Kurzweil has released a portable digital piano with a “mid-modern aesthetic” that’s said to be “beautiful from all angles”. With a look dreamt up by renowned synth designer Axel Hartmann, the KaP1 is actually billed as a stage piano, but could easily fit with the decor of a contemporary home or vibey studio.
It’s not all about the visuals, though: thanks to the inclusion of the Kore 2.0GB sound library, the KaP1 shares its 9-foot German grand piano samples with Kurzweil’s flagship K2700 workstation and SP7 Grand. Additionally, there are string, electric piano and organ tones in here.
The H1 Ivory Hammer-Action Keyboard is designed to replicate the touch and feel of a real piano. The KaP1 also features a 4-speaker stereo sound system that’s powered by dual 15W digital amplifiers, and has Bluetooth audio and MIDI connectivity.
Other player-friendly features include splitting and layering, pre-programmed backing rhythms, a metronome and a MIDI song recorder. The stand options are a traditional looking 3-pedal rig, the ST-4, or the more hipster ST-C1, which gives you those mid-century thin metal legs.
The KaP1 is being launched into the US with Artesia Pro and will be available in blue, white and black colour options. The KaP1 is available now, with a street price of about $800, and you can find out more on the Kurzweil website.
Having announced last year that it was bringing keyboard lessons to its platform, Duolingo has just ups its music tuition game by partnering with Loog on a portable digital piano: the Loog x Duolingo Piano.
Essentially a Duolingo-flavoured version of Loog’s existing beginner piano – meaning that it comes in Brat summer green – this three-octave, synth-action instrument promises a “musician-grade” piano sound and has a built-in battery and speakers.
There’s a volume knob on the top and, round the back, octave shifter and sustain ports, a 3.5mm headphones output and a USB-C socket for charging and transmitting MIDI. A wooden phone stand comes in the box, as do Duolingo Piano Flashcards.
Of course, this particular keyboard isn’t essential if you want to use Duolingo’s music lessons – perhaps, any other MIDI-equipped model would do the job – but it certainly looks the part, and at $249 is reasonably affordable.
The Loog x Duolingo Piano is available for pre-order now on the Duolingo website.
Loog has introduced Loog Piano, a portable digital piano for children and grown-ups, with musician-grade sound and design.
Beginner keyboards are often black plastic affairs with little in the way of personality, so the forthcoming Loog Piano could make for a refreshing alternative.
Loog made its name with its simplified three-string mini guitars, but has diversified into making kid-friendly six-string models. The piano follows the same ethos: it has a stripped-back design and is said to be easy to play.
Stripped-back doesn’t mean dull, though – first impressions are that the Loog Piano looks gorgeous. There are three octaves of what appear to be full-sized, velocity-sensitive keys, built-in speakers and a built-in rechargeable battery. There’s a lot of wood on show, too, including the end cheeks and the volume knob.
So far so simple- Unlike the majority of home keyboards, the Loog Piano features just one sound – that’d be a piano, obviously – which is based on a combination of sampling and modelling. The photos indicate that beginners will be able to learn to play using a system of flashcards, which will indicate which notes to play and when.
Connectivity options – headphone and USB-C sockets (MIDI over USB support is unconfirmed).
The Loog Piano is launching into a well-established, highly-competitive space.
