Piano and Synth Blog

Appreciating the classical piano repertoire is like appreciating anything else: it helps to know something. That’s where Jeffrey Siegel and his Keyboard Conversations come in. For 20 years he has brought these concerts-cum-lectures to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and it is easy to see why he continues to attract throngs. His assured musicianship and deft, amusingly pointed commentary are edifying to novitiates, entertaining to veterans.

Read the full article: Let’s talk piano: Jeffrey Siegel and his Keyboard Conversations (TheDailyPage.com)

Korg brings a heightened level of realism and feel to its line of portable digital pianos with the new SP-250. It provides an expanded range of expression and performance with an outstanding new stereo piano sound, which is matched to the company’s newest RH3 keyboard action. The SP-250 features all-new piano PCM with velocity switched stereo samples that are longer than other pianos in its class. Increased length means the piano sound sustains more naturally, so the piano sounds more real throughout the performance, not just at the attack. Complementing this is Korg’s third-generation 88-note RH3 real weighted graded hammer action keybed with excellent playability, even when playing quick repeated notes and trills. Three dynamic touch curves tailor the piano’s response to any player’s touch or style.

A total of 30 built-in sounds are provided, including 12 types of acoustic and electric pianos, plus jazz and church organs, mallets, harpsichord/clavinet, choir, strings and guitar. Adjustable reverb and chorus can be programmed for each sound. A damper-style pedal features half-pedaling realism, and attaches to the lower crossbar of the included stand to prevent it from “creeping” during performance. The dedicated easy-assemble stand fits securely into the piano body for a solid feel.

The SP-250’s sleek, intuitive control panel features brilliant LED indicators to provide instant visual feedback to the player. The elegant black body features attractive steel and wood-grain accents, and is extremely lightweight. Also included is a sturdy music rack.

A built-in speaker system with optimized bass-reflex enclosure delivers a full and resonant sound. The onboard metronome allows control over tempo and meter, with an accent on each downbeat. Dual headphone output jacks enable private practice or student/teacher listening. An audio output enables connection to an external amplifier or sound system. MIDI in and out connectors enable connection to any MIDI-equipped device, for controlling other instruments and recording the SP-250, which can even be used as a 16-part multi-timbral sound source.

The SP-250 is shipping now for a retail price of $1,199.

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Thanks for continuing to read the very human Piano and Synth blog.

Ilio has announced a PC version of Ivory, Synthogy’s piano plug-in. The pristine sound of the German Steinway D 9’ Concert Grand, Bosendorfer 290 Imperial Grand, and Yamaha C7 Grand Pianos can now be heard in VST and RTAS environments, both under Windows XP and Mac OS 9 or OS X.

Besides porting their custom-built piano engine to another platform, the team around Joe Ierardi and George Taylor have extended the library with two additional velocity layers on each piano. All 88 keys are now individually sampled in up to 10 dynamic levels, including the Bosendorfer’s extended low octave. This adds up to over 40 GB of stereo samples in 32 bits. On top of that, the proprietary noise reduction even improves the fidelity of the core library.

All current registered users of Ivory will be eligible to upgrade to the new version. For users who purchased the original Ivory on or after April 1st, 2005, the upgrade will be free (excluding shipping). For users who purchased the original Ivory before April 1st, 2005, the upgrade will be only $39 (plus possible tax and shipping). This upgrade will be available directly through ILIO.

Ivory is distributed worldwide by ILIO.

The 15th Frederic Chopin International Piano Competition, which is held every 5 years in Poland and is an important cultural event dedicated to the composer, has been won by the young Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz, aged 20.

The competition drew 80 young pianists from around the globe. It’s a tough competition, so much so that in previous years judges have deemed no-one receive the first prize of US$25,000.

This year, two pianists shared 3rd place (South Korean brothers Dong Min Lim and Dong Hyek Lim), whilst Shohei Sekimoto and Takashi Yamamoto, both of Japan, shared the fourth spot.

A Chopin prize from Warsaw can open doors to the world’s great music halls and launch major careers for young pianists. Past winners have included Maurizio Pollini of Italy, Argentina’s Martha Argerich, Poland’s Krystian Zimerman and Stanislaw Bunin of Russia.

Source: Polish pianist wins Poland’s prestigious Chopin competition (Free New Mexican)

New from Rocktave is Universal, an eight oscillator multi-purpose synthesizer with 7 effects, voice mod matrixes and a mod matrix for the effects.

Universal features 2 step sequencers plus control features such as X/Y controllers, ABCD controllers, unlimited point tempo-synched envelopes. Value maps have been used to the fullest in universal.

