When new models come out it's hard to find someone who will give raw and honest thoughts instead of the usual fluffy safe things reviewers say to keep getting sent models to review. Keep up the great work Tony.
Excellent review, really helpful for me choosing the right piano. Thanks for also sharing insights in addition features like software and connectivity.
Really helpful review thanks. For me the fatal flaw is the lack of an audio out socket, which means you can't plug into some extra amplification without losing the built-in sound (which I like to retain as a 'monitor'). This seems to be a common omission in entry-level pianos.
Thanks! And I totally agree; even if they're not going to include line outs, at least have an option not to auto disable the speakers when the headphone is connected. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
My biggest problem with P-145 (comparing with P-225) is that there is no “Local Control” OFF option. It would be also nice to have 24 bit Digital Audio Interface (instead of 16 bit). I absolutely do not care about limited sound options or lack of rhythms (who actually needs them?). Thank you for the review. Michael
Thanks for that info! I never would have even thought to look for a local control setting (would have incorrectly assumed it had one!). I don't think most people would buy the P-145 as a MIDI controller though. As far as the rhythms go on the 225, that totally depends on the kind of music you play. I think you play mostly classical, so yes the rhythms are probably of little use to you as opposed to the metronome. For me, playing modern music, the rhythms are super useful and valuable to have (I never use a metronome); the rhythms not only keep you in time the way a metronome does, but different types of modern music (and the rhythms on the 225) have very unique "feels" to them that a metronome doesn't provide. Thanks again for the tip on no local control!
@@PianoTone I look at any digital piano from the perspective of its usefulness as a MIDI controller that has Digital Audio Interface and speakers (I need them for recording what I practice). I do not play in any group and use digital piano to practice. After all, acoustic piano does not have rhythms and metronome (let alone hundreds of sounds). Many leading jazz or even pop music performers play on acoustic pianos (Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys and many others). I had Roland FP-90X and Yamaha P-515 just for their actions (and speakers). I liked PHA50 action but sold FP-90X after 10 months after realizing that I would never use any of its features. I have been considering P-145 till I checked that there is no Local Control switch option (MIDI functions are relatively restricted as far as their control is concerned).
@@mfurman Given you're using VSTs anyways - have you looked much at just fully weighted MIDI controllers? Studiologic uses Fatar keybeds which are pretty high quality and well regarded
@@PianoTone I did. I even had Roland A88 mkII and M-Audio Hammer88 (did not like the action) MIDI controllers. I got a returned a couple of 61 key MIDI controllers as well. I do not need features of Native Instruments or Arturia controllers (I just use piano VSTs). I considered StudioLogic controllers but they are old and use very clicky Fatar keybeds. The only MIDI controller that makes sense for me is Kawai VPC1 but it is too heavy. I am stuck with some digital pianos. 😊
Thank you for this and your other great reviews. Great job 👍🏻 What about comparing the Yamaha P 145 with the Roland FP 30X ? Assuming that they're priced the same now. Thanks again for these unbiased reviews.
Roland's prices relative to the competition vary wildly in different parts of the world - where I live the FP-30X is 25% more expensive than the P-225 and even the FP-10 is more expensive than the P-145 (in most places, the direct comparison to the P-145 will be the FP-10). As far as comparing the FP-30X to the P-145, the Roland has more (and most people will say higher quality) sounds and action (triple sensor with escapement vs. double) but sounds and action are VERY personal choices. If you asked offered me a P-145 or FP-30X I would take the Yamaha because I don't personally like the Roland action (too heavy for me) but tons of people love it so . . . Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
I really enjoy your unbiased reviews. Are you planning on getting your hands on a casio px-s6000? I'm loving the look but I'm finding it hard to justify the price. Thanks!
I might one day, but to be honest I've played with the 5000/6000/7000 in stores and haven't been super impressed with them; I mean the 6000/7000 seem pretty good, but like you say for the price? Not sure . . . I don't find the action THAT much different or better than the 3100/1100 (which I do like). I definitely wouldn't buy a 5000 since it has the same non existent user interface as the 1100 (key combinations for everything). If it was me I would buy a 3100 and save the money personally. But who knows, it's not totally fair for me to say that without having reviewed the 6000/7000 yet so . . . maybe I would be blown away by them (but they'd have to REALLY impress me for the $) Thanks for the kind words and for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe if you haven't already
Thank you so much for replying! Yes I think I might go with the 3000 since it has the integrated Bluetooth receiver. How would you go about using a mic with it? I'd need a mixer plugged into the audio-in port right? Sucks for portability though... I was thinking ck-88 but it seems like the mic input has very low volume for some reason. And of course I've subscribed ;) Cheers
The p145 is available at Sam Ash music store! In Houston Texas, San Antonio Texas, and Dallas Texas. I'm not sure where else. I have not seen it at Guitar Center
@@PianoTone I did subscribe! I like your reviews! I don't know how long it's going to be this price, but right now the p145 at Sam Ash music store is only $499 plus tax. And no, I don't work for them lol
Hello thank you for your review, I actually agree with you with many aspects regarding the comparison of this one with the competitions'. Would you recommend me the p225, 1330 usd or the p145, 700 usd? The p225 and p125 are at the same prize at Amazon and from your other video it seems the 225p is objectively better. I just want the piano sound, I never use extra sounds. Thank you and thank you for your reviews. (Not musical stores near me (can't test them)).
