Korg microPIANO compact digital piano introduced [NAMM11]

Most digital pianos take up significantly less space than their upright or grand acoustic cousins, but some can still be a challenge to locate in smaller spaces or transport around.

Hoping to solve that problem, without skimping on quality, comes the Korg microPIANO.

It uses the same high quality stereo sampled Korg piano sounds, along with a range of other instrument sounds, but features a carefully designed 61-key mini piano keyboard.

From what I can tell, this “mini” keyboard is slightly shorter (from front to back) than a standard piano keyboard, meaning both the white and black keys aren’t as long. This isn’t the same as the mini keys commonly found on Casio’s entry level keyboards which are also much narrower, and consequently quite difficult to play if you’re used to real piano keys.

The keyboard features Korg’s “Natural Touch”, so it should still prove very responsive to the player’s touch.

The microPIANO even features an opening lid which, when lifted, reveals the speaker and simple control panel.

61 voices include 25 “short phrase sounds” which can help provide accompaniment. There are also 40 demo songs built in.

It’s available in three colours — red and black with a mirror finish, or white.

Exact pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Roland RD-300NX digital piano: SuperNATURAL flagship on economy [NAMM11]

Buy the Roland RD-300NX now at zZounds.

Based on last autumn’s flagship Roland RD-700NX digital piano but at a lower price point comes the RD-300NX.

This new digital piano features the same SuperNATURAL piano sound engine as found on last year’s four models, together with new electric piano sounds, a Sound Focus feature, ivory Feel-G Keyboard with escapement, one-touch piano button, graphic LCD and hundreds of in-built sounds.

Sound Focus has been designed to ensure that every note can be heard, even subtly played ones. Based on SuperNATURAL phase-correction technology, this essential feature ensures that the RD-300NX won’t get lost in the mix, penetrating through walls of sound without compressing or colouring the tone.

Roland’s Piano Designer feature also makes it on to the RD-300NX. This allows custom pianos to be built quickly and easily using the graphic LCD.

An optional triple-pedal unit (RPU-3) can be added if required.

The Roland RD-300NX is available for a RRP of $2,099. Buy now at zZounds.

Yamaha YDP-161B digital piano unveiled [NAMM11]

Yamaha announces a variant of its YDP-161 in a new finish.

The YDP-161B is decked out in black walnut, and retains the same features as found on the YDP-161, including high-quality AWM dynamic sampled piano voices, graded hammer keyboard, half-damper effect pedal, two-track song recorder, 128 note polyphony and 50 built-in preset songs.

The YDP-161B (MSRP $1,899) is expected to ship in February 2011.

Yamaha Piaggero NP-31 and NP-11 ultraportable digital pianos unveiled [NAMM11]

Offering a similar function set to the 76-note Piaggero NP-V60 and NP-V80 digital pianos released last year, Yamaha now reveals the ultraportable NP-31 and NP-11 models.

The NP-31 features a 76-note full-size keyboard, while the NP-11 offers 61 keys. Designed to be transportable and usable pretty much anywhere, they’ll run off six AA batteries for when a power outlet isn’t available.

Both models feature high quality piano voices and features, built-in metronome, and Graded Soft Touch action keys. This emulates a grand piano keyboard without the additional weight of hammers, and should be perfectly adequate for those wanting a good digital piano experience without the extra weight or expense.

They’re also perfectly usable as basic controller keyboards, though they do lack some of the features on the higher specced Paggieros.

Shipping in May 2011, the Piaggero NP-31 carries an MSRP of $399, while the Piaggero NP-11 has an MSRP of $249.

Yamaha Clavinova CLP400 Series unveiled [NAMM11]

Yamaha has shown off its new Clavinova CLP400 series upright digital piano.

Features include completely redesigned cabinetry with front legs and a more powerful sound system, a discreet key cover that hides away the panel buttons, and Intelligent Acoustic Control (IAC) which adjusts EQ tone control according to the volume set.

IAC ensures that these instruments maintain a full, rich sound with balanced highs and lows at all volume levels.

The keys feature Yamaha’s Graded Hammer 3 action, with the higher end CLP470 and CLP480 models also including a Graded Linear Hammer feature which replicates the nuances of a traditional piano, with 88 levels of gradations from top to bottom.

Other models coming include the CLP430, CLP440 and CLP465GP.

Starting at an MSRP of $2,899, the CLP400 Series will ship in Spring 2011.

