Yamaha CP88. All Factory Sounds.

This is a play through of all the factory sounds (not just live sets) in the Yamaha CP88/73. This is a raw presentation of these sounds - with no effects besides a small amount of reverb from the CP itself.

[@LewisEdwards78]

**Piano Section** 0:28 - Grand Piano - CFX 4:06 - Grand Piano - Imperial 7:50 - Grand Piano - S700 10:15 - Grand Piano - Digi Piano 11:38 - Grand Piano - C7 15:33 - Grand Piano - CF3 17:22 - Grand Piano - Nashville C3 19:25 - Grand Piano - Live CF3 20:19 - Upright Piano - U1 23:22 - Upright Piano - SU7 24:26 - CP - CP80 1 25:11 - CP - CP80 2 25:42 - Layered Piano - Piano Strings 26:08 - Layered Piano - Piano Synth **E.Piano Section** 26:46 - Rd - 78Rd 27:47 - Rd - 75Rd Funky 28:35 - Rd - 73Rd 29:45 - Rd - 67Rd Dark 30:51 - Rd - 67Rd Bright 31:45 - Rd - 73Rd Studio 32:58 - Rd - 74Rd Stage 34:05 - Wr - Wr Warm 35:22 - Wr - Wr Bright 35:56 - Wr - Wr Wide 36:55 - Clv - Clavi B 37:35 - Clv - Clavi S 38:07 - Clv - Harpsichord 39:07 - DX - DX Legend 39:28 - DX - DX Woody 39:40 - DX - DX FTine 40:00 - DX - DX 7 II 40:15 - DX - DX Mellow 40:32 - DX - DX Crisp **Sub Section** 40:49 - Pad/Strings - Mellow Pad 41:31 - Pad/Strings - Spectrum 41:55 - Pad/Strings - Back Pad 42:35 - Pad/Strings - Air Choir 42:57 - Pad/Strings - Natural Str 43:25 - Pad/Strings - Warm Strings 43:53 - Pad/Strings - OB Strings 44:30 - Pad/Strings - Section Str 45:09 - Pad/Strings - Fat Saw Pad 45:24 - Pad/Strings - Noble Pad 45:48 - Pad/Strings - Pop Pad 46:18 - Pad/Strings - Analog Pad 47:07 - Pad/Strings - Itopia 47:36 - Pad/Strings - Marcato Str 48:22 - Pad/Strings - Slow Str 48:56 - Pad/Strings - Tape Str 49:10 - Pad/Strings - Oct Syn Str 49:41 - Pad/Strings - Angel Pad 49:54 - Pad/Strings - Mystic Pad 50:15 - Pad/Strings - JP Strings 50:49 - Pad/Strings - Pop Syn Str 50:04 - Pad/Strings - Fast Strings 51:23 - Pad/Strings - Pizzicato 51:39 - Organ - Bright Bars 52:14 - Organ - Click Organ 52:30 - Organ - Draw Organ 1 52:52 - Organ - All Bars Out 53:13 - Organ - Draw Organ 2 53:32 - Organ - 60s Combo 53:52 - Organ - Compact 54:10 - Organ - Panther 54:29 - Organ - Pipe Organ 1 55:00 - Organ - Pipe Organ 2 55:18 - Organ - Accordian 55:41 - Chromatic Perc - Glocken 55:50 - Chromatic Perc - Vibraphone 56:04 - Chromatic Perc - Xylophone 56:16 - Chromatic Perc - Marimba 56:31 - Chromatic Perc - Brightness 56:38 - Chromatic Perc - Nice Bell 56:50 - Chromatic Perc - Stack Bell 57:07 - Chromatic Perc - Jazz Vibes 57:16 - Chromatic Perc - Marimba 2 57:27 - Chromatic Perc - Kalimba 57:36 - Chromatic Perc - Heaven Bell 57:44 - Others - Syn Lead 1 58:12 - Others - Syn Lead 2 58:22 - Others - Syn Bass 58:39 - Others - E. Bass 58:55 - Others - A. Bass 59:15 - Others - Steel Gt 59:56 - Others - Clean Gt 1:00:07 - Others - Syn Brass 1:00:31 - Others - Sine Lead 1:00:40 - Others - Sync Saw 1:00:46 - Others - Dirty Hook 1:01:03 - Others - Classic Mini 1:01:12 - Others - Funky Mini 1:01:19 - Others - Nu Mini 1:01:23 - Others - 80s Pop Bass 1:01:31 - Others - Sub Bass 1:01:38 - Others - Unison Bass 1:01:47 - Others - Finger Bass 1:01:59 - Others - Brass 1:02:22 - Others - Syn Brass 2 1:02:34 - Others - OB Brass 1 1:02:42 - Others - OB Brass 2 1:02:49 - Others - Jazz Flute 1:02:59 - Others - Tape Flute 1:03:05 - Others - Harmonica 1:03:07 - Others - Classic Gt 1:03:37 - Others - Steel Gt 2 1:04:07 - Others - Sf. Brass Turns out there's a lot of sounds :D

[@mister088]

sounds to me that the piano/rhodes/strings/brass/synth sounds are well represented and can just about cover any live playing gig.. The weakest link is the organ area..Not too heavy to carry, great keybed feel, not too expensive, smooth sound transition and quick access via favorites buttons...It's a winner. I'm in!

