Difference Between Yamaha DGX and YPG Grand Keyboards (76 & 88 Keys)

The Yamaha DGX and YPG series of keyboards include 76 and 88 key arranger keyboards with semi-weighted and weighted keys. These are reasonably priced, and come with several voices, accompaniment styles, & features that you expect in an arranger keyboard.

The Portable Grand Keyboards

For a long time, for those who were looking for a reasonably priced keyboard with more than 61 keys (76 semi-weighted keys or 88 fully weighted keys), these series presented several good options.

The keyboards come with built-in accompaniments and because these have more than 61 keys, Yamaha refers to these keyboards as portable grands. These keyboards come with several voices, accompaniment styles, and features that you would normally expect in an arranger keyboard.

Who is it for?

The entry level keyboards in both the DGX and YPG have semi-weighted key action and 76 keys, whereas the top model has 88-keys with graded weighted action keybed.

The entry level keyboards are aimed at beginners and intermediate level players, but the flagship model in these series can be used by experienced players as well.

Confusion in the past

In the past, both these series had models with similar specs, which caused confusion to buyers. So, Yamaha has introduced new keyboard series and has phased out (discontinued) a lot of models from the DGX and YPG series.

In fact, Yamaha seems to be promoting only the DGX series which includes the Yamaha DGX-670 (recent model) and the Yamaha DGX-670 keyboard, a mid-range digital piano with fully weighted keys and an extremely popular model with fantastic sound and features. Both are the top models in this series and come with graded hammer action.

All the other keyboards with lower-specifications from DGX and YPG series have been discontinued or have not been upgraded for a long time. For example, the Yamaha DGX-230/YPG-235 76-key keyboards were quite popular at one point of time, but have been replaced with the Yamaha PSR-EW series keyboards.

Recent updates on DGX and YPG Series

Please note that the DGX and the YPG series of keyboards have been around for a long time, and Yamaha has since then released new series of keyboards.

You may checkout the new Yamaha PSR-EW series which includes budget portable 76-key keyboards.

If you don’t mind spending a bit more, the Yamaha DGX-670/DGX-660 is a much better option with fully weighted keys. Alternatively, you may consider the superior Yamaha P series pianos.

As mentioned, Yamaha has now introduced newer arranger keyboard models in the PSR-E (61 keys) and PSR-EW (76-keys) series, which you should also take a look at.

You can checkout the latest series of Yamaha keyboards here.

Difference Between Yamaha DGX and YPG

If you have spent some time researching these keyboards, i’m sure you may have observed that Yamaha uses the prefixes DGX as well as YPG, for all the models in the 76 and 88 keys category.

So what exactly is the difference between DGX and YPG Yamaha keyboards?

Actually there is no difference except for some minor technical differences, which can be ignored.

In fact, they are just different labeling which Yamaha uses to sell these electronic keyboards for different markets.

 

 

For instance, you will find YPG in US and DGX in UK. The numbers may differ slightly as follows:

DGX 630 = YPG-635 . DGX 620 = YPG-625 . DGX-520 = YPG-525 and so on…

Not sure why Yamaha does that, but DGX or YPG basically depends on the country where it is sold, so this is probably why not everyone knows about both these models.

Even the major retailers and dealers use either of these prefixes. Retailers like Best Buy, Circuit City, sell the DGX electronic keyboards while musical instrument dealers like ZZounds, Guitar Center and Musician’s Friend sell YPG electronic keyboards.

Almost no difference except for their prefixes… or very small differences! In fact for some of the models, they use the same user manual.

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Yamaha YPG Keyboards

Overview of YPG Keyboards

Sounding fully arranged is one of the reasons music keyboards are so popular. You can just choose a style based on any musical genre and start playing the melody on top of it, and there you go. You will sound like a one man band. You will have all the necessary arrangements to choose from, if you wish to create your own song. That is the power of an arranger music keyboard.

76 & 88 Keys
Now how about these same electronic piano keyboards with more than 61 keys? You can play the piano on top of these beautiful arrangements!