If you plan to gig/play live definitely the P225 for line out ports and a better user interface. If it's just for home and you only plan on using the piano sound anyways (and you don't need rhythms to play along with) then the P-145 might be a better choice; piano sound isn't quite as good but is still great. Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
Hey, I live in India, and I own the P-145. The LP-5A (Pedal assigned for the P-145) is unavailable in every store in my country, probably because it has been discontinued for a while since the P-115 in 2015 and Yamaha resurrected it for this piano for whatever reason (Cough old stock cough unsold cough). Plus, it is made of plastic and looks cheap, and I've seen a video of it where the hinge of the damper pedal has broken (Not able to find it now, have seen one). What's your suggestion? Do I wait indefinitely until I hopefully get an LP-5A, again, no guarantee that it will EVER be in stock again? Do I just suck it up and use the FC-3A pedal with half-pedalling and not dream about getting to use three pedals, you know, part of piano experience? Is it worth the three pedals? I am an intermediate pianist; I can play some early Beethoven and Mozart works but cannot dare to touch a Liszt arrangement. I play a lot of folk, Simon and Garfunkel music, that I transcribe by ear for piano. Are three pedals worth it? You seem to say third parties aren't an option and you cannot verify the integrity of their compatibility with the P-145. Any updates on that? What's your advice? I actually did need a pedal within at least 3 or 4 months that supports half pedalling, I am having issues playing the pieces I am learning now on the standard M-Audio SP-2 pedal I bought earlier. What's your advice?
That would be a nice feature! The on off in this video was only for turning sound boost on and off. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
If you’re playing modern music the 225 rhythms are really nice to have if classical music the 145 is probably plenty Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
I like the Casio PX-S1100 i just don't like the Casio app.. I have the Casio CTS1 & I did down load the Casio apps , but I find them horrible .. Casio needs to work on their apps
I bought a P145 a while ago and possibly I am on the wrong page on this matter but I have found access to "local control" disabled, which results in playing of third party midi voicing (GarageBand) is layered and unsatisfactory. There is an audio loop back option function toggle but that either "on" or "off" has an impact. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
I heard from one of my other viewers that there is no local control option on the P-145 (which is very strange and surprising to me). I think your only option would be to use the output from your device to your headphones instead of the piano output. If you have a newer iPad without a separate headphone you can get lightning adapters that have both USB and headphone ports in them. The audio loopback is whether you want audio sent from your device to your piano included in the AUDIO (not MIDI) that is sent back to your device again. Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out teh channel, feel free to subscribe
I wonder if it is possible to omit the reverb/delay on the Rhodes piano to make it sound dryer ( agressive) and more like the real Rhodes I used to own way back.
To be honest I don't know (I only rented it for the review didn't buy it); given that it is a compact action, good chance it MIGHT be shorter than others.
The headphone outs are never as good as the line outs on pianos like the P225; the headphone outs are usually amplified which results in a lower quality signal than the line outs. It’s definitely usable, but not ideal. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
I wouldn't buy a P-125a; the 125a has no built in audio interface (the P-125, P-225 and P-145 all DO have this feature). I would recommend the P-145 or the P-225 if you want the added features of drumbeats to practice with (or if you can find a P-125; not the P-125a) for a beginner. I'm not a big fan of the FP-30X. Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
When new models come out it's hard to find someone who will give raw and honest thoughts instead of the usual fluffy safe things reviewers say to keep getting sent models to review. Keep up the great work Tony.
Thanks so much, very appreciated!
Excellent review, really helpful for me choosing the right piano. Thanks for also sharing insights in addition features like software and connectivity.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
Nice review! it's very detailed and i get a lot of usefull information about this product, thank you so much :)
Thanks so much glad you enjoyed the review! And thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
Really helpful review thanks. For me the fatal flaw is the lack of an audio out socket, which means you can't plug into some extra amplification without losing the built-in sound (which I like to retain as a 'monitor'). This seems to be a common omission in entry-level pianos.
Thanks! And I totally agree; even if they're not going to include line outs, at least have an option not to auto disable the speakers when the headphone is connected.
Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
My biggest problem with P-145 (comparing with P-225) is that there is no “Local Control” OFF option. It would be also nice to have 24 bit Digital Audio Interface (instead of 16 bit). I absolutely do not care about limited sound options or lack of rhythms (who actually needs them?).
Thank you for the review.
Michael
do you own the p 145?
Thanks for that info! I never would have even thought to look for a local control setting (would have incorrectly assumed it had one!). I don't think most people would buy the P-145 as a MIDI controller though. As far as the rhythms go on the 225, that totally depends on the kind of music you play. I think you play mostly classical, so yes the rhythms are probably of little use to you as opposed to the metronome. For me, playing modern music, the rhythms are super useful and valuable to have (I never use a metronome); the rhythms not only keep you in time the way a metronome does, but different types of modern music (and the rhythms on the 225) have very unique "feels" to them that a metronome doesn't provide.
Thanks again for the tip on no local control!
@@PianoTone I look at any digital piano from the perspective of its usefulness as a MIDI controller that has Digital Audio Interface and speakers (I need them for recording what I practice). I do not play in any group and use digital piano to practice. After all, acoustic piano does not have rhythms and metronome (let alone hundreds of sounds). Many leading jazz or even pop music performers play on acoustic pianos (Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys and many others).
I had Roland FP-90X and Yamaha P-515 just for their actions (and speakers). I liked PHA50 action but sold FP-90X after 10 months after realizing that I would never use any of its features.
I have been considering P-145 till I checked that there is no Local Control switch option (MIDI functions are relatively restricted as far as their control is concerned).
@@mfurman Given you're using VSTs anyways - have you looked much at just fully weighted MIDI controllers? Studiologic uses Fatar keybeds which are pretty high quality and well regarded
@@PianoTone I did. I even had Roland A88 mkII and M-Audio Hammer88 (did not like the action) MIDI controllers. I got a returned a couple of 61 key MIDI controllers as well. I do not need features of Native Instruments or Arturia controllers (I just use piano VSTs). I considered StudioLogic controllers but they are old and use very clicky Fatar keybeds. The only MIDI controller that makes sense for me is Kawai VPC1 but it is too heavy. I am stuck with some digital pianos.
😊
Thank you for this and your other great reviews. Great job 👍🏻
What about comparing the Yamaha P 145 with the Roland FP 30X ? Assuming that they're priced the same now.
Thanks again for these unbiased reviews.
Roland's prices relative to the competition vary wildly in different parts of the world - where I live the FP-30X is 25% more expensive than the P-225 and even the FP-10 is more expensive than the P-145 (in most places, the direct comparison to the P-145 will be the FP-10).
As far as comparing the FP-30X to the P-145, the Roland has more (and most people will say higher quality) sounds and action (triple sensor with escapement vs. double) but sounds and action are VERY personal choices. If you asked offered me a P-145 or FP-30X I would take the Yamaha because I don't personally like the Roland action (too heavy for me) but tons of people love it so . . .
Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
@@PianoTone Thank you so much for this reply.
I really enjoy your unbiased reviews. Are you planning on getting your hands on a casio px-s6000? I'm loving the look but I'm finding it hard to justify the price. Thanks!
I might one day, but to be honest I've played with the 5000/6000/7000 in stores and haven't been super impressed with them; I mean the 6000/7000 seem pretty good, but like you say for the price? Not sure . . . I don't find the action THAT much different or better than the 3100/1100 (which I do like). I definitely wouldn't buy a 5000 since it has the same non existent user interface as the 1100 (key combinations for everything). If it was me I would buy a 3100 and save the money personally.
But who knows, it's not totally fair for me to say that without having reviewed the 6000/7000 yet so . . . maybe I would be blown away by them (but they'd have to REALLY impress me for the $)
Thanks for the kind words and for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe if you haven't already
Thank you so much for replying! Yes I think I might go with the 3000 since it has the integrated Bluetooth receiver. How would you go about using a mic with it? I'd need a mixer plugged into the audio-in port right? Sucks for portability though... I was thinking ck-88 but it seems like the mic input has very low volume for some reason.
And of course I've subscribed ;)
Cheers
The p145 is available at Sam Ash music store! In Houston Texas, San Antonio Texas, and Dallas Texas. I'm not sure where else. I have not seen it at Guitar Center
Thanks for that! And thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
@@PianoTone I did subscribe! I like your reviews! I don't know how long it's going to be this price, but right now the p145 at Sam Ash music store is only $499 plus tax. And no, I don't work for them lol
i like the sound of the new Casio Celviano AP-550BN Console Digital Piano, but the p 145 is a good grade
Haven't played any of the console ones. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
thanks dude I was thinking of getting the P- 145 saw it on sale.. @@PianoTone
I would be very happy if they release a 73 key version of the P225, probably the P221 to replace the now discontinued P121.
