Yamaha YDP161

Description

Discontinued March 2013, Replaced by YDP162

Compare with Broadway B1

Other Colours

Cherry

Black Satin
Alternatives to the Yamaha Arius YDP161:

Compare Classenti CDP1

Compare Broadway B1

Compare Roland RP501R

Compare Kawai CN34
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Description

The Arius series of Yamaha has once again proved the unmatched excellence and technology of Yamaha for their range of pianos.

The Yamaha YDP161 possesses all the qualities that a pianist would require from their musical instrument. It’s a perfect choice for both, beginners or experienced pianists. It gives the feeling of a true acoustic piano and makes piano playing full of fun and enjoyment.

Yamaha’s Arius YDP161 is equipped with the latest technology and dynamic 3 level voices and provides natural sound and a real feeling of expressiveness. It provides amazing results both during practice and performances.

Graded Hammer (GH)

Just as on a traditional acoustic piano, lower notes on a GH keyboard have a heavier touch, while the higher

ones are more responsive to lighter playing. GH features an extra key sensor capable of reproducing fast

repetitive playing of a single note with perfect articulation.

Variable Touch Sensitivity

Select the hard, medium or soft setting to match your playing style or finger strength. Turn off sensitivity

for a fixed response setting, ideal when playing the organ.

Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) Dynamic Stereo Sampling

The AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) is a sampling system which creates the realism of an acoustic instrument by using digital technology to record the instrument sound and applying high-quality digital filter technology to the

recorded audio samples. The waveform of the sound created by playing the key of an acoustic piano differs

depending on the playing strength from pianissimo to fortissimo. The AWM Dynamic Stereo Sampling can produce

such dynamic nuances by recording samples of various playing strengths. The greater the number of samples used,

the higher the expression.

128-note Polyphony

Conventional digital pianos quickly run out of notes during fast, dense legato passages: sustained notes are cut

off as the instrument “steals” notes to make room for new notes. A maximum of up to 128 notes can be played at once.

Damper Resonance

Damper Resonance samples provide the rich and broadening tones produced in pedaling. Using these comprehensive

gradations, YDP-161 model can realistically reproduce the complex sounds of a grand piano.

Half-Pedal Control

It allows the sustain length to vary “step-by-step” depending on how far the pedal is pressed. The farther you

press the pedal, the more the sound sustains.

Song Recorder

The built-in, 2-track performance memory allows you to record a backing track, and then step into the spotlight

and solo over it. Best of all, you can change tempo or Voices even after you’ve recorded your performance.

There’s also a built-in metronome to help you stay in perfect time.

50 Preset Piano Songs

A selection of 50 different piano songs is provided for your listening pleasure. These recordings were chosen

for their beauty as well as their functionality. Since many of the songs are classic piano pieces, anyone taking

lessons can listen to them for reference.

Technical Info

Keyboard:

– Touch Response: Hard, Medium, Soft, Fixed

– Type: GH

Voice:

– Number of Voices: 10

– Number of Polyphony: 128

– Piano Voice Quality: AWM Dynamic Stereo Sampling

– No. of Dynamic Steps: 3

Effect:

– Reverb: 4 types

– Brilliance: No

– Damper Resonance: Yes

– Dual: Yes

– Split: No

Song:

– Playback: Number of Preset: 10 (Voice Demo)

– Songs: 50 (Piano)

– Recording: Number of Songs: 1

– Number of Tracks: 2

Metronome: Yes

Pedals:

– No. of Pedals: 3 (Damper with half pedal effect, Sostenuto and Soft)

Overall Control:

– Tempo: Yes

– Transpose: Yes

– Tuning: Yes

– Scale Tuning: No

Display: Type: No

Jacks & Terminals:

– MIDI: In/Out

– TO HOST: No

– Headphone: 2

– AUX. In (L/L+R, R): No

– AUX. Out (L/L+R, R): No

– AUX. Out (L, R): No

– USB to DEVICE: No

Outboard Content: Song: Pianosoft Solo: Yes

Amplifier / Speaker

– Output: 20W x 2

– Speaker: (12cm x 6cm) x 2

– Speaker / Headphones Control: No

Cabinet:

– Key Cover: Sliding

– Headphone Hanger: Yes

Here are the few remarkable features of Arius YDP 161:

Grand Piano Feeling

• The pianist gets the feeling of playing a giant piano when playing Yamaha YDP161.

