Casio launching new Celviano digital pianos

Together with the new Privia PX-830 digital stage piano, Casio has introduced its latest Celviano digital pianos, the AP-620, AP-420 and AP-220 models.

In a compact case design not dissimilar to the Privia PX-830, features include a four-layer dynamic stereo piano sample, 128 note polyphony, 88-note Tri-Sensor scaled hammer keyboard, plus a resonance effect that mimics the sound of the dampers being released from the strings.

Available from the spring with prices ranging from $899.99 to $1,399.99.

Casio shows off new Privia PX-830 digital stage piano

About six months have passed since Casio launched its last Privia digital stage pianos and now we have the PX-830 to peruse.

Casio has certainly pulled out all the stops with this one, which offers four-layer dynamic stereo piano samples with seamless transitions and a wide dynamic range — in other words, more realism.

In-built is the simulated sound of open strings when the dampers are raised, thanks to the Acoustic Resonance DSP.

128 notes of polyphony should ensure complex performances, pedal use, and layered sounds don’t result in dropped notes.

How an instrument feels to play is critically important, and Casio’s “Ivory Touch” Tri-Sensor scaled hammer action keys should satisfy in that department.

There are 16 tones built in, a duet mode that allows simultaneous playing by two people in the same range, plus a two-track recorder.

Available from April, with a price tag of $1799.99 for the black polished cabinet edition or $1399.99 for the black matte version.

Casio

Yamaha intros PSR-E423 home keyboard

Buy the Yamaha PSR-E423 at zZounds | Amazon.com | Amazon UK

We’re no stranger to Yamaha‘s range of home keyboards, and in fact a couple of years ago recommended a few current PSR series keyboards for anyone looking to choose a child’s first electronic keyboard.

As you’d expect, Yamaha has once again upgraded its PSR series — the PSR-E set in fact — with the PSR-E423.

This 61 key (5 octave) touch sensitive keyboard offers a range of functions that make it ideal for both beginners and improvers, whatever style of music they’d like to get into.

So, while it can’t rival a full-size digital piano, it will give a pretty good introduction to anyone seeking to learn.

It may not match the most advanced synths around, but it does include features such as an arpeggiator, tonal filtering, and pitch bend.

For music composition and inspiration, the Arpeggio feature has 150 patterns that change dynamically based on what notes and chords are played, while there are 700 dynamic voices to whet your appetite.

Yamaha’s keyboards have always had advanced rhythm and accompaniment sections, and the PSR-E423 expands things yet again with the inclusion of Arabic, Indian and Chinese content. And with 16MB memory, 64 note polyphony plus organ flutes function, It’s definitely no pushover.

Full specifications below. The PSR-E423 retails for around US$230 and is available now.

Buy the Yamaha PSR-E423 at zZounds |Amazon.com | Amazon UK

Yamaha CF Series of handcrafted concert grand pianos introduced

Yamaha has announced its new CF Series of handcrafted acoustic grand pianos.

The three models, including the full-size (9 foot) CFX concert grand, the CF4 (6’3″) and CF6 (7′), are based on extensive research and development including play testing with some of the world’s top classical performers.

The new CF Series is unique in that many artists got involved with the design,” said Mark Anderson, marketing director for Yamaha’s Keyboard Division. “Most excelled in all music genres, but the focus was on classical performance. The result is an instrument that will appeal to the world.”

“We compared prototypes on stage in large concert halls against the best our competition had to offer in order to evaluate their positive qualities, as well as their limitations. Using this knowledge, we can now offer players incredible artistic possibilities.”

The CFX replaces Yamaha’s acclaimed CFIIIS concert grand piano.

Full specifications and exact launch date are to be confirmed.

Yamaha introduces new CP series of digital stage pianos

Yamaha has announced a redesigned series of CP digital stage pianos, including the CP1, CP5 and CP50.

The top-of-line CP1 features the new NW-STAGE weighted wooden keys plus Yamaha’s new Spectral Component Modelling process which is touted to reproduce the sound and expressiveness of acoustic and vintage electronic pianos better than any previous audio technology.

It replicates the instrument’s physical components, including the hardness of the hammers, resonance of the sound board and the striking position of the hammers, for an ultra-realistic tone generation.

If that weren’t enough, there’s also Virtual Circuit Modelling which replicates the effect units, amplifiers, compressors, EQ and other equipment that were so essential in creating many of those legendary vintage sounds.

Finally, there’s a huge range of effects including VCM emulations of a number of historic pedals.

With all that on board, it’s good to know there’s 128-note polyphony to play with.

The CP5 and CP50 offer a slightly cut down range of features.

The CP1 is available now, while the CP5 and CP50 are expected in April.

Check out the full specifications of the keyboards below:

Yamaha intros YDP-V420 Arius Ensemble digital piano

Yamaha has announced its latest Arius Ensemble digital piano, the YDP-V420.

It attempts to bridge the gap between a high-quality digital piano and the versatility of other keyboards, by including a wide range of high-quality sounds and accompaniment styles as well as cutting edge digital piano touch and sound.

As you’d expect from Yamaha, you get a great 88-key Graded Hammer Standard action and AWM sounds. You also get some of the best from Yamaha’s other keyboard instruments, such as 131 voices that include Sweet, Cool and Live voices, 191 interactive auto-accompaniment styles, plus XGlite song file compatibility that allows professionally-produced MIDI files to be loaded on to the instrument.

Full specifications should be available nearer to launch date, expected March 2010. As well as the spinet style cabinet, the set up comes with a padded bench.

Korg intros minimalist SP170 digital piano

Korg’s latest addition to its line of digital pianos is the SP170, a full-size keyboard that minimises distraction by doing away with control panels in favour of emphasising the keys and sound system.

If you’re after a simple keyboard where attention has been paid more to the feel and sound than additional features, the SP170 could be for you.

The ten sounds — two acoustic pianos, two electric pianos, harpsichord, clavichord, vibraphone, pipe organ, electric organ and strings — are selectable via the keys themselves, eliminating the need for buttons and leaving more room for the two 10cm x 5cm oval speakers, driven by 9W x 2 amplifier. There’s a reasonable 120 note polyphony (60 notes per stereo channel).

Korg has implemented its Natural Weighted Hammer Action system which promises a realistic feel — keys in the lower range are more heavily weighted than those in the upper range. Then again, every digital piano manufacturer offers something like this now, so you’ll need to play one to see if the feel is right for you.

Other functions include transposition, pitch control, MIDI output and damper pedal jack (just one pedal, it seems). Also two headphone/line out jacks.

It’s available in either black or white finish, weighs in at just under 27lbs and measures 51.65″ (W) × 12.8″ (D) × 5.24″ (H).

It has a RRP of $499.99.

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