Yamaha P-515 (review): This is the flagship digital piano from its portable P-series. Features premium NWX graded action (fully weighted), 256 note Polyphony, 40 voices and rhythms, powerful onboard speakers and more. The P-515 combines concert grand sound with digital piano portability and is great for home use or for performing on stage. See PRICE on Amazon
Introduction
The Yamaha P-515 is the top model in the P-series and is more suited to experienced players and serious piano students looking for an excellent portable piano.
The P-515 is an improved version of the Yamaha P-255, with more piano voices, better keyboard action, and improved feature set.
If you are a performer or a piano teacher, you are really going to like this piano, as it has the feel and sound of a real one.
You can separately buy the optional matching furniture stand (L515) and piano-style triple-pedal (LP1) accessories for the Yamaha P-515.
You can use the Smart Pianist app (for iOS devices) to get more out of this digital piano.
About the P Series
Yamaha’s P-Series includes portable digital pianos and is a popular choice of professionals, hobbyists, and students who’re looking for an excellent portable piano that can be used at home or on-stage.
If you’ve played on the lower version pianos in the p-series, the P-515 is definitely going to feel a lot more robust and much more like the real thing.
Yamaha P-515 Review
Being the flagship model in the P-series, the Yamaha P-515 not only feels and sounds great, it also is robustly built.
It has a slim design makes that makes it a great choice for onstage use as well. The powerful built-in speakers are good enough for smaller venues but you can always connect the piano to external amplifiers via the 1/4″ aux line outputs.
Instrument Sounds
The P-515 uses piano samples of the Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial concert grand pianos. Yamaha has tried to capture the sound as realistically as possible (including the effect of the physical strings and soundboard resonances).
Keyboard Action
The piano uses the NWX graded action (Natural Wood keyboard action with escapement), the first of its kind in a P-Series digital piano. Features real wooden white keys with simulated ebony and ivory key surfaces (for better finger grip and keeps away moisture).
Yamaha Smart Pianist app
With the Yamaha Smart Pianist app, you can further your music education and also control features of the piano. The P-515 needs to be connected to a iPad or iPhone running the App.
Smart Pianist app can analyze music library songs stored on the phone or tablet, and display chord charts for them, making it easy for beginner players to learn their favorite songs. Score display from MIDI song files is also supported.
You can use the Smart Pianist app to easily control most functions of the P-515.
Record MIDI or Audio
Using the the USB-to-host connection on the P-515, you can record both MIDI and audio directly to your computer (using the DAW software of choice).
Click here to see PRICE on Amazon.
Despite being a performance grade piano this one comes with built-in stereo speakers, which you can use for smaller venues. You may eave your amp behind, in case you wish to. However, it does sound great, especially with headphones or external amps/powered speakers.
You also get a lot of connectivity options that allow you to use the piano with several other sound sources.
If you’re looking for alternatives, you may check out the DGX-660 or the YDP Arius series pianos.
Click here to buy Yamaha P-515 on Amazon.
Yamaha P-515: Demo, Video Review
Key Features & Specs
More features and specifications of the P-515:
- 256 notes Polyphony (max).
- 40 main voices include ten acoustic pianos, seven electric pianos, six organs, Clavinets, mallets and more.
- 480 additional XG voices plus 18 drum/effects kits provide fully orchestrated MIDI song playback.
- 40 realistic built-in rhythms and accompaniment styles that can follow the player’s chord changes.
- Sound Boost to make your solos stand out in a band mix, without adjusting the master volume.
- Black and white finishes available.
- Powerful onboard stereo speaker system (12x6cm oval woofers, 2.5cm dome tweeters, and 20W total amp power per channel).
- Stereo 1/4″ auxiliary outputs for external amplification.
- MIDI in and out.
Useful Optional Acccessories
- You can also use the optional L-515B (black) or L-515WH (white) console stand to match your home decor.
- You can also use the optional LP-1B (black) or LP-1WH (white) triple-pedal unit that provides half-dampering, sostenuto, and una corda (soft) pedals.
Buying Links & Pricing
The Yamaha P-515 is a great piano with authentic keyboard action and excellent sound samples. Sturdily built, it can be used for gigging, stage performance, studio use or for home practice.
If you can stretch your budget a bit, this one is definitely worth it compared to the other P-series pianos.
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KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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