Synthesis types include FM, RM/AM, Synch, Physical modelling, additive harmonics, PAM and VWS. Of course these and others can be inter-mixed or separated.

Full MIDI support is provided with custom mapping of any RPN, NRPN, CC, Pitchbend, KeyAft or ChanAft messages to multiple targets with a definable curve per target. Targets can be parameters or internal CC levels. The large modulation matrix section and hundreds of tracking options in various modules allow use of common MIDI levels like Mod Wheel as modulation sources. MIDI fine and coarse is automatically handled for all fine/coarse controllers like portamento, volume and pan. With more than six thousand parameters, Universal is truly flexible.

Key Features

• 2 New Synthesis types - PAM(Peak Amplitude Modulation) and VWS(Variable Wavetable Synthesis).
• 8 Multi-Mode Oscillators
• Harmonics - running or static. Running harmonics with 16 modulation ranges of harmonic amplitudes.
• Analoge waves - around 60 preset waves for basic mode operation
• PAM synthesis - A new kind of synthesis which uses multiple low frequency oscillators to modulate the peaks in a basic wave shape, creating dynamic or evolving harmonic content.
• Dynamic VWS generator - A constantly re-generated wave with adjustable Pulsewidth, Skew, Curve, Phase, Speed and length.
• User defined wave - Draw the wave in the shape envelope editor.
• Audio input source - Each voice can sample the audio in and use that as the sound source for the oscillator. The audio can then be re-pitched for different keys so you can “play” the audio input with notes.
• Detune - 2 detune or celeste waves per oscillator
• FM - 8 by 8 FM matrix. Multiple functions and modes.
• RM/AM - 8 by 8 RM/AM matrix. Features multiple modes and vocoding.
• Vocoder - multiple modes, aliased onto RM, clean analogue vocoder instruments.
• Synch - 8 by 8 synch matrix
• String generator - physical modelling guitar and percussion style generator with total control over excitation shape, source and filtering, as well as string length and multiple feedback filtering function options. Also provides an envelope that re-plucks the string every time it’s level crosses from zero or below to above zero.
• Image synthesis - choose from 6 custom loaded images(bitmap, gif etc…) as data source.
• Sampling synthesis - Load Delta SP Samplerbanks or import .sf2 instruments.
• VWS Sampler Synthesis - A new kind of wave of playing audio data. Variable wavetable synthesis plays back variable chunks of the sampler instrument sound but the change rate is slow allowing new waves with dynamic harmonic content to be created.
• Pipe Effect - Physical modelling effect for pipe sounds such as flute. Also useful for making cello string and effect type sounds.
• Formant Effect - Synched formant oscillators for expressive formant sounds.
• Custom envelopes provided for formant base, 1 and 2 frequencies.
• Distortion effect with multiple modes and 2 general purpose functions for signal alteration.
• 6 filters per oscillator - 4 general purpose and trackable multi-mode filters, 1 source filter and an FFT filter with LP, HP, BP, BR and EQ modes.
• Separate output, internal, fx-send and dry-send volume parameters per oscillator. Use oscillators internally for things like FM and RM without actually hearing them in the output, except what they did to something else.
• Dedicated Amp, Pan, Pitch, Mod-In, PAM, FXSend, DrySend and Filter envelopes per oscillator.
• Global Amp, Pan, Pitch, Cutoff, ModIn, FXSend, DrySend, FMAmp, RMAmp and SynchAmp envelopes per voice.
• Global FFT Filter per voice.
• Global distortion per voice.
• Key and Velocity split per oscillator
• 20 General purpose Value Maps - Translate MIDI Controllers, Key, Velocity, X/Y controllers and others for use with the extensive modulation and tracking features of the synthesizer.
• 3 X/Y controllers - Control or automate 2 parameters or levels at once with the mouse using the X/Y grids.
• 3 ABCD controllers - Multiple modes, control or automate 4 parameters or levels at once with the mouse using the ABCD grids.
• Multi-point envelopes - unlimited points up to an hour or more with additional features such as speed, attack, release and sustain modulation.
• 30 General purpose multi-point envelopes - Control virtually unlimited combinations of parameters.
• LFO Mode Envelopes - Multi point envelopes can output enveloped LFO with adjustable skew, curve, phase and speed.
• MIDI - full MIDI support for all standard MIDI controllers, including Portamento, hold pedal, MOD Wheel, Key aftertouch and channel aftertouch. Map any RPN, NRPN, Controller, Key Aftertouch, Channel aftertouch or Pitchbend message to multiple targets such as Internal CC state and parameters. Each mapped target has it’s own customisable curve for fine tuning MIDI control.
• Polyphony control - up to 32 voices. Can function as mono or polyphonic synth.
• 2 step sequencers.
• 2 Modulation matrixes for voice parameters. Choose from a large array of modulator sources, including all standard MIDI controllers such as Portamento, MOD wheel, general purpose sliders and buttons.
• 7 Stereo Master Effects - Reverb, Chorus, Distortion, Delay, Phaser, EQ and XFilter.
• Limiter - Limits possible noise explosions caused by modulating or tweaking a synth as big as Universal.
• Effects modulation matrix with six LFO’s.
• Effects pre and post gain.
• 3 LFO’s per voice.
• 2 Master Envelopes with multiple shapes.
• Pitch - bend, glide, attack and release.
• Built in presets - with multiple banks available for download.
• Built in Sub presets - for each effect and master effects.

