Yamaha P-125 review: P series digital piano that replaced the iconic P115

Yamaha P-125 is a mid-range digital piano from the popular P-series portable pianos. Yamaha P125 combines realistic piano performance with a user-friendly, yet minimalistic design in a lightweight chassis. See price of Yamaha P-125 on Amazon.

Introduction

The Yamaha P-125 replaced the popular P-115 model in the Yamaha P series (range of portable pianos); it’s now the new mid-range model in the popular P-series.

Yamaha P-125 digital piano features improved speakers, richer piano sounds, app integration, and a few technical improvements.

You can use the P-125 for learning, piano practice, for performing in smaller venues or use it as a backup piano for gigs, in case you don’t wish to carry something very heavy.

Yamaha P-125: Pros & Cons

• Pros: GHS Weighted Hammer Action, nice sound projection & superior sound processor, Clean design, drum-and-bass tracks, Yamaha Smart Pianist App
• Cons: Limited sounds (24), No pedals included (its a recent model so don’t expect accessories to be bundled along)

Yamaha P-125: Review

Yamaha’s P-series portable pianos offer a nice balance of touch and tone in a compact size, and are quite popular among users. Yamaha P-125 falls somewhere in the middle; its not the cheapest nor the most expensive in the P series.

Features 88-key piano with Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) Action (found in the entry-level pianos in this series), 192-note Polyphony, stereo sound System, great piano sounds & effects.

It has the half-pedal dampener, and the resonance is real sounding. The piano also includes a full set of performance options and USB connectivity provide lots of flexibility be it at home, or in the studio.

You also get the Smart Pianist app to get more from the piano.

Features a beautiful curve to the front panel and comes with a new wooden furniture stand.

You can go in for a 3-pedal accessory (Yamaha LP1) which closely resembles the pedal lyre of a grand piano.

A lot of advanced piano players use this as a backup piano, a lightweight option that could be used on certain occasions or for certain gigs. It’s a solid keyboard that can sound good, doesn’t weigh a ton, and looks good.

It easily slides in a Gator Slim 88 semi-rigid case, which works well for such gigs. The action is nice, although probably not the best.

Yamaha P-125 Digital Piano: Top Features

• The P125 features GHS weighted action (heavier in the low registers and lighter in the high octaves, just like the action on a real acoustic piano). Matte black key tops for better grip on the keys. But the texture of all the keys could have been made better (but it seems Yamaha wants it only on the higher priced models).
• Great set of sounds, including Yamaha 9′ CFIIIS concert grand piano
• Damper Resonance DSP re-creates sound of a grand piano when the dampers are off the strings. String Resonance emulates sounds of all undamped strings resonating (the way it works on an acoustic piano). Key-off samples mimics the delicate sound change the instant the damper falls back to the string
• Sound Boost feature adds EQ and volume to the piano sound (makes it slightly sharper/louder), making it cut through the mix, allowing you to be heard in small group/ensemble situations
• Stereophonic Optimizer for added realism of the playing experience. When using headphones, Stereophonic Optimizer makes you feel that sound is coming from the piano rather than from the headphones

Split/Layer
While some players might feel that the number of instrument sounds is limited, the fact that you can split the keyboard and layer the sounds gives rise to more exciting possibilities.

The P-125 allows these additional modes.

• Layering (Dual Mode): You can layer two different instrument sounds to create a richer sound (piano and strings is a popular combination). Another good thing is that the volume levels of the two sounds can be adjusted.
• Split Mode: Splits the keyboard into two zones, play one sound in one half, and another sound in another half. So you can play bass with the left hand, strings with the right hand. You may choose any Bass tone for the left-hand section, and any other sound for the right-hand section.
• Duo Mode (Partner Mode or Twin Piano): Splits the keyboard into two similar halves, each with its own middle C (great for practicing with teacher). So a teacher and student can sit on the same piano, and the teacher can demonstrate what notes to play (and how).

Yamaha P-125: Various Connectors

Bass-and-Drum Tracks
Intermediate and expert players will appreciate the fact that it comes on-board bass-and-drum tracks. Like accompaniments (on arranger keyboards) these follow your left hand and lets you provide a backing that moves with you (as per the chords you play). The tracks cover a wide range of styles – pop, rock, jazz, Latin, kids music, Christmas.

Yamaha Smart Pianist App
Features smart technology that enhances learning and enjoyment. You can use the P-125 with the Yamaha Smart Pianist app for iOS devices. The Smart Pianist app also takes advantage of the instrument’s built-in USB audio and MIDI interface and on-board speaker system.

Get your smart devices involved in the learning process; you can control features of the Yamaha P125 by connect it to your phone or tablet and using the Yamaha Smart Pianist App.

You can play along to your favorite music stored in your mobile device. The app recognizes the song that you play on your piano and presents the chord symbols for that song on the screen of the tablet/phone.

May be that is why the piano doesn’t come with a built-in screen. You can use the LCD of your tablet via the app, which is a lot better than most built-in screens of digital pianos.

You can also easily record your songs through the app.

Yamaha Smart Pianist app

Connectivity
Yamaha P-125 features Headphone jacks, USB to Host port, Aux Out jacks and Sustain jack. These are located on the back panel of the piano, except for the headphone jacks which are on the front (left side) for better convenience.

• Headphone jacks are 1/4 inch stereo jacks, will allow you to plug two pairs of headphones.
• Aux Out (Line Out) are 1/4″ jacks (R, L/Mono) and are used for connecting the piano to external audio equipment such as amplifier, PA system, mixer, etc. Line Outs are commonly used during gigging sessions.
• USB to host with MIDI and audio transfer (single-cable connectivity). Great for your music-making endeavors using software. USB connection makes it easy to integrate the digital piano with a computer and use it for music creation.You can also use this port to connect your smart devices to the P-125 and use apps for more features and functions.

