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Yamaha’s YC stage pianos get new DX7, CP80 and felt piano sounds as part of a free update.

Yamaha has released a free OS update for the YC Stage Keyboard line, YC OS v1.3, that adds new sounds, features and workflow enhancements.

Yamaha’s v1.3 OS update for its YC series stage keyboards might be full of new features, but it turns out that many of them are inspired by instruments from the company’s past.

In response to requests from the Yamaha IdeaScale community there is a new CP80 electric grand piano voice to enables you channel your inner Tony Banks/Phil Collins, and 16 classic DX7 sounds have also been added (bass, brass and pad patches to be precise). Not every addition is retro, though; there are also 16 additional ‘modern’ FM sounds.

On the acoustic piano front there is a new Hamburg Grand, while the fashionable Felt Piano from Yamaha CP series also makes an appearance.

Other enhancements include- The FM organs get vibrato and chorus, the pan settings for each part can now be adjusted individually, and parts can now be linked for quick control over overall volume, tone, filter/EQ and effect settings (useful when you’ve set up splits and layers). Improvements have also been made to the rotor speaker functionality.

New in YC OS v1.3:

• New sounds – An expressive Hamburg Grand, intimate Felt Piano from the CP Series, and an all-new CP80 sampled from the Yamaha Synth Space collection have been added. The YamahaSynth IdeaScale community requested the CP80 Voice, which Yamaha says delivers the expressive bite you would expect from this classic stage piano.
• In addition to the new Piano Voices, are 32 new FM Voices. You’ll find 16 classic DX7 basses, brass and pads and 16 modern FM sounds for contemporary genres.
• Vibrato and Chorus for FM Organs: Vibrato and Chorus effects are now available for FM Organs, and the F2 and F3 types match the classic effects found in vintage 60s combo organs.
• Pan to Parts Settings: Freely adjust pan for each Part separately for greater stereo mix flexibility.
• A/B Parameter Link Function: Press and hold the Keys A/B button and you’ll get control of Volume, Tone, Filter/EG and Effect settings for both Parts simultaneously. Great for controlling both Parts when set up in a Split or Layer.
• Rotary Speed Hold: Before OS v1.3, Rotary Speaker speed settings were saved in the Live Set. This new setting allows you to keep the Rotary Speaker speed settings the same regardless of the Live Set.
• Studio Rotary Speaker Type Default: All organ Live Set sounds using the Rotary Speaker effect now default to the Studio type introduced in OS v1.2.

The Yamaha YC OS v1.3 update is compatible with all three YC keyboards (the YC61, YC73 and YC88) and can be downloaded now via the Yamaha website. Users are advised to back up their settings before installing the update.

Yamaha’s CK61 and CK88 are not just stage pianos – they are portable keyboards that you can play anywhere.

The lightweight models inherit sounds from the CP and YC series.

Yamaha’s product roster is not exactly short on stage keyboards – it can already offer you the CP and YC models– but its new CK series sets itself apart by putting the focus on portability.

The 88-note CK88 and 61-key CK61 promise the sounds of the CP and YC keyboards in a more compact, lightweight form factor (13.1kg and 5.6kg respectively). Both models can be powered by eight AA batteries and have integrated loudspeakers, so the theory is that you can pitch up and play pretty much anywhere.

The soundset is as you would expect. Pianos, electric pianos, strings, brass, organs and “modern synths” are all present and correct, and you can spread these across three keyboard zones or layers to create more complex patches and increase your performance options.

Each part can be processed with the built-in effects – these include filters, envelopes, modulation processors, delay and reverb – and there’s also a final global effects section that features a master EQ.

In addition, Yamaha also promises intuitive control, with all important parameters right under your hands, and the three-part sound architecture is designed to make it easy to switch between sounds and combine them during a performance. The colour coding of the switches can be customised, so you can quickly see which parameters are active for each part.

There are dedicated organ drawbar controls, as well, and the aforementioned effects are said to be quick to adjust.

The CK61 (smaller version) features lightweight ‘Future System Basic’ (FSB) keys and has an action inspired by that of old Electone organs such as the FX-1. With a heavier initial key resistance and increased travel, Yamaha promised more expression and greater stability, and a feel that should be perfect for organs, electric pianos, strings, synths and more.

The CK-88 has ‘Graded Hammer Standard’ (GHS) keys for a more piano-like experience.

Other features include Bluetooth audio connectivity, mic/line-in, MIDI/DAW control and audio interfacing.

The CK88 and CK61 will be available in April priced at $1,899/£1,567 and $1,249/£1,008 respectively. Find out more on the Yamaha website.

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The new Nord Electro 4D features 61-note semi-weighted waterfall keybed  – similar as the Electro 3, new physical drawbars for hands-on control, tone wheel organ engine, new Rotary speaker, USB MIDI.

The new Electro 4D semi-weighted waterfall keybed is great for organ sounds and still controllable enough for playing piano-type sounds. Most notably, the addition of real drawbars that replace the lights and buttons on the previous electros has transformed the Electro 4D into a real player’s instrument when playing live. Also included is an expanded delay effects section with tap tempo button, rate, a stereo ping-pong mode, and amount controls. The Electro 4D organ engine is Nord’s flagship organ derived from Nord C2D. The piano engine is still similar but, now there is a long release function which adds a more realistic long decay to the acoustic piano sounds. This is a subtle addition but one that adds much again to the overall authenticity. Additionally, four live locations and 4 preset banks give an unprecedented amount of freedom with presets, and Nord finally provides MIDI flexibility, making the USB port a USB-MIDI interface.

The Nord Electro 4D simple layout, unmatched sound quality and classic control surface, an evolutionary upgrade. One thing though, the Electro 4D is mono-timbral, so no layering or splitting of organ and piano sections can be done at a time. The tough, compact and ultra portable Nord Electro 4D SW61 61-Key Portable Keyboard weigh merely 7 kg.

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