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Archived Updates
 
Issue & Web Site Update - April 2008
 

Welcome to the April issue of Keyboard Player which is now available to download and purchase.
First up this month we have an in-depth review of Korg’s PA500 from their Professional Arranger series. This one comes in at a tad under 1k and Andrew Gilbert thinks this may be an ideal stepping stone for those looking to move up from the more basic keyboard without going into four figures on the price. Read his 6 page review in this issue.

Korg PA500 review
 
Kawai CN21 CN31 CN41 Review
When Kawai launched their CN piano range some three years ago, they proved to be both novel in design and very popular. Kawai have now launched three new models, the CN 21, 31 and 41. John Bates takes a look at this latest range and believes their ideal customer will be looking for a good attractive digital piano that doesn’t take up too much space and doesn’t break the bank. Check out John’s review in this issue.
 

When is a B3 not a B3? When it’s a KeyB Duo. Fashions come and go with musical instruments as with everything else but the sound of the tonewheel organ remains a constant. The latest company to try and replicate the Hammond B3 is DLQ, an Italian company, the origins of which John Bates delves into in his review, who have managed to secure the services of Joey de Francesco as both a partner and chief performer.

DLQ KeyB Duo Review
 
Prophet '08 Review
To complete this month’s hardware reviews, Mark Jenkins takes a look at the 30th anniversary edition of the famed DSI Prophet analogue synthesizer now simply renamed the Prophet ’08. So if you want the authentic Prophet sound without compromise and don’t mind paying for it, this one could be for you.
 
On the software front the ever-popular Band-In-A-Box gets its annual makeover and as the last edition Andrew Gilbert reviewed was 2006 you get the ins and outs of both 2007 and 2008 editions which Andrew thinks are now more powerful and easier to use. Either edition is highly recommended. Last month we had Miles Davis lending his name to some software – this month sees Ray Charles name being added to a Fender Rhodes 73 VSTi aptly named MrRay73. Again, recommended especially with a price tag of 49 Euros.
 
This months Key Person is Don Airey who has played keyboards for Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Judas Priest and, even Andrew Lloyd Weber, amongst others but currently is full time with Deep Purple.
 
With news of some new Roland pianos plus the usual tuition and music, this then is our April 2008 issue which we hope you enjoy.
Look out next month for news of our new expanded all-singing, all-dancing website which we hope to launch in a couple of months time. See you next time.
 
Issue & Web Site Update - March 2008
 
Yamaha MM6 review
Welcome to the March 2008 issue of Keyboard Player that is now available to purchase and download.
When is a synth not a synth? A question that Andrew Gilbert poses in his review of the new Yamaha MM6. Described as an entry-level synth by Yamaha, AG is very impressed with the array of sounds, styles and features on offer but feels Workstation might have been a more apt description. Still, what’s in a name – synth or not it seems great value at £429.
 

Andrew also enthuses over Roland’s SonicCell hardware module, going as far as to say that it includes some of the best sounds he’s heard from a module. Read his full in-depth review in this issue.

Roland SonicCell Review
 
SR Technology SR Club 150A Speakers Review
Italian company SR Technology continue to knock out cracking sound systems and they come up trumps again with the SR Club 150A powered speakers which you can also add a STW250A sub-woofer to. John Bates believes that SR Technology perfectly understand the needs of the gigging musician and design their products accordingly. Read his review in this issue.
 
You may remember last month in our interview with jazz pianist Geoff Eales he particularly mentioned Oscar Peterson as probably the greatest influence on his own playing. Who better then to write us a personal tribute to the great man, who sadly passed away in December last year. It is fascinating to hear a musician explaining what it is that makes someone like Peterson so great – something not always easy to put into words. Geoff doesn’t shy away from answering the few (and there were only a few) detractors of Peterson’s playing and style. A good read.
 
Joe Jackson is not an artiste easily defined. Over the last 30 years he has dabbled in most musical genres including punk, pop, jazz and classical. On the eve of his European tour and the release of a new album ‘Rain’, Jackson talks to Douglas McPherson about his career and music.
 
There are not many musicians who get a piece of software named after them but then Miles Davis was unique. Soundfonts have come up with Miles’tone, a virtual trumpet. Now although the references to Miles Davis are obvious, there are no samples inside (as the packaging clearly states) which means the sounds are fully modelled and a modelled trumpet is rather complex and requires patience. Andrew Gilbert goes into this software in some detail with advice on getting the best from what he feels is a worthwhile addition to your VSTi library. Also check out the review of LinPlug’s Alpha 3 analogue synth VSTi which completes this months Computer Music.

