James NugentThe DGX-670 is a popular entry in Yamaha’s very successful DGX range. Being a DGX means delivering high-quality sound with a wide range of features. The DGX-670 continues the trend, and many people think it’s the best one to date. Let’s check out what it has to offer.
About the author
- 88 weighted keys
- 256-note polyphony
- built-in speakers
- 601 voices
- built-in recorder
- microphone input
- USB, MIDI
Final verdict on the Yamaha DGX-670
The DGX-670 is a clear improvement on a series that was already very successful. Yamaha has created a keyboard with some advanced functions and easy-to-use controls. It sounds better, feels better, and is tougher than previous models. Easily one of the best keyboard pianos in its class.
What I like
- Stunning CFX concert grand sound.
- Realistic GHS keys.
- Simple layout.
- Smart functions.
- 16-track MIDI recorder.
- Microphone input.
What I don’t like
- Relatively heavy.
- Layering limited to two sounds.
Contents
Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.
Sound quality
The sound of Yamaha’s stunning CFX concert grand has been impeccably sampled, and it sounds terrific. It’s no real surprise, as we are used to that from DGX keyboards.
The grand piano sound is the star, but there are many others, including Super Articulation voices. These voices are non-keyboard instruments, like a saxophone, for example. Adjusting your velocity brings out different expressive nuances, like making the saxophone growl, and so on. Besides the piano sounds, I particularly love the strings and guitars.
The Yamaha DGX-670 has 601 voices, 29 drum/SFX kits, over 250 styles, and a max polyphony of 256 notes.
Built-in speakers
The DGX-670 has a pretty impressive built-in speaker system. It comes equipped with two 4.7-inch speakers and dual 6-watt amplifiers.
As an arranger keyboard with a lot of sounds and rhythms, the speakers must deliver a clear sound with a balanced response. That’s precisely what you get from the DGX-670: a well-balanced, articulate, and detailed sound.
Keyboard feel
The DGX-670 comes with Yamaha’s GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) keys. The weight of the keys is beautifully graded from top to bottom, getting lighter as you move up.
The keys have a matte finish that looks great and helps absorb moisture, allowing you to play with more confidence. Feeling more realistic and comfortable means you can play with more expression and get the most out of the sounds.
Yamaha’s Virtual Resonance Modeling enhances the expression of your playing by mimicking the behavior of a real piano. Yamaha has got the small details right with this keyboard, and they all add to the overall playing experience.
Features
The DGX-670 has many features, and most of them are performance-based.
Adaptive Style
One of the features I love most is Yamaha’s Adaptive Style, which automatically adjusts to your playing.
Most keyboards with built-in styles/rhythms give you a couple of variations, but they aren’t always convincing. The DGX-670 has realistic variations, but more importantly, it changes in response to your playing style: velocity, chord type, etc.
Effectively, it becomes more like playing with a band with flexibility rather than a rigid track.
Piano Room
You’ll see a Piano Room button shaped like a grand piano. When activated, Piano Room mimics the room sound from various locations, including concert halls.
Smart Chord
Smart Chord is another interesting feature that allows you to trigger complex chords from one or more notes. If you are a performer who wants to sound more interesting, it’s an easy way to turn basic triads into 7ths/9ths, etc.
Unison & Accent
This feature adds a new dimension of expression to your playing. It doubles the voice for melody lines (right hand) and adds accents to target notes triggered by velocity. It gives you a different way to approach your performance and makes you think more about dynamics.
Dual mode
Dual mode is what most keyboards will call Layer mode. It lets you combine two sounds to create a new hybrid.
Built-in recorder
A 16-track MIDI recorder. The built-in recorder provides up to 80 minutes of 16-bit/44.1 kHz recording with 20 MB of internal storage (you can use USB flash drives).
LCD screen
A 4.3-inch LCD screen helps you navigate the DGX-670, and it also displays scrolling MIDI notation.
In use
The DGX-670 is the ideal home digital piano for a few reasons. Firstly, it looks, sounds, and feels great. Secondly, it’s portable if you want to move it around the house, and lastly, you can add a three-pedal stand if you want a stationary digital piano look.
The onboard recording is excellent for capturing ideas, and if you’re going to develop them further, you can plug it into your DAW.
Being a performance-based keyboard, it’s great on stage, too. Besides the sounds, one of the things that makes it great on stage is the clever layout. It would be easy to over-complicate things with so many sounds and features. But, Yamaha has done well to keep things nice and straightforward.
Build quality
DGX keyboards are relatively cheap compared to very high-end stage pianos, which sometimes meant the build quality suffered. One of the most significant upgrades for the DGX-670 is the improved build quality. It looks and feels a bit more expensive than previous DGX keyboards.
It weighs not much under 50 lbs, so it might seem a little heavy, but it’s worth it. It now feels like those lovely hammer action keys are housed in a solid unit. The same can be said for the buttons and controls; nothing feels or looks cheap.
Connectivity
The DGX-670 has a 1/4-inch TS microphone input, which is a fantastic addition for any singer-songwriter. There are two USB inputs (Type A/B), along with a single 1/8-inch TRS audio input and single 1/4-inch TRS audio output. The audio output doubles as the headphone out. There are two pedal inputs, one 1/4-inch and one multi-pin.
Compared to other keyboard pianos
The DGX-670 is a fantastic keyboard, but it’s in a price range that offers stiff competition. Here are some alternative options.
Yamaha DGX-670 vs Korg XE20
If you want an arranger keyboard with weighted keys but aren’t convinced the DGX is for you, Korg’s XE20 might be the answer. It delivers stunning Korg sound with lots of versatile features.
Read the full Korg XE20 review
Yamaha DGX-670 vs Kawai ES120
If you want something with more of a piano-only feel, Kawai is usually an excellent place to start. The ES120 isn’t a flagship model by any means, but it’s light, compact, feels good, and sounds like a Kawai (which is incredible).
Read the full Kawai ES120 review
Yamaha DGX-670 vs Casio PX-S3100
The PX-S3100 is one of the sleekest-looking keyboard pianos you’ll ever see, and it sounds great, too. It’s a great choice if you want something more lightweight for the stage.
Read the full Casio Privia PX-S series review
Who is the Yamaha DGX-670 best suited for?
The Yamaha DGX-670 suits intermediate to advanced musicians with an interest in music production, songwriting, or performing.