| Yamaha have recently released the all-new Arius | | | | the YDP181 has AVM level 3 stereo sampling. Also as |
| range of digital pianos. Building on the success of the | | | | you go up the range there are more sounds included |
| YDP140 and YDP160, Yamaha have decided to | | | | and the speakers wattage increases as well. |
| extend the Arius range to include three models, the | | | | The pedals are all the same on each model and have |
| YDP141, YDP161 and the YDP181. These are not | | | | damper with half pedal effect, Sostenuto and Soft to |
| available in the UK as yet, but are being launched fully | | | | allow for full expression. |
| at the Musikmesse expo in Frankfurt in a week, so | | | | You'll also find that the keyboard includes a very handy |
| we're sure retailers will have stock soon after. | | | | feature allowing players to change the sensitivity |
| The Arius YDP140 represented exceptional value for | | | | between hard, medium, soft and fixed. This is a great |
| money and the word on the street is that Yamaha will | | | | feature as most players will play in a different way. |
| ensure the YDP141 is also good value for money. In | | | | The keyboard improves from Graded Hammer |
| fact there is a rumour that the YDP141 is of better | | | | Standard up to Graded Hammer. |
| quality than the Clavinova CLP 320. We'll have to wait | | | | Another point worth mentioning is the polyphony which |
| to pass judgment on that, but on paper it does look | | | | is 64 note on the YDP141 and 161s, where as the 181 |
| very nice and offers beginners and the more | | | | has 128 note polyphony which if you're a more |
| experienced players a lot for the money, if it is pricing | | | | experienced player will be necessary for more |
| similarly to the YDP140. | | | | complicated pieces. |
| There is a gradual improvement of features as you go | | | | All in all the Arius range is aimed the home piano |
| up the range so the Yamaha Arius YDP141 has AVM | | | | market and are affordable with some lovely features |
| level 1 stereo sampling for the piano sounds where as | | | | and sounds. |