Yamaha intros two new acoustic grand pianos: C3XA, C6XA

Yamaha has updated its line of C Series acoustic grand pianos with the introduction of the C3XA and C6XA, enhancing the design of the soundboard, the ribs, and the braces.

The two instruments have the following features:

Soundboard and ribs

In order to give shape to the rich reverberation of the XA, Yamaha focused on the soundboard’ s crown. The piano’ s strong ribs have been redesigned and glued to the soundboard, resulting in a perfectly shaped crown with excellent stability.

Braces

In order to integrate the braces perfectly with the soundboard, the ribs, and the instrument as a whole, their design has been totally revamped – for example, the back beam, which is located behind the key bed, is now considerably larger. Thanks to these enhancements, the piano delivers a sound that is solid and sustained, powerful and splendidly resonant.

Music wire

To accentuate the acoustic properties of the instrument as a whole, the XA features a new type of music wire, capable of producing a wonderfully bright, highly present sound.

Music holder

The music holder has been redesigned for the pianist who appreciates the joy of playing just as much as the piano’ s exquisite tone, with a shape that embodies the rich sound and exquisite tone of the XA. Meanwhile, the lamp stand on the right-hand side sports the XA insignia with pride. These, together with a host of other enhancements, conjure up an air of luxury while portraying a visual interpretation of the piano’ s sound.

Pricing of acoustic pianos is notoriously difficult so we’ll leave that to your ingenuity. Availability to be confirmed.

Yamaha intros MOX6 and MOX8 “Mobile Motif” workstations

Buy the MOX6 and MOX8 from zZounds.

By the time we arrived at Musikmesse 2011, many of Yamaha’s wares had already been shown off at the NAMM show. Yet the company still managed to show off its new “Mobile Motif” duo of synthesizers; the MOX6 and MOX8.

Introduced over a decade ago, the Motif brand of synths is still going strong. The new MOX series combines a MOTIF XS sound engine, a MIDI keyboard controller with extensive DAW and VST control, multi-channel USB audio interfacing, onboard sequencing, and an extensive DAW / VST software bundle.

Yamaha claims these latest instruments are its most powerful, mobile and affordable workstations ever.

Key features include:

• 1,217 Voices and 355 MB of waveforms taken from the MOTIF XS
• XA (Expanded Articulation) tone generation system
• More than 256 Performances that spark your musical inspiration
• Virtual Circuitry Modeling (VCM) effects
• 6,720 arpeggiator patterns and the 4 part interactive arpeggio engine
• Direct Performance recording
• Performance Creator for quick setting of Splits, Layers, and Drum Parts
• Category Search provides instant access to the Voices you want
• Comprehensive sequencer including step recording
• New developed 61-key semi weighted keyboard for MOX6
• 88-key Graded Hammer Standard for MOX8
• Lightweight body
• Built-in 4-in 2-out USB Audio/MIDI interface
• Bundled with YC-3B Organ Emulator soft synth, Prologue analog synth, and Cubase AI
• Advanced Integration with PC

The model numbers denote the size and key type: the MO6 has a 61-key semi-weighted keyboard while the MOX8 features the full-size 88-key graded hammer keyboard.

Pricing is around $2,000 for the MOX8 and $1,500 for the MOX6. For more details check out the MOX series product pages.

Buy the MOX6 and MOX8 from zZounds.

KARMA Motif software for PC and Mac announced [NAMM11]

Yamaha and Karma-Lab have announced the development and release of KARMA Motif software for the PC and Mac, bringing the award-winning KARMA algorithmic music technology to the Yamaha Motif XS and Yamaha Motif XF platforms.

KARMA Motif debuts the new KARMA 3.0 technology with a host of new features including eight-track design (six KARMA Modules and two Keyboard Layers) per Performance, per-track Volume and Mute stored in each of the 32 Scenes and the ability to individually adjust the mix of all parts in each Scene.

Users are also able to control Velocity Response Curves by individually tailoring the velocity response for the left hand keyboard, the right hand keyboard, the input to KARMA from the keyboard, and the 16 Chord Triggers (pads), without editing the Motif’s programs or songs.

A Fill/Stop Feature allows for the use of one or more modules as a melodic or drum fill with the ability to stop and start other modules automatically. The Advanced Stutter Feature lets users retrigger the entire groove at different rhythmic resolutions, from machine-gun stutters to slow triplet hits.

It also features a real-time Master Transpose function, Chord Triggers that can activate pre-programmed chords, hits, sound effects and even the Motif’s arps. And, with the new KARMA software, all of the buttons and sliders on the Motif’s interface (in Remote Mode) can be used to trigger the Chord Triggers and Fills, the Stutter feature, Scene changes, Scene mixes and real-time algorithmic variations.

KARMA Motif’s Performances use the Motif’s Song/Mixing mode, where each of the 64 songs is a complete KARMA algorithmic music groove with a left hand and right hand zone for controlling KARMA and soloing on top of it. The Motif’s arps are also integrated in many performances as additional elements that can be added via the 16 Chord Triggers.

While in Song Mode, players are just one step away from recording their KARMA-created musical performances into the Motif’s sequencer, or the output can be routed to any DAW for external sequencing. Furthermore, a KARMA Performance can call up any Motif Voice, Performance, Song, Pattern, or Master slot when loading, so that KARMA can be used in any of the Motif’s modes.

KARMA Motif Software for PC and Mac ($199) is scheduled to be available directly from Karma-Lab in April 2011.

Yamaha PSR-E233 and PSR-E333 portable keyboards unveiled [NAMM11]

Yamaha continues to add to its low-end line of PSR series home keyboards with the introduction of the PSR-E233 and PSR-E333 61-key instruments.

Thanks to Yamaha’s experience in home theatre audio technology, these new entry-level instruments benefit from an Ultra-Wide Stereo function that allows the built-in speakers to output a spacious sound. This DSP button allows the player to become immersed in the soundscape.

As you’d expect from the PSR series of keyboards, there are a wide variety of other features including a range of voices, 100+ built-in accompaniment styles, a Portable Grand button for instantly calling up a grand piano sound, and the Yamaha Education Suite to guide new and improving keyboard players through a series of music lessons.

The PSR-E333 can be connected to a computer via its built in USB port, while the PSR-E233 can be connected via optional MIDI interface.

Shipping in May 2011, the PSR-E233 will be available at an MSRP of $169, while the PSR-E333 will be available at an MSRP of $269.

Yamaha T121 SC 48″ upright piano introduced [NAMM11]

Yamaha has announced a new mid-priced 48″ upright piano will a soft-close fallboard. The T121 SC is priced between the T118 and U1 upright pianos, and has been introduced due to market demand.

Yamaha’s T Series upright pianos offer exceptional performance and quality for the home, church or school. Using a U1-class scale design, the T Series combines bright, clear tone and refined good looks at a price that makes them a real bargain. The Series features spruce keys, a solid spruce soundboard, Grand Piano key travel and full-length ribs.

The T121 SC (MSRP: $6,499) is scheduled to ship April 2011.

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.

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