piano/electric piano categories, over and above the CP88/73? I have no need for any organ sounds - just not my thing. If anyone can point me to the answer I would be glad, especially if you can provide a web link, so I can go read and check the info for myself. Thanks in advance
Happy to answer that for you! I have a CP88 and a YC61 sitting here right now. Piano and EP content are identical as far as the basic samples- actually, the YC is missing some of the ones that the CP has, as far as pianos go. The YC implements it’s effects slightly differently, but that difference applies mostly to the other sounds. The YC series is essentially a CP with an organ engine, a slightly different effects process and layout, different key action options, and a filter/EG section, which again is mostly applicable to synth and other sounds. Otherwise? They are nearly identical. If you don’t need the organ engine, the CP series is the better choice.
@@benallen5967 Thank you ever so much Ben. Your love for music an pianos has been infectious. And I have over recent years enjoyed many of your extensive keyboard demos. Moreso now that its impossible to go into a shop and demo one. I am fortunate that I did try out the CP88 in person (at a store nearby) so I know from recollection how that sounds (caveat - through their shabby sounding pole on a bass box - mini line array, from a never heard of copycat of the highly acclaimed Bose products - some stores are terrible - pairing a top of the line product with such a useless amplification system - next time, I'll take some headphones to hear them properly). I have been a Yamaha fan boy for very good reasons - typically great sound - decent keybeds and reliability (but I do also like things from Roland, Nord, Korg but do not own much from these chaps - only one vintage Roland sound module which has not seen much use recently). My main workhorse is a CP33 which I no longer use for its own sounds, since its only purpose now is to serve as a keyboard controller. I stopped playing live at church a few years ago, and now only play at home, so no immediate need for a newer stage piano. Nevertheless I like to keep up with what's happening to these kind of "toys" - in case I ever need one again. and your videos have been most valuable in this regard. My only gripe with stage pianos is their limited dynamic/expression range, when compared with sampled pianos on PC/Mac. While this limited dynamic range benefits their use on stage, cos you want the sound to cut through the mix. Sampled pianos have their own issues, finding decent ones can be a challenge and there are no returns after you have bought!! - so quite a bit of trial and error, including then need to adjust effects and velocity to get them to sound right on your own specific midi controller keyboard, and fit your own playing velocity preferences. Furthermore in a live performance, who is going to notice any of the subtleties in a well sampled piano on a PC/Mac. Guess for a well heeled keyboard player, the advantages and contras of each approach is not an issue, they do not have to force a choice, they can have both on stage - portable stage piano with its own internal sounds + sampled pianos running of a PC/Mac. I think the Yamaha CP88 has decent sounds that definitely cut through for live work. For really expressive personal enjoyment, I' do love my piano sound played back from a sampled instrument on a PC/Mac for that full range - no limitations sound,.and a great choice of some of the more advanced sampled pianos like Synthogy, Garritan CFX, Vienna Symphonic Library, Waves Rhapsody, or pianos from Production Voices.
While I appreciate playing hearing all of the sounds over 4 minutes on the first sound and spending so much time on each sound made it very difficult to watch this video .
