This is a trusted keyboard, having been in the top 10 best selling keyboards on Amazon in 2010. So far in 2011, it is still a top seller, and still redefining the kind of view families will have for the instrument they keep in their living rooms.
Apart from imitating a grand piano, this keyboard excels as a learning tool. The "Yamaha Education Suite" comes in the system. It includes 30 built-in songs and 70 more on a CD-ROM that are quick to begin playing and learning with. Songs are set apart into different sections for the right and left hand. The education suite also has a chord dictionary, three lessons for each hand on each song, and monitors your progress intelligently.
Also packaged in is a 6-track recording sequencer that makes capturing sessions quick and easy. This sequencer functions as a built-in multi-track recorder. Recording your sessions is as simple as a button-click. The keyboard is also easily compatible as a tool with DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) like Garageband, Logic, etc. for higher-level recording.
"Full Keyboard Mode" may be the most awesome feature of this keyboard. This mode enables the keys of the keyboard to function exactly like a piano. As keyboards normally require chords to be played on the left and melodies on the right, Full Keyboard Mode allows freedom across all keys just like a real piano. When you use this feature along with the accompaniment feature, the chords you play will guide and be followed by the virtual band playing. This is an outstanding feature, and really tops off how the Yamaha YPG-635 has the power to be a real piano.
One small drawback - the built-in speakers on the keyboard cannot reach a very loud volume. This is a downside often cited, however, if it must be fixed, it is very easy to correct. After all, this would only be a real problem if you intend to use this keyboard in live performances or in a loud rehearsal with other instruments. If this is the case, you will need an amplifier to use with the keyboard. If you only wish to use this keyboard for casual purposes, however, you should not have any problems.
All said and done, this is a GREAT keyboard. Its most prominent strength is in its capability to effectively replace a real piano and feel, sounds, and act just like one. When this is put together with its pre-programmed multi-track recorded and its superb educational system, the YPG-635 is really an elite instrument for the price paid.
Alright, let's recap by taking a look at the major pros and cons...
Pros:
- Real feel and sound of a grand piano in compact, affordable form.
- Lessons, individual hand exercises, and 100 songs packed into the education suite that smartly monitors your progress.
- Easy-to-use built in recording system AND easy compatibility with Garageband, Logic, etc. for higher level recording.
Cons:
- Speakers lack loud volume desirable for performances/rehearsals. An amplifier will most likely be needed for these kinds of settings.
- Traditional/straightforward sound - not really for those who seek many effects and a psychedelic sound.
So! If you happen to be seeking a stable keyboard that can sound and feel like a real piano, excels at teaching, and is quite affordable, the Yamaha YPG-635 may be just what you need.