Editors Keys.com has released a new keyboard set for Apple’s Logic Pro and Express software.

The Editors Keys Logic Keyboard Key Set is an essential tool for any MAC user running Logic. The Keyboard set is compatible with all versions of Logic, Logic Pro and Logic Express. (please note this audio keyboard set is only compatible with white Mac keyboards)

The Logic Set is the first set of Editors Keys to be semi transparent, which means users who have their own shortcut set-up, can simply apply the shortcuts to those settings.

For beginners, or users who want to use a default setting all they have to do is apply the set to the default keys above each sticker and double click our shortcut defaults to be up and running.

The keyboard set transforms your standard keyboard into a fully functional Logic audio editing keyboard, for a fraction of the price of other audio editing keyboard solutions. Costing Just £8.99 currently with 20% off.

Each Key is easily applied to your standard keyboard using our handy applicator, and contains the program shortcut icon and handy text reference telling you exactly what each tool is. In total there are 89 keys.

For more information, visit their web site at www.editorskeys.com.

Posted in Accessories, Computer, Keyboard, Recording, Software, Technology

Yamaha announces the debut of the YPG-225, YPG-525 and YPG-625 portable keyboards. The new entries replace the Yamaha DGX line and are targeted to keyboard players of all levels, from beginners to serious hobbyists and semi-professionals.

All three models became available in June and feature USB functions, 32 notes of polyphony, recording capabilities and built-in speaker systems. Performance Assistant Technology ensures error-free performances, Music Database offers complete keyboard setups by song title, and Yamaha’s ultra-realistic Portable Grand function is activated by the press of a button. The built-in Yamaha Education Suite incorporates progressive exercises and timing lessons to help develop two-hand proficiency.

The 76-key YPG-225 (MSRP: $479.95) is an updated version of the Yamaha DGX-203 and features USB MIDI connectivity for quick and easy connection to a computer and the Internet. It also includes a six-track song recorder and Portable Keyboard Styles. Optional accessories include Survival Kit D, along with an optional wooden stand and bench.

“With the push of one button, the YPG-225 allows you to call up the best sound in the keyboard and just play,” says Mark Anderson, marketing manager, Yamaha Portable Keyboards. “USB connectivity allows customers to put additional songs in the keyboard that they want to learn to play using our Yamaha Education Suite features. In addition, there are five types of Master EQ settings that allow you to tweak the sound to your liking.”

The YPG-525 (MSRP: $899.95) is packed with features and functions, including 88 piano-style keys with Portable Keyboard Styles, high resolution Live! Grand Piano stereo sample, decorative wooden stand and sustain pedal. Other highlights include USB storage capability, five types of Master EQ, and a large LCD lyric and score display. Optional accessories include a bench and Survival Kit E.

“This is a piano-focused keyboard with a number of updates, including USB functions and more than a hundred auto accompaniment styles and songs to listen to or learn,” says Anderson.

The YPG-625 (MSRP: $1,099.99) is Yamaha’s first 88-key Graded Hammer System weighted action portable keyboard, and includes all the features of the YPG-525 with the addition of the look and sound of an acoustic piano—piano-style keys, a wooden stand and a sustain pedal. Optional accessories include a bench and Survival Kit E.

For more information, visit their web site at www.yamaha.com.

Posted in Keyboard

In 1976, Yamaha released the first of its CP series stage pianos. These “electric grands” became instant classics with their authentic sound and live performance convenience. Thirty years later, Yamaha celebrates those milestone keyboards by unveiling the the new CP300 and CP33.

Drawing on Yamaha’s rich tradition and experience, these instruments give the live performer all the sound and expressiveness of a grand piano with the portability and versatility of a modern digital instrument. The professional 88-note, weighted action portable stage pianos with enhanced performance and MIDI controller features are equally at home on the stage or in the studio.

“The CP300 and the CP33 represent the rebirth of the legendary CP series, which served as the professional musicians’ stage piano of choice,” said Dane Madsen, marketing manager, Digital Pianos, Pro Audio and Combo Division, Yamaha Corporation of America. “With Yamaha’s trademark emphasis on touch and tone, you can tell they’re made by people who know what a piano is supposed to feel and sound like. We are the only significant digital piano manufacturer that also makes acoustic pianos, experience that shows on the new CP line.”

The flagship CP300, which replaces the P250, features Yamaha’s signature Graded Hammer Effect action and 3-level, stereo-sampled grand piano voices with String Resonance (offering harmonic overtones), Stereo Sustain (simulating open strings while pedaling) and Key-Off Samples (providing recordings of felt dampers coming to rest on vibrating piano strings), which combine to provide the most authentic-sounding and finely nuanced acoustic piano voices. Two built-in 30 Watt stereo monitor speakers preclude the need for external amplification. During live performances, the speakers serve as built-in monitors; they also create vibrations throughout the cabinet that players can feel, bringing the playing experience one step closer to that of an acoustic piano. Balanced XLR outputs provide a crisp, clear, noise-free audio signal onstage or in the studio.

Other pro highlights include four new slider controls for internal sound levels or external MIDI control. Dedicated buttons for speaker ON/OFF, transpose and panel lock prevent the performer or anyone else from inadvertently changing the sound.

The CP33, which replaces the P90 and is geared toward the budget-minded performer, contains a number of professional performance enhancements, including two-zone slider controls that provide rapid balance adjustments between Split and Layer voices, Pitch-bend and Mod wheels, and an auxiliary foot controller input. A USB terminal connects to a computer for recording of performances and creating and arranging songs.

The CP300 (MSRP $2,699) began shipping in May and the CP33 (MSRP $1,699) began shipping in June.

For more information, visit their web site at www.yamaha.com.

Posted in Keyboard

E-MU® Systems has announced its new Platinum 88 Grand Piano Sound Library that offers Emulator X and Proteus X users over 7GB of 24-bit grand piano samples.

Using a meticulously sampled Steinway Model L concert grand piano, the Platinum 88 features twelve layers of samples for each of the piano’s 88 notes: five layers with the sustain pedal up, six with the sustain pedal down, and a layer entirely dedicated to note-off sounds.

Every note was recorded through its natural delay, enabling the Platinum 88 bank to be completely free of loops. The samples were then mapped to their proper key and velocity positions in Emulator X and Proteus X and programmed with Pedals and Continuous Controllers.

Also included are 1GB and 200MB 16-bit versions of the piano for ultimate sequencing flexibility and optimized performance. The Platinum 88 is priced at $149.99 and available from E-MU Dealers and direct at www.emu.com.

For more information, visit their web site at www.emu.com.

Posted in Audio, Keyboard, Piano, Synth

Applied Acoustics Systems announces today the official release of Ultra Analog Session for Mac OS X and Windows.

Ultra Analog Session is a versatile and expressive synthesizer based on the synthesis engine of the acclaimed Ultra Analog VA-1. Ultra Analog Session boasts a comprehensive preset library covering a wide range of the analog spectrum making it an ideal and very affordable tool for musicians looking for the best in analog sound.

Pricing and Availability
The Ultra Analog Session is available now direct from the AAS web store at a price of $99 for Mac OS X and Windows systems. Ultra Analog Session runs as a standalone application and supports DXi, VST, AudioUnits, and RTAS (Mac OS only) plug-in formats. An update will be available soon to support the new Intel-based Mac systems.

For more information, visit their web site at www.applied-acoustics.com.

Posted in Computer, Keyboard, Recording, Software, Synth, Technology

Carvin proudly introduces the K15 Keyboard Amplifier. Featuring a great-sounding transducer compliment, versatile EQ control, and numerous additional features, the new K15 Keyboard Amplifier delivers 100 watts into a highly functional, heavy-duty system—making this a powerful, full-range keyboard amplifier setup.

The K15’s exceptional sound quality comes from a transducer compliment coupled with an equally proficient power source. This self-contained keyboard system incorporates a heavy-duty 15-inch low frequency transducer mated with a Titanium driver. The K15’s enclosure features Carvin’s popular tilt-back design that places the sound right where it’s wanted, and the entire enclosure is protected by a rugged Duratuff™ covering with steel side handles and a perforated steel grill to protect the drivers.

Powering the system is a robust 100 watt amplifier designed to handle a wide range of keyboard applications. The exceptional K15 features four channels (two stereo or dual mono), with quarter-inch inputs, one mono quarter-inch input, and one XLR/quarter-inch “Combo” input. The K15’s input architecture provides ample room for several keyboards, sound modules, drum machines, and a vocal mic—all in one very easy to use, highly transportable configuration.

For additional sound contouring flexibility, the new K15’s Channel 3 includes an Instrument/Line button plus a tone control with a Mid shift button, while channel 4 offers a full 3-band EQ. Additionally, the K15 features a master 5-band Graphic EQ that makes fine tuning the main output a snap, and there’s also an effects loop for incorporating one’s own signal processing. With Line Out and Speaker jacks available on the K15’s rear panel, keyboard players have a comprehensive, compact keyboard system.

The new Carvin K15 Keyboard Amplifier is sold factory direct at $399.99. The K15 is available now.

For more information, visit their web site at www.carvin.com.

Posted in Amplification, Keyboard

Native Instruments just released Akoustik Piano 1.1 R2, a free update for its piano software instrument. The new version offers significant improvements and additional features in almost every area, further extending its recognized strengths in sonic realism, playability, functionality and ease of use.

In Akoustik Piano 1.1, a new Overtone technology delivers strikingly realistic string resonance for all three grand pianos and the upright piano. To provide even smoother sonic characteristics across the full key range, the sample sets of all four included pianos have been meticulously retuned and re-adjusted in the new version. The update also adds Stretched Tuning, the preferred tuning mode for classical solo piano performances, and adds highly realistic “Repedalling” behaviour to its implementation of the sustain pedal.

Furthermore, Akoustik Piano 1.1 offers an enhanced user interface, an improved Recorder section with MIDI song import, MIDI automation for a wide range of sound parameters including volume and pan, an adjustable “bass boost” function, and an easy-to-use output limiter. The update also increases the number of maximum voices to 150, providing sufficient polyphony headroom for even the most demanding piano arrangements.

With the new version, all four pianos can now be fully used in both KONTAKT 2.1 and KORE. The 1.1 update even includes specific KONTAKT 2 patches for each instrument, containing individual matching Performance Views for use in Native Instruments’ award-winning flagship sampler. The Performance View gives users full control of the Akoustik Piano sound parameters directly within the KONTAKT 2 rack.

The 1.1 update for Windows and Mac is now available as a free download for all registered users of Akoustik Piano on the NI website.

Mac Intel compatibility for Akoustik Piano will be introduced with a separate update, which will be released within the third quarter of 2006.

For more information, visit their web site at www.native-instruments.com/afharmony01.info.

Posted in Audio, Computer, Keyboard, Piano, Recording, Software, Technology