With the usual tuition and music, this then is our March 2008 issue which we hope you’ll enjoy. See you next time.

 
Issue & Web Site Update - February 2008
 

Welcome to the February issue of Keyboard Player which is now available to purchase and download.
John Bates reviews the new flagship arranger keyboard from Korg, the Pa2X Pro which he describes as being possibly the most detailed and feature-full keyboard he has ever reviewed and believes that at present it is in a class of its own. Read his full review in this issue.

Korg PA2X Pro Review
 

Casio Privia PX-120 Review
Andrew Gilbert has a look at the new slimline ensemble digital piano from Casio, the Privia PX-120. He thinks that for £549 this is a good starter piano well worth considering.
Computer Music this month has a review of Mark Jenkins new book ‘Analog Synthesizers’ checks out updates to the free-download virtual Wurlitzer, Miditzer and looks at 16 rare classic Moog synths with IK Multimedia’s Samplemoog software.
 

If you’ve ever considered setting up a home music studio you’ll need a mixing desk and some decent monitor speakers. Mark Jenkins takes a look at Yamaha’s MG166C mixer and the MSP ‘nearfield’ monitor speakers, which come in three models, and finds them both excellent. Read his review in this month’s issue.
Those of you who enjoyed last month’s James Last interview might like to know about his autobiography which is reviewed in this issue.

Yamaha MG166C Mixer MSP Monitors Review
 
News came through over the Christmas period of the sad passing of Oscar Peterson one of jazz pianos greatest virtuosos. We’ll be featuring a tribute to him, hopefully in the next issue.
Talking of Jazz Piano Legends, that is the title of a new CD by British jazz pianist Geoff Eales. He is the feature of Key People this month and talks about his journey from session man to one of the country’s leading jazz improvisers.
With the usual music and tuition features, this is our February issue which we hope you’ll enjoy. See you next time.
 
Issue & Web Site Update - January 2008
 

A happy new year to everyone and welcome to the January 2008 issue which is now available to purchase and download.
We have an in-depth review of the two self-accompanying digital pianos from Kawai’s current CP range (Pictured Right) which John Bates puts through their paces. You can download several demonstrations to hear how they sound from www.kawai.co.uk

Kawai  CP116 / CP136 Review
 
Yamaha Tenori-On In-Depth Review
For those of you who must have the latest gadgets, how about the Yamaha Tenori-On (Pictured left). What is it? Well I guess you could call it a hand-held musical interface but to find out more you’ll need to read Mark Jenkin’s review. He wonders whether this could be the keyboard player’s instrument of the future.
Also in this issue Andrew concludes his two-part special feature on Hammond organs. This time he looks at the spinet models and a selection of Leslie speakers.
 

If you’re looking for a entry-level digital piano with both impressive performance and appearance check out Roland’s RP-101 (Pictured Right). Read Andrew Gilbert’s in-depth review in this issue.
Our Key People series has an interview with legendary arranger and bandleader James Last. At the age of 78 he is still going strong and talks about his long and successful career and why retirement is not an option he is likely to contemplate.

Roland’s RP-101 Review
 
With news of two new Casio Privia pianos, how to get a free Garritan album download. Jools Holland’s autobiography reviewed plus the usual music and tuition, this is our January 2008 issue which we hope you’ll enjoy. See you next month.
 
Issue & Web Site Update - December 2007
 

Welcome to the December 2007 issue of Keyboard Player which is available to purchase and download.
First up this month we have an in-depth review of two of Yamaha’s new Clavinova series, the CVP403 and CVP405. We’ve already covered the top model, the CVP409 (see issue 314) and Andrew Gilbert thinks both these models deserve consideration, especially for those who don’t require all the extras the 409 offers. In just about all other respects there is little difference between the models.

Yamaha CVP403 / CVP409 Review
 
Nord C1 twin-manual tonewheel combo organ Review
We’ve another Clavia review this month in the shape of the Nord C1 twin-manual tonewheel combo organ. John Bates describes it as a good bit of kit and thinks it comes close to that holy grail, the B3.
There is a pre-christmas feast of new software reviewed in Computer Music this issue. Modarrt’s Pianoteq, Garritan’s Concert and Marching Band and Soundfont’s VB3 all get a thorough testing plus there’s news of an important update to Sibelius 5.1.
 

Roland are launching a new trio of Atelier organs early next year and Andrew Gilbert got to preview a pre-production model of the AT-900 which he feels certain will be ‘an absolute cracker of an organ’.
Kawai have come up with an elegant and good sounding digital piano with the CL25 for under £600. Read John Bates’ in-depth review in this issue.

