Showing posts with label lightweight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lightweight. Show all posts

M-Audio Prokeys Sono 88 Review

M-Audio Prokeys Sono 88I bought it for my wife,alas it didn't work.I suppose, because it was packed not enough secure and also it has very light weight and therefore fragile.I 've sent it back and had my money back but not the shipment money

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio Prokeys Sono 88

Product Description:
The ProKeys Sono 88 portable digial piano with audio interface lets keyboard players and songwriters bridge the gap between writing, recording and performance.88 semi-weighted, velocity-sensiive keys, advanced keybed scanning technology and a sereo-sampled Steinway grand sound deliver in incredibly expressive piano experience.Six additional instant-access instrutments and 128 on-board General MIDI sounds round out a premium performance solution that can be used with or without a computer.In the studio, the keyboard's built-in USB audio interface makes it easy to record your performance - plus vocals and instrutments - directly to the computer with the included software.ProKeys Sono 88 provides an intuitive and seamless experience from start to finish, whether you're jamming live, creating professional-quality recordings or teaching music.

Buy cheap M-Audio Prokeys Sono 88 now Get 35% OFF

M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage Piano Review

M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage PianoThe Piano sound is truly the best sound you can find for even under $1000, and this is only $500.

Thats the good news.

The other sounds are ok, the organ sounds being the worst, and the electric piano being the best non-piano sounds. The worst part (and the reason i wouldnt buy it again) is the touch. If you plan on just pounding out chords, itll be fine, but if you play classical, jazz, or even most pop-styles that require a bit of touch, you will hate this piano. They say it is "Hammer-Action" but really they should be called "way-over-weighted". These are the heaviest keys i have ever played, and I wish i would have played it before i bought it online.

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage Piano

Product Description:
The ProKeys 88 is the premium digital stage piano that doubles as a great MIDI controller. It's loaded with large, realistic samples 14 world-class instruments in all, including split/layer capabilities. We paired those great sounds with an 88-key hammer-action keyboard, delivering a realistic feel to satisfy the most demanding pro. The ProKeys 88 is also a great master controller keyboard, including a built-in USB MIDI interface for easy direct connection to your PC or Mac, MIDI In and Out jacks to communicate with other MIDI gear, pitch and modulation wheels, sequencer controls and more. ProKeys 88 pulls out all the stops in creating the ultimate playing experience in an affordable digital stage piano.
Ultra-Realistic Piano
Our goal in designing the ProKeys 88 was to create an extremely musical and realistic piano experience. The caliber of a digital piano is greatly influenced by the quality and the size of the samples, so we started by giving the ProKeys 88 a generous amount of memory. Then, rather than dividing it up amongst a bunch of sounds you're not likely to use, we focused on the 14 sounds that are the bread and butter for many keyboardists--paying special attention to the stereo grand piano.

Incorporates a full USB MIDI interface that communicates with your computer via a USB connection.
Experiment with different effects on the ProKeys 88 to create signature sounds of your own.
Sustain, sostenuto, and expression pedal jacks--all MIDI assignable.
More Than a Stage Piano
The ProKeys 88 delivers all the staple keyboard sounds needed by many musicians. Its flagship stereo grand is supplemented by an alternate grand designed to really cut through in popular music. The ProKeys 88 has electric pianos covered too. And the Clavinet brings one word to mind: "funky." Acoustic and electric basses give you the option of layering a ride cymbal for jazz tunes. Vibes, ensemble strings and an inspiring warm, lush synth pad round out a great sonic palette for the gigging keyboardist.
88-Key Hammer Action
Of course, a realistic digital stage piano must have a full 88 keys that are properly weighted. The ProKeys 88's full-range clavier features hammer action that feels just like the real thing. It features three velocity curves tailored to different touches, as well as a fixed velocity for synth work.
Splits and Layers
The ProKeys 88 keyboard also features split and layer capabilities. Put a bass in your left hand and keys in your right. Chord with an organ while playing a piano lead. Layer lush strings over a piano. You can even have a split and layer simultaneously for a total of three sounds at once.
Control Your DAW
When it comes to communicating with the outside world, most digital stage pianos offer little more than a MIDI jack. In sharp contrast, the ProKeys 88 inherits much from M-Audio's years of experience pioneering mobile MIDI controllers. It incorporates a full USB MIDI interface that communicates with your PC or Mac via a single, simple USB connection--perfect for recording with virtually all MIDI sequencer software on the market. (The instrument features class compliancy with Windows XP and Mac OS X without installation of additional drivers.) You can even control your sequencer remotely via front-panel Start, Stop and Tempo buttons.
MIDI In and Out jacks allow full communication with all standard MIDI gear as well. The ProKeys 88 also features performance controls that are rare on digital stage pianos, including pitch wheel, modulation wheel, two footswitch inputs, and expression pedal input. The three different ranges available via the ProKeys 88's combined split and layer functions can each transmit on a separate MIDI channel as well. You also get dedicated front-panel buttons for program change, channel, bank MSB, bank LSB and local on/off.
Built-in Effects
There's no need to mess around with additional gear to add basic effects to your ProKeys 88. On-board EQ lets you easily tweak the tone on the fly. You also get three different built-in reverb spaces that simulate different acoustic environments. Chorus fattens up sounds like the electric pianos and basses. And what's a vintage Wurlitzer electric piano without tremolo? Experiment with different effects on the ProKeys 88 to create signature sounds of your own.
Full Pedal Complement
Every digital piano has a sustain pedal jack. But what about the sostenuto pedal (the middle pedal on an acoustic piano)? ProKeys 88 has it. There's also an expression pedal for foot-control of volume. And all three of these pedals serve as MIDI controllers for outboard gear as well.
Headphones and Pro Audio Outputs
Ever need to practice privately? ProKeys 88 includes a 1/4-inch stereo headphone jack so you can play without anyone else hearing you--at home or at a sound check. Of course, it wouldn't be an M-Audio product without high-fidelity 1/4-inch unbalanced audio output with specs like 20Hz-20kHz frequency response and 108dB dynamic range.
What's in the Box
ProKeys 88, Software Driver CD (drivers and applications), USB cable, Printed User Manual, Power supply (12V DC), Sustain Pedal