If you’re a beginner and have been thinking of buying a piano for quite some time now, you can chose a 76-key keyboard. These keyboards have enough keys to let you play popular classical pieces like “Fur Elise,” which uses a wide range of notes.

Another advantage of going in for a keyboard with more than 61 keys is that you don’t have to think later on about buying a larger keyboard.

You can buy the 88-key keyboard as well, if you are willing to spend more. Irrespective of which YPG model you buy, you will can play a whole lot of songs within these 76/88 keys.

Cheaper alternative to a digital piano
What if you want to start learning the piano and don’t have a budget to get a good digital piano as of now? No worries! You may start on a 76-key piano keyboard. And what if you are looking for 88 keys on a digital music keyboard? You will get that too!

Yamaha YPG Keyboards is the series to look for!

You get 76 key as well as 88 key options and these come with a superb collection of built-in accompaniments.

YPG vs DGX Keyboards
Yamaha DGX keyboards and YPG keyboards are very much similar. Yamaha uses them for different markets and so in certain countries you may find the YPG keyboards whereas in certain other countries you may find the DGX keyboards. The different models of keyboards in these series may vary.

Keyboard Touch
The YPG keyboards come with piano style Graded Soft Touch (GST) keys, which are not exactly weighted but fall in between the pure synth keys and full-weighted keys. The top end models came with fully weighted keybeds.

On-board Speakers
These come with good quality on-board speakers. But then, you also have the option of hearing through headphones (in case you don’t want to disturb others).

Create Your Own Music
Besides the learning features and hundreds of beautiful sounds, it also comes with a 6-track sequencer to let you create your own music. You can save your work by uploading to your computer, or store them on an external hard disk or thumb drive using the USB storage port.

USB Ports
These keyboards come with USB ports that allow you to connect the keyboard to a computer and record or transfer MIDI messages. It also has a USB to Device port, which allows you to connect flash drives/USB flash memory to save recorded songs or to load downloaded data from the internet.

Good educational features
These keyboards come with educational tools that allows beginners to improve their knowledge of music. The keyboard features a lyric and chord notation display, which allows you to see the music notation and hand placement for different songs – great for beginners and learners. The keyboard also has Yamaha’s Education Suite (Y.E.S.) which has several songs that you can learn to play.

Overall, the Yamaha YPG keyboards are great products for the price. Remember, you will not get the most authentic weighted keyboard action here, but then for the price it quotes that would be asking for too much.

Yamaha YPG235 76-Key Portable Grand Keyboard

The Yamaha YPG 235 76-key Keyboard is a budget keyboard for beginner students who need more than 61 keys and for experienced players who want a practice keyboard. This best-selling arranger keyboard comes with 76-keys that lets you play a variety of songs (mostly classical). The keyboard has rich stereo piano sound (and tons more voices) and it also features a 6-track sequencer for recording your own music.

Its inexpensive, has a piano-focused sound set and comes with 76 graded soft touch keys (non-weighted keys), and allows you to play with different resistance levels. Its a great keyboard for beginners. A USB port and interactive lessons (Yamaha Education Suite) are also included.

The keyboard features 32 notes of polyphony, 6-track sequencer, several tones and styles, Yamaha Educational Suite, Pitch bend wheel, and USB computer connectivity.

The YPG-235 makes a great instrument for beginners as well as for songwriters. The Yamaha ypg-235 is cheap, fully functional and is quite effective both for learning as well as for practicing.

Yamaha YPG535 88-Key Keyboard

The Yamaha YPG-535 is an 88-key portable grand keyboard with semi-weighted keys, loaded with lots of features. If you don’t have the budget for an expensive keyboard, then this is something that you could consider; it sits between a beginner electronic keyboard and an expensive digital piano. Excellent piano sound, LCD screen displays music, chords and scales.

