Manufacturers article index

This section focuses on the hardware and software of various piano and synth manufacturers, including Yamaha, Casio, Korg, Roland, Steinway and Baldwin.

Recommended Digital Pianos

Here is my current selection of favorite digital pianos that you can buy today.

Yamaha P-85 Digital Piano

More entry level digital piano with Yamaha’s realistic digital samples, realistic graded hammer touch, half pedaling and three pedal support, song recording, variety of other sounds.

Buy the Yamaha P-85 Acoustic-Like Touch Response AWM Stereo Sampled Tabletop Piano

Yamaha DGX630

Graded soft touch full size keyboard from Yamaha, featuring a 6-track recorder, DSP sound effects, a huge range of other sounds, virtual band, half-pedaling support.

Buy the Yamaha DGX630 88 Full-Sized Keys with Weighted Graded Hammer Action – AC Adapter Included

Yamaha P140

The digital piano I currently own. Has a great touch and good sounds. Though superseded by the Yamaha P155, still a recommended purchase. Half-pedaling support, graded hammer weighting.

Buy the Yamaha P-140 Portable Digital Piano

Yamaha CP300

This digital stage piano is specially built to withstand the rigors and requirements of gigging on the road. Authentic touch, a huge range of other sounds, 5-band equalizer.

Buy the Yamaha CP300 Digital Stage Piano

Casio Privia PX120

88-key piano keyboard with weighted keys, touch response, 128 note polyphony, various effects, Auto Accompaniment.

Buy the Casio PX120 Privia Digital Piano

Roland RD-700GX

88 keys PHA II Ivory Feel Keyboard with Escapement, Stereo Multi-sampled Piano Sound, range of other sounds, synthesizer capabilities, sound expansion cards.

Buy the Roland RD-700GX 88-key Digital Piano

Nord Stage EX 88

I love Nord’s range of keyboards, as much for their look as their capabilities. This 88 note stage piano offers both weighted keys and aftertouch, so it’s great for synth work too. Nevertheless, it’s lightweight, and comes with a range of sounds and effects.

Buy the Nord Stage EX 88, 88-Key Stage Piano

Disclaimer: I receive a small percentage of the sale price for anything you buy here, which goes towards maintaining this site. However, I fully endorse these digital pianos regardless of that, as I believe they are of high build quality and offer a great playing experience.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Steinway announces Q1 2009 results

Finances are pretty boring (to me, at least) so I’ll keep this brief.

Piano manufacturer Steinway has announced its 2009 first quarter financial results.

Sales dropped 26% to $70m, gross margin decreased to 26.6% from 29.1%, and the company had a net income of $1 million, down 49%.

Steinway’s CEO, Dana Messina, noted, “In the second quarter, we anticipate continued softness in band instrument sales. We expect our back-to-school season in the third quarter to be better and are building inventories to meet the expected customer demand. Our new products are gaining traction in the marketplace; we are excited about their prospects and expect them to do well for us beginning in 2010.”

“Piano sales have been dismal as dealers struggle with low traffic, a general lack of affordable financing and excess inventories,” said Messina. “We expect continued soft sales during the next few quarters until dealers gain more confidence that consumer demand is improving. Given the conditions, we have further reduced factory headcount, lowered production rates and reduced production days at both of our piano plants. We have aggressively reduced staff headcount and salaries to keep our expenses in line with sales. Looking forward, we believe that we can adapt to this new expense structure and increase profitability as demand recovers.”

Popularity: 4% [?]

Yamaha P155 digital piano: Complete specifications and gallery

If you want the lowdown on Yamaha’s new portable digital piano, the P155, then look no further. Here are complete specifications, pictures, and comparison with Yamaha’s earlier P series instruments.

