WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD

Electronic Keyboards

Digital Pianos

Portable Keyboard

The Korg MS-20 Mini resemble its predecessor Korg MS-20, originally realeased in 1978. The MS-20 is a fully analogue, dual oscillator monophonic synthesizer with two envelope generators, high and low pass filters, a modulation generator with frequency, high pass filter and low pass filter modulation. Its three octave keyboard came housed in a distinctive upright case featuring a versatile patch bay for extended modulation, CV implementation and external signal processing making it possible to affect any audio source using the famous filters or even allow a guitar to trigger the synth.

But for many, to what extend the MS-20 Mini resemble its predecessor. First and foremost, the components in the original synth are now the best part of 35 years old, something that will affect the overall character of the sound. Apparently, the new synth is a little more extreme sounding and that the filter peak plays with the sound at a slightly different point than the original. If you compare the wave forms of both machines under an oscilloscope then you will find a slight difference but to all intents and purposes Korg have come up with as close a replica, in terms of sound, as anyone is likely to manage.

There are however some noticeable differences. The new synth is a whole 14% smaller in size than its predecessor, and that includes the keyboard. The keys are halfway between the mini keys found on the microKorg series and full size keys, specially designed for MS-20 Mini. There is now MIDI in as well as USB connectivity, and instead of 1/4″ TRS jack inputs. The MS-20 mini uses standard mini jack sized cables (3.5mm) for the patch bay, headphone out and main outputs, which is in line with the overall scaled down design. The endless possibilities offered by the addition of a patch bay will help keep both sound design novices and veterans occupied for years without getting bored. The two oscillators differ slightly as VCO1 scales from 32′ to 4′ whilst VCO2 is slightly higher at between 16′ and 2′. VCO1 gives you the choice of triangle, sawtooth, pulse width square and white noise with adjustable pulse width control. VCO2 gives you sawtooth, square, pulse and ring modulator with an independent pitch tuning control.

The Korg MS-20 Mini is relatively simple to create a gritty sound that does not want to be softened. The MS-20 mini has the ability to keep up with every edgy idea that you can imagine and is a lot of fun to use in the process. A faithful resurrection of the MS-20 , at a good price. Everyone should possess one!

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Roland RD-64 Digital Piano

11 Oct, 2013 No Comment

The Roland RD-64 Digital Piano is a pro-spec stage piano with 64-note weighted-action keys. With 64 note Ivory Feel-G keyboard action, SuperNATURAL Piano engine for authentic, playable acoustic piano sounds and more SuperNATURAL-based vintage EPs, plus essential clav and organ tones, the Roland RD-64 is also a flexible MIDI master keyboard, with one-touch setup that unlocks the SuperNATURAL sound potential when used with the INTEGRA-7 sound module or JUPITER-80/-50 synths.

The key action “Ivory Feel G”, a substantial weighted-action with a textured key surface. The default touch response curve is very dynamic, and allows zero-velocity “silent” notes, like you would find when playing an acoustic grand. Acoustic and electric pianos both benefit from Roland’s “SuperNatural” technology, which is the most current and expertly programmed sounds Roland has available to put into various products. The acoustic piano category has three tones - concert piano, bright piano, and concert mono, and all are derived from the piano sample set. Electric pianos include two Rhodes sounds (tine) and one Wurly (reed), and there are also three Clav settings and three drawbar organ settings. The organs are useful as they include a properly-triggering harmomic percussion and adjustable two-speed rotary effect. The Cons - Roland RD-64 will only recognize an expression pedal when it is in MIDI controller mode; which disables the internal sound, it would be nice to use one with the onboard organ tones.

For a gigging pianist, it is wonderful to see an instrument that balances practicality and power. The Roland RD-64 Digital Piano weighs in at just over 28 pounds. If you need to go ultra-compact while retaining weighted action and high-end piano sounds, the RD-64 just might be perfect for you.

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Arturia KEYLAB Keyboards

17 Sep, 2013 No Comment

The KeyLab controller keyboards are Arturia’s most advanced hybrid synthesizer products yet, offering immediate and in-depth control of the included Analog Lab Plug-in instrument (with over 5000 editable sounds from their vintage synth recreations), and featuring a huge range of controls ready to map to control DAWs, other plug-ins and external hardware gear. These new models are - Arturia KeyLab 25, Arturia KeyLab 49 and Arturia KeyLab 61.

The 25 note version of the range is the smallest, most lightweight and simplest of the three, ideally suited for travelling musicians, mobile music producers and performance orientated DJ’s. Complimenting that full-size keyboard is a feature-packed panel bristling with controls, including two clickable encoders, 12 encoders, nine sliders, pitch bend and modulation wheels, six backlit transport controls, 15 backlit buttons, octave up/down buttons; and 32-digit LED screen to enrich the performance experience and aid speedy software navigation.

