Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano 

Comments about Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano:

I now have a renewed interest in playing music. It is fun to play and enjoy trying new settings for the songs I play.

Comments about Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano:

Really a great digital piano. Great sound and very nice action on the weighted keys. Made the purchase for my son and only regret is that i didn't buy it sooner. I researched for the model that will last for years, and this one had excellent reviews. So happy i was able to purchase this model, it is now going to be hard to find. If you can find it buy it.

Comments about Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano:

This purchase was agreed upon for a child starting lessons. It has headphone jacks. :) and it isn't a large piece of furniture. Should our child choose to no longer take lessons it could potentially be an easy sale or if she becomes a concert pianist then a large piece of furniture may be fisable. Sound is great. Keys are very realistic. Very satisfied.

Comments about Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano:

I've used the P-60 for years. Why the music rack on this unit doesn't fit snugly into the space that holds it is beyond me. It rocks forward and back in the breeze.
The cable plug in behind but about two inches recessed. I suppose that means they'd be harder to rip out inadvertently, but you have to get down on the floor directly behind it to plug them in.

The basic keyboard seems the same as it has always been. I'm surprised they made "improvements" that, in the case of the music rack, are steps backwards.

If you don't use the music rack much and plan to use the unit in your studio where you won't be unplugging it all the time,these are not deal breakers.

Comments about Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano:

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.
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.

Comments about Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano:

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.
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 CP3 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.

Comments about Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano:

Everything was great!
everything I need!
Love the touch and sound!
Awesome price!

Comments about Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano:

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.
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.

Comments about Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano:

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

Comments about Yamaha P-85 Contemporary Digital Piano:

The Yamaha P85 " isn't that bad" it sounds like the "real" yamaha acoustic piano. But Yamaha stores should include the L85 stand atleast as a part of the whole package for a lowest price. Some features are just simple as ABC. Between Yamaha and Roland, I would go for Roland but for the cheapest price I'll pick Yamaha. Yamaha P85 not that bad. Good for the beginers.