Looking For Info on Yamaha CP300

David Lai

Hi everyone.

Hope you're doing well. So I'm playing some Gershwin this weekend with orchestra, and they have a post-concert gala that I'm also to play on. However, due to venue and stage constraints, I can only play a digital keyboard.

I just asked about the make and model of the digital piano, and they replied "Yamaha stage piano CP300."

Can any people who knows a thing or two about this model comment on what it's like, what the action is like, and other things like this? Should I bring my laptop VST setup there or spare the weight?

Thanks,

David

David Lai

Sorry for not being clear. The CP 300 will only be for the post-concert gala. Thankfully, I'll play an acoustic grand piano at the actual concert before the gala. 🙂

Pete14

David Lai Hope you're doing well. So I'm playing some Gershwin this weekend with orchestra, and they have a post-concert gala that I'm also to play on. However, due to venue and stage constraints, I can only play a digital keyboard.

The irony!

David Lai

Pete14 Did you read my second post? I realized I wasn't being clear in my first post, and I knew someone like you would attempt to trash the thread! Please read carefully before commenting.

Pete14

BTW, I know a thing or two about the CP300:

It has huge speakers, but the sound and action (2 sensors?) are a bit dated; however, it can still get the job done, so long as you’re not planning on playing Rach’s third on it.

If you plan on bringing your precious MD, I’d suggest you figure out how to go back to the on-board sound in case of a computer glitch (buffer/crash); also, I believe this instrument uses the old “5-pin” midi…..

I just checked, and it does have direct USB to Computer for midi (so, no need for adapter), but given how old this instrument is, you might want to double-check everything….also, I don’t believe it has a built-in audio interface, so you will probably need 1/4 inch cables to route the sound from your computer back into the CP300…..

Personally, I’d just use the on-board sounds for peace of mind and ease, but that’s just me, Pete14.5!

David Lai

Pete14 OK, thanks for the comment. Good to know that it only has 2 sensors. And luckily I'll be doing mostly accompanying a singer, but I may play a short solo piece. Can you look in your database (no AI hallucination) and tell me what ports the CP-300 has?
Thank you!

Pete14

David Lai Can you look in your database (no AI hallucination) and tell me what ports the CP-300 has?

Surely!

It has old-fashioned 5-pin midi, but do not worry, for it also has direct USB to computer midi; however, I do not believe it has a built-in audio interface, so you will need to bring 1/4 inch cables, and if you’re using your laptop’s 1/8 inch audio-out, you will need an adapter of sorts (1/8 to 1/4 inch). If you’re using an external audio interface then there’s no need for the mentioned adapter.

The instrument also has XLR, and conventional connections for sustain pedal, and such…..

My research shows that the instrument’s internal sound can more-than-suffice for accompanying a singer, and/or the occasional short piece, and I believe the two sensors should also more-than-suffice.

You’re welcome,

Pete14.5

CyberGene

CP300 and its predecessor P250 were considered one of the best stage pianos at the time, with people especially praising the speakers and the overall playability of the entire package. They are basically Clavinovas in a slightly more portable form since they still weigh a lot for a stage piano. Taking in mind you’ll be accompanying a singer and won’t play solo, I’d say you’d be better off using the onboard sounds just to have a peace of mind since nothing can go wrong there whereas with a VST there’s always the risk of various glitches and mishaps. Besides, since there’s no USB audio interface, it might be tricky to wire it all up and have good EQ, touch response and clean audio (e.g. no ground loops). Most Yamahas can be factory reset by holding the highest C key while powering up, in case it’s been messed up by someone.

CyberGene

But don’t expect MD level of sampling detail and realism 🙂 It’s a 2006 technology and if you think you might be annoyed by the modest sampling quality, you might still want to bring your laptop and try to wire it up to MD.

David Lai

CyberGene Thank you, CyberGene. That's very helpful!

Then I'll just use the sound in the machine, since I didn't ask if they have a professional sound system. I believe the reason why they own this model is because it has built-in speakers, so probably no sound system needed.