That would be awesome I would like to see that too. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
Hello thank you for your review, I actually agree with you with many aspects regarding the comparison of this one with the competitions'. Would you recommend me the p225, 1330 usd or the p145, 700 usd? The p225 and p125 are at the same prize at Amazon and from your other video it seems the 225p is objectively better. I just want the piano sound, I never use extra sounds. Thank you and thank you for your reviews. (Not musical stores near me (can't test them)).
If you plan to gig/play live definitely the P225 for line out ports and a better user interface. If it's just for home and you only plan on using the piano sound anyways (and you don't need rhythms to play along with) then the P-145 might be a better choice; piano sound isn't quite as good but is still great.
Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
@@PianoTone understandable, thank you, will probably do it 👍🏼
Hey, I live in India, and I own the P-145. The LP-5A (Pedal assigned for the P-145) is unavailable in every store in my country, probably because it has been discontinued for a while since the P-115 in 2015 and Yamaha resurrected it for this piano for whatever reason (Cough old stock cough unsold cough). Plus, it is made of plastic and looks cheap, and I've seen a video of it where the hinge of the damper pedal has broken (Not able to find it now, have seen one). What's your suggestion? Do I wait indefinitely until I hopefully get an LP-5A, again, no guarantee that it will EVER be in stock again? Do I just suck it up and use the FC-3A pedal with half-pedalling and not dream about getting to use three pedals, you know, part of piano experience? Is it worth the three pedals? I am an intermediate pianist; I can play some early Beethoven and Mozart works but cannot dare to touch a Liszt arrangement. I play a lot of folk, Simon and Garfunkel music, that I transcribe by ear for piano. Are three pedals worth it? You seem to say third parties aren't an option and you cannot verify the integrity of their compatibility with the P-145. Any updates on that? What's your advice? I actually did need a pedal within at least 3 or 4 months that supports half pedalling, I am having issues playing the pieces I am learning now on the standard M-Audio SP-2 pedal I bought earlier. What's your advice?
as a blind person, the voice when you turn it off and on would be a great thing to have.
That would be a nice feature! The on off in this video was only for turning sound boost on and off. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
P145 vs p225 intermediate player 13 year old mostly for piano functions
If you’re playing modern music the 225 rhythms are really nice to have if classical music the 145 is probably plenty
Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
I like the Casio PX-S1100 i just don't like the Casio app.. I have the Casio CTS1 & I did down load the Casio apps , but I find them horrible .. Casio needs to work on their apps
Totally agree their apps are nowhere near Yamaha's. Casio's apps are better than Roland though (tells you how bad Roland apps are ;)
I bought a P145 a while ago and possibly I am on the wrong page on this matter but I have found access to "local control" disabled, which results in playing of third party midi voicing (GarageBand) is layered and unsatisfactory. There is an audio loop back option function toggle but that either "on" or "off" has an impact. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
I heard from one of my other viewers that there is no local control option on the P-145 (which is very strange and surprising to me). I think your only option would be to use the output from your device to your headphones instead of the piano output. If you have a newer iPad without a separate headphone you can get lightning adapters that have both USB and headphone ports in them.
The audio loopback is whether you want audio sent from your device to your piano included in the AUDIO (not MIDI) that is sent back to your device again.
Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out teh channel, feel free to subscribe
@@PianoTone thanks very much for taking the time to respond!
I wonder if it is possible to omit the reverb/delay on the Rhodes piano to make it sound dryer ( agressive) and more like the real Rhodes I used to own way back.
You can turn reverb off if you like (and there are a couple other reverb choices as well).
Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe
Creo que no se puede modificar el sonido, únicamente la reverberación
Hey, what would the horizontal length of a single white key be for the p-145? Asking for a friend if you don't mind answering!
To be honest I don't know (I only rented it for the review didn't buy it); given that it is a compact action, good chance it MIGHT be shorter than others.
Would connecting it from the phones output to an amplifier then to speakers result in good sound quality for performances?
The headphone outs are never as good as the line outs on pianos like the P225; the headphone outs are usually amplified which results in a lower quality signal than the line outs. It’s definitely usable, but not ideal.
Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe
@@PianoTone thanks
in my country the price of both yamaha p125a and roland fp30x are just 20% more than p145. in this case which model do you recommend to a beginner?
I wouldn't buy a P-125a; the 125a has no built in audio interface (the P-125, P-225 and P-145 all DO have this feature). I would recommend the P-145 or the P-225 if you want the added features of drumbeats to practice with (or if you can find a P-125; not the P-125a) for a beginner. I'm not a big fan of the FP-30X.
Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe