The AP-220 and AP-420 have been given the makeover to demonstrate Casio’s “commitment to dealers and the music enthusiast”.

Casio AP-420BK

The MSRP for the Celviano models range from $899.99 – $1,399. Click on those links in the previous paragraph to get the lowdown on the original models — the other specifications remain the same. The new model numbers are, predictably, AP-220BK and AP-420BK.

First up is the XW-G1 Groove Synthesiser, targeted specifically at DJs and club performers with its interactive step sequencer and sample looper.

Key features of the 61-key XW-G1 synth are:

• 6 Oscillator Monophonic Solo Synthesizer
• Sample Looper – Up to 19 Seconds of sampling time
• Sample Player – 10 user tones with up to 5 samples each can be stored in Flash Memory for instant recall
• 300 fully editable PCM based sounds
• Step Sequencer with 9 instrument tracks and 4 controller tracks
• 16 step programmable Arpeggiator
• Phrase sequencer to record and playback your riffs
• Performance mode providing 4 internal or external instrument zones with instant recall of effects, Step Sequences, Arpeggiators and Phrases
• 4 real-time controller knobs
• Pitch and Modulation Wheels
• 1/4” Mic and Line puts to process your voice or other instruments
• Stereo 1/8” line input to connect an MP3 player, laptop or tablet
• USB and MIDI ports
• 1/4” Line Outputs
• Included Power Supply
• Can operate on 6 D batteries

Casio XW synths

The 61-key XW-P1 features:

• 6 Oscillator Monophonic Solo Synthesizer
• HexLayer – A single sound made up of 6 components for gig ready splits and layers
• Drawbar Organ Mode  with 9 sliders, adjustable rotary speaker, key click, vibrato and percussion
• 400 fully editable PCM based sounds like stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, guitars, drums and more.
• Step Sequencer with 9 instrument tracks and 4 controller tracks
• 16 step programmable Arpeggiator
• Phrase sequencer to record and playback your riffs
• Performance mode providing 4 internal or external instrument zones with instant recall of effects, Step Sequences, Arpeggiators and Phrases
• 4 real-time controller knobs
• Pitch and Modulation Wheels
• 1/4” Mic and Line puts to process your voice or other instruments
• Stereo 1/8” line input to connect an MP3 player, laptop or tablet
• USB and MIDI ports
• 1/4” Line Outputs
• Included Power Supply
• Can operate on 6 D batteries

More details of this new breed of synth follow.

Control

The XW-P1 and XW-G1 have 4 real- time controller knobs, pitch bend and modulation wheels, along with 9 sliders to provide control over internal sounds and external devices. Through standard MIDI ports and with a class-compliant USB port the keyboard can be used as a controller for other instruments, including computer software and iPad® based software applications. It also includes an audio input allowing you to monitor an MP3 player, computer or other device without the need for a mixer.

Step Sequencer

Providing everything from pulsing dance grooves to animated synth textures and arpeggios, the Step Sequencer in both the XW-P1 and XW-G1 is the first of its kind. With nine tracks for drums, basses, synths and chordal parts, four controller tracks for adding panning, filter changes and other animation to existing parts and eight patterns make up each sequence; the user can build and mix their performance on the fly. Sequences can even transpose live from the keyboard, providing a completely interactive experience.

Drawbar Organ

In addition to the solo synth and HexLayers, the XW-P1 performance synthesizer is armed with an arsenal of gig ready sounds like stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, brass, guitars, basses, drums and more. It also has a new drawbar organ mode. Utilizing the nine sliders on the XW-P1 you have full range control over each drawbar. The XW-P1 even has dedicated controls for key percussion and rotary speaker while also providing vibrato, distortion and more for the ultimate drawbar organ experience.