Roland AT-900 Review
 
Donny Osmond is perhaps best remembered as the teeny-bop idol from The Osmonds pop band. What is less well known is his long-standing love affair with music technology. He talks about how he first embraced new technology in the early days with the band on tour and brings us up to date with his hi-tech computer system in use today. He’s the subject of Key People this month.
With the usual news, reviews and tuition features, this then is our December issue.
All of us at Keyboard Player send our best wishes for the festive season to all our readers and subscribers throughout the world and everyone who has visited the Keyboard Player website during the past year. Thanks for your support. See you next time.
 
Issue & Web Site Update - November 2007
 

Welcome to the November issue of Keyboard Player which is now available to purchase and download.
First up, John Bates looks at the Casio Privia PX-720. The Privia range of digital pianos have been very successful in Japan and Casio obviously hope to repeat this here in the UK. Read John’s in-depth review in this issue.

Casio Privia Review
 
Ketron SD5 Module Review
In our September issue (304) last year we reviewed the Ketron SD5 keyboard. We now get the opportunity to review the module version, the SD3. Coming with or without a hard drive, John Bates highly recommends this as part of your stage set-up. Read his review in this issue.
Computer Music assesses some graphic tablets for music application from Wacom, explains how to get more out of Band-In-A-Box and examines the latest upgrade to the Sampletank VSTi program.
 

In 2001 we reviewed the Nord Electro and now Swedish company Clavia have brought out the Electro 2. Coming in a 73 or 61 note version (there is also a rack version) it provides both a Hammond Organ clone as well as a selection of electric pianos, Andrew Gilbert is very taken with its sounds and features.
Talking of Hammond, Classic Keyboards returns this month with the first part in a Hammond special. In this issue Andrew Gilbert concentrates on Hammond’s Console organs.

Nord Electro 2 Review
 
Last month we heard the sad news of Joe Zawinul passing away. In tribute to the great man we’re publishing a 6 page feature on his life and music. From the early years with Cannonball Adderley, the landmark jazz-rock albums with Miles Davis, and the creation of Weather Report with Wayne Shorter, without doubt the most influential jazz fusion band, through to the more recent work with the Joe Zawinul Syndicate, Joe’s influence on jazz music over the last forty plus years has been immense. He’ll be greatly missed.
Mike Oldfield fans may be interested to know that we review his autobiography as well as his new CD in our review section.
With news of an impressive new flagship pro keyboard from Korg, the Pa1XPro plus the usual music and tuition features, this then is the November issue of Keyboard Player which we hope you’ll enjoy. See you next time.
 
Issue & Web Site Update - October 2007
 

Welcome to the October issue of Keyboard Player which is now available to purchase and download.
Roland’s new flagship HP digital piano, the HP-207 gets a thorough testing from Andrew Gilbert in this issue who thinks this is a superb piano well worth checking out if you’re in the market for a luxury digital. The E80 update review mentioned last month will now hopefully be in November.

Roland HP207 Review
 
Kawai CA91 Review
You may be surprised to learn that Kawai are the second largest musical instrument manufacturer in the world and as their output is almost entirely pianos, both acoustic and digital their expertise and experience in producing pianos is perhaps unrivalled. It is perhaps less of a surprise then to learn that the first digital piano to use a full wooden soundboard – just like acoustic pianos – has just been produced by Kawai. The CA91 is Kawai’s top of the range digital and John Bates reviews this innovative new instrument in this issue.
 

Mark Jenkins takes a look at the new VX series of controller keyboards from the Chinese company CME. He also looks at three new pieces of software namely, Arturia Jupiter 8, Steinberg Groove Agent 3 and Finale 2008. For those thinking about updating their existing software or looking to buy for the first time, check out this month’s Computer Music feature.

CME VX Series Review
 
80s techno-pop pioneer Thomas Dolby is the subject of this month’s Key People. He’s about to launch a UK tour and talks about his career, electronic music today and his success in recent years with ringtones.
Everyone recognises the theme from ‘Mission Impossible’ but do you know who composed it? Argentinean composer, conductor and pianist Lalo Schifrin has composed over 150 scores including ‘Bullitt’, ‘Dirty Harry’ ‘Rush Hour’ as well as the aforementioned ‘Mission Impossible’. He is this month’s subject in Rhythm Kings and it is his rhythms, which have been an inspiration to many young musicians in recent years that are looked at in this feature.
Just as we were finalising this issue the sad news came in that legendary jazz keyboardist Joe Zawinul had passed away. We’ll have a full profile on Joe’s life and music in the November issue.
With the usual music and tuition features, this then is our October issue which we hope you’ll enjoy. See you next time.
 
