Yamaha AvantGrand N1X Owner's Club/Hands-On Thread

mmatthew · 2021-10-04T15:15:22+00:00

Here, let me start this thread - didn't mean to step on your toes David 😀 or on our forum founder's. That thread over at PW was by far the most I spent time...

Monoch

One thing I find completely incomprehensible about this piano: how can Yamaha still put an old-skool 7-segment display on a modern DP? Of course, it's not the most important aspect of a piano, but at that price point, you'd really expect some small OLED screen or something, or otherwise better to leave it out completely. It's just not in line with the level of quality and detail of the rest of the piano. I had this on my 90's PSR-48.

Deleted

Monoch The answer to that is pretty simple: You get the original SH2 silent piano system with your Avant Grand N series. Premium grand pianos and premium uprights like C7X and SU7 have no space for fancy touchscreens, so the SH2 doesn't feature that. The user interface is perfectly appropriate for an under-the-keyboard unit and interfaces with smart touchscreen devices placed on the music rest.

Monoch

Deleted ok I get why they did that and I don’t doubt it’s functional, however the N1X is not a C7X or SU7, but it’s a new model digital piano and they didn’t have to take the SH2 system. The aesthetic just doesn’t feel in line with the rest of the piano, and aesthetics matter to most people.

Deleted

Monoch They had to take the SH2 system, because the actual piano action of the AvantGrand hybrids is equipped with it. The aesthetic is exactly the same as with real acoustic pianos featuring SH2.

MacMacMac

If you don't like the interface on the N1X, you should see that of the N3X.
It's hidden under the keybed when not in use ... and slides forward when you need it. Nice.
But the buttons are tiny and they're labelled in micro-print.
And the display is of the same old-fashioned 7-segment LED variety.

EssBrace

Had my N1X for about three weeks. As a previous owner of the N3 it surprises me how good the N1X is. I'm totally delighted with this thing. As a recent owner of a P515 and past owner of a CLP645 I feel sure the samples in the AvantGrand are different. By that I mean better. There's a lot more I will say as time goes by but there's not really a negative thing I can say about the N1X - it feels and sounds somehow more alive than the N3 did although of course the N3 had a very serious sound system onboard.

MacMacMac

I went looking in September a year ago.
The shop had no N1X in stock, and none were expected for months.

But they did have an N3X. The binaural sound was a delight.
Does the N1X has the same sounds? If so, joy!

EssBrace

MacMacMac

The same sounds plus five more I think. Main piano sounds are definitely the same. Yes, the binaural CFX is extremely engaging to play.

mmatthew

@MacMacMac - I randomly checked today and I see the price (MSRP) went up by $400. I know we don't care about MSRP - just thought you should know - not sure if you're aware already. I sincerely hope you get your N1X not too far into the future.

I've had it for a little over 6 months now. My impressions, as an adult beginner, with less than 3 years of total experience:

It's difficult to explain how good the CFX sound is over simple 32ohm open back headphones. Mine is a Grado, but I don't think that's a factor. Any comfortably fitting open back headphone is, IMO, mandatory to experience the binaural (this one at least is no marketing hype) samples.
The speaker system is not great for piano. But try a simple Bach chorale, with the Pipe Organ voice, and it becomes a different beast - the sound is so cutting and powerful!
Listening to my daughter playing Chopin's Funeral March over speakers listening to her play from across the room, behind - I thought I like the speaker system for piano then. Maybe it's just me, or maybe it's just specific pieces (piano) which sound good. Overall I am not a fan.
I play between 1 - 2 hours everyday and 25 - 30 minutes of that is Hanon + Schmitt + Scales. The keys feel and respond the same way they did 6 months ago.
I hate that the recordings I made using the Smart Pianist app cannot be exported or saved separately.
Having had a console piano with a very poorly implemented user interface in the past, I am thrilled to have the button and LED interface of the N1X. I do however wish there was one button/option/toggle to remember last settings.
Owners and potential owners - if not already, I encourage you to try the other piano voices, especially the Bright Grand - sounds pretty good and responds well.
The Smart Pianist app needs some serious updating - it's totally not intuitive. Even voice selection is a roundabout task.

Frédéric L

If you want to have a nice display, you should have to insert a WIDI plugs (Yamaha MD-BT01, CM WIDI…) and use the SmartPianist on your smartphone or tablet.

Unfortunately, the N1X displays Con and is not responsive with its buttons while connected. You have to choose how you control it !

David B

Frédéric L Hi Frederic. Happy to see you here. 🥳

Frédéric L Unfortunately, the N1X displays Con and is not responsive with its buttons while connected. You have to choose how you control it !