Overview

• The Yamaha P155 features samples taken directly from the CFIIIS 9-foot grand piano
• Uses Yamaha’s Pure CF sampling technology with minimal audio post-processing
• Dynamic Stereo Sampling (DSS) technology features 4-level piano sample
• Key off and open strings samples
• Graded Hammer technology – lower keys are heavier
• 128 note polyphony
• 12W x 2 speakers

Detailed Specifications

P155 Specifications
Keyboard	88 keys, Graded Hammer (GH)
Tone Generation	4-level AWM Dynamic Stereo Sampling
Pure CF Sampling	YES
Key-Off Sampling/Stereo Sustain Sampling	YES
Damper Resonance	YES
Polyphony (Max.)	128
Voices	17
Reverb	4 types
Brilliance	3 types
Effect	4 types
Dual	YES
Split	YES
Metronome	YES
Tuning/Transpose	YES
Scale Tuning Types	7 types
Song Recording	2-track recording/playback, 3 User Song
Preset Songs	7 Demo Songs, 50 Piano Preset Songs
Jacks & Connectors
MIDI	IN/OUT
Headphones	2 (stereo 1/4″ jack)
Pedals	Sustain Pedal, AUX Pedal
AUX OUT (Variable)	L/L+R, R (1/4″ jack)
USB TO DEVICE	YES (song data storage)
Amplifiers	12W x 2
Speakers	(12 x 6) cm x 2
Dimensions (W x D x H)	52-1/2″ x 16-13/16″ x 5-1/2″
Weight	18.6 kg (41 lbs.)
Colors	P-155: Black with Mahogany top-board P-155B: Black with Ebony top-board P-155S: Silver with Cherry top-board

Pictures

Comparison

• Step up in (doubling) polyphony from P140 / P120
• Return to P120’s variable output level 1/4″ audio jacks
• USB output options
• More scale tunings available
• More advanced sampling

Buy Yamaha Digital Pianos at Amazon

Popularity: 19% [?]

Roland launches DP-990R digital piano [Musikmesse 2009]

Roland updates its DP-990 digital piano line with the introduction of the DP-990R.

This full-size, 88-note keyboard boasts new realism in feel and look, with Ivory Feel keys and high-gloss polished ebony finish.

Playing the piano is as much about the feel as the sound, and Roland has put its PHA II Ivory Fell Keyboard with Escapement technology onto the digital piano, ensuring the lower range keys are heavier in touch than the higher ones.

Each key has been sampled multiple times for a more realistic sound, and that’s complemented by a range of natural effects including reverberation and realistic resonance, emulating an acoustic grand piano.

The inclusion of USB ports means it’s possible to load up digital audio into the piano and play along with it. A novel additional feature is twin-piano mode which splits the keyboard in two, each half covers the same octave range. The left and right pedals can also be reassigned as damper pedals for their respective split keyboard. Nifty.

Full specifications as follows:

Keyboard

88 keys (PHA II Ivory Feel Keyboard with Escapement)

Touch Sensitivity

Touch: 5 levels, Fixed Touch
Hammer Response: 10 levels

Keyboard Mode

Whole, Dual (volume balance adjustable), Split (split point adjustable), Twin Piano

Sound Source

Conforms to GM2/GS/XGlite

Maximum Polyphony

128 voices

Tones

306 tones (including 8 drum sets, SFX set)

Temperament

8 types, selectable tonic

Stretched Tuning

On/Off

Master Tuning

415.3 Hz to 466.2 Hz (adjustable in increments of 0.1 Hz)

Transpose

Key Transpose: -6 to +5 (in semitones)
Playback Transpose (with Audio CD/Audio File): -6 to +5 (in semitones)

Effects

3D (4 levels)
Dynamics (3 types)
Reverb (10 levels)
Damper Resonance (only for piano tones, 10 levels)
Key Off Resonance (only for piano tones, 10 levels)
String Resonance (only for piano tones, 10 levels)

Metronome

Tempo: Quarter note = 10 to 500

Beat: 2/2, 0/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 7/4, 3/8, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8

Volume: 10 levels

Metronome Sound: 8 types

Recorder

Tracks: 3 tracks

Song: 1 song

Note Storage: Approx. 30,000 notes

Control:

Song Select
Play/Stop
Rec
Previous/Rewinding
Next/Fast-forwarding
Track Mute (Mute level adjustable)
Tempo
Tempo Mute
All Song Play
Count-in
Count-down
Song Volume
Center Cancel (only for Audio playback)

Tempo: Quarter note = 10 to 500

Resolution: 120 ticks per quarter note

Internal Memory

Songs: Max. 99 songs
Save Song: Standard MIDI Files (Format 0)

External memory

External Storage:

USB Memory
Floppy Disk (when using optional floppy disc drive)