Yamaha P-125: Technical Specs & Features

• Keys: 88, Fully Weighted keys (Graded Hammer Standard), Hard/Medium/Soft/Fixed sensitivity
• Presets: 24 instrument Voices (pianos, electric pianos, organs, strings, bass and more), 20 simple drums and bass Styles, 21 demo songs and 50 Classical piano masterpieces.
• Effects: Reverb, Intelligent Acoustic Control, Damper Resonance, Sound Boost
• Polyphony: 192 max
• No Pitch Bend, No Modulation Wheel
• Audio Recording: 2-track, 1 song (SMF, format 0)
• Headphones: 2 x 1/4″, Audio Outputs: 2 x 1/4″ (aux out), Pedal Inputs: 1 x 1/4″ (sustain)
• USB: 1 x Type B, MIDI I/O: USB
• Built-in Speakers: 2 x 4.7″ woofer, 2 x 1.5″ tweeter, Amplifier: 2 x 7W
• Power Supply: 12V DC power supply (included)
• Weight: 26 pounds (lightweight for easy portability), Dimensions: Height: 6.56″, Width: 52.18″, Depth: 11.62″

What’s Included in the Package

Here’s what you get in the package:

• Yamaha P-125 piano keyboard . Music rest . Footswitch . AC Adapter

Yamaha P-125: Demo Video Review

P-125 Digital Piano Overview

Competition Check

Difference between Yamaha P-125 and P-115
Both P-115 and P-125 look similar in design and characteristics – almost same dimensions and weight, polyphony, sound engine, keyboard action, same external connectors. P-offers a few more built-in voices and drum-and-bass rhythms (no Pianist styles though). It comes with the Smart Pianist app (for iOS).

The two models use the same Graded Hammer Standard weighted key action. The differences that make P125 better:

• Improved speaker system, richer sound (additional 4th layer added to the piano sound)
• 10 new tones (some cool electric pianos, organs, strings), 6 more rhythms (20 in total) with Bass part
• Compatibility with Smart Pianist App
• New Table EQ feature
• New Stereophonic Optimizer feature

More Options in this price range
At this price range, you have options from other brands as well, such as from Casio, Williams & Korg. No doubt the Yamaha p-125 is a good piano, but if you’re looking for more choices, here are the digital pianos that you may consider (if you’re also considering the Yamaha P125).

Yamaha P125 vs Casio Privia PX-160 (Full Review).
From the popular Privia series, it offers value for money and lots of features. Great entry-level portable piano.

Yamaha P125 vs Kawai ES-110 (Full Review).
Popular portable piano from Kawai, combines a new graded hammer key action with new speaker system.

Yamaha P-125 vs Yamaha DGX-660 (Full Review)
Similar keyboard action to P125 but has lots of voices, styles, effects and other features. Excellent piano that also has several arranger like features, including styles.

Yamaha P125 vs Korg SP280 (Full Review)
Korg portable piano with nice piano sounds & key touch.

Final Thoughts & Buying Links

So should you buy the Yamaha P125 digital piano? If you are on a tight budget, you may be able to find the predecessor, the P115, for a lower price, or you may go in for the P45 (the entry level piano in the P series) – both are good options. However, the P125 offers several clear advantages over these models, which make it a great option for serious beginners but even for intermediate and advanced pianists. Ability to integrate your iPhone or iPad into your piano playing sessions, rich sounds and useful features, the Yamaha P-125 is an impressive digital piano.

• Buy on Amazon | Buy on zZounds

Useful Accessories for P125

When you buy the Yamaha P-125, the package comes with the following accessories: Music rest, Footswitch,
AC Adapter.

You may additionally buy the furniture-style piano stand – L125, which is designed specially for P-125 and looks great. You may also use a cheaper X-style stand for this piano, which should also work fine (but could wobble a little), but it will not look elegant (works great for gigs though).

YAMAHA L-125 WOODEN FURNITURE STAND for P-125
Do consider buying this wooden stand for the Yamaha P-125. Its compatible with the LP1 3-pedal unit, it’s the perfect match for the P-125.

• Buy on Amazon | Buy on zZounds

Advanced/professional musicians may consider buying a 3-pedal unit. Like the piano itself, the LP1 pedal unit is also available in two colors – black and white. However, if you are on a tight budget, you may defer buying this accessory right now. A sustain pedal anyways comes along in the package.

YAMAHA LP7 3-PEDAL UNIT
Yamaha LP-7 3-Pedal unit is designed to fit the Yamaha L-125 stand, this optional 3-pedal unit adds expressive sustain, sostenuto, and soft pedals to your Yamaha P-125 digital piano.

• Buy on Amazon  |  Buy on zZounds

HEADPHONES
You should also consider buying a good pair of headphones so that you can practice in private, and at odd hours, without bothering others nearby. A good pair of piano headphones also provide better sound from the piano.

Check out our guide on how to choose the best headphones for a digital piano.

Here are some additional optional accessories that you purchase separately for the P125:

• Keyboard Stand L-125B/L-125WH
• Pedal Unit (LP-1B/LP-1WH)
• Foot Pedal FC3A, Footswitch FC4A/FC5
• Headphones (HPH-50/HPH-100/HPH-150)
• AC Adaptor: PA-150 or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha
• Wireless MIDI adaptor: UD-BT01
• Keyboard Bag (SC-KB850)