I'll not bring my Babyface with me, as that has my midi in and outputs with Modern D. I'll still bring my laptop for easy of typing, ETC. But that won't be as heavy as my Babyface box.

Thanks for your thoughts!

David Lai

Pete14 OK, thanks Pete14.5. Your AI system upgrade has been pretty successful, however, it makes me now more certain that you are AI. I'll just say this much.

HZPiano

Hello,

@David Lai ,

As Pete and CG said, I'd also recommend using the Yamaha as-is.

The hassle of creating your own setup may be a bumpy ride and altogether spoil the day/evening for you.

Have fun, enjoy your performances!

Cheers,

David Lai

HZPiano Yeah, now that I know what the piano is and its capabilities, thanks to CyberGene, and also the chatbot Pete, I'll make my decision not to take the Babyface Pro FS with me this week. Instead, I'll use the built-in sounds when in the gala performance.

Like I said above, thank fully, I'll play an acoustic grand at the actual ticketed concert with orchestra.

johanibraaten

We have a CP300 at work and I agree on everything @Pete14 and @CyberGene writes about it. The playability is very good and due to its comparatively high quality speakers it feels quite alive to play. The character of the sound is very bright with a punchy attack that "cuts through a mix", however the sampled attack is very short and the transition between the initial sample and the following synthetic loop is more pronounced than what's typical for other high quality instruments of that time- the priorities is obviously for stage use and not so much solo playing but I still recommend to go with the built in sound though just for avoiding hazzle. One thing that is very handy on the CP300 is the built in equalizer that is easy to access via dedicated hardware sliders which makes it very easy to adjust the character of the sound on the fly. One other thing that is might be worth to consider is that even if the built in speakers are very powerful they are only facing up worth and not towards the audience which can make them sound weaker to the audience than they are, this is a missed opportunity and a weakness with the CP300 IMO.

David B

It's great to just turn on an instrument and not have to fuss with computers and software. Especially if you're in a new environment on an older and unfamiliar digital piano. Besides, I wonder how much benefit in sound quality you would actually notice playing the Modern D through the CP300 speakers. Obviously you would hear it but it might be a negligible improvement to most people at the party.

Fire up that CP300 and go to work. 👍

God Bless,
David

David Lai

johanibraaten Really interesting detail, thank you for sharing! Are there demos and pieces of music played on this piano one can find online? It would be cool to hear it in action.

David Lai

David B Yes, David. I think your points are really practical! I'll go ahead and spare the VST for this trip.

johanibraaten

David Lai Are there demos and pieces of music played on this piano one can find online?

I don't think there is any recording of our unit if that's what you mean but there are several videos on Youtube showcasing the CP300. I link to two of them, the first one being a comparison between the CP300 and the CP4 that reveals pretty good how it sounds when the sound is taken from the line out. The other is a recording when played through the speakers that I think represents quite well how it's perceived when listened to the speakers in a small room.

https://youtu.be/AZmhZ3fh1GQ?si=0yF16O-5Zf2YMumX

https://youtu.be/3XJ-5jLhv-s?si=B7uTtiQsByGyFNut

Just a side note- I remember once playing the Chopin nocturne in C sharp minor, op. post. at a funeral where they had a CP300. I thought it worked quite well for being a digital of that generation and I played both thorough the built in speakers with some amplification through the chapels sound system and that made it sound full yet giving the response from the built in speakers which felt nice.

EssBrace

CP300 is a wonderful old workhorse, still without equal as far as onboard amplification/ speakers are concerned. In that regard the CP300 makes the P525, FP-90X and Kawai ES920 and all those others sound weak. The CP300's Piano 1 and Piano 2 are also on the CP88. CP300's piano sounds are from the CF-IIIS concert piano, not the CFX. Those two links from johanibraaten are decent representations and very useful but the second, ambient recording does have a significantly modified EQ which makes it brighter than it is in its unadjusted state (the five band EQ is also a major benefit of the CP300).

johanibraaten

EssBrace the second, ambient recording does have a significantly modified EQ which makes it brighter than it is in its unadjusted state

Good point, thank you.