#1962225 - 06/24/08 10:18 AM
Yamaha YPG625
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fishacura
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I think I finally got my choice down to the Yamaha ypg-625 (also known as the dgx-520). I am however so unfamiliar with some of the terminology, I wanted to bouce this off some of the experts here to see if this will do what I really want. It says it has 32 note polyphony. Does this in fact mean I can record several tracks (piano, drums, guitar) and then layer them on top of each other to play together? Also, can I do this via a pc (that is, record tracks and then use software to manage) or can I only do it natively on the unit? Any insight is appreciated. Thanks so much!!!
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#1962389 - 06/24/08 06:02 PM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: fishacura]
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Joe Muscara
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Simply put, it means how many sounds/notes it can play at once, but to be clearer, depending on the instrument you are playing, if you press ten keys, you could be using 10 sounds, but it could be 20 or 30 as well. Another way to look at it is if you press the sustain pedal, how many notes you can play before it starts cutting off the older ones to play the newer ones.
If you want to record it, and you are driving multiple instrument sounds from it (drums, piano, guitar), you might have to be careful how many things are playing at once. Six notes on guitar, one on bass, eight or ten on piano, some horns, some strings, and you could run out of polyphony.
Does that help?
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#1962401 - 06/24/08 06:21 PM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: fishacura]
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Sven Golly
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Visit Wikipedia for a discussion of the difference between the terms Polyphony and Multitimbral.
_________________________
Without music life would be a mistake. ~Nietzsche
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#1962587 - 06/25/08 08:46 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: Sven Golly]
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MoKen
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You can download the user manual here:
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Cont...LATION,00.html#
It will give you some information about recording capabilities although it's not a great manual.
On the instrument, you can record 5 tracks plus a style for each song. You can store 5 songs that way internally.
You can also store them on a USB drive.
The midi connection is USB so it will attach directly to your computer. For recording you'll have to get some software but you'll have good control. However, you will want a good computer. Mine is too slow (old like me) and when I try to play with a track on my computer I get too much latency. A couple of good shareware programs are Audacity and Reaper.
BTW, I like my 625 for piano. I'm still tweaking the organ sounds...
HTH
Ken
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#1962699 - 06/25/08 12:14 PM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: MoKen]
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fishacura
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Thanks to all. I "test drove" a YPG-625 about an hour ago and man did I enjoy the feel of the keys. They do a nice job of replicating an acoustic. Now my decision is whether to snatch up a 625 at about $699 or go for the 635 for $799. The only main difference is 32 note vs. 64 polyphony. I am thinking 32 is fine and if I ever need to go to 64 I should probably be investing in something else. 32 should handle piano, guitar and drums right?
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#1962702 - 06/25/08 12:20 PM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: fishacura]
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Sven Golly
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The only main difference is 32 note vs. 64 polyphony. I am thinking 32 is fine and if I ever need to go to 64 I should probably be investing in something else. 32 should handle piano, guitar and drums right?
Considering each piano note is probably triggering 2 voices (stereo piano), an octave in the left hand plus a 4-note chord in the right hand means 12 voices of your 32 are used up, just for piano.
If you're using a stereo guitar patch, a max of 6 strings means a max of 12 tones at once. That's 24/32 gone, leaving 8.
So, short of having an octopus for a drummer, you should be okay.
BUT... what if you want to add a bass track? And maybe some nice lush stereo strings?
_________________________
Without music life would be a mistake. ~Nietzsche
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#1963483 - 06/27/08 05:14 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: Sven Golly]
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fishacura
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The only main difference is 32 note vs. 64 polyphony. I am thinking 32 is fine and if I ever need to go to 64 I should probably be investing in something else. 32 should handle piano, guitar and drums right? Considering each piano note is probably triggering 2 voices (stereo piano), an octave in the left hand plus a 4-note chord in the right hand means 12 voices of your 32 are used up, just for piano. If you're using a stereo guitar patch, a max of 6 strings means a max of 12 tones at once. That's 24/32 gone, leaving 8. So, short of having an octopus for a drummer, you should be okay. BUT... what if you want to add a bass track? And maybe some nice lush stereo strings? That's so funny...because I saw another post on another board where someone said "128 polyphony might be enough for an amateur". :lol: seriously, "might be enough". People don't realize that not everyone is a composer. But I certainly thank you for breaking it down for me. That other guy was probably a Roland dealer
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#1963499 - 06/27/08 05:43 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: fishacura]
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Sven Golly
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That's so funny...because I saw another post on another board where someone said "128 polyphony might be enough for an amateur". :lol: seriously, "might be enough". People don't realize that not everyone is a composer. But I certainly thank you for breaking it down for me. That other guy was probably a Roland dealer
Well, perhaps I was being too subtle, but my point is, if you have any aspirations of going beyond just piano, guitar and drums (and most of the folks out there probably will, if they're trying to do full song backing tracks), then 32-tone polyphony will be a limitation.