Buy cheap M-Audio ProKeys Premium Stage Piano now

M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller Review

M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi ControllerI'm an amateur musician, and I always wanted a big keyboard, something close enough to a piano, but the big keyboards were always so expensive. In top of that, they always come with lots of knobs and features that I never wanted to learn or try. I just wanted a piano-like keyboard to play.

When I saw this keyboard for first time, I loved its 'minimalistic' style: no knobs, no screens, no buttons. Just the 88 keys and the minimum necessary controllers (3 buttons, 2 wheels and 1 slider), all in a beautiful and solid silver case. When I checked its price, I suspected maybe its quality was poor, but I had good references for the M-audio brand. So I decided to give it a chance and I'm still very proud of my purchase: just plugged it into the usb port of my PC and it was inmediately recognized. I was using FL Studio, but right now I'm trying Sonar and it works flawlessly. The keys offer some resistance to pressure, so it almost feel like piano keys.

If you're interested on this keyboard, I strongly recommend it. But if you don't to know that much of keyboards (and you don't want to, anyway), you have to know this keyboard is not a exactly a toy, nor is the kind that comes with lots of sounds and rythms. It is a controller, which means you have to use some kind of software or synth device for it to produce any sound. If you know exactly what you're buying, I don't think you will ever regret of buying this keyboard. It's great!

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller

Product Description:
If you appreciate the full range of a piano keyboard in a lightweight package, the 88-note Keystation 88es is for you. You get great-feeling, semi-weighted action that's velocity-sensitive, to convey all the nuances of your playing to your computer and most popular music education and studio software. The pitch and modulation wheels plus slider and buttons make it a great controller for playing and programming synths, samplers, drum sounds and more. At just 22 lbs., the Keystation 88es is equally at home on stage and in the studio. Class compliancy with Windows XP, Vista (32 bit), and Mac OS X ensures easy plug-and-play setup. It's even bus-powered, so one simple USB cable is the only connection you need.

88-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller



Pitch bend and modulation wheels are ideal for controlling synths, samplers, etc.
Easily assign the control slider to different parameters of sound modules or software.
88-note velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action
88 keys means no constant hitting of an octave switch, an annoyance with smaller controllers. The semi-weighted action gives you a piano feel, and since it's velocity sensitive, your dynamic playing is accurately sent as data.
Pitch bend and modulation wheels
These are ideal for controlling synths, samplers, etc.
Volume/assignable control slider
Easily assign the control slider to different parameters of sound modules or software, for further control over your sound.
Advanced function button for programming
When the Advanced Functions button is pressed, the keyboard goes into "Edit Mode." In Edit Mode, the keys on the keyboard are used for selecting functions and entering data. Black keys are used for selecting functions, while the white keys are used for data entry and channel selection.
Sustain pedal input (pedal sold separately)
Add a sustain pedal, such as the M-Audio SP-1, for piano-like pedal control of your notes' duration.
Built-in USB MIDI interface
Easily interface with most MIDI software using the built-in USB MIDI interface. The standard MIDI "out" jack routes MIDI signals from the keyboard or computer to your external devices.
USB Powered
The 88es grabs power from the USB port on your computer. You can also purchase a 9VDC power adapter.
Mac OS X and Windows XP class compliant
Enjoy plug-and-play operation with both Mac OS X and Windows XP. Ableton Live Lite music production software is included, so you can make music right away on either platform.
What's in the Box
M-Audio Keystation 88es USB Keyboard, USB Cable, User's Manual

