Yamaha CP73

Â The Yamaha CP73 is a professional stage piano and part of Yamaha’s CP series of digital stage pianos.

Key features:

Sound Engine: The CP73 features the Yamaha Virtual Circuit Modeling (VCM) technology, which emulates the sound and behavior of vintage analog effects and amplifiers. This ensures that the piano sounds are rich and authentic.
NW-GH3 keyboard: The CP73 comes with a 73-note Natural Wood Graded Hammer (NW-GH3) keyboard, designed to provide a realistic piano playing experience with graded key weights.
Yamaha CFX and BÃ¶sendorfer Imperial Grand Piano Sounds: It includes meticulously sampled acoustic piano sounds from the Yamaha CFX and BÃ¶sendorfer Imperial grand pianos, giving you access to high-quality piano tones.
Electric Piano Sounds: In addition to acoustic piano sounds, the CP73 also offers a variety of electric piano sounds, including classic electric pianos like the Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and CP80, giving you a wide range of sonic possibilities.
Other Instrument Sounds: It offers a selection of other instrument sounds, including clavinet, organ, strings, and more.
Interface: The interface is designed for quick and easy access to all essential functions, making it convenient for live performances.
Connectivity: The CP73 offers various connectivity options, including MIDI, USB, and balanced XLR outputs, making it easy to integrate with other equipment in your setup.

factors that contribute to the professional status of the Yamaha CP stage pianos:

Sound Quality: The CP series utilizes advanced sound sampling and modeling technologies to reproduce high-quality and authentic acoustic piano sounds. The inclusion of renowned grand pianos like the Yamaha CFX and BÃ¶sendorfer Imperial adds to the realism and expressiveness of the instrument.
Keyboard Action: The CP73 is equipped with the NW-GH3 keyboard, which provides a realistic piano playing experience with graded hammer action. This graded action means that the keys have different weights, similar to an acoustic piano, allowing for more expressive playing.
Professional Onboard Sounds: Along with acoustic piano sounds, the CP73 offers a wide range of professional-grade electric piano, organ, clavinet, and other instrument sounds. This variety of high-quality sounds makes it a versatile tool for different musical genres and performance styles.
Effects and Processing: The CP73 comes with a comprehensive set of onboard effects and processing capabilities. These effects can be applied to the built-in sounds to shape and enhance the overall sound, making it suitable for a broad range of musical applications.
Build Quality: The CP73 is built to withstand the rigors of professional use, with a sturdy construction and quality materials that ensure durability and reliability on stage or during extensive touring.
User Interface: The user interface of the CP73 is designed with the needs of professional performers in mind. It provides quick and easy access to essential functions, allowing musicians to make adjustments on the fly during live performances.
Connectivity: The CP73 offers a variety of connectivity options, including MIDI, USB, and balanced XLR outputs. This facilitates seamless integration with other professional audio equipment and makes it suitable for use in a studio or live performance setup.
Portability: Although not as lightweight as some entry-level keyboards, the CP73 is still relatively portable among professional-grade stage pianos, making it convenient for gigging musicians and performers.

Important factors to consider to make the most out of Yamaha CP-73 capabilities:

Familiarize Yourself with the Interface: Take the time to understand the layout of the controls, buttons, and knobs on the CP73. Familiarize yourself with the functions and features available to access different sounds, effects, and settings.
Explore the Sounds and Voices: The CP73 offers a wide variety of sounds, including acoustic and electric pianos, organs, strings, and more. Take the time to explore and audition different voices to find the ones that suit your musical style and performance needs.
Utilize the Keyboard Action: The NW-GH3 keyboard on the CP73 is designed to provide a realistic piano playing experience. Make use of the graded hammer action to add expressiveness and dynamics to your playing.
Experiment with Effects: The CP73 has a range of built-in effects, including delays, reverbs, choruses, and more. Experiment with these effects to shape your sound and add depth and dimension to your performances.
Customize Settings: The CP73 allows you to customize various settings, such as key touch sensitivity, pedal behavior, and more. Adjust these settings to match your playing preferences.
Use External Pedals and Controllers: The CP73 has inputs for connecting external pedals and controllers. If you have preferred pedals or other MIDI controllers, consider integrating them into your setup for enhanced control and performance possibilities.
Take Advantage of Connectivity: The CP73 offers various connectivity options, such as MIDI, USB, and XLR outputs. Use these connections to interface with other devices, such as computers, MIDI controllers, and audio interfaces, to expand your musical capabilities.
Save and Recall Settings: The CP73 allows you to save custom settings and configurations, including sounds, effects, and other preferences. This feature is useful for quick access to your preferred setups during live performances.
Update Firmware and Software: Periodically check for firmware updates and software upgrades from Yamaha. These updates may include bug fixes, new features, and improvements, ensuring you have the latest functionality for your CP73.

Here are some potential extensions you can consider for the Yamaha CP73:

External Pedals: The CP73 has pedal inputs that support various pedal types. Consider adding sustain pedals, expression pedals, or other foot controllers to enhance your playing and control over the instrument’s sound.
MIDI Controllers: You can connect external MIDI controllers, such as MIDI keyboards, pads, or controllers, to expand your sound palette and control various aspects of the CP73’s performance.
Computer Software and DAW Integration: Connect the CP73 to a computer or digital audio workstation (DAW) via USB to access virtual instruments, recording capabilities, and music production software. This integration can significantly expand your creative possibilities. o Sound Modules and Synthesizers: Use the CP73 as a master controller to trigger external sound modules or synthesizers, which can add more sounds and textures to your performances.
Audio Interfaces: Consider using an audio interface to record high-quality audio from the CP73 directly to your computer for studio recording or live performance applications. o Headphones and Monitors: For private practice or studio work, use high-quality headphones or studio monitors to get the most accurate representation of the CP73’s sound.
Portable PA Systems: When using the CP73 for live performances, consider using a portable PA system to amplify the sound to larger audiences.
Gig Bags or Cases: If you plan to travel or perform frequently, invest in a gig bag or case to protect the CP73 during transportation.
Additional Sound Libraries: Check if there are any third-party sound libraries or expansion packs available that can be loaded into the CP73 to expand the range of sounds and voices.