The KeyLab 49 and KeyLab 61 MIDI keyboard controllers maximise performance and expression further. The 49- and 61-note full-size keyboards both boasting aftertouch and velocity sensitivity, and are designed to easily integrate into any studio or stage setup. The bigger is better maxim again comes into play here as KeyLab 49 and KeyLab 61 feature an even more extensive set of physical controls with an additional 16 backlit pressure-sensitive pads - perfect for beat-making purposes or triggering chords.

Arturia KeyLab 25 , Arturia Keylab 49, and Arturia KeyLab 61 all come complete with an all-new version of Arturia’s Analog Lab synthesizer software solution. Its rugged aluminium construction with eye-catching wooden end cheeks combine to heighten its status as a highly-capable controller compatible with any third-party software and hardware, helped by the bundled MIDI Control Center software.

Rear panel-mounted MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, Expression Pedal, Sustain Pedal, Aux foot switch, Breath control, and USB connections complete communication with the outside musical world.

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Korg Volca Series

16 Jun, 2013 No Comment

Korg Volca Bass Analog Bass Machine

And now … well, now there’s Volca, three new instruments covering keys, bass and beats - in name and function. The three new instruments are both more value-packed and more capable, complete with (at last) MIDI input ports that let you connect other gear. Volca Keys, Volca Bass, and Volca Beats each focus in on a specific sound design task, while sharing common sequencing and sync features, and tidy bodies with big touch strips. They’re self-contained music instruments;complete with speakers, but also play nicely with each other and other gear.

Three true-analog synthesizers with built-in sequencers to generate the ultimate analog leads, basses, and rhythm.

Korg Volca Keys - Analogue Loop Synth
Korg Volca Bass - Analogue Bass Machine
Korg Volca Beats - Analogue Rhythm Machine

Korg Volca Keys - Analogue Loop Synth. The ideal introductory synthesizer, with a simple - yet powerful - polyphonic analog sound engine and loop sequencer. This 27-key analog lead synth delivers unbelievably powerful sound in a compact body.

The delay is not the same as the one on the earlier Monotrons. The new delay is actually running on the microcontroller, a custom-implemented delay routine squeezed into the Volca’s processor cycles. And it’s irresitable, capable of whipping up spacey ambient dubs from your synth leads.

Sync is a blast - and you can sync up other monothings, too. You can connect minijacks to sync these different instruments, including both Volcas and Korg Monotribe. Now, you can also sync from MIDI in - and then use that to clock something else from the sync port.

Slide touch makes the sequencers more usable. Slide along the touch strip, and you can quickly silence and mute drum parts on the Volca Beats, for instance. You can also use Active Step to add and remove steps on bass and beats, and hop around the sequence on beats with Step Jump for rhythmic effects. It makes the beats and bass really performance-ready.

Volca Beats has added some sound features that keep things fresh. The “grain” parameter adjusts the digital wavetable on the hat, and can make some glitchy, tight sounds. PCM Speed creates some creative effects, as well, for other digital timbres. And the Stutter effect can be tuned to all kinds of different results.

You’ll get deep bass when you want it. With all three, I was impressed in better acoustic environments by the sounds of the bass drums and bass lines.

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Nord Lead 4 Performance Synthesizer

30 May, 2013 No Comment

The all new Nord Lead 4 Performance Synthesizer boasts 4 part multi-timbrality and an all new dual oscillator virtual analogue sound engine with 2x oversampling, new filter types and built in effects processor. And you get USB MIDI and 49 velocity-sensitive keys.

In addition to the Nord Classic Analogue Waveforms the new synth incorporates Wavetable mode with unique Formant Wavetables. Frequency Modulation and Hard/Soft sync options are available to allow you to “trash” your sound to new levels, the True Voice Unison mode can stack up to 4 voices to create truly awesome fat lead synth sounds and deep pad sounds.

The filter section on the Lead 4 includes Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass and now spectacular simulations of two transistor and diode ladder filters offering that dirty character of their ancestors.

Nord have incorporated a new “Variation” button that let you override almost any parameter. The Lead 4 has 7 assignable Variations per program giving the user the ability to warp and improvise sounds in real time, this can be done both sonically and rhythmically. Nord have also popped in Master Clock Syncronization which means this can be done in perfect sync to other layers or to an external MIDI clock.

The 4 slots have their own dedicated effects sections including delays, reverb, tube amp simulated overdrive, a talk effect modeled after a vocal tract and a sample rate reducing “crush” effect. Another new tool to the Lead series of synthesizers that empower the user to create unique sounds and work away from the norm.

Quite simply if you thought the Nord Lead 2 belonged in your synthesizer arsenal then make space for the Nord Lead 4. Like it’s predecessor the Nord Lead 2 the Nord Lead 4 is available in both four octave keyboard and rack/tabletop versions, simply known as the Nord Lead 4R.

Electronic Music Audio Samplers Audio Sequencers Drum Machines MIDI Interfaces Production Stations Sound Modules Tabletop Synthesizers

Digital Pianos Electronic Keyboards Organs Pianos Player Pianos World Instruments

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