Is This a Digital Keyboard Characteristic?

[Rizzo]

I have an older Yamaha YPG-625 keyboard that I inherited from my daughter. Since this is my first digital keyboard, I noticed that if I do not constantly use the sustain pedal, there is not enough resonance for the sound to flow from one note or chord to the next. Is this typical for digital keyboards or, at least, relatively inexpensive ones?

Since the sustain pedal seems to be either "off" or "on", invariably notes & chords often blend together creating a somewhat "mushy? sound. Is this something that I have to life with?

Thank you so much.

 

[delaware dave]

Check to see if what your actually hearing is the oversaturation of the reverb effect. Turn reverb off and see if that resonant sound goes away. If not reverb then it is what it is.

 

[Rizzo]

Thanks, delaware dave. Unfortunately the LCD display on the keyboard has not functional. So I cannot verify if the reverb is off. Before I source a new display, I need to determine whether the display itself is dead and/or another component. I will post up another thread with this question..Thank you.

 

[Rayblewit]

That DP is getting close to 20 years old.
Second hand resell is only in the vicinity of $100 - $500 (,depending on condition )

I would not be inclined to spend any money on parts. You already replaced felts (as mentioned on other thread)

Probably, self repair, cleaning contacts etc. would be the best most economical resolve.

If all fails, save the money you would have spent on parts and buy a newer model.

R

 

[delaware dave]

Unfortunately the LCD display on the keyboard has not functional.

Take a flashlight and shine it on the display, it might give you enough to read the display and determine if the reverb is on and then try to turn it off.

 

[Rizzo]

That DP is getting close to 20 years old.
Second hand resell is only in the vicinity of $100 - $500 (,depending on condition )

I would not be inclined to spend any money on parts. You already replaced felts (as mentioned on other thread)

Probably, self repair, cleaning contacts etc. would be the best most economical resolve.

If all fails, save the money you would have spent on parts and buy a newer model.

R

I certainly have considered something new (or newer). But for the moment I am inclined to do the work myself if the cost of a replacement part(s) is reasonable. I just have to be certain if the display's circuit board is the culprit.

 

[Biggles]

It was sold as a DGX in some markets so to replace like for like with a new DGX is going to cost £680.

Good idea to try DIY

 

[Stilli]

I have an older Yamaha YPG-625 keyboard that I inherited from my daughter. Since this is my first digital keyboard, I noticed that if I do not constantly use the sustain pedal, there is not enough resonance for the sound to flow from one note or chord to the next. Is this typical for digital keyboards or, at least, relatively inexpensive ones?

Since the sustain pedal seems to be either "off" or "on", invariably notes & chords often blend together creating a somewhat "mushy? sound. Is this something that I have to life with?

Thank you so much.

Seems to me there are three problems here:
1. Lack of or incorrect setting of Reverb, just enough reverb to create a little ambience will make the instrument sound better and improve legato playing but don't overdo it unless you want to sound like you are playing in a cathedral.
2. Keeping fingered notes depressed for full note duration (resonance) when playing legato for smooth transition between notes.
3. Correct use of the sustain (damper) pedal will avoid notes and chords blending in an undesirable way, make sure to lift and depress the pedal at chord changes in order to smoothly transition from one chord to another. Lift and quickly depress the pedal as you play each new chord to create a smooth open sound across changes.

 

[music9922]

Treat yourself to a new Yamha DGX-670 88 key Portable Grand Piano. You deserve it!! The excitement of a new keyboard along with the shine of the new keys will entice you to play it more often. Good Luck!!

 

[plinkyspecs]

if I do not constantly use the sustain pedal, there is not enough resonance for the sound to flow from one note or chord to the next. Is this typical for digital keyboards

Maybe I'm missing something here. A video or audio demo would be worth 1000 words, if that's possible to upload. That said...

If you're used to playing an acoustic piano exclusively, you may be expecting the same string resonance, where playing a single note with the sustain pedal engaged, resonates all harmonic strings.

This is a significant part of what makes a piano sound like a piano. Sadly, this is not to be found on consumer digital pianos, as it's surprisingly difficult to emulate digitally.

Personally, I find I use a sustain pedal much more frequently on a digital keys than when playing acoustic piano or Rhodes / Wurlitzer, but of course that depends on your playing approach.