Yamaha US hits 50

The US division of Yamaha Corporation has celebrated its 50th anniversary, having settled in a small office in Los Angeles in 1960.

For most of its time, however, the giant has been based at Buena Park, growing to become a top and instantly recognised name in the music industry and producing a wide range of musical instruments for a wide range of amateur and professional musicians.

In particular, certain Yamaha synths and keyboards have had a huge impact on the industry, from the sounds of the DX7 so prevalent in ’80s synth-based pop, to the Clavinovas found in so many schools, churches and homes.

“It’s an amazing product for the money,” musician John Mila de la Roca said. He manages the Keyboard Concepts Superstore, a piano dealer at the Tustin Marketplace. “I’ve sold all different brands of instruments. (Yamaha) is the first word out of everyone’s mouth, and everyone disagrees about who’s No. 2.”

Read more about Yamaha’s history in the OC Register article

Popularity: 1% [?]

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.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Yamaha intros PSR-E423 home keyboard

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. Exact pricing and availability to be confirmed.

Keyboard	Number of Keys		61 Keyboard-style keys
	Touch Response		Yes
Voice	Number of Voices		700(183 Panel Voices + 462 XGlite Voices + 15 Drum/SFX Kits + 40 Arpeggio Voices)
	Numer of Polyphony		32
	Featured Voices		Sweet! Voice x 5 Cool! Voice x 3 Dynamic Voice x 3
	Voice Edit		2 Control Knobs (Filter Cutoff/Resonance, Effect Reverb/Chorus, EG Attack/Release, Style Filter Cutoff/Resonance, Style Tempo)
	Compatibility	XG lite/ XG/ GM	Yes/ No/ Yes
Effect	Reverb/ Chorus		9 types/ 4 types
	Preset Master EQ		5 types
	Dual/ Split		Yes/ Yes
	Harmony / Echo		26 types
	Arpeggio		150 types
Style	Preset / User		174 / Yes
	Sections		Intro / Ending / Main A / Main B / Fill AB / Fill BA
	Fingering		Multi
Song	Playback	#Preset Songs	30 (30 onboard, 70 CD-ROM)
		Compatible File Format	SMF
	Recording	Number of Songs	5 (Max)
		Number of Tracks	6 (5Melody + 1Chord)
		Realtime/ Step/ Edit	Yes/ No/ No
	User Song to SMF Converter		No
	Score Display		No
Easy Song Arranger			Yes
Music Database Overall Control	Number of Songs		305
	Tempo/ Metronome		Yes
	Transpose/ Tuning		-12 to 0, 0 to +12/ +-100 cents
	Pitch Bend Range		1 to 12
Lesson	Type		Yamaha Education Suite (Y.E.S.) Waiting,Your tempo,Minus one
	Repeat & Learn		Yes
	Chord Dictionary		Yes
Performance assistant technology			Chord
One Touch Setting			Yes (Incl. Voice List)
Registration Memory			2 Pads x 8 Banks
Controller	Pitch Bend Wheel		Yes
	Control Knobs		Yes, Knobs x 2
	Pedal		Sustain (Option)
Display	Type		Custom LCD/92mm x 42mm
	Backlit		Yes (Blue LED)
Storage	Flash Memory XG/XF Songs		Yes (1.8MB)
Outboard	Song	Style	Yes
Content	Others		Yes
Cabinet	Key Cover Style		Sliding
PC Connectivity	Song Transfer		Yes
	Interactive (DMN/Hi-Chao)		Yes
Aux. Jacks	DC IN		DC IN, Phones (/Output), Pedal(Sutain), USB TO HOST(MIDI)
Amp & Speakers			2.5W+2.5W/12cm×2 + 3cmx2
Sleep Mode			No
Power	Power Supply		Adaptor (PA-130), or batteries (Six “AA” size, LR6 or equivalent batteries)
Dimensions	Width/Depth/Height (w/o MusicRest)		946mm/402mm/136mm
Weight			7.0kg (15lbs. 7oz.)
Bundled Accessories	Song Book		No (CD-ROM including)
	CD-ROM		Yes/ Menu Application, Musicsoft Downloader, USB-MIDI Driver, Song Data, Style Data, MDB Data, Song Book (PDF)
* All tentative specification.

Popularity: 12% [?]

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.

Popularity: 4% [?]