• The Graded Hammer keyboard produces natural sound of a grand piano.

• As like in acoustic pianos, the resonance changes due to the weakness or strength of the key strike.

• A team of experiences professionals has worked together to produce a resonance that matches that of a concert piano.

• No matter how the keyboard is played the sound produced by the piano gives a concert piano feeling.

• The lower notes on the Graded Hammer keyboard have a heavier touch and the higher notes have a lighter touch.

Half Pedal Response

• The immense power of pedaling is focused by Yamaha in its Arius YDP161.

• The cabinet of Yamaha comprises of three pedals namely, soft, damper and sostenuto.

• The damper paddle produces half pedal response.

• A half pedal response helps to handle the micro adjustments of its strength.

• This response depends on the strength that is used to press the paddle.

Built in Songs

• Yamaha YDP161 has fifty built in songs and a music book.

• These songs are pre set in the piano and can be helpful in a variety of ways.

• A beginner can learn to play piano by adjusting the preset song to a lower tempo.

• One part of the piano song can be muted and played with hand.

• Built in songs can also be used for reference by experienced pianists while playing.

Dual Voice Capability

• Dual voice feature enables the pianist to play and record the performances of both the hands separately.

• This helps to bring improvements in the performance of one hand or mix the performance of one hand with any other recorded track.

Micro Adjustment in Volume Control

• The volume control knob of Yamaha YDP161 allows micro adjustments in the volume levels.

• The pianist can adjust the volume of the music to the required level according to their own requirement.

• Volume can be lowered to avoid causing disturbance when playing at home.

Recording, Storage and Transfer of Music

• Recording of the song is also allowed in Yamaha YDP161.

• One song can be stored at a time

• The recorded songs can be used for future reference to bring improvements.

• The recording can also be transferred to any other data storage device.

Music Software Downloader

• Yamaha’s music software downloader can be used to enable transfer of music from PC to the built in memory of the piano.

• Music can be transferred from PC to the piano and can be enjoyed and used for learning or improving performance.

Specifications

Dimensions:

Width 1357mm / 53-7/16”

Height 815 mm / 32-1/16”

Depth 422 mm / 16-5/8”

Weight: 42.0 kg / 92 lbs

Keyboard:

 

Graded Hammer (GH) Keyboard

Yamaha YDP161 Reviews

1) “Decent Sound”

“The Arius YDP 161 has a good key action and decent sound. It is not an upright replacement,

but it is certainly good enough to learn/practise on (unlike cheaper models). The low

maintenance and volume control features of digital pianos generally is a real plus.

Compared to other digital pianos in its price range, the 161 is right up there with the best.”

Review by Pavan Kanwar (29/11/2011)

2) “Overall sound – amazing”

“After reading your advice and reviews, I bought a Yamaha Arius 161 and love it!

I play much more now than I ever have before because I can play with headphones –

it is so liberating to know no-one is listening to your mistakes…………

The speakers on the piano itself could be better, but in an upstairs flat I

don’t really use them.

The high end notes are much quieter than I remember my old upright, but that

may be the quality of my headphones.

As for the overall sound – the YDP161 is amazing!

I also like the fact that it looks like a real piano rather than an electronic

keyboard.

You described the keys as medium weight – which are fine by me – I know I am

never going to be a concert pianist – and I find I am enjoying playing again

much more than I thought I would because I can get my fingers around tricky

sections that I used to struggle with.

One main problem with the piano is lack of music support, it has the stand

but no metal clips to stop the pages turning back. I am going to see if I

can get some to apply myself.”

Review by Jill Judd

 

 

Questions and Comments (Email your questions to grahamhoward@ukpianos.co.uk)

>> Or call UK Pianos for advice on 020 8367 2080

“Does the Yamaha YDP161 have heavy weighted keys?”

