Yamaha P-145From real comments

Verdict distilled from 25 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment36%
PROS 36%
CONS 64%

Rank based on 25 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an affordable step-up practice piano with better touch/sound than the old P-45
  • You need a built-in USB audio interface for recording via computer/DAW
  • You mainly want simple piano/electric piano/organ voices without extra bells and whistles

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a dedicated audio line-out to connect external amplification
  • You want to layer third-party MIDI voices and need a Local Control off option
  • You want a wide variety of voices, high polyphony, or gigging-grade sound reinforcement

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Budget
Yamaha P-145
Good value for moneyPositive overall purchase experienceImproved touch and sound vs P-45Inconsistent sound quality perceptionLimited voice and polyphony optionsMinor design annoyances
Yamaha P-145
Good value for money
Positive overall purchase experience
Improved touch and sound vs P-45
Inconsistent sound quality perception
Limited voice and polyphony options
Minor design annoyances

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality opinions are notably divided among reviewers. Several buyers say the P-145 sounds better and mellower than the older P-45, with one calling it fantastic at home and better than an untuned upright. Others strongly disagree, describing the grand piano samples as sounding like a guitar, 'clangy,' or lacking the silky soft tone Yamaha is known for, with one calling the new engine's electric character outright disgusting.

Missing connectivity options frustrate more advanced users. Multiple commenters flag the lack of a dedicated audio line-out as a fatal flaw, since it forces a choice between external amplification and the built-in monitor sound. Others note there's no Local Control off switch, causing unwanted layering when using third-party MIDI software like GarageBand, though the built-in USB audio interface is appreciated as a plus others lack.

A few buyers reported real reliability and quality-control problems. One long-term owner detailed a warranty battle after Yamaha found the piano's frame contaminated with plastic shards and metal filings inside, denying the warranty as a result. Another buyer found the highest octave produced no sound at all. These are isolated but notable reports alongside otherwise happy purchasers who called it a lovely, beautiful-sounding piano.

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