Solo Synth

Utilizing Casio’s exclusive (HPSS) Hybrid Processing Sound Source, a six oscillator monophonic solo synth is just one of the amazing sound engines in both the XW-P1 and XW-G1. The solo synth has the power to deliver classic analog sounds and sounds with an aggressive edge unlike anything else. Two virtual analog style oscillators, two PCM based oscillators, a noise oscillator and an external oscillator via mic and line inputs can be combined to make up a single solo synth tone. Each oscillator has an independent filter, envelopes, independent key tracking, portamento, two LFO’s and access to master resonant filter. With impressive modulation and control capabilities at your fingertips, the solo synth is capable of a wide range of sounds and expression.

HexLayer

In addition to the solo synth, the XW-P1 also features HexLayer tones. A HexLayer is a single sound comprised of up to 6 components, allowing complex layers, splits and velocity switched sounds. The sliders on the XW-P1 can be used to mix sounds on the fly to create evolving pads and rich synth textures while key velocity can be used to create dynamic velocity switched orchestral sounds and more.

Arpeggiator and Phrase Sequencer

The XW-P1 and XW-G1 both have powerful Arpeggiators. In addition to typical arpeggio patterns, this Arpeggiator can create polyphonic synth gated patterns, acoustic instrument emulations and is even fully programmable allowing you to create your own unique sounds. An additional phrase sequencer allows you to quickly capture any riff that you play on the keyboard and have it available on a front panel switch or triggered and transposed live from a range of notes on the keyboard. The combination of the Step Sequencer, Arpeggiator and Phrase Sequencer provides an endless array of sound possibilities.

Take a look at the video below for demos and explanations:

The XW-G1 will be available in April 2012 for an MSRP of $799.00 while the XW-P1 arrives in March 2012 for an MSRP of $699.00.

Still sporting a vibrant yellow body (whether it comes in pink is another matter) it boasts a range of features including:

• Simple control with finger taps/slides on the integrated X-Y touchpad
• 150 built-in sounds cover every style of dance music
• PCM sound engine serves up realistic drums
• Scale Key and Note Range eliminates “wrong” notes
• Built-in Gate Arpeggiator with adjustable gate time and swing settings
• Loop Recording allows the creation of layered phrases with unlimited overdubs
• Dual Loop Recording banks allow DJ-Style mutes and cross-fades
• Record using the built-in mic; or use the mic input for recording of external input
• microSD/SDHC card slot for saving loops and recorded performances

More details, specs, pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Highlights include:

• Control effects in real time using the intuitive touchpad interface
• MP3 player with microSD card slot for data storage/exchange;
  
  Perform on the Mini Kaoss Pad 2 without needing any other equipment!
• 100 effect programs, ideal for DJ mixes or sound design
• 3 Program Memories provide instant recall of favorite effects
• Powerful Looper, Vinyl Break, and Ducking Comp effects borrowed from the Kaoss Pad Quad
• Internal mic plus external audio inputs
• Support for pitch change and cue point settings allows serious DJ play.
• Record your performances and save then to using the microSD card slot
• 6 preset audio demo loops

We’ll keep you updated with full specifications, pricing and availability as soon as we know it.

The SV-1BK Black has an elegant matte black finish, while the limited edition SV-1RV features a bold red body and vintage reverse-colour keys that call to mind the classic combo organs of the 1960s and ‘70s.

Here’s a rundown of the feature set for that limited edition model.

• Two phenomenal grand piano sounds – 1 European, 1 Japanese
• Korg’s finest piano keyboard with Graded Hammer Action; 73 or 88 keys
• Intuitive “LIVE” front panel with single-function knobs
• 8 Easy-to-set car-radio style Favorites buttons
• 36 coveted and in-demand piano & vintage keyboard sounds:
  Grand Pianos: Smooth European; Lively Japanese; Mono Grand (for live); etc.
  • Electric Pianos: Tine styles; Reed Types; Plucked Type; Clavs; etc.
  • Electronic Pianos: Korg SG-1D; Transistor; ‘80s synth; VPM styles; etc.
  • Organs: Tonewheels; USA Tube Console; Italian Combo; VOX
  • Keyboards: String Machine, Tape Strings, Synth Brass; etc.
  • Other: Piano + Layers; Real Strings; Real Choir, etc.
• Valve Reactor 12AX7 tube-driven amp modeling (6 Models)
• 6 Pre-FX; 6 Modulation FX; 6 Reverb Delays; 3-Band EQ
• Stereo inputs / Stereo outputs ( all 1/4″)
• XLR Stereo balanced stage/recording outputs
• Headphone output
• Includes damper pedal & music rack
• Options: assignable footswitch; assignable footpedal;