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:

CP1 Specifications
Keyboards		88 keys, NW-STAGE keyboard (Wooden synthetic ivory weighted keyboard)
Maximum Polyphony		128
Tone Generator		SCM
Performances	Preset	16 x 3 groups
	User	16 x 3 groups
	External	16 x 3 groups
	Parts	2
	Voice Block	17 piano types
	Modulation Effect Block	10 types
	Power Amplifier / Compressor Block	8 types
	Reverb	8 types
	Master Compressor	–
	Master Equalizer	5–band
Rhythm	Number of Kits	–
	Number of Patterns	–
Display		55 character x 2 lines, VFD
Controllers		Pitch bend wheel, Master volume, Knobs 1 to 6
Connectors	Output	PHONES L/MONO,R (Unbalanced) L, R (Balanced)
	Foot Switch	SUSTAIN, SOSTENUTO, SOFT, ASSIGNABLE
	Foot Controller	x 2
	Mic Input	–
	MIDI	IN, OUT, THRU
	USB	TO HOST, TO DEVICE
Power Consumption		16W
Dimensions (W x D x H; not including pedal unit)		1,385 x 420 x 173 mm
Weight (not including pedal unit)		27.2 kg
Additional Package Contents		Power cord, Pedal unit, Illustrated Guide to the CP1 booklet, Owner’s Manual, Data List booklet, Software DVD-ROM*
* Software DVD-ROM: Steinberg Cubase AI DAW Software.

CP5 Specifications
Keyboards		88 keys, NW-STAGE keyboard (Wooden synthetic ivory weighted keyboard)
Maximum Polyphony		128
Tone Generator		SCM + AWM2
Performances	Preset	10 x 4 groups x 3 banks
	User	10 x 4 groups x 3 banks
	External	10 x 4 groups x 3 banks
	Parts	6
	Voice Block	17 piano voices + 305 other voices
	Modulation Effect Block	49 types
	Power Amplifier / Compressor Block	8 types
	Reverb	8 types
	Master Compressor	3-band
	Master Equalizer	5–band
Rhythm	Number of Kits	14
	Number of Patterns	100
Display		24 character x 2 lines, VFD
Controllers		Pitch bend wheel, Master volume, Knobs 1 to 3, Part volume x 6, Gain Master equalizer x 5
Connectors	Output	PHONES L/MONO,R (Unbalanced) L, R (Balanced)
	Foot Switch	SUSTAIN, ASSIGNABLE
	Foot Controller	x 2
	Mic Input	x 1
	MIDI	IN, OUT, THRU
	USB	TO HOST, TO DEVICE
Power Consumption		25W
Dimensions (W x D x H; not including pedal unit)		1,381 x 405 x 174 mm
Weight (not including pedal unit)		25.2 kg
Additional Package Contents		Power cord, Foot pedal FC3, Owner’s Manual, Owner’s Manual CD-ROM, Software DVD-ROM*
* Software DVD-ROM: Steinberg Cubase AI DAW Software.

CP50 Specifications
Keyboards		88 keys, GH keyboard
Maximum Polyphony		128
Tone Generator		SCM + AWM2
Performances	Preset	10 x 4 groups x 3 banks
	User	10 x 4 groups x 3 banks
	External	10 x 4 groups x 3 banks
	Parts	3
	Voice Block	12 piano voices + 215 other voices
	Modulation Effect Block	49 types
	Power Amplifier / Compressor Block	–
	Reverb	8 types
	Master Compressor	3-band
	Master Equalizer	3–band
Rhythm	Number of Kits	14
	Number of Patterns	100
Display		24 character x 2 lines, VFD
Controllers		Pitch bend wheel, Master volume, Knobs 1 to 3, Part volume x 3, Master equalizer x 5
Connectors	Output	PHONES L/MONO,R (Unbalanced)
	Foot Switch	SUSTAIN, ASSIGNABLE
	Foot Controller	x 1
	Mic Input	–
	MIDI	IN, OUT, THRU
	USB	TO HOST, TO DEVICE
Power Consumption		7W
Dimensions (W x D x H; not including pedal unit)		1,381 x 332 x 165 mm
Weight (not including pedal unit)		20.9 kg
Additional Package Contents		Power adaptor PA-150 (or an equivalent recommended by Yamaha), Foot pedal FC3, Owner’s Manual, Owner’s Manual CD-ROM, Software DVD-ROM*
* Software DVD-ROM: Steinberg Cubase AI DAW Software.

Popularity: 4% [?]

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.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Yamaha intros PSR-S910 arranger workstation keyboard

The PSR-S910 allows you to instantly sound like you’re backed by some of the hottest session players around.

The accompaniment styles found on the PSR-S910 give keyboard players a quick and easy way to sound fully arranged with little or no setup required. And the powerful Music Finder feature even allows them to set up the entire instrument by simply selecting one of thousands of song titles. Style, tempo, variation, and right-hand Voices are instantly set when you select a title. It couldn’t be any quicker or simpler.

