YAMAHA NP-12 Piaggero - Slimline Home Keyboard for Hobbyists and Beginners, in Black

Product Information

The NP-32 is a little more expensive since it is a 76-key keyboard, while the other two are only 61-keys. If you’re the kind of player that needs closer to a full 88-key range, you’re going to have to spend a little more to get the extra keys.

Both models have the option of using AA Batteries, however, the NP12 has a maximum duration of 16 hours, while the NP11 has a maximum duration of 6 hours. Unlike the PSR-E363, the NP-series comes with a smaller feature set, though it does include both keys that look more realistic (emphasis on “look”) and a slightly modified sound set. Another fantastic feature is the inclusion of a metronome. It’s perfect for beginners that need some help keeping pace with the rhythm, also helping to better understand when you need to slow down or speed up.Today, we’ll run the NP-32 (and by extension, the NP-12) through our rigorous review process, and we’ll let you know why it’s one of the better choices for music newcomers. The same goes for the volume knob. It’s smooth plastic, but the actual turning of it barely gives any resistance, which means it’s difficult to make precise volume changes. These are non-issues for most beginners, as the keys and sounds are of top importance. As with most budget selections, you’ll need to investigate an upgrade in the future, but the NP-32 is a solid choice for nailing down the basics. This, again, might be a non-issue for beginners. The so-called heft might not be as noticeable as I make it out to be, but I still find myself disliking that.

The rest of the sounds might feel a bit less detailed, but it’s always nice to get a bit more variety to spice up your practice sessions. Highlights include the DX7-style E.Piano 1 and the tine-based E.Piano 2. These keyboards are especially popular with beginners thanks to their much more affordable price tags. The NP-series’ namesake, “ Piaggero”, is Italian for ‘ light’, and that’s the design focus for the NP-series. Yamaha markets these as lightweight keyboards, and as you’ll soon see from the comparison tables, it really does live up to those expectations.New Digital Piano Controller App to access the wide range of sounds and features on the new NP series But, a t a low price, and a fairly good design, you’re getting good value. The Yamaha NP-12 has enough features for a beginner to get started. You may find yourself needing a more in-depth keyboard down the line (especially since there are only 61 keys on this keyboard), but this is a wonderful place to start. AC Adaptor (PA-150) or 6 x "AA" size batteries (alkaline [LR6], manganese [R6] or Ni-MH rechargeable batteries)