[@pawelsz95]

Glad to see you are recording those videos again, Ben!

[@ruanof7]

Thanks for this upload ! - Straight to the point when it comes to sounds, thanks gain !

[@samsschool3639]

Came here for the Wurly and Rhodes section. was not disapointed. The Piano section was wonderful too!

[@seok84]

That cfx sound is incredible...

[@azguitar]

Great playing. Sounds like many of the sounds in my Yamaha S90ES.

[@avc7137]

Best video of all the samples. Thank you!

[@badass.bob1]

Love the CP80 sounds

[@DJIncendration]

That first piano sound is amazing! I''m surprised it's not on the PSR-SX900. It's on the Genos 1 and 2, but not on the PSR-SX900 at all.

[@lalnunsangaasanga5801]

I love U1 sound👍

[@mister088]

Then again, add a little rotary, reverb, and within the context of a live band I think these organ will do fine

[@Jacob_Shouse1984]

I like to see a tone color on a Yamaha I’m so use to Roland having it but not other brands..

[@sparklin84]

Thank you!!! 🙏

[@marvinkmooneyoz]

Thans, was useful. Would reccomend time stamping at least where each category starts

[@loclam3777]

Yes

[@Si-dw8ee]

Thanks for sharing!

[@matthewpianisto]

That's great I love this

[@Talia.777]

👍👍👍

[@glennallen4634]

Your playing is more of a concert than a dem.

[@benallen5967]

Thank you!

[@anthonyp0830]

Can anybody tell me what the rythm/genre of minute 13 is? I want to learn how to play like that!

[@comparte7]

muy bien

[@jonos138]

When you say no effects except for a small amount of reverb from the cp itself. Does this mean there is no way of turning off reverb completely?

[@benallen5967]

No, it means I left just a small amount of reverb turned on - as a master effect in the CP.

[@mcyntje]

Does the CP88 have the FM sounds in the MODX8

[@duketranslucent3rd]

Ben - thanks for your great videos. A straight shootout between the CP-88, Grandstage 88 and RD-2000. Which do you take?

[@benallen5967]

Of those options, the CP88 would definitely be my choice at this point.

[@duketranslucent3rd]

@@benallen5967 Thanks. Literally just come out my local store and tried them all (well, the YC rather than the CP as they didn't have the latter, but it's the same action.) That YC/CP action sure is lovely. RD wins for functionality but pretty ugly! :)

[@tmth_ndrvlna3374]

Is there any saxophone ? I heard it with a YC88 video but here it seems that he doesn't have it ... :(

[@MatthewTomich]

It's in the 1.5 update, as are some new pianos such as the felt piano.

[@sphinx9517]

Is there any sympathetic resonance at all here?

[@benallen5967]

Not sympathetic string resonance, but Yamaha has implemented damper resonance which does model some string resonance, as well as that of the soundboard and body of the piano. In a live setting, with other instruments, it is quite effective... but no, it isn’t true sympathetic string resonance like Korg, Roland, Nord, Kawai, or Dexibell.

[@salvjocorner]

Imperial are Bosendorfer?

[@benallen5967]

That is correct. Yamaha now owns Bosendorfer.

[@pasli05]

Hello Ben ! Thank you for this beautiful played video. I am considering to buy this or a Nord Piano 4. What would you recommend me?

[@jakob5947]

Depends on what you value most. Keybed is like miles better on the CP88, soundwise they‘re in the same ballpark (Personal taste: for acoustic Pianos the Nord and for Rhodes the CP88). But with Nord you can ofcourse Download their sounds from web and of has a higher resale value if that matters to you :)

[@montigo2063]

I have a nord stage 3 but I’m thinking of trading it in for this... I prefer the keybed on this!