All Rocktave products are sold under a single license that grants you access to all their software. A license with one year of free upgrades and support is $46.50. The license with three years of support and upgrades is $99.90.

For more information, visit their web site at www.rocktave.com.

NWSynth is a virtual analog synth with powerful filters. You will find 2 filters, 2 oscillators with a lot of modulations, unisono, portamento, distortion and echo and a lot of useful presets. There is also full MIDI control and automation with MIDI learn.

Features:

• 2 Filters
• 2 oscillators with various modulation options
• Unison
• Portamento
• Distortion
• Echo
• Full MIDI automation with MIDI learn
• 2 additional preset banks

Demo versions for Windows and Mac OS X and MP3 demo samples are available..

For more information, visit their web site at www.wwaym.com.

An auctioneer dismissed an antique grand piano as worthless was subsequently sold for £2,400 by an online business:

David Mathews, 74, from Upper Park Road, Belsize Park, auctioned his 19th century Broadwood piano through an auction house based on Haverstock Hill after other auctioneers told him they couldn’t sell it.

Last week Flog It 4 U was besieged by buyers from all over the world and finally sold the piano for £2,400.

It sounds as if the new owner will enjoy the piano for what it is, rather than using the wood to make other furniture.

Read the full article: That’s grand: rejected piano fetches £2,400

Shirley Horn, the jazz pianist and vocalist who got her start opening for Miles Davis and became revered as a master interpreter of American standards, has died at the age of 71, her record label said Friday.

(Source: Jazz singer, pianist Shirley Horn dies, SeattlePI.com)

Image Line Software (developers of FL Studio music creation software) announces the release 2.0 of their Sytrus hybrid synthesizer. First to be launched as a VSTi & DXi plugin version, then as a FL Studio plugin in the upcoming FL Studio release 6.

Sytrus 2 features 4 new filter types, enhanced editing in the harmonics section, and a brand new arpeggiating system built-in multipoint envelopes. All this bundled with over 350 presets.

Sytrus provides endless sonic capabilities through 6 operators combining FM, RM, plucked and subtractive synthesis (no samples inside), and a user interface preserving your screen real estate.

The rich implementation characteristics of Sytrus allow for an extremely wide range of sounds and even entire loops in a single preset, made possible by the fully customizable envelope system.

Sytrus 2.0 new features:

• 4 new filters for a total 12×5 different filter types.
• Arpeggiating system built-in multipoint envelopes, through ingenious arpeggiator break-points, allowing multi-oscillator arpeggiated sequences never heard before. No longer use fixed rhythmic patterns, adapt them to your composition.
• Improved editing in harmonics editor, allowing to lock individual harmonics, and exporting/sharing waveforms as audio files.
• Audio files can now have their volume envelope analyzed & turned into a multipoint envelope.
• User can now select different band types for the main equalizer.
• Lots of cool new presets.

Sytrus features:

• 6 operators.
• FM / RM algorithm matrix.
• 3 filter units, 12×5 filter types, 3 waveshapers.
• Powerful multipoint envelope / LFO editing with arpeggiating.
• Built-in equalizer and effects (chorus / flanger, 3 delay units, 1 reverb unit).
• Easy XY modulation controller that can control about any feature.
• One of the best unison units.

For more information please visit our official microsite at www.sytrus.com.

TRIAL VERSION

A FREE Trial version (only save disabled) is available from the download section of our site www.sytrus.com.

PRICING
Sytrus 2 - Downloadable USD 179 - Boxed: N/A

FREE upgrade for existing download customers.

ABOUT IMAGE LINE SOFTWARE
Image Line Software, the company behind FL Studio/FruityLoops, provides high quality music applications to the computer music community through online Internet distribution and boxed sales.

Source : Image Line Software
http://www.sytrus.com
http://www.flstudio.com
http://www.image-line.com