Yamaha Clavinova CLP Slimline series of upright digital pianos unveiled [NAMM11]

Yamaha has introduced its new Clavinova CLP Slimline Series of digital pianos, combining advanced technology with elegant craftsmanship.

New models include the CLP-S406 and CLP-S408, whose slimmer design make them perfect for use in the home, or anywhere that space is at a premium but quality and visual design mustn’t be compromised.

Both models feature Yamaha’s renowned Graded Hammer 3 action, but the CLP-S408 also includes Linear Graded Hammer, a system which replicates the nuance of a traditional piano with 88 unique levels of gradation from top to bottom.

They also feature Intelligent Acoustic Control to maintain a full, rich sound with balanced highs and lows through all volume levels.

Key new features shared by all models in the CLP Slimline Series include a USB audio recorder, which lets pianists capture performances, document and store piano lesson material or record original compositions on high-quality audio files.

Shipping in May 2011, the CLP-S406 carries an MSRP of $5,299 and the CLP-S408 carries an MSRP of $6,099.

Yamaha AvantGrand N1 unveiled [NAMM11]

Yamaha has announced the latest addition to its AvantGrand range of hybrid pianos.

The AvantGrand N1 is a more affordable version of the N2 upright and N3 flagship hybrids, yet still delivers the tone and touch of a nine-foot Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand piano in a much more compact space.

With the introduction of the AvantGrand, Yamaha ignited a revolution in the approach to sampling – the recording and playback of the notes of the actual acoustic piano.

Treating the soundboard not simply as a point source of sound but as a plane, Yamaha took samples at four positions, adding optimum center and rear locations to the traditional left and right. As a sound source, Yamaha carefully selected the best single instrument from among its CFIIIS full concert grand pianos for sampling. The end result of these efforts is that AvantGrand series instruments recreate the original sound of a superb grand piano almost to perfection.

Meanwhile, the instrument’s speaker system has been designed to ensure that this sound is heard best at the playing position. A three-way system, featuring woofer, mid-range and tweeter speakers reproduce the rich, natural resonance of the soundboard accurately. What’s more, each of the low-, mid-, and high frequency bands has been given its own amplifier to prevent interference between bands. This innovative configuration allows the instrument’s outstanding sound system to reproduce the nuances of each individual note.

The AvantGrand N1 also offers remarkable piano action. The nuanced touch and response of the grand piano are essential measurements of piano quality. The N1 offers the player a specially developed grand piano action that mirrors that of the grand piano, providing an impressive sensitivity for the entire range from pianissimo through to fortissimo, and the ability to translate even the swiftest trills of the pianist with transparency.

“Yamaha brings its hybrid technology to an expanded market with the release of the AvantGrand N1,” said Mark Anderson, Yamaha Keyboard Division marketing director. “It features the same exquisite sampling found in the other AvantGrand models. Encased within a compact, upright piano footprint, the N1 offers grand piano action and sound, making it a viable alternative to an acoustic upright or a smaller grand piano.”

Beyond the AvantGrand’s compact size, striking design, sound, touch and functionality, teachers, students, performers, hobbyists, apartment dwellers, schools and institutions with small practice rooms will appreciate the competitive price point compared to concert acoustic pianos, and the fact that the instrument requires no tuning. In addition to the remarkable grand piano sound sample, the N1 also features electronic piano and harpsichord voices.

The AvantGrand N1 (MSRP: $9,999) is scheduled to ship in April 2011.

Roland introduces four SuperNATURAL digital piano models

Roland recently introduced a whole new range of digital pianos featuring the same sound processing technology as found in the V-Piano.

The RD-700NX, FP-7F, HPi-6F and HPi-7F are all stunning 88-key digital pianos in a variety of cabinet styles and features.

RD-700NX

• SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine (3 grand-piano types, 30 variations), EP based on SuperNATURAL technology (10 EP types, 15 variations)
• Hundreds of built-in sounds: 242 normal tones, 10 Tone Wheel organs, 256 GM2 tones, 5 rhythm sets, and 9 GM2 rhythm sets
• Storage for 100 Live Sets (combinations of layers, zones, effects, and various tone parameters)
• Deluxe PHA III Ivory Feel Keyboard with Escapement
• Innovative Sound Focus feature ensures that every note will be heard in the mix, even subtle pianissimo passages, without compressing or coloring the sound
• Extensive multi-effects processing options
• Instant access to standard piano and EP sounds via One Touch Piano buttons
• Master MIDI control features plus four MIDI ports (MIDI IN, MIDI OUT x 2, MIDI OUT/THRU)
• Balanced XLR outputs; USB ports for data storage and audio-play functionality

