Well, a good stage piano not necessary only has to sound great, but it also needs to be easy to use in a live performance. And Korg reckons that the new Korg Grandstage meets both of these criteria, equipped with seven sound engines and an extremely straightforward interface.
The Korg Grandstage stage piano features impeccable RH3 fully weighted hammer action, and advanced controller functionality. The all-new Grandstage pushes the envelope with five legendary grand pianos plus a new upright alongside 500 sound program. There is a big focus on acoustic pianos here, with the SGX-2 engine providing six of them. EP-1 deals with electric pianos; CX-3, VOX and Compact cover organs; and AL-1 and HD-1 are devoted to analogue modelling synthesis and PCM sound creation.
Other features include a 3-band EQ, layer/split capability, and the option to lock the front panel to ensure that settings are not accidentally changed in the heat of a gig. There are easy-to-use reverb and delay effects, while you can adjust the – crispness and expressivity, of sounds with the Dynamics knob. You can instantly recall sounds with the Favorite buttons, and the Grandstage creates smooth transitions when you switch between sounds.
The Korg Grandstage ships with a music rest, pedal and keyboard stand.
The Korg Grandstage are available in 73- and 88-note configurations.
The Roland RD-2000 88-keys Digital Stage Piano features Dual Sound Engines, PHA-50 Progressive Hammer-action Keybed, Advanced Controller Functionality, and Onboard 24-bit/192kHz USB audio/MIDI Interface.
The RD-2000 is Roland’s most powerful stage piano. There are two sound engines; the first handles the acoustic piano, which is said to incorporate Roland’s latest V-Piano technologies, and while the second powers an electric piano library that includes classic EPs from the 1970s, plus all-new recreations of the Roland RD-1000 and MKS-20 from the 1980s. The versatile RD-2000 includes more than 1,100 ensemble sounds that cover multiple musical styles with just one keyboard. With the 88-note PHA-50 progressive hammer-action keyboard to play these sounds on, this features hybrid keys are constructed of both wood and molded materials. There are also “extensive” controller features on the newly-designed interface.
There is a USB audio/MIDI interface built in, so you can integrate computer-based software instruments into your performances. In addition, users can control them with zones along with the internal sounds, and route their audio through the RD-2000. The interface supports 24-bit audio at rates up to 192 kHz, allowing you to access your highest quality sounds. The main stereo outs are on XLR and 1/4-inch jacks, and there is also an assignable stereo sub output.
While the Roland RD-2000’s feature upgrades are significant, its weight 21.7 kg has not changed from the previous RD generation. It is still easy to transport from gig to gig, and the aluminium body is both handsome and extremely durable. The portable Roland RD-2000 would be available in April 2017.
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. goat milk creatives
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.
