Let’s take a minute and try to recall your famous ballad song from the 1980s. Got it? Good. Now, the chances that the song doesn’t have Yamaha electric piano track inside are close to none. That’s how much it means to the keyboard world.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Yamaha Keyboards
- OUR TOP PICK: Yamaha Montage 6
- RUNNER-UP: Yamaha MODX6
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Yamaha MX49
Table of Contents
Who is Yamaha as a Brand?
Yamaha Keyboards are part of Japanese Yamaha Corporation which was founded back around 1889 by Torakusu Yamaha under the name of Nippon Gakki Company soon after he was asked to repair a school’s reed organ. The name Yamaha, however, wasn’t used until the 1960s.
Modern Yamaha logo depicts three tuning forks, symbolizing three pillars of music - melody, harmony and rhythm.
Their first keyboard was created back in 1974 and they had a leading role in the 1980s, especially regarding electric piano sounds. While being one of the most famous, their 1983 model, Yamaha DX7, is also the best-selling keyboard of all time.
How Does Yamaha Compare to the Competition?
Yamaha is not a leading keyboard manufacturer currently like they were back in the 1980-2000 era and while maintaining reputation, their success varies which keyboard category are we talking about:
Keyboard Workstation
Yamaha currently has the best arranger workstation model in the world with some of the most realistic sounds ever met on this type of keyboard. But, concerning regular keyboard workstations, while they do keep the pace Korg and Roland have that extra edge to be considered as the better offer, currently.
Digital Pianos
Digital (home) pianos are doing just fine. However, regarding the stage piano models situation, Yamaha is trailing behind Nord while Casio has the better bang for buck ratio for budget models.
Portable (Home) Keyboards
Yamaha is still holding nice in this category. But, Casio and other smaller manufacturers are matching and most of the time offering products with more features than Yamaha.
Digital Piano (Source)
Keyboard Synthesizers
Unfortunately, Yamaha offers only one keyboard synthesizer at the moment and it’s more a tribute to the past in small-key factor than a full professional model.
MIDI Keyboards
Instead of creating a modern MIDI keyboard, Yamaha decided to provide all professional models with a dedicated MIDI controller mode.
Comparison Chart of the Best Yamaha Keyboards
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Best Budget Option  |
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Review of the Best Yamaha Keyboards
Yamaha has a lot of different models currently, so lets break them down in several categories:
Best Overall:
Yamaha Montage 6
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users comment that the display menu is perfectly designed and the all-around sounds such as brasses or strings are exceptional. Sound quality is reported to be the best you can find on the market. But, they are not so impressed by factory presets for modern electronic music.
Why it Stands Out to Us
As it glows so beautiful, it’s hard to miss a Super Knob. Once you had to tweak four or five knobs simultaneously to achieve what you can do now with a simple turn on a Super Knob. Also, it’s absolutely stunning that you can send 16 stereo channels by using a single USB cable.
Who Will Use This Most
World renewed keyboard players will use it the most. Correction - they are already using it. It was made for big stages, where sound quality is important. Studio producers may especially love the quality of drums sounds and its seamless MIDI control integration with all major DAW softwares.
Bottom Line
Sounds, features, interface, everything is revamped from the Motif series and pushed upfront. If you’re looking for the best and the most versatile Yamaha keyboard ever designed, look no further ‘cause you have a winner.
Runner-up:
Yamaha MODX6
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers say it’s an outstanding synth that makes you feel like DX7 is reborn and that it provides you with unlimited possibilities. They only have a feeling that it’s quite portable when you compare what capabilities it provides you with. The only complaint that the keys feel a little bit cheap.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We appreciate how portable this 61 keyboard is. Pitch and mod wheels are placed above so this keyboard is significantly shorter than other models. The big and full color touch screen is a nice improvement from previous Yamaha workstations, too and Super Knob can control multiple real-time controls within a single turn.