Pricing and availability for these models to be confirmed.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.

This new model features:

• The Klimt model will be limited to a maximum of 25 units
• Each unit will have an individually numbered solid brass plate
• Made in cooperation with the Belvedere Museum, Vienna
• High resolution image of “The Kiss” and through advanced reprographic techniques is on the inside of the lid of our 200 model
• Our craftsmen further customize it by applying additional elements of real gold leaf

Bösendorfer Klimt Artist Series grand piano

That’s all the information we have, but you can see from the picture how special it looks.

A 25 instrument special edition. Bösendorfer. Acoustic grand piano.

How much will it cost? If you have to ask that, you definitely can’t afford it.

As model numbers reflect the length of the piano in centimetres, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that this grand piano is 155cms (about 5 foot 1 inch) in length.

Before this, Bösendorfers were a minimum of 170cms (5 foot 7 inches) in length.

Bösendorfer Model 155 SP acoustic grand piano

It’s the first new model from Bösendorfer in a decade, featuring the customary single stringing, separately cast screwed–on capo d’astro and the open pin block on the cast iron plate, resonant case principle with no corner joints as per the model 170, and the same key length as models 170-200.

That’s it. That’s all you’re getting for now. Hopefully we’ll get information about availability in due course.

Information is pretty sparse at present, with no spec sheet and a minimal description.

What we’ve managed to glean is that it will include 100 preset songs designed to help beginners learn to play the keyboard.

Yamaha EZ-220 Lighted Keyboard

It features 392 built-in voices including realistic acoustic instruments including drums, plus synths and sound effects. There are 100 preset accompaniment styles on board.

Finally, the Yamaha Education Suite offers various lessons and tutorials for the budding pianist.

Exact pricing and availability are still to be confirmed.

While it’s zero marks for the appalling product name, we should look beyond to the specs themselves.

Yamaha has developed a new “Damper Drive System” which makes the E3 Classic more affordable. Yamaha states that, “During playback, direct driving of the dampers provides the same damper effect as the conventional Disklavier,” whilst, “during recording, the damper pedal sensing system records your pedalling precisely.”

Yamaha Disklavier E3 Classic DGB1KE3Classic

The E3 Classic comes with a CD containing over 400 songs so it’s ready to listen to as soon as it arrives.

The built-in amplification system creates a spacious sound that’s ideal for the acoustic sounds the instrument is recreating.

It’s easy to record on the Disklavier and it has enough built-in storage for hundreds of hours of music. It’s even possible to record a MIDI file synchronised perfectly to an audio CD or file on USB memory stick, such as a track from a favourite band.

Full specifications:

Specs

Color/Finish

Size/Weight

Control Interface

Cabinet

Voices

Functions

Storage and Connectivity

Power Supply

Accessories

Featuring a Graded Hammer (GH) 88-key keyboard and 3-level Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) dynamic stereo sampling system, it comes with a luxurious polished ebony finish and offers a much improved acoustic system designed to give a cleaner sound with more presence.

128 notes of polyphony should be enough for the most demanding musical passages, while two track recording is great for capturing performances and improving technique.

Yamaha ARIUS YDP-C71PE digital piano

Here’s the full specification sheet:

Size/Weight

Control Interface

Cabinet

Voices

Effects

Songs

Functions

Storage and Connectivity

Amplifiers and Speakers

Power Supply

Accessories

Exact pricing and availability to be confirmed.