Highlights

• 88 Touch Sensitive Keys (its semi-weighted and easier for beginners to play)
• Polyphony: 32 Note. Hundreds of styles and voices
• USB ports for computer recording. Useful Educational tools

The Yamaha YPG535 has excellent sound quality, and comes with 88 keys, an LCD screen, and several more features that makes learning to play the a joy. You can also use the yamaha ypg535 to create music, thanks to the sequencer.

This keyboard has 88-keys but they are not the weighted type. The Yamaha YPG-535 has the Graded Soft Touch (GST) action, which is much lighter compared to the other Yamaha keyboard actions. This is the action available on Yamaha’s most entry level keyboards. Experienced piano players should ideally opt for a more heavier action.

Having said that, there are many musicians who have played synth style keyboards for years and really don’t fancy fully weighted piano style keyboards. This keyboard is perfect for such music enthusiasts. The sound is good, is easy to operate and set up, and you get lots of features.

This is also perfect for beginners who wish to buy their first 88-key keyboard, but prefer lighter keys in the beginning.

The YPG-535 is a better keyboard compared to YPG-235. It is perfect for those who want a better 88-key keyboard but don’t have the budget for an expensive keyboard. For the price, there’s a lot of features that has been packed into this 88-key keyboard. Its a value deal for any aspiring piano player.

• See Price on zZounds | See PRICE on Amazon

Yamaha DGX Grand Keyboards

The DGX portable keyboards are the best bet for keyboardists looking for more than 61 keys at a reasonable price. You have the options of going in for a yamaha 76 key keyboard, or for a yamaha 88 key keyboard. At the higher end, the yamaha portable grand keyboard has 88-keys weighted graded hammer action to emulate an authentic piano like touch.

There are many beginners who want a combination of 88 keys and all the digital features so that they can play the piano as well as some of their favorite songs with all those accompaniments. The Yamaha DGX series include keyboards with 88 keys and good combination of features. In case, you already own a 76-key keyboard, then you should probably explore options that give you fully weighted keys or probably continue with the existing one till the time you have the budget to upgrade to the appropriate one. If you had a 61-key or a smaller keyboard, you may consider a good 76-key keyboard.

The dgx-230 is the entry-level keyboard in this series and is basically a 76 key keyboard with non-weighted keys. The DGX-660, on the other hand, is the best model in the series and comes with 88 full-sized weighted keys with Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) weighted action.

Here are the various keyboard models in this series.

Yamaha DGX-660 88-Keys

The Yamaha DGX-660 is a bestselling 88-Key digital piano; the model has been upgraded a couple of times in the last few years, thanks to its popularity. It features Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keyboard action and many more features.

 

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Real 88 weighted Keys, 6-track recorder, Score Display for on-screen note display, wireless audio streaming, excellent tones and styles, looks like a real piano. Excellent sounds & keyboard feel, available in beautiful cherry wood finish With its weighted Graded Hammer Standard keyboard action, the portable DGX-660 is the closest bet to a real piano. Read more…

Its easy to create songs and to recording your performances (you can use it as a controller in your recording setup). You get a wide variety of instrument sounds and styles. It comes with many more features (you may probably not use them all).

If you have been using keyboards (beginner or intermediate) for some time, then the Yamaha DGX 660 will come across as a HUGE upgrade, with amazing sound and excellent touch (you can adjust the touch sensitivity if required). Serious piano players will also love playing on this 88-key keyboard as it has the feel of an acoustic piano.

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Yamaha DGX230 76-Keys

You might still be able to find the Yamaha DGX-230 in the market, but I would suggest that you take a look at the PSR-EW series if you’re looking for an entry-level 76-key electronic keyboard (with unweighted keys).

 

 

Quality, design and sound is great for the price; best for beginners. The Excellent Piano sound, 76 piano style keys featuring Yamaha’s Graded Soft Touch make the DGX230 an ideal keyboard for beginners who want to get introduced to piano playing. Yamaha DGX-230 is a great keyboard for beginners, 76 piano style keys with Graded Soft Touch keyboard.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: 76 Touch Keys, Affordable, Good Features
• Cons: No weighted Keys

 

This keyboard has Graded Soft Touch (GST), which is basically a light graded hammer action. It means the action is heavier towards the bass end and lighter towards the treble end, but overall, the whole touch is lighter (compared to the keys on DGX-660). The lighter touch is suited to beginner players as it allows you to play passages and fast melodies easily. Another advantage of the Graded Soft Touch is that it reduces the overall weight of the keyboard.