[@benallen5967]

I too have a stage 3, and even though it is the compact version, I’ve also owned the 88 and HP versions. I have the CP88 and YC61 in my studio right now, and I can tell you... even the YC88 is NOT a competitor for the Nord Stage 3. Do the CP and YC 88 have amazing key actions? Absolutely. But does the total CP or YC package compare to what you get with a Stage 3? No... not at all. Nord has a FAR better organ engine in their Stage and Electro series, than Yamaha has in the YC series. The Leslie sim is bad in the YC..Nord has a Leslie sim that compares favorably to the real thing. The Synth features and ability to add your own samples in the Nord Stage 3 blow the Yamaha out of the water- and finally, Nord has a much better selection of piano samples to choose from. Yes, the piano and ep samples in the CP and YC are excellent, but the overall package of a Stage 3 blows the CP and YC out of the water. Now... since we will both agree that Nord’s Fatar actions aren’t the best in the Stage 3- I suggest getting an external keyboard to connect to your Nord (my setup is a StudioLogic SL88 Grand under a Stage 3 compact). This will give you the beat of both worlds, and in dual keyboard mode, the Stage 3 becomes TWO keyboards. The SL88 Grand uses a Fatar TP40 Wood action, which feels incredible, responds very well, and to me, is a joy to play. It’s the better version of what is in the Stage 3 88 (which is a Fatar TP40 M weighted the same across all keys). Also, the Roland board with PHA-4 or PHA-50 play very nicely with the Nord. The RD-88 or A88 for example.

[@sphinx9517]

How about the nord stage vs the Yamaha cp88

[@benallen5967]

@@sphinx9517 I’ve got a YC vs Nord Stage 3 series of videos coming out Monday- that is the more direct competitor to the Nord Stage 3, since it is essentially a CP with an organ engine. Stay tuned!

[@ferdearmas8732]

@@benallen5967 Hi Ben, which key action is better and more reliable between CP88 and SL88 Grand?.

[@benallen5967]

@@ferdearmas8732 That is hard to say.. it is personal preference. The Yamaha action feels more like a light version of a C7 keyboard, whereas the SL 88 Grand feels more like a 20 year old Steinway to me. They are both very fast, very responsive.. incredibly solid feeling, and I don't foresee you having any major issues with either.

[@michaeldumas4907]

Ben on my old CP4 I could apply Chorus to the grand and other acoustic pianos....can you do this with the cp88?....thanks...

[@benallen5967]

Yes, although it is per section, not globally.

[@michaeldumas4907]

@@benallen5967 hey thank you, Ben...I could not find that info anywhere....I just knew you would know

[@jazzvent]

How would you compare this to the Kawai MP7se?

[@benallen5967]

Great question! So, the Kawai is flawed in one big way. It sounds great, has a simple interface, and is a well built instrument.. BUT..I was never able to get the velocity I played at to correspond with the sound I heard. That is to say, no matter how hard I played the Mp7Se, it just never felt like I could get it loud and raucous enough. Weirdly, the same wasn't true when using it as a MIDI controller for other keyboards, and it isn't true of the other Kawai instruments I've played. But I tested several of the MP7SE and never could get them to respond like I wanted, despite playing with the velocity curves.

[@jazzvent]

@@benallen5967 I have narrowed my search down to the Kawai MP7se and the Yamaha CP88, so I really appreciate your input. Some features I like about the Kawai MP7se that are not on the CP88 are the built-in recorder, drums (and 100 patterns), 256 voice polyphony, the 4 layering "zones", and the many more sounds. I do like the fact that the CP88 is upgradeable, has wooden keys, and it has XLR connections. Regarding the action . . . Does the MP7se have more of a bounce or bobble when the hammer "returns" after the key has been played compared to the CP88? If so, did you find that annoying? Is there more keyboard "noise" on the MP7se? Also, is there a way to plug in another sound source (CD player, music from a usb drive, etc.) into the CP88, so I can play the keyboard along with a recording (like you can do with the MP7se)? Again, thank you for your time and expertise !

[@benallen5967]

@@jazzvent I do plan on having a Q& A Live soon, but I wanted to let you know that I do personal FaceTime/zoom/skype, whatever consultations as well, just one on one, and if you'd like to take advantage of that - feel free to reach out. Godisopen @ G Mail

[@GeorgeZwierzchowskipianomusic]

nice playing.

[@jlhc1552]

What speakers for good home sound ? Merci, pour vos remarquables vidéos.

[@benallen5967]

Thank you for your kind remarks. What is your budget for speakers?

[@jlhc1552]

@@benallen5967 500 à 600 euros Merci pour votre réponse rapide.

[@benallen5967]

@@jlhc1552 I think you would be quite happy with ADAM T7V studio monitors. Headphones are also a good choice, and for that, I recommend Focal Listen Pro.

[@jlhc1552]

@@benallen5967 Grand merci, bien sincèrement.

[@ferdearmas8732]

Hi Ben, which key action, complex sound engine and finger to sound connection is better between P515 and CP88?.

[@benallen5967]

A great question. The P515 is more of a home instrument, but has extra sound editing options for the piano specifically, whereas the CP88 is definitely more Studio/Stage based. The connection between the sound, and when you hear it, is excellent on both.