Hi Graham

I have just read through your guide book “7 things you must know before

you buy a digital piano” which has really been very helpful in

understanding the areas I should look into. I was looking at the Yamaha

YDP 161 can you confirm that this has heavy weight keys and do you have

any reviews on this model.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards

Deepa

Reply/ Hi Deepa

Here’s some reviews of the YDP161.

The Yamaha YDP161 has medium-weighted keys.

If you want something with heavy-weighted keys

then you might want to consider the CLP330 or

CLP340 in the Yamaha range, or the Classenti

CDP1 or CDP2.

Let me know if you would like more information

about any of these models.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

—

“It was a toss up between Yamaha YDP161 and Classenti CDP1”

I eventually bought a Yamaha YDP 161, and my daughter, a student in Wales, received it, and i It barely fits in her student room. She loves it, after having played a number of years on a good old acoustic piano. The touch is just as good, she says.

 

We were hesitating between the YDP 161 with the Classenti CDP1. Not sure why we selected the YDP. Maybe just because Yamaha has a worldwide network, a plus for my daughter who intends to pursue an international career.

 

The piano was bought from Normans (Gear4music would not answer my Emails, I had a few questions before ordering).

 

Thanks a lot for your digital piano guide. This was definitely a huge help in us selecting a piano, leading us to the flip of the coin YDP 161 – Classenti CDP1 choice.

 

Hub

—

“Should i get the YDP 161 and send my old CLP to my parents’ home or will i regret it?”

The issue is this; I currently have a Yamaha CLP 411. I have it for approximately 11 to 12 years and it has never failed me! Sure one of the keys is a bit “sticky” when pressed but don’t everything get old? Now, since i go at my parents’ home for holidays, i need a piano to practise there because i will be sitting for my Diploma in two years.

So i begun searching for models and i came across YDP 161 which i liked very much sound-wise touch responce-wise and so on. But i am still quite sceptic, as i am used, for so many years, to my old piano.

So i ask you, should i get the YDP 161 and send my old CLP to my parents’ home or will i regret it?

I’d appreciate it if you replied soon as in two days tops i will have to make a decision. I am looking forward to it.

Thanks in advance,

Artemis

Reply/ Hi Artemis

The YDP161 would, being brand new, certainly

be less troublesome as far as noisy and sticky

keys go.

If it were me, I would get the new piano. But

I wouldn’t send the one with sticky keys to my

parents — why not buy them a new one too

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

—

“Is the Clavinova worth the few hundred pounds extra over the YDP161?”

Hi Graham

 

Just to say your book was hugely useful, packed with information that really helped me understand the world of digitial pianos.

 

A quick question:

 

My children have recently taken up piano and I would like to purchase a digital piano as we are rather limited with regard to space. I am drawn to the Yamaha range – they seem to consistently score highly on your scoring system. The piano teacher is happy with this but has stressed the need to be able to have a piano that allows good expression while playing (ie good range of soft to loud).

 

My initial thoughts were to purchase the YDP-161. The next option would appear to be to upgrade to the Clavinova range.

 

Do you think the Clavinova is worth the extra few hundred pounds or do you think the YDP-161 allows for ample expression.

 

with thanks

 

Marion

Reply/ Hi Marion

There is a vast difference in quality between

the YDP161 and CLP430.

The main, and most important, difference is

the key touch.

The CLP430 has more resistance on the keys.

It’s heavier and firmer making it feel much

closer to a real piano… This is so important

for children learning to play.

Having said that, the YDP161 is still OK as a

starter piano. But you’d need to change it when

(hopefully when) your children progress up to

the higher piano grades.

Another benefit of the CLP430 over the YDP161

is the sound… The tone is richer, fuller and

more resonant on the CLP430. This is because

of its larger speakers and how the sound was

originally sampled.

What’s more, the CLP430 has an extra dynamic

level over the YDP161. What this means is you

can play music with more expression. The

key touch is also smoother and more sensitive.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard