Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano  

adequate amount of voices for a digital piano at this price.

Great feeling keyboard.

No output other than headphones.

Keyboard feel gives this a 5 rating rather than a 4.

Piano sounds get thin and electronic sounding as they decay.  Play a note and let it hold till it fades and you will notice it.  Strings are awful as usual, but most folks just want a piano anyway.

Speakers are ok.

Problems with compatibility when using as a controller for computer software.  Does not work with some USB/MIDI interfaces.

I've heard better sounding instruments in this price range.

I bought the p85 for use in my church's contemporary service.  I am the music director and main keyboard player/pianist/organist.  I wanted a keyboard that I could use as a great feeling controller for some Korg Modules and 61 note unweighted keyboards.  It works great in that capacity.  I also wanted a keyboard that would function as a piano when I need to be away. Not all players are comfortable working with synths.  As I mentioned before, the piano sounds will get thin when held out.  In an ensemble situation, it probably won't be that noticeable, so it passes(just) in that application.  I really expected better sounds from Yamaha, though.

What surprised and disappointed me about the instrument, is whenI tried to use it with my Mac to sequence or score music parts.  I emailed Yamaha for product support and learned that my M-Audio USB/MIDI interface is not compatible with the p85.  What?  Every other piece of gear I own from the cheapest to most expensive works with that interface.  I was told that the recommended interface was, (surprise) Yamaha's interface.  Read the reviews on that product and decide it it's worth the $50.00 invesrtment.  I suppose I will take the chance and order one, but that adds 50 bucks to the price of the istrument. 

I would really advise any possible buyers to give the instrument a really good listen before buying.  Do not just go withYamaha's reputation with digital pianos.

I've only had this for two weeks, so here are my first impressions. It replaces an M-Audio ProKeys 88 thast died on a gig. By contrast, the Yamaha feels like a real piano. Great action and touch. Super-responsive. The two grand pianos, two electric pianos, harpsichord and vibes sounds are great. The two organ sounds are fine if you're doing a church gig, I suppose; but they're not very helpful for my cover band. Fortunately, I use a Roland Sound Canvas for organ sounds and the MIDI out on the Yamaha works great with the Roland.

I'm a guitarist by trade, doubling on keys, so I'm not the greatest keyboard player. But the transition to this instrument from the plastic, sponge-key junk (sorry M-Audio) is profound. I'm playing better and more confidently - a side-effect I wasn't counting on.

I always have it plugged into a keyboard amp and PA, so I can't talk about the built-in speakers. The  6W amp and mini-speakers tells me they're just for practicing, and I would use heaqdphones as an alternative to that.

It looks like the P85 is being replaced by the P95 -- I see no difference in the specs, so I suggest you snap one of these up while MF is blowing them at at a great discount.

I'm knocking one point off fthe features rating for missing a couple of features that would have made this a better MIDI keyboard, like pitch and mod wheels, MIDI through, transpose and, of course, a better selection of organ sounds. If you rate this strictly as a piano, it's a solid ten.

It's a Yamaha, and it feels very solid. Of course, the case is plastic, so you'll need a transport case if you're gigging with it. The plastic is what keeps the thing at 25 pounds. I play an all-metal Korg88 at home and I would never want to haul that 75-lb.+ monster to gigs.

Huge bang for the buck. I was going to spring for the Yamaha CP33; but at less than half the price, I went with this. Had I spent the extra bucks, I would have gotten the modern organ sounds, mod wheels, and the other stuff I was missing here. But again: the P85 (and P95) is a piano, and the very best one at this price point.

If you're playing on anything less than a piano with graded hammer action, you will notice a big difference when you step up to the P85. If you're already playing an acoustic piano, you'll be very happy with the action and tone you get from this instrument.

Real pianists (not me) will llike the three-pedal option -- something not generally found on these small portable pianos.

everything I need!

Love the touch and sound!

Awesome price!

Everything was great!

The features on this piano were just what I was looking for.  An authentic piano sound.  Period.  I don't need fancy voices or effects.  Just a piano.  And this fit the bill...splendidly.  The only issue I had is that I use it as a stage piano rather than just a home piano.  The outputs are stereo, so I had to find the adapters required to get it to play through my amplifier without sounding like a Fisher-Price product.  Once I accomplished that, I had the piano sound I wanted for my solo jazz shows.  I'm satisfied.

For the most part, it's been fine.  However, one of my essential Eb's broke where it attaches to the...well, wherever it attaches...and commenced to clack and clank and make an awful ruckus and would occasionally drag an adjacent key into the frey, creating a cacophany of disharmony.  Not cool.  It was, however, fixed under warranty at a little shop in Phoenix who required 3 weeks to even look at it.  I was forced to buy something else to fill in during it's absence.

It would have received a top rating had it not been unable to withstand some solid boogie improv without breaking a key.

Despite the broken key, I love the look, sound and feel of this keyboard.  It makes the noises I require and makes me sound like I know what I'm doing.  I'd buy another if I needed one.

A great digital piano.Nice sound and feel,almoust like the real thing.Lightweight, perfect for the musician on the go.