[@ferdearmas8732]

@@benallen5967 thanks for reply, and which is your favorite keybed and sound?. Is the lack of escapement and string resonance in the CP88 a real drawback and downstep against the P515?.

[@benallen5967]

@@ferdearmas8732 I really enjoy the C7 and Bosendorfer, but also the CFX and Nashville C3. Escapement isn't an issue for me..most of us can't feel it and don't notice when it isn't there. Sympathetic string resonance isn't a problem in a live setting, especially since you have the damper resonance, which almost makes up for that.

[@ferdearmas8732]

@@benallen5967 Thanks!. Which is your favorite between both (P515-CP88)?. And please, tell me which sound engine, key action and finger to sound connection is better and more reliable for you, between: Yamaha P125, Casio PX-S1000, Kawai ES110/520, Roland FP10/30X and Korg D1?.

[@glennallen4634]

Frankly the CP88 should be able to walk all over the P-125 in every way since similarly equipped, the CP88 is trice as much. If that’s the case I think I would be just as happy with a Kawai ES920 since I’m a very new beginner and at age 68 I’ll never be that good since I’m not related to Colonel Sanders.

[@okay1904]

The question I have not been able to find an answer for is - do the newer Yamaha YC stage piano/organs add any new or improved sounds in the piano/electric piano categories, over and above the CP88/73? I have no need for any organ sounds - just not my thing. If anyone can point me to the answer I would be glad, especially if you can provide a web link, so I can go read and check the info for myself. Thanks in advance

[@benallen5967]

Happy to answer that for you! I have a CP88 and a YC61 sitting here right now. Piano and EP content are identical as far as the basic samples- actually, the YC is missing some of the ones that the CP has, as far as pianos go. The YC implements it’s effects slightly differently, but that difference applies mostly to the other sounds. The YC series is essentially a CP with an organ engine, a slightly different effects process and layout, different key action options, and a filter/EG section, which again is mostly applicable to synth and other sounds. Otherwise? They are nearly identical. If you don’t need the organ engine, the CP series is the better choice.

[@okay1904]

@@benallen5967 Thank you ever so much Ben. Your love for music an pianos has been infectious. And I have over recent years enjoyed many of your extensive keyboard demos. Moreso now that its impossible to go into a shop and demo one. I am fortunate that I did try out the CP88 in person (at a store nearby) so I know from recollection how that sounds (caveat - through their shabby sounding pole on a bass box - mini line array, from a never heard of copycat of the highly acclaimed Bose products - some stores are terrible - pairing a top of the line product with such a useless amplification system - next time, I'll take some headphones to hear them properly). I have been a Yamaha fan boy for very good reasons - typically great sound - decent keybeds and reliability (but I do also like things from Roland, Nord, Korg but do not own much from these chaps - only one vintage Roland sound module which has not seen much use recently). My main workhorse is a CP33 which I no longer use for its own sounds, since its only purpose now is to serve as a keyboard controller. I stopped playing live at church a few years ago, and now only play at home, so no immediate need for a newer stage piano. Nevertheless I like to keep up with what's happening to these kind of "toys" - in case I ever need one again. and your videos have been most valuable in this regard. My only gripe with stage pianos is their limited dynamic/expression range, when compared with sampled pianos on PC/Mac. While this limited dynamic range benefits their use on stage, cos you want the sound to cut through the mix. Sampled pianos have their own issues, finding decent ones can be a challenge and there are no returns after you have bought!! - so quite a bit of trial and error, including then need to adjust effects and velocity to get them to sound right on your own specific midi controller keyboard, and fit your own playing velocity preferences. Furthermore in a live performance, who is going to notice any of the subtleties in a well sampled piano on a PC/Mac. Guess for a well heeled keyboard player, the advantages and contras of each approach is not an issue, they do not have to force a choice, they can have both on stage - portable stage piano with its own internal sounds + sampled pianos running of a PC/Mac. I think the Yamaha CP88 has decent sounds that definitely cut through for live work. For really expressive personal enjoyment, I' do love my piano sound played back from a sampled instrument on a PC/Mac for that full range - no limitations sound,.and a great choice of some of the more advanced sampled pianos like Synthogy, Garritan CFX, Vienna Symphonic Library, Waves Rhapsody, or pianos from Production Voices.

[@rustyyates421]

While I appreciate playing hearing all of the sounds over 4 minutes on the first sound and spending so much time on each sound made it very difficult to watch this video .

[@andreacosta74]

ONLY TWO (fake) MELLOTRON SOUNDS in Yamaha CP88 and YC61!! 😡🤬

[@moaciraguiarbr]

👍👍👍