This excellent keyboard gives you several music styles, sounds and more keys that lets you play a variety of songs. The keys also offer different levels of resistance, which makes it suitable for learning piano as well. The dedicated portable grand button instantly puts the keyboard in the grand piano voice, ready for practicing the piano.

This is also made for learning the piano, thanks to the Yamaha Education Suite. You get keyboard lessons for each hand, and also include a chord dictionary. The lesson grading system also grades how well you’re playing. So this feature is nice if you want to learn few things on your own.

The built-in sequencer is also quite advanced as it lets you record up to 6 tracks. You can easily connect your keyboard to the computer via USB and also download more styles and songs if you wish.

Additional features such as pitch bend wheel, dual/split, and availability of effects such as reverb, chorus and EQ effects, makes it suitable for performance as well.

The Yamaha DGX-230 76-Key Keyboard is an excellent inexpensive instrument, that can be used for learning to play the piano…or it can serve as your second keyboard – a portable option.

For an entry-level price, the sound and key action are good. Not a professional keyboard though, but you can definitely use it for providing chords and some embellishments if you play for some local bands.

Specs:

• 76 piano style keys
• Graded soft touch keyboard
• 6-track sequencer
• Master EQ
• 489 high-quality tones
• Stereo Speakers

Note: There is no difference between the DGX-230 and the YPG-235.

 

The Yamaha DGX-230 is an excellent beginner keyboard that offers good value-for-money, and ease of use.

You may leave the accessories aside, except for the power adapter; you can save some dollars there. The basic model doesn’t include a power supply, but if you owned a Yamaha psr before, the power adapter would be compatible with this one.

 

Yamaha DGX-530, 88-Keys

The Yamaha DGX 530 keyboard has everything you need for learning and for practicing. It comes with 88 Graded Soft Touch keys, the tones and accompaniments sound beautiful. The 6-track recorder is handy for creating your own music. The keyboard however doesn’t come with fully weighted keys.

• Pros – Value-for-money, lightweight & portable, good features, 6-track recorder, USB
• Cons – Not fully weighted keys, not all sounds are great

It comes with the Yamaha Education suite, which is loaded with several keyboard lessons that can supplement your piano learning well. It comes with 30 built in songs plus 70 more on CD ROM that you can potentially learn to play with the help of the Yamaha Education Suite. The LCD display is quite helpful as you get to see the Lyrics, chords and the notations.

If you are an Intermediate or experienced player, you can use the 6-track sequencer to record your own songs, or use it to learn and practice difficult songs. You can even use the dual and split modes to come up with different voice combinations.

The pitch bend wheel is also provided to add more expression to the tones.

The package comes with Music Rest, User Manual, Keyboard Stand, Footswitch FC5, Power Adapter & a CD-ROM. Basically you get everything to get started with your lessons, and also to play your favorite songs well (you get the sustain pedal too).

Here are the main features/specs:

• 88 Piano style keys
• 6-track sequencer (multi-track recorder)
• Yamaha Education Suite
• Built-in stereo speakers, You can connect earphones for silent practice
• 500 voices, Full Fingered Keyboard Mode, Master EQ
• USB Connectivity (USB TO HOST & USB TO DEVICE)
• Display shows Lyrics, Chords and Notations

Yamaha DGX is Yamaha’s portable grand series keyboards that feature 76 and 88 keys electronic keyboards.

Yamaha DGX series includes portable 76 and 88 key arranger piano keyboards ranging from semi-weighted to fully weighted keys. Its meant for beginner keyboard players, as well as semi-professionals. If you need a keyboard with just 5 octaves (61 keys), you can take a look at Yamaha PSR keyboards.

