In this feature we take a look at the Suzuki QChord, a digital electronic musical instrument released in 2000 as a successor to the original 1981 Omnichord (and its subsequent models), and designed as a guitar/keyboard hybrid primarily for beginning musicians. It’s main features are the 36 buttons which can […]
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Playcard System In the early 1980s, Yamaha brought out a handful of home music keyboards featuring an advanced card-based digital system designed to load interactive accompaniment, melody and other musical data into the instrument. The Playcard system was heralded as groundbreaking when the first model, the PortaSound PC-100, was launched […]
Yamaha has been involved in the manufacture of pianos and other keyboard instruments for well over a century — including acoustic pianos, reed organs and fully transistorised organs — but it isn’t until the mid-1970s that it started its journey with the kind of synths and home keyboards we know […]
Introduction The Nord STAGE 4 (88-key model) and the Yamaha YC88 are both high-end, advanced, feature-laden digital stage keyboards offering high build quality and ease of use. In this article we compare the two instruments, looking at the kind of features most musicians, particularly those who may be performing, would […]
There’s an emerging trend in modern portable chord synthesisers — often handheld devices which can provide musical inspiration by offering easier ways to create harmonies and chord tracks. They’re often of interest to both beginner and experienced musicians, as they can help to teach some music theory fundamentals as well […]
Introduction The national anthem of the United Kingdom — currently God Save the King (changed to God Save the Queen with a female monarch) — is an instantly recognisable piece of music. Heard by Britons on a regular basis, even if their sporting teams don’t win as much as they […]
Recently we were asked a question about keyboards/digital pianos with fewer than 88 keys, and which notes are missing. It’s a really interesting question and one I honestly hadn’t considered before, even though I grew up playing an 88-key acoustic upright piano, bought 61-key and 49-key keyboards and synths, and […]
In the late 1980s, Roland launched its D Series of synthesisers, including both keyboard and module-based instruments, using its Linear Arithmetic Synthesis model. Contents Roland D-50 The D-50, launched in 1987, was the first (more) affordable synth to combine sample-based playback with subtractive synthesis. Roland’s sound engineers developed Linear Arithmetic […]
Looking at digital pianos from well into the 21st century, manufacturers have come a long way. The acoustic piano is a complex instrument full of subtle nuances and details which have historically been rather difficult to recreate convincingly in electronics. The acoustic grand has a far more advanced sound, and […]
Introduction It’s no secret that high-end digital pianos from quality manufacturers can cost thousands of dollars. You’re paying for the look, feel and sound, and often a premium depending on brand. At the other end of the scale, there are plenty of cheaper keyboard instruments which promise all sorts, but […]
Introduction With the recent launch of Arturia’s latest KeyStep controller keyboard, the KeyStep 37 mk2, we take a look at all six models, their similarities, differences and upgrades over time. The six models are: Find the best deals on new and used Arturia KeyStep models via our partner sites: Reverb […]
Contents Introduction The mid-80s was an exciting time for electronic music and instruments. The first incarnation of the MIDI specification had been finalised, the Atari ST had launched with dedicated MIDI on board, and synth manufacturers were pushing out more powerful instruments at lower prices. Over three years, from 1984 […]
Contents Introduction When it comes to budget-friendly, feature-rich home music keyboards, two names consistently sit at the top of the pile — Yamaha and Casio. They are both known for producing high quality instruments at reasonable prices and with plenty of interesting and useful features built in to make learning […]
Introduction Budget online retail sites like Temu have taken over popular culture and online buying habits in the past few years, potentially giving the big boys like Amazon, eBay and more traditional online retailers a run for their money. With cost of living being a real issue for many people, […]
Contents Introduction The Yamaha DX series represents one of the most important turning points in synthesizer history. Where earlier Yamaha lines such as the CS series explored the outer limits of analog subtractive synthesis, the DX range ushered in the age of digital FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis. Beginning in the early […]
Contents Jump to individual models: SY-1 | SY-2 | CS-50 | CS-60 | CS-80 | CS-40M | CS-5 | CS-10 | CS-15 | CS-30 | CS-30L | CS-15D | CS-20M | CS-70M | CS-01 | CS-01 II 1. Introduction Before Yamaha became synonymous with FM synthesis and the DX7, the […]
Introduction Here we present a simple arrangement of the Christmas song Little Drummer Boy. It was originally known as “Carol of the Drum” and written by Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. Famously it has been sung as a duet with an almost ad-libbed “Peace on Earth” by Bing Crosby and […]
Introduction Here we present a simple arrangement of the Christmas carol Here We Come A-Wassailing. Also known as “Here We Come A-Caroling”, “Here We Come A-Christmasing”, “Wassail Song” and by many other names, it is a traditional English Christmas carol and New Year song, typically sung whilst wassailing, or singing […]
Introduction Here we present a simple arrangement of the Christmas carol Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel. It is a hymn written for Advent. The 1851 translation by John Mason Neale from Hymns Ancient and Modern is the most prominent by far in the English-speaking world, but other English translations also […]
Introduction Here we present a simple arrangement of the Christmas carol Angels We Have Heard On High. It’s from a traditional French song called “Les Anges dans nos campagnes”, with paraphrased English lyrics by James Chadwick. It shares many similarities with the carol Angels From the Realms of Glory, having […]