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Alesis has introduced the Prestige Series digital pianos, with advanced features and at an affordable price – the Prestige, Prestige Artist. Both feature 88 keys, multiple voices and built-in speakers.

Alesis claims that the Prestige Series pianos feature “the most advanced and versatile sound library ever created for a digital piano,” which is quite some statement. The standard model contains 16 voices, while the pricier Artist edition has 30.

Both pianos have a graded hammer-action keyboard with adjustable touch response. Sounds can be layered – two at once or split across the keyboard, and in Lesson mode, the keyboard is divided into two sections with the same pitch and voice. Alongside the grand piano voices, you get electric pianos, strings, organs and synths, all of which are said to have been carefully multisampled.

Polyphony on the standard Prestige is 128 notes,  while the Prestige Artist model is 256 notes. Both pianos have a 50W (2x25W) micro-array speaker system that promises plenty of volume and clarity.

Other features in both pianos include a reverb with five selectable types, a record mode so that you can hear your performances back, and a built-in metronome. Both Prestige models also include 60 free interactive lessons from Melodics, three months of Skoove Premium and two months of TakeLessons | Live. Connectivity includes stereo 1/4-inch outputs, 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch headphone outputs and USB-MIDI.

Further enhancements for the Prestige Artist piano include an OLED display and the inclusion of a piano-style sustain pedal while the standard Prestige piano comes with a standard sustain pedal.  Both models are also bundled with a music rest and power adapter.

Alesis Prestige Artist, 88 Key Digital Piano

The Prestige and Prestige Artist digital pianos should be available.  Find out more on the Alesis website.

Yamaha YC73

Yamaha YC88

Yamaha has announced the larger versions of the YC61 offer drawbars, FM synthesis and much more. A year on from the launch of the YC61 stage keyboard, Yamaha has added two larger siblings to the range, the YC73 and YC88. Alright, you are unable to gig with them right now – for obvious reasons – but Yamaha certainly look up to the job when you are ready to venture out again.

The Yamaha YC73 features 73 balanced keys and is very much an all-rounder when it comes to performance, while the 88-note YC88 is meant for players who prioritize the touch and feel of an acoustic piano. There are Natural Wood keys with triple-sensor action, synthetic ebony and ivory key tops.

As with the YC61, the new models are loaded with vintage keyboard tones, and offer drawbar control for organ players. The organ sound engine is powered by Yamaha Virtual Circuit Modeling (VCM) technology, which promises to recreate an organ behaviour right down to component level. The same technology is used for the rotary speaker effect. There are nine drawbars, and you also have control over the percussion and vibrato/chorus and you can customize the key click and leakage, too, and the organ section also includes FM synthesis.

In addition, there are also two Keys sections, with Yamaha AWM technology being used to power acoustic and electric pianos, strings, brass, analogue-style synth sounds and more – FM synthesis is included here, as well. And, there are two easily-tweakable effect sections here also. You can split the Organ and Keys sections across the keyboard or plug in another MIDI keyboard to take control of one of them, which would be useful on stage.

OK, you can still opt for the Yamaha YC61, too – this includes the semi-weighted waterfall action that is preferred by organ players.

Both the YC73 and YC88 will be available from next week.

Yamaha YC88

The Williams Allegro 88-Key Digital Piano features 88 weighted hammer-action, velocity-sensitive keys, with 64-note Polyphony, 8 Preset Voices; 2 pianos, 2 electric pianos, 2 organs, strings and upright bass and 8 Preset Demo Songs, Effects; Reverb and Chorus, Layer and Split modes, large LCD display, a Metronome feature, MIDI In/Out, 2-track recording with song recording and playback.

The Allegro though is not a grand piano and has limited voices, but has good piano sounds. The grand piano is excellent and so is the pop piano as well. The electric pianos are good with electric piano 2 being the best of the two. It has the basic church organ and a very good rock organ. Both church and rock organ are supported with a Boss RT 20 for Leslie feel. Strings are for layering and the bass sound is an upright type sound, and when you layer a couple of sounds it grows on you. The Allegro keys are weighted – the touch sensitive and feel is good. The control modes are straight forward with an easy 3 digit LED display. The MIDI In/Out connections enables you to use it as a basic controller with your favorite DAW.

Despite weighing 17.2 kg, the Williams Allegro has held its own as a practice piano at the house. If you are looking for a decent full size 88-key digital piano for a fraction of the cost, this is it! – Williams Allegro. The simple and easy of use digital piano is ideal for beginners, advance players or occasional players as well. And with great Sounds, Style and Price!

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