Who Is It For?
Lot of music enthusiasts, especially those who are interested in playing the piano, look forward to a music keyboard that comes with more than 61 keys!

What they are interested in is basically an arranger keyboard with wonderful built-in styles and more than 61 keys so that they can play piano songs as well.

At the same time, some of them are not looking for proper piano like heavier keys, they are happy with synth like keys or probably semi-weighted keys. One reason for it is that they have always played on synth like keys and are looking for a keyboard with semi-weighted keys so that they can gradually make the move to a piano with authentic keys sometime in the future.

So if you are one of those music enthusiasts, the Yamaha DGX Keyboard series could make sense to you.

But why would anybody want an electronic keyboard with more than 61 keys?

Why Yamaha 88 Key Keyboard?

There could be various reasons for liking an 88 Key Keyboard.

• You love the technical features, sounds, rhythms that are usually available in electronic keyboards, but you also enjoy piano music and would love to play the piano.
• You always enjoy playing your songs on top of a backing rhythm.
• You want to play your all-time piano pieces – something which your 61 key keyboard will not let you do.

The best option in such a case is to have a look at the DGX Keyboards – Yamaha 76 key keyboard & Yamaha 88 key keyboard!

Yamaha 88 Key Keyboard – Standard Features

All the Yamaha DGX keyboards come with the standard keyboard features like:

• Weighted graded hammer action
• Sounds, Accompaniments, Digital Effects, preset songs
• Sequencer – for recording your own music
• Built-in Speakers
• External Connectivity – Headphone, Pedals, MIDI, USB MIDI, USB TO DEVICE

The lower-end dgx keyboards have light weighted keys but a high-end dgx keyboard like DGX-650 comes with weighted hammer action keys – heavy in the lower octaves, feathery light in the high, and amazingly responsive all over the keyboard.

Every Yamaha DGX keyboard has a variety of synthesizer features, so that you can practice and perform in any musical style of your choice.

Yamaha DGX Keyboards – Specific Features

In addition to the above features, you will find that Yamaha DGX keyboards contain features which are specific to Yamaha keyboards.

• USB to HOST / USB to DEVICE
  The DGX keyboards have Smart Media slots and feature USB-interfaces. USB to HOST will let you connect your keyboard to a computer – for recording and playing back MIDI files and for transferring data to and from your computer. The USB to DEVICE will let you connect your dgx keyboard to external USB storage devices – to let you save or load the user created songs from the external storage media.
• Yamaha Education Suite (YES)
  Built-in music-learning system that has piano exercises to train both your hands at various levels of complexity!
• Digital Music Notebook
  Library of popular songs, sheet music, music books, and riffs which you can download to your Yamaha keyboard!
• Get Online With IDC
  Get online and download learning stuff, by connecting your Yamaha keyboard directly to the Internet using the Internet Direct Connection (IDC).
• Performance Assistant Technology
  With this feature, anything that you play will be blended with additional notes to make it sound good.
• MegaVoice Technology
  Helps you capture the performance nuances of specific acoustic instruments; these are triggered by applying the correct force on the keys.

Yamaha DGX Keyboard Reviews: Which One Should You Buy?

So what should one go in for?

Well, all the keyboards in the DGX series are fine keyboards meant for players with different skill set.

But the dgx-230 is a great piano keyboard for beginners just because of its fine pricing, and that is the reason it is among the best-selling keyboards. It may not be one of the most robust keyboards but the yamaha dgx-230 is definitely a value buy for the features it offers.

The dgx-660 on the other hand is the best piano keyboard among all of Yamaha’s grand keyboards. It comes with proper weighted action keys and has got good looks too. The sound quality and the features offered are top class. So if you are looking for an excellent 88 key arranger piano keyboard, then the yamaha dgx-660 is the one to go for.

 

Want to enjoy your Yamaha portable grand keyboard to the fullest, the Yamaha Survival Kit is the way to go. It comes with keyboard accessories, DVD containing useful software, and much more.