FP-7F

• SuperNATURAL Piano engine onboard
• Newly developed PHA III Ivory Feel-S Keyboard with Escapement
• Built-in speaker system
• Onboard Looper for instant sound-on-sound layering
• Mic input and harmony effect
• Available in black (FP-7F-BK) and white (FP-7F-WH) finishes
• Compatible with the RPU-3 triple-pedal unit (optional) and matching KSC-44 keyboard stand (optional)
• DP-10 Damper Pedal included

HPi-6F

• Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL Piano engine onboard
• PHA II Ivory Feel keyboard with Escapement
• 7” large, high-resolution display built into the music rest
• Play along with “digital sheet music,” interactive skill-building games, and more
• Beautiful wood cabinets: Satin Black or Rosewood finishes

HPi-7F

• Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL Piano engine onboard
• PHA III Ivory Feel Keyboard with Escapement
• 10.4” large, high-resolution display built into the music rest
• Play along with “digital sheet music,” interactive skill-building games, and more
• Built-in rhythm and auto-accompaniment features
• Mic input & vocal harmony effect
• Beautiful wood cabinets: Satin Black or Rosewood finishes

Yamaha launches two Piaggero portable digital pianos

Yamaha has announced the availability of two portable digital pianos in its new Piaggero range.

The NP-V60 and NP-V80 are both 76-key instruments with an emphasis on portability and affordability.

They feature Yamaha’s Graded Soft Touch keyboard and an entry-level polyphony of 32 notes. That’s not going to satisfy serious piano students — even instruments with 64 notes of polyphony can struggle with certain complex or heavily sustained music passages.

In fact, these Piaggero instruments combine the best parts of a dedicated digital piano and a home keyboard, with other features including auto-accompaniment, a wide range of voices (up to 500), and an arpeggiator function.

Available now, the NP-V60 has a RRP of $330 and the NP-V80 of $400.

Get more information on the NP-V60 and NP-V80.

Yamaha intros two new contemporary digital pianos: Piaggero NP-V60 and NP-V80

Yamaha has introduced another couple of models in its range of contemporary digital piano line.

Portable But Smaller

The Piaggero series is one we’ve not seen before: its name derives from ‘piano’ and ‘leggero’ — which is Italian for ‘light’. In other words, the new NP-V60 and NP-V80 are portable digital pianos that don’t skimp on features or, most importantly, the sound and feel of a real acoustic piano.

What first aids in portability is the fact that these are 76-note keyboards, rather than full 88-notes that you’d expect on a full digital piano. You will decide whether those extra 12 notes (essentially an octave) are important.

Equally worth considering, if the feel is of great importance, is that Yamaha has employed its Graded Soft Touch system here, rather than the more authentic Graded Hammer Effect found on many of its other digital pianos. This makes the whole instrument lighter, but at the expense of some resistance in the keys when playing.

Polyphony

While the NP-V80 is the high-end model, it’s worth noting that, in my opinion, both don’t offer nearly enough polyphony — just 32 notes. For some playing styles, this may be fine, but even 64-note polyphony comes unstuck on more complex, sustained passages of music. Given how far sound technology has moved on, this is a bit of a disappointment, particularly from Yamaha.

Plenty of Features

So, perhaps we should look instead at the other features that make these keyboards more about all-round versatility.

Those after alternative voices will not be disappointed, as even the lower-end NP-V60 has 489 of them (500 on the NP-V80).

Interestingly, given my previous comments on notes, polyphony and overall feel, Yamaha has still allowed pedals capable of half-pedalling to be used with the instrument. To me, this would seem to be the least important feature to maintain, but maybe it’s more about what different features cost to implement, and how they affect keyboard weight.

There are a range of styles and effects, akin to what you’d find on Yamaha’s home keyboards. Nicely, though, for more beginner pianists (where I suspect these instruments are aimed) are a range of music lessons and performance assistants, including waiting, ‘your tempo’, the minus one system which takes out from an arrangement the part the pianist needs to play, repeat and learn, and a chord dictionary (very useful to have on board).

Sound Output

Two six-watt amplifiers combined with several speakers mean the built-in audio output should be more than adequate.

At first look, these aren’t bad pianos, perhaps more suited to those on a budget, those looking for a performance instrument where the quality of the digital piano is important but not paramountly so, and where there are enough other features to make it a good all-rounder.

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