The PSR-S910 allows one keyboardist to instantly sound like they’re backed by LA’s hottest session players, Nashville hired guns, or New York’s finest studio cats… all at the touch of a button and the voicing of a chord. You will sound so good, sudden bursts of inspiration may cause you to quit your day job.

Super Articulation Voices give strings, reeds and brass sounds real-time expressiveness previously unattainable on a keyboard. Add to this a luxurious 7.7″ color screen and professional features like USB audio recording and playback of MP3 files — the most ubiquitous audio file format on the planet — and you’ve got an arranger workstation second only to the legendary Tyros3.

• Super Articulation Voices
• Sounds from the legendary Tyros3
• Microphone input with 3-part vocal harmony
• MP3 playback
• Color screen
• 128-note polyphony
• 16-track sequencer
• Audio recorder
• Internet Direct Connect and USB connectivity
• Dozens of effects

Full specifications

Keyboard 61 Full-size w T Response
Display Large 5.7″ TFT Color
Lyric / Text / Score Yes / Yes / Yes
Voices & Comp. 1186 GM2 / XG / GS Compatible
Dual/Split Yes – L1, R1, R2
Polyphony 128 Notes
One Touch / Reg. 4 per Style / 8 pads x Unlimited
Music Database 1550 Preset (up to 2500)
Y.E.S. / Lessons No
Styles 293 Pro + 29 Session + User
Style Sections 3 Intro/Endings + A-D + Fill x 4
MIDI In/Out + USB Slave
Storage Device USB Device, 1.4MB Flash
Effects 42Rev/71Chor/DSP (271X1,130X3)
Harmony 17 Types
Multi Pads 4 x 95 Banks + User
In/Out Jacks Phones,FS x 2,L/R Out+Fixed, MIC
Speakers 12cm x 2 / 4cm x 2 (Dome)
Amplifier 12W + 12W
Power Supply PA-300 (Included)
Included Acc. Manual, M. Rest, Data Disk
Dimensions 39.5″ x 17.1″ x 5.92″ 25.5 lbs.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Yamaha intros PSR-S710 arranger workstation keyboard

Yamaha recently announced its new arranger workstation keyboard, the 61-key PSR-S710, which offers the following features:

• 128-note polyphony
• huge sonic palette with over 850 incredible instrument Voices, including some from the PSR-S900
  realistic built-in accompaniment with enhanced guitar styles
• 16-track sequencer
• audio recorder
• large, easy-to-read screen
• Internet Direct Connect and USB connectivity
• Dozens of effects

The full specifications are as follows:

Keyboard 61 Full-size w T Response
Display Large 5.7″ QVGA B/W
Lyric / Text/ Score Yes / Yes /Yes
Voices & Comp. 891 GM / XG / GS Compatible
Dual/Split Yes – L1, R1, R2
Polyphony 128 Notes
One Touch / Reg. 4 per Style / 8 pads x Unlimited
Music Database Yes
Y.E.S. / Lessons No
Styles 216 Pro + 16 Session + User
Style Sections 3 Intro/Endings + A-D + Fill x 4
MIDI In/Out + USB Slave
Storage Device USB Device
Effects 42Rev/71Chor/DSP (271X1,130X3)
Harmony 17 Types
Multi Pads 4 x 80 Banks + User
In/Out Jacks HP,FS x 2,L/R Out+Fixed,AUX in
Speakers 12cm x 2 / 5cm x 2
Amplifier 12W + 12W
Power Supply PA-301 (Included)
Included Acc. Manual, M. Rest, Data Disk
Dimensions 17 1/7″ x 39 5/8″ x 5 7/8″
Packaged Dim. 20.75” x 45.5” x 9.5”

Popularity: 11% [?]

Yamaha C7 grand piano accompanies Star Wars: In Concert

The greatest film saga and the greatest film music composed will come together this fall for Star Wars: in Concert, a multi-media touring event that will feature a Yamaha C7 grand piano.

Star Wars: In Concert combines John Williams’ unforgettable music, performed by a live symphony orchestra and chorus, with specially edited footage from all six Star Wars films. Through each musical piece, audiences experience the key themes, characters and story elements of the epic Star Wars saga in a fresh and exciting way.

Live narration by Anthony Daniels, who portrayed C-3PO in all six films, introduces each segment of the two-hour show, guiding audiences on a remarkable journey into the heart of a galaxy far, far away.

In addition to the main event, guests will have access to an exclusive exhibit of Star Wars costumes, props and production work, gathered from the Lucasfilm archives.

The worldwide concert tour begins Oct. 1 in Anaheim, CA at the Honda Center and plans to hit 50 North American cities before embarking on a global jaunt. To purchase tickets and see the full tour schedule, visit www.StarWarsInConcert.com.

Popularity: 8% [?]

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: 14% [?]

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