Yamaha P-120

Application
I just wanted a digital keyboard that felt like an actual piano, that wouldn't take up to much space in the living room.
Context
I use it to pound, improvise, write, learn songs by ear
Other products
I have tried many digital pianos like this one at guitar center and other music stores.
Pros and Cons
Pro, It feels like a piano. There are some with weighted keys that don't feel like a piano, this isn't one of them. It's easy to operate. You plug it into the wall, press the red button and you can play immediately. All the sounds are immediately above the keys, well marked, easy to understand. It has a wide range of outputs, from midi, rca out, to 1/4 out. Cons? Well it was broke when I gathered it. I had to tear it apart with a volt meter to figure out what was wrong. I did some searching online, and in some forum somewhere a guy said, "It has no fuse, most problems are either the dc input jack solder on the feet got loose on the board or the AC adapter failed. So it does have known issues. However, It was easy to fix once I took a solder gun and just heated and reseated the dc jack back on the board. Luckily, I didn't need to buy any new parts. So if you are fixing one of these, don't make the mistake I did and try to take out the switch to test it. It was a huge pain screwing it back in. Imagine playing the game operation. Cons, it sounds thin. They could have put beefier speakers in it. Cons, Its kinda ugly with the wood finish.

Overall
It would not be my first choice if I were to actually purchase a digital piano. However, the price was right, and I will say this, I used to own a Casio Privia, which I like quite a bit better in terms of sounds and aesthetics, however, I would have zero reason to upgrade this Yamaha to a better digital piano no matter the cost. Why? It gets the job done. And in my use, the sound is good enough, the feel is quite good, and pianos are built to be listened to and played not looked at. I would have payed up to 150 usd for the keyboard.

88-key practice piano to move on to the real thing!
Midi In Out
Audio RCA & Jack OUT
Sustain pedal connector
Double headphones output
Sounds can be edited in terms of effects, chorus, reverb...Bu that's not what this type of product is for, the effects are there to improve your listening experience.

UTILIZATION

This is the main strength of this digital piano, the keyboard is really interesting, rather hard, but you can obviously adjust it (hard, medium, soft) to make the sound come out easier with soft or have the sound respond to the keyboard with hard. I always use the latter, because the playing is more subtle, and it's also easier to play with another piano (if you can play the hardest, you can play the softest).

In terms of setup, the manual is very clear, but the interface on the piano doesn't allow for an intuitive approach of the parameters (MIDI channels), although it's better for sounds.

SOUNDS

I'm hooked to Afro-American music, blues, reggae, jazz. The expression is convincing for this type of product (which shouldn't be compared to an upright or grand piano). The sounds are good, I like especially the Piano1 sound and the organ, the rest is all right but I never use it.
I use it mainly to forget about my home studio and play standards. But that doesn't stop me from using it as a master keyboard with a MID USB interface to build my songs at home, the keyboard is truly YAMAHA!

The sound through the speakers is very good and also through the different outputs. I use it a lot with headphones in the evening (due to my neighbors) and it's impeccable.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for two years. I bought it secondhand and I am very happy with it. Compared to the more recent P85, the keyboard of the P120 for live applications is really good.

Fairly comprehensive connections, possibility to deactivate the speakers with the switch on the side. The pedal included is of good quality (compared to others that go click clack).

UTILIZATION

You need to have the manual close at hand during setup.
With time you end up remembering which menu corresponds to "F8," etc. But, to be totally honest, it's not easy, it's not well-designed at all! But you get used to it all the same.
Very clear user's manual.
The keyboard is very good. A bit heavy for my taste and the key travel is very long.

SOUNDS

The main piano sound is great. Just like the Rhodes. The harpsichord is really amazing! The organs are OK, but the rest is pretty bad!
It remains a digital piano. And it's pretty good at that.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like best is:
- The connections on the side!!
- The sturdiness.
- An adequate music stand!! Sturdy and big enough!

The piano is heavy but it's easy to understand why.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again to play at home or on stage if I can't have a real piano.

Regular piano sounds, plus some "additional" sounds (guitar, bass, etc.) There are 14 sounds in total, each with 2 variations. You can split and layer the sounds.

It can be connected via MIDI. For audio it has TRS, headphone and RCA outputs. In short, it has all you need. Unlike other models of the P series, it has its own speakers, which is practical.

It has some modest but nice effects: reverb, chorus, tremolo, phaser, and delay.

UTILIZATION

Clear user's manual. However, it's not easy to set up: Everything has to be done with the 3-digit display and, unless you have the manual at hand, you have to remember what the numerical functions do. But, on the other hand, it's not something you do often.

The most useful functions (tempo, transpose, etc.) have their own dedicated buttons.

The keyboard is simply awesome. It is heavy enough to let you "work," meaning you won't have any problems if someday you play a real piano, even if it's a bit less heavy, which, in my opinion, makes it more pleasant to play than a real piano. Having tested quite a few, this is the only one that gave me that feeling.

Moreover, it can be used as a master keyboard with a DAW.

SOUNDS

The piano sounds are excellent and realistic. The jazz organ and the clavinet are not bad either. I don't use the other sounds. That isn't my intention with this type of instrument. This instrument is meant to replace a real piano for people who don't have too much space, money or who want to control the volume. And it is very good at that. The sound is excellent, the expression is great (and adjustable) and you can actually add all the nuances you can with a real piano. Finally, it responds very well to the different pedals (sustain and soft)

However, I don't know the models that have come out in the past 4 years, so I don't know how it compares to more recent models, but I have never had the need, because it suits me perfectly.

OVERALL OPINION

I tested quite a few models before this one (among which were some Yamaha, like the Clavinova, for example, Technics, Roland, etc.), including much more expensive ones. This one was my favorite. I've had it since 2005 and it has no single wrinkle.

For what I use it (to replace a real upright piano AND have a decent master keyboard), it is absolutely perfect in every sense.

Other users (if you want 500 sounds, for example) better go for something else, in my opinion.

The only thing that is annoying is the setup, but like I said before, it's of minor importance.

I'm 200% positive I'd buy it again (although I'd give a look at newer pianos, you never know )