Tip For 2009: The New Roland V-Piano

Roland proudly announces the next chapter in the V legacy … the V-Piano. Throw away all preconceived notions of what a digital piano was and is. This instrument changes everything.

The new Roland V-Piano: a revolutionary digital piano

The V-Piano has already been chosen one of the “Best in Show” products at NAMM 2009. One panelist said: “This is an unbelievable sound. The first time I heard it, I said it’s like sticking your head inside a Steinway D. If you thought the V-Drums revolutionized electronic drums or the V-Guitar [revolutionized guitars], this is beyond.”

Breaking Barriers

The V-Piano soars above the limitations of past technologies with its revolutionary “living” piano core, allowing every note to respond and evolve naturally, seamlessly, and perfectly without requiring samples. With the V-Piano, there is no velocity switching, and it provides a smooth, natural decay that must be heard to be believed.

Create Your Dream Collection

With the V-Piano you can choose from beautifully crafted vintage grand-piano presets or you can create your own custom dream collection. Vary the hardness of the virtual hammer felts. Experiment with exotic string configurations and tunings. Put a world-famous grand under your fingertips or play a futuristic piano that has never been heard before.

New PHA-III Ivory Feel keyboard

Even the most demanding pianist will appreciate the V-Piano’s new PHA-III Ivory Feel keyboard with Escapement This advanced keyboard technology reproduces the real feel of ivory for the natural keys and ebony for the sharps, and provides a true grand-piano touch and response. Even the subtle click feel when the “hammer” is released from the key (escapement) is reproduced.

Friendly Complexity

High technology doesn’t have to equate to high complexity for the pianist. With its clean control panel and logically designed user interface, the V-Piano is amazingly fast and friendly to navigate. Even deep-level editing is easy to access and understand. You’ll be customizing and creating new sounds within minutes of first touching the instrument.

For more info: visit the V-piano product page

M-Audio Debuts New Axiom Pro Series Keyboards

M-Audio, a part of Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) introduced a new series of USB MIDI keyboard controllers designed for professional musicians.

The Axiom Pro family builds on M-Audio’s acclaimed line of USB MIDI keyboards by adding a number of enhancements that provide musicians with a more responsive playing experience as well as deeper tactile control to mimic the feel of playing a real piano.

Available in 25-, 49- and 61-key models, the Axiom Pro series offers easy software integration to digital audio workstations (DAW) including Pro Tools®, Cubase, Logic and Reason – as a result of M-Audio’s HyperControl™ technology, which automatically maps keyboard controls to commonly accessed parameters in software instruments and DAWs. The constant two-way link with the host DAW means that the Axiom Pro series keyboards are always in sync with the software’s active parameters. The intuitive graphic LCD constantly updates the current values, to ensure seamless editing and prevents parameter jumps—even when plug-ins are closed. Users can also easily toggle between Mixer and Instrument control modes, making the music creation process much more seamless.

Axiom Pro series keyboard controllers are also the first to combine MIDI control with ASCII keystrokes, allowing users to assign any button to send QWERTY key commands like cut/paste or undo directly to the host software. The controllers offer M-Audio’s premium TruTouch semi-weighted keyboard action for a more tactile and responsive playing experience. They are also equipped with eight velocity-sensitive trigger pads with M-Audio’s exclusive Trigger Finger technology for triggering loops and samples.

“The Axiom Pro series will equip our customers with an entirely new level of performance and flexibility by allowing them to control a whole session directly from their Axiom Pro keyboard,” stated Tex Schenkkan, Vice President and General Manager, Audio at Avid. “We’ve received numerous requests from our user community for a more full-featured version of the Axiom keyboard controllers for professional applications and today’s announcement delivers just that.”

Pricing and Availability
The Axiom Pro 49 is currently shipping and carries a USMSRP of $599.95. The Axiom Pro 61 is expected to ship in the first quarter of 2009 and will carry a USMSRP of $699.95. Pricing and availability for the Axiom Pro 25 will be announced at a later date. All three Axiom Pro models are currently on display at the NAMM convention in booth 6700.

UK pricing will be available shortly.

NAMM 2009: CME Launches Special Edition Pink MKey/UKey Controllers

CME is launching a special edition of their 49 note M-Key and U-Key controller keyboards in a vibrant pink finish. This colourful new release was announced at last week’s NAMM.

The pink versions will focus on female customers, from professional keyboard players to music fans, and provide all the features of the original with a unique finish that will help her stand out.

CME’s M-Key, which is already available in hushed grey, has an ultra-slim, full action semi-weighted keyboard with velocity sensitive keys, a programmable joystick, and various other controls. It includes connection s for USB, MIDI, and two pedals which are compatible with switch and expression control. M-Key is class compliant for both Windows and Mac (Vista/XP and OS X).

The CME U-Key Mobiletone keyboard, which is also available in White and Blue, has ultra-slim, full-action semi-weighted keys, a built-in 64-polyphony high-quality sound module and an internal, high-fidelity speaker driven by a digital amplifier.

The U-Key comes with more than 20 user-defined controllers, including a joystick, trigger pads, an encoder for data entry, and pedals. All controllers are fully-programmable and each function can be easily set up and saved for later loading by pressing certain keys. USB powered and compatible with both Windows XP/Vista and Mac OSX, the U-Key is a great solution for composing on laptops.

NEW! microKORG XL SYNTHESIZER/VOCODER Arriving Soon!

The original microKORG is loved and used daily by musicians around the world – from keyboardists to guitarists – enabling everyone to experience the enjoyment of a great synthesizer. Now the new big brother to this mega selling synth is available; a synthesizer that lets you generate your own personal sound, packing a cutting-edge sound engine and powerful effects into a compact, vintage-like body. Welcome the microKORG XL!

AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 2009! PRICE TBC

The original microKORG is loved and used daily by musicians around the world – from keyboardists to guitarists – enabling everyone to experience the enjoyment of a great synthesizer.

Now an advanced microKORG is available; a synthesizer that lets you generate your own personal sound, packing a cutting-edge sound engine and powerful effects into a compact, vintage-like body. Welcome the microKORG XL

This will certainly prove to be one of the best and most exciting releases next year. The new microKORG XL may quite easily be even better than the classic microKorg – will it become more popular? Let’s wait and see!

For complete info, click here.

Main features

• New vintage design is both fresh and nostalgic.
• Korg’s renowned MMT Multi Modeling Technology, optimized for the microKORG XL.
• Sixteeen band vocoder for voice controlled effects. A gooseneck microphone is included, so you can begin vocoding right away.
• 128 powerful sounds are built-in and ready for immediate use.
• Intuitive sound selection; simply specify the music genre and instrument category.
• Seventeen powerful KAOSS derived effects.
• Newly developed natural touch mini keyboard is compact, yet easy to play.
• Editing software can be downloaded from the Korg website, as well as converted MS2000 and microKORG programs.
• Battery powered for on-the-go enjoyment.

KURZWEIL PC3X: “nothing less than brilliant”

The new issue of Keyboard Player Magazine includes an extremely impressive review of the Kurzweil PC3X. “The PC3X possesses some of the finest keyboard sounds around bar none. For synths, acoustic pianos, electric pianos, tonewheel organs and most orchestral textures it is nothing less than brilliant. It is a real gigging machine”.

 

 

With a sleek new look on the outside, and an arsenal of Kurzweil’s latest cutting edge chip technology under its hood, the 88-note Kurzweil PC3X delivers 128 voices of incredible sound quality along with a host of powerful, easy to use features. The PC3X is Kurzweil’s ultimate performance controller keyboard, with an enormous collection of stunning sounds combined with comprehensive real-time controller functions.

 

 

“The primary attraction of any instrument of this ilk is how it sounds as it comes straight from the box. It is here that the PC3X plays its strongest card. Quite simply the sounds, and especially the keyboard sounds, are not only stunning but offer the user an extremely wide set of pre-set variations to a degree not seen before..It does all this with uncanny accuracy; these are sounds that will be echoing around touring venues, believe me”.

 

“There are many other acoustic pianos within its library and all are faithful impersonations of recognizable songs, eras or styles. Usually one finds that a couple or so of these type of voices smack of being gimmicky fillers but this is not so with the PCX pianos. Coupled with the weighted action, this section alone will see off pretty well most digital pianos in the same price bracket”.

 

To read the full review, pick up the November Issue of Keyboard Player (Issue 330). The Kurzweil PC3X is available now at Dolphin Music

more:

Kurzweil PC3X

Christmas Gifts: Keyboards, 5 of the Best

Christmas Gifts: Keyboard Round Up- 5 of the Best

This christmas if your looking for a home keyboard to ignite the musician in your household look no futher than Dolphin Music!

We have many to choose and this guide should define what these ideal gifts can do.

The Yamaha PSRE213 is the perfect beginner keyboard, with Portable Grand stereo piano and the Yamaha Education Suite. It also features “Listen & Learn” function for learning songs, and is General MIDI (GM), and XGlite compatible.

The Yamaha PSR-E213 – it’s an unbelievable bargain as a full-size MIDI controller.

*  Portable Grand:The industry’s best piano
* Interactive Yamaha Education Suite features “Listen & Learn”
* 375 voices also include “Cool” sounds and grooves
* General MIDI plus Yamaha XGlite compatible

The Casio LK 110 Key Light Keyboard lets you know the keys you should play by lighting the way , making this type of keyboard instrument perfect for beginners. Make music practice more enjoyable and productive! truley an excellent keyboard for learning via its 100 songbank tunes

Features:

• 61 Full-Size Keys
• 100 Tones
• 50 Rhythms
• Auto Accompaniments
• 100 Songbank Tunes
• 3 Step Lesson Function
• Voice Fingering Guide
• Microphone Jack
• Timing Guide on Display
• Microphone Jack
• LCD Musical Information System
• 12 Note Polyphony
• MIDI (GM Simulation, 5 Channel)
• 2 Loudspeakers
• Includes Songbook
• Weight: 4.6 kg
• Size (WxDxH): 944 x 373 x 130mm
• Batteries: AA-size x 6
• Optional AC adaptor: AD-5EL

Latest generation PSR portable keyboard with great educational features and USB.

The Yamaha PSRE413 is a 61-key portable keyboard with innovative features for learning to play, like the Yamaha Portable Grand and Yamaha Education Suite. A step up from the Yamaha PSR-E403, it too has fun, creative features including sound control knobs for real time control over effects, filters, EQ, tempo and 100 different Arpeggiator patterns. The PSR-E413 includes USB connectivity, allowing for the transfer of songs, styles and MIDI data between the instrument and a computer.

This can be used for educational purposes or for musicians to play along with pieces that are downloaded into the unit. For aspiring music artists, recording original pieces is quick and simple with the six-track/five-song capacity onboard sequencer. And, with Yamaha’s Performance Assistant technology, anyone can play a song – even novices. When the PSR-E413 keys are struck in time with the music, the notes are corrected to match chords of the song being played. No matter what keys are hit on the keyboard, the correct notes will play.

Features:

• Latest generation PSR portable keyboard with great educational features and USB
• 61-key unit with Touch Response
• 504 great sounds
• Extremely portable, and lightweight for easy transport
• Keyboard education tools
• The Yamaha Portable Grand – specially selected Yamaha grand piano sample, recorded in stereo for exceptional realism

The Yamaha DGX-630 is a 88-key weighted graded hammer action portable keyboard. Improvements on the earlier DGX-530 include 64-note polyphony, a beautiful matching bench and an Optional three-pedal unit, along with additional DSP Digital Signal Processing effects that enable realistic sounding Distortion Guitar and Rotary Organ.

The Yamaha DGX-630 keyboard also offers USB MIDI and USB to Device for removable storage, along with a high Resolution Live! Grand Stereo sample, song recorder, score and lyric display. The Yamaha DGX-630 keyboard offers an affordable, feature-packed portable keyboard with authentic grand piano-like touch: heavy in the low end, feathery light in the highs, and amazingly responsive throughout.

Features:

• 160 preset accompaniment styles
• 30 preset songs built-in (+ 70 on supplied CD-ROM)
• 64-note polyphony
• 6-track sequencer (upto 5 user songs)
• 6w stereo speakers
• 88 Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keys

The Casio SA-75 Mini Keyboard with high-quality tones plus functions that make music more fun. With the hands free microphone and portable design you can make music just about anywhere. 37 Minikeys, 100 Tones, 30 Patterns, 10 Songs, Includes a song book and hands-free microphone

Features:

• Keys 37 (min)
• Polyphony (maximum) 4
• Tones 100
• Rhythms/Patterns 30
• Tunes 10
• Lesson Function Yes

Nord announce next-generation Electro 3

Nord and UK distributor Sound Technology are very pleased to announce the next generation Electro – the Nord Electro 3. With the introduction of the Nord Electro 3, the legacy of the original Electro and the knowhow that have shaped some of the other Nord models have been combined.

The Electro 3 features a new organ section, a new piano section, new effects and also a new exciting feature that allows the Electro 3 to use any samples from the Nord Wave library.

Electro 3 replaces the Electro 2, albeit at a slightly higher price point. Electro 3 is expected to ship in limited quantities in early December 2008.

New and improved features:

• Load any sample from the Nord Sample library
  Users can add virtually any sound they want to the Nord Electro 3. Sounds can be loaded from the Mellotron Library or any other instrument or sound from the extensive Nord Sample Library, the same format as the Nord Wave uses. Users are even able to create their own Sample Instruments using the Nord Wave Manager and then use these in the Nord Electro 3.
  
• Exquisite new pianos
  The Electro 3 uses the same sample format as the acknowledged Nord Stage, to take full advantage of the Nord Piano Library’s multitude of velocity layers, pedal-down samples and extremely high quality samples with unprecedented expressiveness. Any current or future piano that is available for the Stage family will also automatically be available to the Nord Electro 3.
  
• Increased memory capacity – 8 times the size of the original Electro
  The Nord Electro 3 has a memory for pianos and samples of 256 MB and can it can store 126 programs.
  
• Second generation organ emulation
  The organ section is a direct descendent of the award winning Nord C1 Combo Organ with its fabulous vintage sounds from the B3, Farfisa and Vox-type models. Each and every individual sound creating component and even the artifacts of the original instruments have been faithfully reproduced in the Electro 3.
  
• Brand new effect section
  The Nord Electro 3 is equipped with a great selection of high quality effects including a lush sounding reverb with five different algorithms. There is also a selection of tremolo, panning, wah-wah, phaser, flanger and chorus effects.
  
• New amps, compressor and EQ
  Users can sculpt their final sound by choosing from a selection of three amplifier simulations that can add any amount of grit and distortion from gentle to manic levels. A three-band EQ with sweepable mid-range and a compressor can be added to the final stage of the audio path.
  
• Enhanced Rotary speaker emulator
  The rotary speaker emulator also originates from the Nord C1 Combo Organ, with its acclaimed sound quality. This rotary speaker emulator incorporates the acoustic variations that occur when a physical speaker spreads the sound in a room, providing the full experience of when the air is moved around.

  The Electro 3’s rotary also features a brand new function in the addition of the Rotary Stop Mode. This allows users to switch between fast and stopped rotation and back again by using either the controls on the panel or with a foot pedal connected to the Rotor Pedal input. This is a crucial functionality that mimics the behavior of early one-speed original rotary speaker units.
  

• Play along to music with the Monitor Input jack
  Just plug in your mp3 or CD player to the Electro 3 to be able to play along, rehearse or jam with previously recorded music without the need of an external mixer or sound system. The signal that is present at this input will be monitored through the Electro 3’s headphone output.
  
• Free Electro Manager application to manage the memory areas
  The content of the pianos, the samples and the program memories in the Nord Electro 3 will be managed by the Nord Electro Manager. This application will be available for free to Electro owners, and compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OSX.
  
• Increased portability
  The Electro 3 is slimmer and lighter than the original Electro.

You can Pre-Order your new Nord today, at Dolphin Music: Nord Nord Electro 3 – 61 or Nord Nord Electro 3 – 73

Yamaha’s Tyros 3: Get Close & Personal!

See The Tyros 3 in action, live! Dolphin Music will be one of the first stores in the UK to recive the Tyros 3, and Dolphin will be organising two instore events for those simply too anxious to know more about the eagerly awaited YamahaTyros 3.

Yamaha's new Tyros 3

 

The ‘Up Close And Personal’ days will take place on Wednesday 22nd October (Gateshead shop) and Friday 24th October (Huddersfield shop).

At those events, customers will be able to see a demo and have ago on the Tyros 3 – courtesy of Yamaha’s top demonstrator Richard Bowyer, who’ll be giving 1-2-1 lessons on the day. Customers are advised to phone the Dolphin shops to book a slot and avoid disappointment.

Tyros 3 UCAP Event @ Dolphin Gateshead 22/10/2008 16 Garden Walk Yellow Quadrant Metro Centre NE11 9XY Tel: 0191 493 2244 Tyros 3 UCAP Event @ Dolphin Huddersfield 24/10/2008 11-15 Market Street Huddersfield West Yorkshire HD1 2EH Tel: 01484 427455

Hurry up!

We were informed that the Huddersfield shop has just 2 places (12pm & 2pm) available to fill for a private viewing hosted by ace Yamaha demonstrator, Richard Bower. Call David now on 01484 427455 for more information.

View Yamaha Tyros 3 @ Dolphin

Yamaha debuts new DGX Portable Grands

For an RRP of £599 the DGX630 Portable Grand is a fantastic investment for the family. Read on to find out more about the instrument, it’s development and exactly what you get for you money.

As part of Yamaha’s continuing goal to make great instruments even more accessible to hobby musicians, a new keyboard concept, the DGX Portable Grand series, was introduced in 2002. These instruments featured many of the musical and tuition features of Yamaha’s successful portable keyboard range, together with an extended 76 or 88-note keyboard, allowing piano-style performance at a much lower price point. The DGX concept was further refined with the introduction of the DGX620 in 2006, which featured for the first time a fully weighted Graded Hammer action keyboard, giving the performer true acoustic piano feel and response. The DGX620 proved to be a big hit with consumers and trade alike, earning high praise for its technology and design, and winning the CES Innovation 2007 Award in the USA, and the Japanese Good Design Award. Now Yamaha goes one stage further with the introduction of the new DGX630, shown for the first time to the UK public at the recent London International Music Show.

A number of significant improvements have been made by Yamaha’s technical boffins, not least in the area of piano playability. The maximum polyphony of the instrument has been doubled to 64 notes, allowing the player to appreciate the natural resonant sound of the piano without any discontinuity or ‘clipped’ notes, especially when using the damper pedal. This difference is even more noticeable when playing with Dual voices, such as Piano layered with Strings, and allows full, rich orchestral textures to be enjoyed in live play. Whilst the DGX630 inherits its superior piano sound from its predecessor, it moves closer to the authentic sound of an acoustic piano, thanks to a special new acoustic adjustment which allows for much more natural reverberation. Finally, pianists can now manage pedals just as on an acoustic piano with the optional 3-pedal unit which provides not only sustain but also soft and sostenuto pedals. These refinements make the DGX630 truly without comparison in the compact arranger piano world… but there’s much more.

New studio quality DSP effects transform the instrument’s orchestral voicing – electric pianos have automatic stereo panning, rock organs scream through rotary speakers, lead guitars get a cool distortion effect, and many more. This sound technology has been adapted from Yamaha’s larger portable keyboard models such as the PSR-S700. A new selection of electric pianos and clavinet sounds adds to the sonic armoury. Yamaha have also adapted accompaniment styles from the recently introduced CVP400 series Clavinovas and added them to the DGX630, giving a more professional backing band than ever before. These styles also include improved fill-in patterns, which give a natural and authentic progression through different sections of a song. Thanks to the expanded range of musical genres in the style section, Yamaha have also expanded the useful Music Database feature to include a total of 300 automatic setups for many of the world’s most popular songs. In short, the DGX630 is an amazing instrument at just £599.99.

The new DGX630 has two smaller brothers – the DGX530 (88-note) and DGX230 (76-note). Both of these instruments feature the new Graded Soft Touch action first seen on the NP30 portable piano, which gives a slightly heavier touch in the bass register whilst still featuring the soft touch of a traditional portable keyboard. Both models feature a selection of new improved voices and styles and represent excellent value for money at £499.99 and £299.99 respectively.

Judging by the public’s reaction at LIMS2008, the new DGX range looks certain to be a massive hit with the UK’s keyboard playing public.

Check them out now at Dolphin Music!

Yamaha DGX630

Yamaha DGX530

Yamaha DGX230

Yamaha Tyros 3 – The Most Eagerly Awaited Keyboard Of 2008? (UPDATE!)

The countdown has started. In a few weeks time, the new Tyros 3 from Yamaha will be amongst us. But, so far, all we hear about the product itself are speculations, and all Yamaha has given to the public is a puzzle…

Tyros 3...

Meanwhile, keyboard enthusiasts wonder what innovations the Tyros 3 will bring, which features it’ll have: Larger, motorised colour screen that can be raised and lowered? Better sounds? Super Articulation 2? USB 2.0? Import and play MP3? Sounds from the Motif XS plus of course many more Styles?

All those rumours have been heard, but no one knows for sure. Yamaha is not releasing any information on the Official Tyros 3 Website just yet…only a puzzle!

A good way to get up-to-date info on the Tyros 3 is contacting Dolphin Music at tyros3@dolphinmusic.co.uk

We can already clarify a few questions about the Tyros 3, which have circulated around the web in recent months. The most obvious, is that it WILL be called Tyros 3, rumours that Tyros 3 will be called a new name were untrue…as shown in the only image released. And, as another piece is added to the puzzle, it seems to our tired eyes that, unlike many people were expecting, the Tyros 3 will have 61 keys, like Tyros 2.

Another 61-keys keyboard? Perhaps...

By the way, you can already listen to 2 very different Tyros 3 samples by clicking on the puzzle. What do you think?

And more – See The Tyros 3 in action, live, before it’s official release!

Dolphin Music will be organising two instore events for those simply too anxious to know more about Tyros 3. The ‘Up Close And Personal’ days will take place on Wednesday 22nd October (Gateshead shop) and Friday 24th October (Huddersfield shop).

At those events, customers will be able to see a demo and have ago on the Tyros 3 – courtesy of Yamaha’s top demonstrator Richard Bowyer, who’ll be giving 1-2-1 lessons on the day. Customers are advised to phone the Dolphin shops to book a slot and avoid disappointment.

Tyros 3 UCAP Event @ Dolphin Gateshead 22/10/2008 16 Garden Walk Yellow Quadrant Metro Centre NE11 9XY Tel: 0191 493 2244

Tyros 3 UCAP Event @ Dolphin Huddersfield 24/10/2008 11-15 Market Street Huddersfield West Yorkshire HD1 2EH Tel: 01484 427455

Let’s now just wait and see if all this hype is justified!