Roland announces E-09W interactive arranger keyboard
February 5, 2008
Roland has brought out a white version of its E-09 interactive arranger keyboard, unsurprisingly titled the E-09W.
The E-09 features 61 velocity sensitive keys, 64 notes of polyphony, 32MB of wave memory comprised of 870 tones and 70 drum sets, 47 different effects, 130 styles, 100 user programs, sixteen track recorder, pitch bend and modulation wheels.
OpenLabs announces Timbaland Special Edition NeKo production station
February 1, 2008
Open Labs has introduced a companion to the popular Timbaland Special Edition MiKo, namely the new Timbaland Special Edition NeKo, an all-in-one production studio powered by Windows XP, and capable of running virtually any Windows XP compatible software including a variety of DAW software, virtual instruments (VSTi), virtual effects (VST) and other music applications.
Dressed in the same Arctic White Chassis color scheme, the Timbaland Special Edition NeKo is the perfect solution for the studio to road experience.
Equipped with Intel Core 2 Quad processors, and featuring a pre-installed copy of Reaper from Cockos, a DAW with unlimited tracks, which records audio and MIDI and integrates all of the user’s Karsyn presets in an easy to use drag and drop format.
Yamaha introduces MM6 Music Synthesizer
October 17, 2007
Yamaha has introduced its MM6 Music Synthesizer, a younger cousin of the MOTIF series of instruments. It features high quality sounds, real-time control of sound, dynamic music creation tools including Authentic Pattern and Arpeggiator generators, performance memory, and versatile song recording.It’s a 61-note (5 octave), 32 note polyphony synth featuring Yamaha’s AWM2 sounds, 418 voices and 22 drum kits, 8 performance banks, a wide variety of effects, and 5 master equalizers.
The current specifications page doesn’t give much away about how versatile the MM6 is when controlling sounds, which, after all, is what you generally want a synth for. However, the “sales pitch” talks about tweaking sounds, by changing filter cutoff, resonance, EG attack and release, in real time, as well as a large number of built-in “jamming” rhythms, and 213 arpeggiators.
It sounds as if is an entry-level keyboard, and those serious about sound synthesis could be left disappointed. I may be wrong, but the rhythm sections sound more like glorified accompaniment sections found on many home keyboards. That’s not to knock the MM6 for what it is, but an observation.
Also, for those who like their additional touches on keyboards, the MM6 seems to have just initial touch sensitivity, but no aftertouch.
Yamaha PSR-S700: Full specifications and more pictures
September 22, 2007
One of Yamaha’s new arranger keyboards, the PSR-S700 is the more entry-level model, but still comes with a range of impressive features:
- 61 touch responsive keys
- 96 notes of polyphony
- 5.7-inch QVGA LCD capable of lyrics and score display
- AWM sample sounds
- 813 preset voices made up from 317 voices, 16 drum kits, 480 XG voices
- 10 MegaVoices
- 11 Sweet! Voices
- 18 Cool! Voices
- 14 Live! Voices
- 9 Organ Flutes
- 2 layer voices
- Large number of preset and user-definable effects including reverb, chorus, 4x DSP
- 205 preset 8-part auto-accompaniment + user category with mixer controls
- 16 track recording
- 30,000 note capacity
- Performance assistance technology
Yamaha intros new arranger workstations: PSR-S700, PSR-S900, PSR-OR700
September 19, 2007
From the same line of arranger workstations as the acclaimed Tyros2 comes three more keyboards from Yamaha.
The PSR-S900 offers a range of features, including some previously only available on the Tyros2, including modeled organ voices, Super Articulation for sonically realistic instrument sounds, USB audio recorder, video out, USB storage, 891 instrument Voices, a microphone input with automatic three-part vocal harmony, 128 notes of polyphony, a colour LCD screen and a broadband connection for downloading new content.
“The PSR-S900 offers the most value for the dollar of any Arranger Workstation keyboard we make, with features previously reserved for the top model, like Super Articulation and Audio Recording,” said Mark Anderson, marketing manager, Portable Keyboards, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Yamaha Corporation of America. “Add this to the range of professional features and I know that this keyboard is going to make a lot of customers very happy.”
The PSR-S700 features incredibly realistic MegaVoice Technology, XG/GS/General MIDI and General MIDI 2 compatibility, 96-note polyphony, USB storage options for peripheral devices like thumb or floppy disc drives, Modeled Organ Flutes with nine virtual drawbars and a new LAN Port for downloading content directly from the Internet. Though packed with professional features, including 813 instrument voices and 16 drum kits, the PSR-S700 also includes enhancements that beginners can appreciate, including Performance Assistant, which ensures that every rendition is free from mistakes.
“With the release of the PSR-S700, the incredibly lifelike Yamaha MegaVoice Technology represents a huge step up in sound quality for this affordable level of Arranger Workstation, opening the door to a larger segment of the population,” said Anderson. “This keyboard has the processing power to be the first in the line to offer 96 notes of polyphony and Modeling Technology for accurately reproducing amazingly realistic organ voices.”