Only you know what your present and future needs are likely to be, so decide accordingly.
And for the record, I'm not a dealer for any product line. 
_________________________
Without music life would be a mistake. ~Nietzsche
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#1963515 - 06/27/08 06:35 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: Sven Golly]
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MikeT156
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For a hundred bucks more, go for the 635. I have a friend that has the 625 and he loves it. Getting 64 voices for a hundred bucks more is a good deal. You would have to spend quite a bit more to go with something else that would be worth the extra money. I'm not sure how much you would really gain in capability by spending twice as much. So many choices.
Mike T.
_________________________
Yamaha Motif ES8, Alesis Ion, Prophet 5 Rev 3.2, 1979 Rhodes Suit case 73 Piano, Arp Odyssey Mk III, Oberheim DMX, Roland R-70 Drum Machine, Digitech Vocalist. Lots of Amps, mixers, PA speakers!
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#1963565 - 06/27/08 08:20 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: MikeT156]
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SilverDragonSoun
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For a hundred bucks more, go for the 635. I have a friend that has the 625 and he loves it. Getting 64 voices for a hundred bucks more is a good deal. You would have to spend quite a bit more to go with something else that would be worth the extra money. I'm not sure how much you would really gain in capability by spending twice as much. So many choices.
Mike T.
+1, agree 100%
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Begin the day with a friendly voice A companion, unobtrusive
- Rush
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#1963574 - 06/27/08 08:38 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: SilverDragonSoun]
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fishacura
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Sorry to disappoint. Went with the 625. First, it was $150 less than the 635 and at $649 quite a bargain. Second, I simply don't need 64 and if/when I do then I think I'd be at the point where I'd upgrade to perhaps a Roland synth or the like. But thanks for the feedback. I read an article early on that said "don't overbuy for things you don't need" and have talked to way to many people who never use that many voices so for 75% of the cost of the 635 I am thrilled! They also have such a great resale market that if/when I outgrow it I can get something back.
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#1963576 - 06/27/08 08:44 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: fishacura]
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Sven Golly
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First, it was $150 less than the 635 and at $649 quite a bargain ... so for 75% of the cost of the 635 I am thrilled!
649/799 = 0.8123
They also have such a great resale market that if/when I outgrow it I can get something back.
LOL... okay then. 
_________________________
Without music life would be a mistake. ~Nietzsche
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#1963585 - 06/27/08 09:08 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: Sven Golly]
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fishacura
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Uh hello...OK...fun with statistics, I see you need a lesson.  YOu have to take the $150 savings and divide it by what you paid to see what the markup is, which is 23.11% so I rounded to 25%. That's how much more I paid. Plus hey...if someone wants to hand me $150 so be it but one thing I have learned is you should never spend another guys $.
Second, not sure why you're laughing. I have been watching ebay for yamaha digital pianos and synths for a month and they always seem to sell.
Edited by fishacura (06/27/08 09:12 AM)
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#1963597 - 06/27/08 09:24 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: fishacura]
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MikeT156
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$649 is a bargain for the model 625. Enjoy!
Mike T.
_________________________
Yamaha Motif ES8, Alesis Ion, Prophet 5 Rev 3.2, 1979 Rhodes Suit case 73 Piano, Arp Odyssey Mk III, Oberheim DMX, Roland R-70 Drum Machine, Digitech Vocalist. Lots of Amps, mixers, PA speakers!
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#1963600 - 06/27/08 09:40 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: fishacura]
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Sven Golly
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Uh hello...OK...fun with statistics, I see you need a lesson.
Perhaps a lesson in English would be more appropriate?
so for 75% of the cost of the 635 I am thrilled
75% of the cost of the 635 (which you stated as $150 over the $649 you paid for the 625, yes?) would be $599. You might want to check what you write before sniping back at someone. 
Second, not sure why you're laughing. I have been watching ebay for yamaha digital pianos and synths for a month and they always seem to sell.
Then I stand corrected. Enjoy your new board.
_________________________
Without music life would be a mistake. ~Nietzsche
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#1963605 - 06/27/08 09:54 AM
Re: Yamaha YPG625
[Re: Sven Golly]
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fishacura
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Just having a little fun was all....no need to feel offended. No offense meant.
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