Playable Software
Standard MIDI Files (Format 0/1)
Roland Original Format (i-Format)
Audio File (WAV 44.1 kHz/16-bit linear format)
Audio CDs (CD-DA) (when using a commercially available CD drive)

Save Song:

Standard MIDI Files (Format 0)

Internal Songs

65 songs + 7 Tone Demo Songs

Connectors

USB connector
External memory port

Other connectors:
Output jacks (L/Mono, R)
Input jacks (L/Mono, R)
Headphones jack x 2 (Stereo)
MIDI connectors (IN, OUT)
DC inlet
Pedal connector

Others

Rated Power Output: 12 W x 2

Speakers: 12 cm x 2 (with speaker box)

Display: 7-segments, 3 characters (LED), Beat LED

Control: Volume, Brilliance (21 steps)

Pedals: Damper (half-pedal recognition), Soft (half-pedal recognition, Function assignable), Sostenuto (Function assignable)

Other Functions: Panel Lock, V-LINK

Power supply: DC 12 V

Power Consumption: 48 W

Accessories: Owner’s Manual, AC Adaptor, Power Cord (for AC Adaptor), Headphone Hook

Options: USB memory, USB Floppy Disk Drive, USB CD Drive, CD Drive Holder,

Size and Weight ( lid close )

1,398 mm (55-1/16 inches) W x 344 mm (13-9/16 inches) D x 781 mm (30-3/4 inches) H

48.0 kg (105 lbs. 14 oz.)

Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Roland intros C-330 Classic Organ [Musikmesse 2009]

When a modern keyboard just won’t cut it for the sort of organ sounds you’re wanting to play, Roland’s C-330 Classic Organ could be just what you’re looking for.

The unit features Rodgers highly acclaimed voice engine on board, offering gorgeous tone with highly flexible pipe-voicing capability, Windchest panning, and controls for Warmth, Presence, Chiff, and more. Custom settings can be stored to USB memory.

It’s built with a dual manual tracker-action 61-note keyboard and parallel concave 30-pedal pedalboard.

The C-330 is equipped with a 4-channel digital amplifier and a patented RSS ambience engine for a rich, spatial sound. Hands-on controls are provided for instantly controlling the balance of the main speakers, the satellite speakers, and the reverb. The RSS technology allows for a smooth change of room size, wall type and reverb depth to create the perfect ambience.

Full specifications as follows:

Keyboard

Manual-I: 61 keys (C2-C7, Tracker action)
Manual-II: 61 keys (C2-C7, Tracker action)
Pedal: 30 keys (C2-F4, Parellel Concave)

Stops

Total 33 Stops
Manual-I: 9 Tablets + 2 (User/MIDI Couplers)
Manual-II: 10 Tablets + 2 (User/MIDI Couplers)
Pedal: 8 Tablets + 2 (User/MIDI Couplers)
4 Voice Palette each: Total 108 voices
USER/MIDI Voice: 74 Voices
Total: 182 Voices

Coupler

Manual Coupler: I/P, II/P, II/I
Melody Coupler: 1 (Piston)
Bass Coupler: 1 (Piston)
USER/MIDI Coupler: 6 (2 for each division)

Tremulant (Tablet)

Manual-I, Manual-II 1 each: Total 2

Registration

Piston: 5 X 20 Memory Banks Total 100

Piston: total 15

SET, 1 – 5, M-, M+, NEXT, BASS, MEL, STOP, PLAY/PAUSE, REC, 0

Effect

RSS Reverb

Controls

4 Knobs
Master Volume knob
Reverb knob
Satellite Volume knob (Select/Menu)
Value/Exit Menu knob

Key Transpose

-6 to +5 (semitone steps)

Temperament

9 types (Equal, Werckmeister III, Kirnberger I/III, Vallotti, Meantone D#/Eb, Pythagorean, Modern Bach)

Pitch

4 types (392 Hz/415 Hz/440 Hz/465 Hz)

Master Tuning

+/-50 cents

Song Recorder

Tracks: 1
Tempo: Quarter note = 20 – 240
Piston: STOP, PLAY/PAUSE, REC

File Storage

Media: USB flash memory

Pedal

Expression Pedal: 1
Foot Switch: 2

Speakers

Woofer 20 cm x 2, Tweeter 5 cm x 2, Satellite Speakers 12 cm x 2

Connectors

Phones jack (Stereo), Output jacks (L/Mono, R), Input jacks (L/Mono, R), MIDI connectors (In, Out), External Memory connector (USB Flash Memory connector), Satellite Speaker (Dedicated Connector), AC Inlet