The PSR-OR700 is designed for professionals and provides the ability to play quarter tone notes, common to Arabic, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music, which fall between half steps on the Western keyboard scale.
With 862 Voices, 96 notes of polyphony and 22 drum kits, the new keyboard also features MegaVoice Technology for incredibly realistic sounds and styles, USB storage options, 96-note polyphony and Modeled Organ Flutes with nine virtual drawbars. It also includes ethnic content, including instrument Voices and rhythm sounds, and special panel control buttons for tuning on the fly.
Check back tomorrow for a more detailed rundown of specifications on these three new keyboards.
Akai MPK49 USB/MIDI semi-weighted controller keyboard
April 16, 2007
Akai has unveiled the MPK49, a semi-weighted, touch and aftertouch sensitive 49-note keyboard complete with 12 MPC-style drum pads.
48 drum pads are available via 4 banks, and there’s MPC Note Repeat function and Swing parameters, plus an arpeggiator.
It delivers 72 assignable controls, including an expression pedal, footswitch, pitch bend and modulation wheel.
It features 8 full-sized, 360 degree rotation pots, each with 3 banks for 24 pots total, 8 full-sized sliders with 3 controller banks for each for 24 sliders total, 8 assignable backlit switches with 3 controller banks each for 24 switches total, MMC/MIDI Start Stop transport buttons, and a large, easy-to-read custom LCD display.
M-Audio’s new MidAir 37 keyboard controller
November 15, 2006
M-Audio have introduced a MidAir wireless keyboard controller as part of their MidAir range.
This compact wireless keyboard has many of the same features as those in their Oxygen range.
These include 37 velocity-sensitive keys, 3-digit LED, 9 MIDI-assignable faders, 8 MIDI assignable knobs, mod and pitch bend wheels, sustain pedal input and button.
It is powered either by standard batteries or included 9V power supply. It has a 30ft range and works on the popular 2.4GHz frequency band.
The MidAir 37 is currently expected to ship mid-November, with an MSRP of $299.95 USD.
TerraTec Area 61 expandable keyboard system
April 2, 2006
TerraTec Producer are claiming a ‘unique keyboard’ launch at the Frankfurt Musikmesse. AREA 61.
AREA 61 “is the first keyboard to come with an integrated USB 2.0 High Speed Audio and MIDI Interface. Appointments such as an advanced low-latency architecture, 24-bit/ 96-kHz resolution and discrete power amps ensure high fidelity and assertive sound in the studio and on stage. Another hallmark feature is the Ploytek® FMC!” audio algorithm, which debuts with the AREA 61.”
Features include:
- Controller keyboard with 61 full-size, semi-weighted, aftertouch sensitive (2 zones) keys.
- Integrated USB 2.0, 24-bit/96-Hz Audio and MIDI system.
- Extendible with hardware sound generator modules
- 10 Soft-Touch Encoders with 15-segment dual-color LED chain
- Soft-Touch Modulation and Pitchbend Wheels
More information available at the TerraTec Producer website.
X-Station Synth programming tutorial part 2
April 1, 2006
Novation have produced part 2 of their X-Station Synth Programming Tutorial, covering the Amplitude and Modulation Envelopes, and Filters. There are also patch examples to try out.
VX Series Pro controller keyboards
April 1, 2006
CME has announced the VX Series of keyboards, boasting the first controllers with nine motorised 60mm faders.
The VX Series feature 64 different types of programmable controllers including motorized faders, knobs, trigger pads, a ribbon controller, buttons, pitch bend and modulation wheel, transport controls, pedals, and a breath controller. These flexible keyboards have an amazing array of uses such as controlling a DAW and virtual instruments in the studio, triggering patterns and controlling sound rigs on stage, and recording audio into a laptop while on the go.
Key Features:
- Built-in USB Audio and MIDI interface
- Multi-function expansion bay
- Graded hammer-action weighted (VX8) or semi-weighted keyboard (VX5/6/7)
- Initial and after touch, velocity sensitive keyboard
- PadStyle® MIDI songs and patterns
- Multi-scale mode for ethnic music
- U-CTRL function for easy software integration
- 9 60mm motorized faders
- 12 programmable velocity sensitive trigger pads
- 8 knob controllers (potentiometer)
- 9 knob controllers (endless encoder)
- 1 ribbon controller
- 1 pitch bend and modulation wheel
- 27 function and number buttons
- Transport controls
- 1 data entry encoder
- Music software control templates with user bank memories
- 2 x 16 characters LCD display
- Firmware upgradeable via USB
- 4 MIDI out, 1 MIDI in
- 2 universal pedal connectors, full compatible with switch and expression pedal
- Breath controller input, compatible with YAMAHA BC3
- 2 mic/line input with gain control
- 2 line output
- 2 headphone outputs with volume control
- Plug-and-play USB audio and MIDI on Windows XP and MAC OSX
- USB hub, USB bus-powered
Price and Availability
The VX Series will be available in July 2006 at the following prices:
- VX5 (49 key) - US$899.99
- VX6 (61 key) - US$999.99
- VX7 (76 key) - US$1199.99
- VX8 (88 key) - US$1299.99