Buy cheap M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller now

Elegance 61 Keys Full Size Electronic Keyboard Review

Elegance 61 Keys Full Size Electronic KeyboardI am completely satisfied with my purchase of this keyboard. It's not a really amazing quality but I think it's a very good value for the price. I was looking for a simple, inexpensive keyboard that I could practice piano with and this fits the bill perfectly. It has enough octaves that you can play most songs and a pretty good sound quality. It is a little loud and the sound seems a little off sometimes but I would purchase it again because it's the best price I've found and it certainly works for what I needed it to.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Elegance 61 Keys Full Size Electronic Keyboard

Product Description:
This 61 keys keyboard is perfect for beginners and students or anyone who doesnt havespace for a grand piano.It comes with advanced features like Rising/Descending tone function, Single and fingered chord/ auto-base-chord/syn. Also includes features such as Vibrato, sustain, fill in, base effect. The LED digital displays relate number. Includes external speaker, AC Power, Double channel output. Large Scale Integration. Includes Users manual. Stand sold separately. Specifications: 935 x 355 x 125 mm; Weight: 5.0 Kg; Tone Area: C2 - C7; Output Power: 4 W

Buy cheap Elegance 61 Keys Full Size Electronic Keyboard now Get 60% OFF

Yamaha NP30 Portable Grand Piano Review

Yamaha NP30 Portable Grand PianoBefore detailed remarks, here is my reference point.Having been spoiled with playing real pianos (I should say "acoustic", for PC :), I wanted a keyboard just to enjoy some classical music on my own, at my amateur level.I wanted it to be like a piano (in how it feels and sounds) but small and inexpensive.

PROS:

PORTABILITY - especially for an (almost) full-size keyboard.I really didn't want another piece of furniture.NP30 just lies on the table, which (to my own surprise) ended up as the deciding factor for me.YMMV.

SOUND.All the voices (including grand piano, organ, harpsichord) are well done and beautiful.(But see "CONS" below.)

KEY WEIGHTING.NP30's keys are something like "semi-weighted" and "touch sensitive" (but consult the official specs on this) and somewhat easy to press.But see "CONS" below.BTW I researched this "weighted" topic quite a bit and tried several options, but my practical conclusion is this.If you care about the feel, go more high-end or get the real thing (an acoustic piano, that is).Otherwise you will likely get used to what you have, even though it isn't perfect.

SIMPLICITY.The controls are few and quite intuitive.

PRICE.It's all relative, of course, but compared to other full-size keyboards out there, it's among the cheapest - $300 at Best Buys.(And that's without any sale discounds - Best Buys felt kinda thin on sales to me.)

CONS:

KEY WEIGHTING.While offering you an approximation of an acoustic piano's feel, NP30's keys are not quite there.First, they are hard to press if you place your fingers far from the edge of the key (i.e. towards the back of the keyboard) - I have never noticed this on an acoustic.Second, in some cases when I press several keys at once, NP30 doesn't sense one or two of them, whereas an acoustic piano would.I have to re-adjust the pressure to get NP30 to play them.

SOUND.While individual sounds are beautiful, their combinations may not parallel the richness of an acoustic piano's.This is probably because there is no is no resonating effect between the various strings.(Which is quite understandable at this price level.)

FEATURES (missing).The ones I cared about: additional voices (NP30 only got 10) and the 12 keys for the full-size 88-key keyboard.Again, it's all about a trade-off against portability and price.

ACCESSORIES (missing).Power adapter and the sustain pedal are not included, and Best Buys charges $25-30+ for each.This is a RIP-OFF, people.For power, look around; maybe you have a compatible one already (12V, 1500 mA, negative is outside) - or use rechargeable batteries.And maybe you are fine without the pedal (I am still to answer that question for myself).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha NP30 Portable Grand Piano

Product Description:
The Yamaha NP30 Portable Grand is an easy-to-carry piano that features Advanced Wave Memory stereo sampled piano sounds for incredible sound quality.A entirely new take on the digital piano, offering quality, value and portability with a lighter touch. Featuring 76 Graded Touch keys and stereo-sampled pianos. Also, 10 voices like Organs and Strings plus 32 notes of polyphony. Another great feature for the home recording artist is that it performs as a MIDI controller too. The built in speakers allow you to play it anywhere since it operates on six AA batteries.Ultra-Portable Digital PianoThe new NP-30 Portable Grand delivers Yamaha digital piano sound and simplicity in a new lightweight, compact design like nothing else you've seen... all at a price point you won't believe.Its super slim design and minimal weight of 12 pounds makes it the most compact performer in the digital piano family of instruments. And 6 AA batteries are all you need to power up and start playing immediately.Do you have questions about personal keyboards?Click on the image for product comparisons and FAQs!Graded Soft Touch Action - NEWBecause of its similarity to acoustic pianos, a graded action is one of the primary features sought by pianists in their digital instruments. While technically a non-weighted action, the new Graded Soft-Touch keyboard is the first of its kind bringing different levels of resistance without the extra

Buy cheap Yamaha NP30 Portable Grand Piano now Get 32% OFF