Yes. That bothers me because it's cumbersome to switch between Local Control on/off when connected to the app. I have to disconnect from the app in order to access the N1X display. I wish Local Control could be accessed through the app also.

God Bless,
David

TomLC

David B That's one advantage of Kawai's control panel. Local control off is one of my favorites. In fact it is the start-up favorite.

Gombessa

mmatthew My NV-10 is set up exactly the same way as yours. One big advantage I can see to the N1X--when my 3yo crawls behind the piano to hide, there's a clear way to extract him without needing a bribe!

CyberGene

Local-off is an easy shortcut on the N1X: Function + C7, however it seems that when you connect the Yamaha piano app you can't execute shortcuts but there's also no possibility to switch local on/off through the app 🙁

Frédéric L

CyberGene Yes, Local Control was my first (and only !) Function+… I have learnt !

Del Vento

CyberGene Local-off is an easy shortcut on the N1X: Function + C7, however it seems that when you connect the Yamaha piano app you can't execute shortcuts but there's also no possibility to switch local on/off through the app 🙁

I have a NU1 (hope you won't ban me out of here 😀 ) and I found the display ok. I mean it could have been a bit higher resolution and perhaps color, but even at the N1-2-3 price is decent. I prefer that with buttons (and key shortcuts) to touchscreen. That is just me of course. The but CG reported is really bad though.

MacMacMac

I sincerely hope that the N1X sound is good enough, so that I can leave local control ON at all times. I want to cut the cord!

CyberGene

Del Vento I prefer that with buttons (and key shortcuts) to touchscreen. That is just me of course. The but CG reported is really bad though.

I've mentioned numerous times (on another forum 😉) that I still like the simplicity of the N1X interface and don't like the touch screens. BTW, I've only repeated my understanding about the inability to switch local on/off when the Yamaha app is connected, since that's what I understood from @David B. I've never connected that app to my N1X and frankly I'm not interested since the N1X gives me everything: switch on and play 🥳

CyberGene

Funny how our perceptions can change. I hadn’t played my N1X for a week. I was busy with work, with this forum, maybe lazy. Not playing for a whole week is kind of a big deal for me 😀

Well, finally had some playing this night and my first feeling was: the keyboard feels too light, is the touch response changed, did my kid touch it?! Well, no, I restored to factory settings, no change (BTW touch response reverts to default when the piano is switched on). So I guess for some reason after I rested, the keys felt even lighter and easier to play to my fingers rather than the other way around which would be expected after one hasn’t played. I’m not sure how biased I am but I can’t stop loving this piano ❤️This is my first digital piano that I love so much even after 2.5 years. Oddly enough I think it even becomes better with time 😲 Maybe the action is really well broken in now 😀

D4NIEL

Just got an N1X about a month ago. I am delighted. I think the buttons/LED/interface is a feature. It’s so simple, I don’t even need to look at it/read it, I know each button by location. I turn on the piano (actually THAT I feel is it’s weakness, the power button!) press Function/high Bb (soft touch curve) And I’m off! I’m enjoying learning it’s personality.

David B

D4NIEL Just got an N1X about a month ago. I am delighted. I think the buttons/LED/interface is a feature. It’s so simple, I don’t even need to look at it/read it, I know each button by location.

I like the minimalist approach of the N1X also. It's great it has a USB/digital audio interface onboard for recording, running VSTs, etc.

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the forum.

God Bless,
David

CyberGene

D4NIEL press Function/high Bb (soft touch curve)

Welcome to the N1X club and to PianoClack 🙂 Why do you prefer the soft touch curve? Is it the one that allows for playing fortissimos with lighter touch? Or is it the opposite? When I have time I will test the touch curves myself. I remember I tested them when I first got the piano and found that the default one was best for me, so luckily I don't have to do anything when turning the piano on. BTW, I'm also one that prefers the minimalistic control panel. It's heavily criticized by people who prefer rich UI with a touch interface as on the Kawai NV-instruments and I can understand that but call me old-fashioned I prefer the simple and unobtrusive old-school interface of the N1X. Even the 7-segment display is to me more suitable for such an old-school object as a piano, compared to a tablet style 😀 I would have preferred if the panel was completely hidden under the piano though, as on the N3X.

Frédéric L

D4NIEL You know a soft touch key... I know the local control on/off. Then when we just need one function oftenly, it is quite convenient : just press "function+a key", no need to enter a menu.

Of course, for functions which are not oftenly used, we have to go back in the manual. I have printed the keyboard keys and their associtions, then I have not to look back in this manual.