Power Supply

AC 117 V, 230 V, 240 V

Power Consumption

120 W

Cabinet Finish

Simulated Light Oak

Accessories

Satellite Speakers, Owner’s manual, Quick manual, Demo song list, Power Cord, Pedalboard, Bench, Cover

Option

Stereo Headphones, USB Flash Memory

Size and Weight ( Total of Console and Pedalboard )

1,270 mm (50 inches) W x 910 mm (35-7/8 inches) D x 1,319 mm (51-15/16 inches) H

109.8 kg (242 lbs. 2 oz.)

* Including Music Rest
* Satellite Speaker size: 179 (W) x 91 (D) x 144 (H) mm x 2 units
* Weight including Satellite Speakers (Console: 81.5 kg, Pedalboard: 25.5 kg)

Size and Weight ( Bench )

1,350 mm (53-3/16 inches) W x 294 mm (11-5/8 inches) D x 640 mm (25-1/4 inches) H

20.0 kg (44 lbs. 2 oz.)

* The height is adjustable. (640 mm to 655 mm) (25-1/4 inches to 25-13/16 inches)

Availability and pricing to be confirmed.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Roland intros C-230 Classic Keyboard [Musikmesse 2009]

In a world of modern keyboards, there’s something about Roland’s new C-230 Classic Keyboard that speaks of the past.

That’s not to say that it doesn’t have cutting edge technology in it.

The C-230 features 36 classical organ tones, 8 organ bass tones, 4 harpsichord tones, two fortepianos, celesta, and a range of other sounds that can be added to the organ voices.

Spanning five octaves, the tuning can be adjusted in five ways (Equal, Werckmeister, Kirnberger, Vallotti, Meantone), there’s a damper and expression pedal, and a built-in speaker system (10W x 4) comprising two full-range speakers, two tweeters and two satellites, for a much fuller, enveloping sound.

The compact case is constructed from simulated mahogany, and it’s easily portable.

Availability and pricing to be confirmed.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Kurzweil intros two new SP stage pianos: SP2XS / SP3x [NAMM09]

Kurzweil may not be the first name you think of when it comes to stage pianos (Yamaha and Roland come to my mind first) but its latest duo look pretty decent.

Shown off at last month’s NAMM, the SP2XS and SP3x both feature the Kurzweil Grand Piano sound, based on the combination of the highest quality sound samples, a powerful synth engine, and pristine reverbs.

The SP3x builds on the design of the highly successful SP2x with an expanded sound set of 512 programs. In addition to pianos, the SP3x offers a wide variety of other top notch sounds, including winds, voices, synths, brass, bass, guitar and ensembles. With a wide range of sounds, effects and extensive MIDI controller capabilities, the SP3x is equally well suited for use on stage, at home, or in the studio, and is perfect for worship based music.

The SP2XS joins the SP2 and SP3 to round out the product line, providing an option for players who need a high quality built-in sound system in a professional grade instrument. With a custom 20 watt per channel power amplifier and matched, high efficiency speakers with full range 3×5″ drivers, the sound system has been optimized for the SP2XS’s enclosure, delivering stunning sound quality.

Both feature 64 note polyphony, are 16 part multitimbral, have at least 60 pre-programmed drum patterns and a variety of controllers.

Available now.

SP2XS | SP3X

Popularity: 6% [?]

Korg shows off new M50 Music Workstation [NAMM09]

Korg has taken the fundamentals of its flagship M3 Xpanded workstation and put it out in the form of the more affordable M50 Music Workstation.

The latest version offers 73 keys (six octaves) together with angled control panel and full-size TouchView interface.

The EDS (Extended Definition Synthesis) sound engine delivers stunning sounds and brilliant effects. New additions include a three-stage velocity-switched stereo piano programmed in conjunction with samples of the damper resonance, producing an extraordinarily natural sound. Also new are a number of vintage keyboards, including the classic Korg SG-1 Sampling Grand, acclaimed by artists around the world, numerous authentic electric pianos and clavs, along with legendary 1960s-era tape playback strings and flute sounds.