Who Will Use This Most
While it can be used as a MIDI controller or home keyboard, it was designed for studio recordings and especially for live performances. It’s very professional so beginners should be careful if they decide to buy one. Piano players may prefer the 88 key version as it comes with weighted keys.
Bottom Line
If you’re on a short budget to purchase flagship models, consider this one. It gives you about the same sound quality while coming short on a few features which easily may turn out to be not so necessary for your performance after all.
Best for the Money:
Yamaha MX49
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People are shocked by the sound quality Yamaha provided at this price. They also comment that the more they play it, the more they enjoy it. They see this unit as a huge upgrade from their former equipment. The only flaw they find is a deep menu diving system.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It’s rare to see a keyboard workstation designed in a 49-key model and it’s an excellent decision from Yamaha. Sounds and filters are taken directly from their flagship model, while rhythm and arp patterns call for instant jamming. USB connection is capable of recording both USB MIDI and stereo audio output.
Who Will Use This Most
Newbies will appreciate the studio-quality sounds they get at this price. And based on its straight-forward design it will be more popular with people who prefer playing than producing. Full MIDI support makes this unit to be useful as a MIDI controller for your external sound sources, too.
Bottom Line
This might be one of the cheapest ways to get a premium quality sound and enter the world of professional keyboard players. Rest assured that you can take on any stage with this keyboard and do an amazing performance.
Best Yamaha Portable Keyboard:
Yamaha PSR-E463
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
They feel that the features provided can enhance your creative abilities and improve your music workflow. Buyers would easily recommend others to buy this model over others. Yet, they do complain how Yamaha handled the registration memory interface and that you should check if power supply comes within the bundle.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Groove creator allows you an instant song creation with using up to 5 different song parts. Backing tracks can play along based on the chords you’re playing and you can choose between 235 different styles. And on top of that, you can control effects and filters in real time thanks to two assignable knobs.
Who Will Use This Most
While still being an affordable portable keyboard made mostly for newbies, this keyboard has a lot of features that might be appealing for experienced players. Instant sampling features can be useful for electronic music lovers while auto accompany style can help you for a quick jam on your own.
Bottom Line
This is the best portable keyboard Yamaha made so far. It comes with many features you would expect semi-pro keyboard models to have so it can keep you amused for a long time as you learn more about music.
Best Yamaha Electric Keyboard:
Yamaha CP73
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Pro musicians appreciate its compact factor that allows them to travel with while still having the best Yamaha sounds available. But, bear in mind that keybed wasn’t anything special if you heavily rely on playing acoustic pianos and the same goes for Hammond sounds. Vox and Farfisa sound excellent, though.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Yamaha is famous in the keyboard world because of their authentic electric pianos. All of those sounds are included in this model and the best part is that Yamaha took a step further and included some of the best piano samples they made so far.
Who Will Use This Most
This model was designed for gigging musicians first. The front panel is designed for hands-on control so that you could change sound instantly while you jam along. It can be used for studio recordings directly thanks to exceptional sound quality and professional outputs.
Bottom Line
This is one of the most compact stage pianos that come with weighted keys. Sounds are just wonderful, so either you plan to use it as a piano or electric piano you can’t get wrong with this model.
Best Yamaha Weighted Keyboard:
Yamaha C300
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users love how the acoustic piano sounds like. Keybed resembles the real piano feel and it’s confirmed with many trained pianist reports. They also complain that it feels heavier and bulkier than the other digital pianos and they wish if it could have more than just two sounds layered.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is one of the best Yamaha stage pianos out there. It may be considered as heavy, but that’s because the build quality is exceptional and no cheap plastic parts are used. Compared to other models, Yamaha has very large and decent built-in speakers with a dedicated power button.
Who Will Use This Most
While it is designed as a stage piano, it will be more used as installed equipment at your studio. It has excellent samples that can be used in professional recordings thanks to XLR stereo outputs. A traditional piano can use it for home piano practicing thanks to the sound and keybed it provides.
Bottom Line
This is a professional model that might be overwhelming for a newbie. But if you’re used to Yamaha piano sound and want to invest in a more advanced model, this is currently our best choice.
