Yamaha YDP 184

Considering getting the Yamaha YDP 184?

1. Are you thinking of buying a new digital piano?
2. Do you want to know which one takes the cake?
3. Are you looking for a piano that won’t break the bank?

Music has often been named as the best way to color our lives. It has a way of going beyond physical boundaries. People and cultures have merged and understood each other over distances that could not have been bridged had it not been for music.

The piano has played a crucial role in the exchange of cultures and how people interact. One of the world’s greatest acoustic piano makers for more than a century, Yamaha, has more to offer. In as much as the acoustic piano is amazing in all its offerings, it is not always affordable or accessible to every player.

Different factors have made this piano inconvenient despite how great it is, and Yamaha has many different options that will suit your style. The digital piano range is a perfect replacement.  The great thing about a digital piano is that you have trimmings that will make your life much easier. You can listen to what you are playing via headphones. 

This is an example of some of the functions you get on a digital piano like the YDP 184, that you can not get on an acoustic piano. You also want to make sure that you get a digital piano that can grow with you as you develop your skills. The YDP 184 offers all you need and more. We take a look at all the great attributes this digital piano comes with. 

Of all the digital pianos made by Yamaha, the YDP 184, is the most advanced. You get 24 instrument voices on this piano. The gorgeous sleek design allows you to go through these different instruments easily. If you prefer to listen to yourself via headphones, then the stereophonic optimizer gives you a feeling of spaciousness. You get a real feeling of playing an acoustic piano. 

The YDP 184, also has an onboard stereo speaker system which allows you to experience virtual resonance modeling and also high-quality digital effects. It also comes with rhythmic patterns built into it, and this makes learning and practising on it, much easier. If you would like, you can also have a listen after you are done, thanks to the recorder it comes with.

General Overview

The CFX Premium Grand Piano Voice recreates the power and tone of Yamaha’s flagship CFX concert grand piano. Graded Hammer 3 action (GH3) with synthetic ivory keytops add a tactile surface to the white keys, which absorbs finger moisture and prevents slipping. 

Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) allows for vivid and richly-varied expression to reflect the limitless number of factors that create the sound of a concert grand piano. Full Dot LCD Display allows for smooth navigation of the instrument’s features and functions. Includes a padded bench, music stand, power supply and sheet music book. Number of Polyphony (Max.):128.

Stereo Sustain samples provide mellow reverberations when the player depresses the damper pedal. Similarly, Damper Resonance provides broad and deep resonance when the pedal is used. Similar to that of an acoustic piano, the result is more realistic sound. 

Half-damper pedal control creates more detailed nuance and subtlety when playing, similar to pedaling on a grand piano. (included on YDP-181 and YDP-184) This feature allows for continuously increasing lengths of sustained notes, from slight to full, as the sustain pedal is depressed.

All Arius Series models feature a Graded Hammer 88-key piano keyboard action (varies between models, see comparison chart below). Graded Hammer Action provides a heavier touch in the low end and lighter touch in the high end, responding similarly to the hammers inside an acoustic piano. 

The Arius Series is great for the aspiring pianist because practising with weighted action builds proper finger technique for playing on an acoustic piano. The synthetic ivory keytops provide a tactile surface to the white keys, absorbing moisture from the fingers and preventing them from slipping.

User Experience

When it comes to user reviews, it is important to cast your net wide. You will need to know which reviewers are genuine and which ones are not. For example, someone may go out and buy a knock off and then try to review the original product. You can not expect the two products to have the same attributes. It is important to make sure you are buying authentic Yamaha, from a reputable dealer as well. This can make or break your opinion. Also, make sure to check on the warranty and ask if it has been returned and if so why. 

Several users found this piano to be very beautiful. It looks and sounds great. The midi boards respond pretty well. It is easy to assemble and this has made several people appreciate this masterpiece. You will still need to read the manual and make sure that everything is in place. Even though it does not need to be tuned, you will need to make sure that all the settings are in place. 

The manual will provide you with all the information you need. If you are a beginner, the free piano book that it comes with is very useful. All you will need to do is give yourself time and read through it. Practising will help you perfect your skill.

A lot of users found the weighted keys and rich sound make this piano a great buy. One of the great things about this piano is that you can adjust the various settings to your taste. This means you can tailor-make your sound to a certain extent. You can add effects and trimmings that you can not get on a traditional piano. 

This is one of the great things about going digital. In as much as it is easy to assemble, it is pretty heavy and so you will need an extra pair of hands to help you. It is also quite the favorite because it is easy to use. This makes it a great buy if you have someone who is learning to play. You will not need dozens of lessons. Especially with all the self tutoring material that the piano comes with. 

Available Options

There are 3 options commonly available. These are black, dark rosewood and walnut.

Key Features

When using headphones, the Stereophonic Optimizer lets players enjoy the dispersed sound heard when sitting in front of an acoustic piano. With the Stereophonic Optimizer, Voices sampled from acoustic pianos appear to come from the body of the instrument.

This provides a comfortable, natural experience that removes the drawbacks of performing with headphones.

Sounds

In a grand piano, sound resonates throughout the body of the instrument, producing a rich reverberation that envelops the listener in sound. This phenomenon is reproduced perfectly in the Arius through enhanced Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM).

The original VRM calculates the various states of the strings for each of the 88 notes on the keyboard, as well as the timing and depth of the damper pedals when pressed, from one instant to the next.

The enhanced VRM now also calculates aliquot resonance in the upper octaves, and the full resonance of the soundboard, rim, and frame. This technology allows for vivid, bright, richly-varied expression that reflects the limitless number of factors inherent in piano performance.

Connectivity

The MIDI recording function built into the instrument allows players to record performances*.

Players can record up to 16 tracks for simultaneous playback. Both hands can be recorded separately and played back together. Additionally, you can create your build your own compositions by overdubbing different voices.

* Recordings are made in Standard MIDI file (SMF) format. Compatible software is required for playback of the recorded data on a computer.

Accessories

The main accessories that are available include headphones, USB wireless LAN adaptor, a Bluetooth wireless MIDI adapter and some iOS applications. 

Verdict

Music is subjective when it comes to quality. It can be quite difficult to have a one-yard stick. This is why it is important to know what you like and what you prefer. At the end of the day, it is more about personal preference than anything else. However, some qualities are universal and that you need to check on before you buy your piano.  Grear sound quality is key in making good music. We like the Yamaha YDP 184, because of its great look, the way it sounds and the way it feels. Playing it is a dream trip for both your fingers and your ears. 

The wood boards are durable and are of excellent quality. It has weighted keys and a very rich sound and this makes it a joy to play. We have taken a look at the various feature that you get with this piano, and also taken a look at what other piano players think about this model. We hope this helps you make a decision. 

You can be playing like a pro in no time with the YDP 184. It is pretty affordable, especially when you look at all the great perks it comes with. Always remember that your preference is the biggest compass you can have. Creating music is beautiful. Avoid being a poor carpenter who wants to blame his tools, get the right tools, made by the right people, who know music. Happy shopping!

CHECK PRICE

Be sure to check out our review of the Yamaha ARIUS YDP-143

Or find out how we choose a digital piano