The M50 offers 256MB of PCM data shaped into 608 Programs, as well as 384 Combinations by Korg’s renowned voicing staff, covering all the acoustic, synthetic and imaginative sounds that current players demand. User-edited data can also be saved into the internal memory, with space for 640 Programs, 512 Combinations and 48 Drum kits. The M50 offers several advanced sound-shaping features, including low-aliasing oscillators, a powerful Filter topology and detailed EGs (Envelope Generators), plus a Drive parameter and AMS (Alternate Modulation Source) Mixers.

The M50 provides 5 Insert Effects, 2 Master Effects and 1 Total Effect, along with 170 Effects types; up to 32 Effects Presets are available per effect. An independent three-band EQ is available for each Program, the Drum Track and each of the sixteen timbres/tracks.

The Drum Track gives users over 670 natural-sounding grooves to jam with in Program and Combi modes, and to help stimulate the songwriting process. Dual arpeggiators offer up traditional arp performance with five preset patterns (UP, DOWN, ALT1, ALT2, RANDOM), as well as advanced polyphonic arpeggiation that can generate everything from simple phrases to complex rhythmic gestures – even fixed note drum and percussion grooves. Two patterns can be used simultaneously in Combination mode or Sequencer mode to create complete ensemble backing, especially when used in conjunction with the Drum Track.

An intuitive sequencer provides 16 MIDI + 1 Master tracks with all the tools needed to capture and easily shape musical ideas into polished productions. It features up to 128 songs, allows users to record 210,000 notes and offers a high resolution of 480 PPQ (parts per quarter-note).

The proprietary M50 Editor and Plug-In Editor software lets users edit the sounds using a computer, and allows the M50 to act as a plug-in instrument for their DAW (VST, Audio Units and RTAS are supported). The editor librarian also enables users to exchange sounds between the M50 and M3. Further, an SD card slot provides easy and affordable management of Programs, Combinations and Sequences, as well as sounds, songs and other data.

Korg’s proprietary 320×240 pixel TouchView display ensures excellent visibility and operability, making it easy to select sounds and adjust parameters. Other controls include a joystick and multiple switches and triggers.

Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Korg

Popularity: 6% [?]

Korg shows off LP-350 “lifestyle piano” [NAMM09]

Korg has announced that its LP-350 lifestyle piano will be available from March this year.

The body of the digital piano is under 11 inches deep, meaning it should be easier to fit it into smaller homes. It’s a full 88-note keyboard, though, utilising Korg’s RH3 graded hammer action technology for a more realistic feel, three levels of touch sensitivity, and accurate stereo sampling from an acoustic concert grand piano.

It comes with all three pedals, can be tuned and has alternate scale tunings, features 60 note polyphony, 30 sounds including five pianos and seven electric pianos, reverb and chorus, sound layering, and 2×11W amp with 2×10cm bass-reflex speakers.

Available in black and white, pricing to be confirmed.

Korg

Popularity: 7% [?]

Roland shows off revolutionary new V-Piano [NAMM09]

Roland claims that its latest digital piano pushes the boundaries of realism far beyond that of existing sample-based digital pianos thanks to new “from scratch” technology that can be easily and creatively adjusted in real time to suit a pianist’s needs.

Rather than simply sampling real acoustic pianos, Roland created piano sounds from scratch. This means that, while sample-based pianos are effectively limited to what was initially sampled (with some effect variation), the V-Piano is far less restricted.

The V-Piano is able to emulate the characteristics of various pianos (American and European, for example), can handle detuning and variations in string construction, resonance and more, as well as only affecting a predefined “sweet spot” across the keyboard if desired, thus affording the player a great amount of flexibility.

Specs wise, there are 264 tone-producing virtual strings, 128 notes of polyphony, 24 preset tones and 100 user-definable tones, a whole host of editing parameters including Unison Tune, Hammer Hardness, Cross Resonance, Tone Color, String Resonance, Damper Resonance, Soundboard Resonance, Key off resonance, Damping Time, and Damping Noise Level, and three pedal inputs.

Take a look at the following four demo videos, produced by Roland, which give a much better demonstration of the product (Quicktime required):

Download

Download

Download

Download

Pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Product page

Popularity: 5% [?]

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