Best Yamaha Keyboard for Beginners:
Yamaha PSR-E360
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users say they bought it mostly for their children and appreciate that it came with the music stand. They find it ideal for beginners, feel like it comes with many sounds to experiment with and love how stylish it looks and that it can work on batteries.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Apart from decent sound quality and built-in speakers volume, this keyboard stands out because of one of the most beautiful portable keyboard finishes that resembles a wooden style and two color variations. It will fit nicely in any home so you may even consider leaving it as a part of your furniture.
Who Will Use This Most
It was made for beginners. It can be useful for teaching lessons as well because of the split function so both teacher and pupil can play along with the same octave sound. And total beginners can break the ice thanks to Yamaha Education Suite installed on board.
Bottom Line
Whether because of inspiring sounds, teaching features or the way it blends into your living space, you can rest assured that this portable keyboard won’t pass unnoticed. It will be a great first instrument coming at any age.
Best Yamaha 76 Key Keyboard:
Yamaha Genos
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Reports say that this is the best Yamaha model for writing music and they like how Yamaha keeps the pace for this unit with regular system updates that add new sounds and features. However, bear in mind that the transition from Tyros (former model) won't be seamless.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is the first time a manufacturer decided to put their flagship sounds in this format so it may be easily considered as a hybrid model. And on top of that, Revo! Drums and its cycling sample feature give us the best drums we ever heard on a keyboard so far.
Who Will Use This Most
It was designed for one-man bands who would either play a backing or MIDI track or perform live with a lot of accompanying sounds and rhythms triggered directly from the keyboard. The fun part is that this Genos is also a very capable MIDI keyboard controller device, too.
Bottom Line
Yamaha Genos is currently the best arranger in the world. If you’re one of those one-man-band players who don’t want to waste time in model comparison, this is a model for you. Every part of it is spot-on.
Best Yamaha 88 Key Keyboard:
Yamaha MOXF8
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Experiences are vastly positive. Sounds are described as excellent and are considered as affordable for features it provides, especially the option to expand flash memory with more samples. However, the manual is not written so well, so maybe you should use it as a last resort.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Motif XF was a flagship workstation for a while. Now that the Montage is out, Yamaha gave you that same sound engine at a much more affordable price. It’s also really nice to have such a capable workstation in a portable weight of 33 pounds while piano keys remain uncompromised.
Who Will Use This Most
This keyboard is intended for everyone. Piano players will enjoy the response, keyboard players will especially like how acoustic instruments presets sound while studio producers can utilize it as a very capable MIDI controller for their DAW and virtual instruments software. The same applies whether you’re experienced or a newbie.
Bottom Line
Motif XF is far from being outdated and it’s still being used worldwide. If you’re all about playing, and you’re more about buttons than the touch screen display that MODX8 provides, MOXF8 might be your best Yamaha choice then.
Best Yamaha 61 Key Keyboard:
Yamaha YC61
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers comment that the effects seem to be an upgrade compared to current flagship models and that the physical layout is very good. They approve that Yamaha provided the full FM synth engine and best piano samples so it can be used as an electric or acoustic piano, too.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It’s nice to see a model dedicated to organ sounds. It does come with many high-quality synths sounds and even adds up an FM synthesis for that special low-end character. Physical drawbars with LED lights makes it ideal for editing your upper and lower organ sound settings in real-time.
Who Will Use This Most
With sound given on board this is a dream keyboard for any vintage and prog rock keyboard players, especially because of the waterfall keybed that allows players to perform a lot of glissandos effortlessly. It aims for professional players that perform both live or studio session recordings.
Bottom Line
There are not so many organ oriented keyboards on the market so it’s very nice to see that Yamaha has something new to offer. Additional sound synthesis provided will make it a good keyboard for more than just good B3 or Farfisa clones.
