Despite the fact it hasn’t been the 1980s now for 25 years, the keytar remains strangely fashionable. Of course it’s had a serious makeover since, with the latest synth technology crammed into its mobile guitar-esque body. Alongside Roland’s AX Synth and Lucina AX-09 comes Korg’s RX-100S Keytar. The original RK-100 […]
Monthly Archives: January 2014
77 posts
Complementing the Casio XW-J1 DJ controller, Casio has unveiled its latest tough performance XW-H1 headphones. Designed for the on-the-go professional DJs and music enthusiasts, the headphones are tough, lightweight, and combine high audio fidelity with superb usability. The headphones provide balanced, clear sound and were designed by audiophiles to reproduce […]
Casio has announced its new XW-J1 DJ controller, an all-in-one VJ/DJ controller for creating remixes of audio and video from music players, smartphones, and PCs that supports OS X, iOS, and Windows platforms. Musicians can mix music using the djay app, transforming their Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch into […]
Following our report that Yamaha has updated its Disklavier Education Network comes Casio’s announcement that it will be championing musical education across US schools and colleges. First up, educators attending the 2014 NAMM event can register to win their own Privia PX-350 digital piano, meet the Casio team and pick […]
Casio has launched its CTK-6250 workstation keyboard. It’s a similar specification to the CTK-6200 and updates the CTK-6000. It features a piano-style touch response 61-key keyboard (unusual in this keyboard size range), 16-track song sequencer, tone editor, rhythm editor, multiple digital effects, 32-channel mixer, performance registration memory, USB MIDI interface, […]
Casio has launched the CTK-6200 workstation, an update to its CTK-6000. It features a piano-style touch response 61-key keyboard (unusual in this keyboard size range), 16-track song sequencer, tone editor, rhythm editor, multiple digital effects, 32-channel mixer, performance registration memory, USB MIDI interface, SD card storage, pitch bend wheel, backlit […]
Casio has launched the WK-6600 workstation, an update to its WK-6500. It features a piano-style touch response 76-key keyboard, 16-track song sequencer, tone editor, rhythm editor, multiple digital effects, 32-channel mixer, performance registration memory, USB MIDI interface, SD card storage, pitch bend wheel, backlit display, music presets and 670 individual […]
Casio has launched Chordana Tap and Chordana Viewer, two new apps designed for all current iOS devices (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad). Chordana is Casio’s own music analysis technology, and the apps harness this by detecting musical chord progressions through analysis of the frequency characteristics and temporal changes of an […]
Nord has announced its latest analog modelling synthesizer, the Lead A1. Designed to suit a wide variety of musical styles, it claims to have a simpler interface which encourages experimentation and allows faster programming. Key features include: Oscillators: 8 oscillator configuration with Pitch, Detune, Shape, Sync, AM, Noise, Dual Osc, […]
Diginoiz has announced its rather unassuming sequel of loops, Piano Resource 2, is now available to purchase. “Uncompromising, melodic, great sounding piano loops and midi files ready to be used in Your soft or hardware Thanks to Midi files Your creativity is unlimited, You are able to change notes, switch […]
Last year we posted a video purportedly of Mario Balotelli playing the piano, which we called out as fake. Now another footballer is causing a YouTube stir for apparently playing a version of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You”. Brazilian footballer Neymar is apparently playing this piano, but as […]
Just before NAMM13, Yamaha launched the Disklavier Network and now, just before NAMM14 the company has announced its Disklavier Education Network First Audition Programme. The Disklavier concept is now 25 years old, and is used in many music schools and other educational establishments in order to allow students to practice […]
We don’t cover guitar gear very often here (although we have provided details on how to tune a guitar to a piano or keyboard) but as we’re focusing on Roland’s latest workstations and digital pianos we thought it only fair to give guitarists a look in. Enter the Roland ME-80, […]
Acoustic drums are versatile and authentic, and many drummers wouldn’t contemplate using a complete electronic rig. That said, there’s sometimes room for expanding repertoire by using triggers to augment playing with digital sounds and effects. Other musicians in a band can have some control over this, but when the drummer […]
Roland has shown off seven new digital pianos in several series. HP508/HP506/HP504 Roland updates its HP500 series (from the HP-503, HP-505 and HP-507) with the introduction of three new models. As is the norm, higher-numbered models in a series have more features. Here are the main features: SuperNATURAL sound PHA-4 […]
Roland has posted the first of a number of resources (possibly videos) teasing viewers about something it’s calling “AIRA”. The first video briefly discusses the development of the TR-808 in the early 1980s (including the classic, erroneous, dialog “At that time, electronic music and dance did not yet exist”): At […]
Roland has updated its RD line of digital stage pianos with the introduction of the RD-800. Roland claims the RD-800 not only has a new, sleek look but also “many improvements in sound, feel, and versatility”. Sound-wise, Roland has added more acoustic piano samples, plus authentic vintage electric pianos, organs, […]
Preempting NAMM 2014, Roland has announced its new breed of music workstation. The FA Series, available in 61-key (FA-06) and 88-key (FA-08) models, is naturally being talked up by Roland, with hyped statements such as “taking the ‘work’ out of the music workstation”, “completely reimagines”, “effortless real-time power”, “ultra-fast workflow”, […]
Have you ever sat at a highly polished grand piano and looked at your hands reflected in the lacquered board in front of you? Or seen yourself reflected as you play? MirrorFugue is a collaborative project between Chinese pianist Xiao Xiao and the MIT Media Lab which offers pianists an […]
The Steinway grand piano installed in the Jersey Opera House is finally going to be restored, after a decade of fundraising plus a one-off £10,000 donation. The piano was bought second-hand and although it is constantly used by local and touring groups, it really needs some work to bring it […]
Teenager Ryan Green missed out on a place in The Voice UK after he failed to secure a single vote from the four-strong judging panel at the first blind audition in the BBC’s reality show. The judges seemed torn, and due to not being able to see the 16-year-old, hadn’t […]