Types of Yamaha Keyboards
Yamaha has a lot of keyboards to offer, so let’s discuss what makes them different:
Portable Keyboard
A portable (home) keyboard is a beginner and kids-oriented device. It doesn’t excel in sound or build quality at all but it’s very portable, affordable and suitable for teaching basic music lessons.
MIDI Keyboard Controller
These affordable models don’t generate sound on their own, but can be linked by USB cable with computer and play virtual instrument software.
Keyboard Workstation
Keyboard Workstation are those keyboards used by professionals. They come with not just piano premium sound quality but other sounds as well and are all about live performance..
Yamaha Montage6
Arranger Keyboard
The Arranger keyboard is one-man’s band swiss knife. It can playback backing tracks or generate patterns for rhythm or backing instruments while you perform over it by using the keys.
Digital Piano
Digital piano excels in recreating in playing acoustic piano experience by the sound quality and keybed feel and response. They may be designed like upright piano, full concert grand or more portable, stage piano size.
Boutique Keyboards
There is a trend on the keyboard market for revamping most famous keyboards in a smaller, ultra-portable, boutique format with mini keys while delivering the same sound features. Thus, Yamaha created the REFACE series.
Casio vs Yamaha Keyboard - Comparison Overview
Casio and Yamaha have a sort of rivalry in digital piano categories. Casio came based on foundation Yamaha created along with other manufacturers and decide to take a chance and
Sound Quality
While Casio piano sound will sound great for most users, Yamaha always invested a lot in fine-tuning their samples in order to recreate the best sound possible.
Build Quality
Yamaha always treated their instruments with extra build quality care. They may appear heavier, but that’s because they were very strict about their built-to-last motto. Casio isn’t a low-quality build, though, it’s just that Yamaha models are at top professional-grade level.
Price Range
But, with such a motto and research the bigger price steps-in unfortunately. That’s where Casio excels as it delivers the best bang for your buck on the market currently.
Other Keyboard Features
If we take a look at other sounds, Casio doesn’t stand a chance with Yamaha as they fine-tuned all the sounds throughout various versions of analog synths and Motif workstation series and these sounds come now in other models as well.
Needless to say, Casio workstations are considered almost like a toy when compared to Yamaha professional models.
Conclusion
We hope we managed to depict for you the world of Yamaha keyboards. Now you also know that they offer a keyboard for everyone based on their needs without compromising build quality. Without them on the market, synth sounds wouldn’t have such an important role in modern pop music.
People Also Ask
By now, you might get a better picture of Yamaha’s importance on the keyboard and digital piano market, so let us cover some of the most frequently asked questions people asked about. Also, let’s solve some of the usual troubleshooting people get with Yamaha models.
Yamaha MODX6
How Much is a Yamaha Keyboard?
Yamaha keyboard price range from $100 for beginners and kids model up to $4.000 for a flagship professional keyboard workstation such as Montage 8. However, currently the most expensive Yamaha keyboard is electrical grand piano Yamaha Avant N3X coming with the current price of $13.000
How Many Keys Are on a Yamaha Keyboard?
Keys number depends on the model we’re talking about. It can vary from 25 keys like KX25 has or 37 on REFACE series, over most used 61 size like every PSR model has, up to 76 keys on MODX7 or 88 weighted keys on CP88.
Is Yamaha a Good Keyboard?
Yamaha is one of the most famous keyboard manufacturers in the world. They had been creating a model for everyone, from a kid or total beginner over bedroom studio enthusiasts up to top-class professional musicians since the 1980s. They are also well known for their excellent build quality.
How Do I Put Music on my Yamaha Keyboard?
Yamaha keyboards have special MIDI files with .psr extension. MIDI files generate songs in a very small size compatible with a keyboard interface. Once you transfer it from your flash drive by using USB to the device port you can play it directly from the device or store for later use.
How Do I Tune my Yamaha Keyboard?
Generally speaking, tuning, or also called “master tune” should be located at some tab in your menu under general or global settings. Please remember that some basic models probably won’t provide you with such an option, though.. And another reminder - western world music standard and also factory setting tune is set at 440.0 Hz.