Issue & Web Site Update - September 2007
 

Welcome to the September issue of Keyboard Player that is ready to purchase and download.
Following on from the preview last month of the Yamaha PSR-S900 & S700 we bring you an in-depth 6 page review and it looks as though Yamaha have once again set the benchmark for high-end home keyboards. Both the preview and main review are included for those wishing to download this -10 pages in total – feature.

Yamaha PSR-S900
 
Roland’s HP-203 digital piano
Roland’s HP-203 digital piano also gets the thumbs-up from Andrew Gilbert who thinks it’s one heck of a piano for under £1,500. More reviews from this new HP series will follow.
Our Key Person this month is Hiromi, the Japanese pianist who sprung to fame after a chance meeting in Tokyo with Chick Corea nine years ago when she was 17. With her fourth CD ‘Time Control’ just out, she recently did a stint at Ronnie Scotts in London which is where John Bates caught up with her.
 

One of the best known and most popular software packages, Sibelius, has reached version 5 and John Bates takes us through the new ideas and changes contained in this major upgrade. There is also a chance to win a copy of the top package.
Next month we’ll be looking at the new Roland E-80 upgrade, but we have details of this plus a new digital grand and a sampler from Roland in this issue. We also bring news of a new sound module from Ketron, the SD3 which has everything from the SD5 keyboard plus more.

Sibelius
 
Keyboard Player contributor and musician, Mark Jenkins has organised a concert series in London this Autumn under the title ‘Music for the 3rd Millenium’. One of the highlights will be a performance of ‘An Electric Storm’ by The White Noise. This is being performed live for the first time since this legendary electric music project, born at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, first produced the album in 1968. Included in the original line-up was the late Delia Derbyshire, creator of the Doctor Who theme and David Vorhaus who effectively is White Noise today. Check out this and other concerts in this issue or go to www.myspace.com/musicforthe3rdmillennium
There is a feature looking at Music in the Movies – in terms of DVD extras, and Classnotes looks at Elgar for beginners, chord progressions for the intermediates and funk on the Hohner Clavinet for more advanced players in our tuition series.
I hope you enjoy this issue – see you next time.
 
Issue & Web Site Update - August 2007
 

Welcome to the August issue of Keyboard Player which is now available to puchase and download.
To start we have the first part of Andrew Gilbert’s two-part in-depth review of the new top of the range PSR-S900. Elsewhere John Bates gets his hands on the first Kawai MP5 in the UK and is very impressed with this eagerly awaited stage piano.
We also have a feature on other new Kawai pianos, for both home and stage being launched this autumn.

Yamaha PSR-S900
 

Korg R3 vocoder Synth
If you like to sing and play, Korg’s new R3 Vocoder Synth might be worth a look. Mark Jenkins reviews it in this issue and believes it should prove popular, thanks to its compact layout, wide range of analogue sounds as well as the slightly gimmicky vocoder facility.
I’m sure we’ve all got a record or two in our collections by artistes who had one massive hit and then seemed to disappear off the face of the Earth. Of course, just because we no longer hear about them doesn’t mean they’re not having successful and eventful careers in music. Billy Swan, who had a worldwide hit in 1974 with ‘I Can Help’ is one such musician. Now 65 years old he’s still in the business and making records and he’s got a good story to tell both before and after ‘the big hit’.
 
Not a lot on the software front this month with quite a few items awaiting arrival, so Computer Music reviews a new digital sheet music system called MusicPad Pro. We also look at The Fast Guide To Cubase 4.
Mark Jenkins examines the new phenomena of musicians who have succumbed to ‘the lure of the laptop’ ie music that is composed, mixed, equalised, mastered and burned entirely on a laptop. There are reviews of CDs by Mike Oldfield, Enigma, Tangerine Dream and Jean Michel Jarre who’ve all taken this course.
With Classnotes of special interest to ragtime fans, plus the usual musical selections, this the is our August issue. See you next time.
 
Issue & Web Site Update - July 2007
 

Yamaha CVP409 Clavinova Review

Welcome to the July issue of Keyboard Player which is now available to purchase and download. After last months new product news from Yamaha and Roland we have news from Korg and Casio on forthcoming products.
As promised we have the first in-depth review from the new Yamaha range. Top of the range CVP409 Clavinova gets a pretty big thumbs-up from Andrew Gilbert and believes that Yamaha still lead the way with top line ensemble pianos.
Computer Music previews Sibelius 5, reviews a book on Cubase 4 and checks out a couple of digital metronomes from Korg.
 
Hammond have at last launched their modular drawbar and controller, the XM-2 and XM-2C. John Bates puts them through their paces and finds much to admire in terms of sounds, versatility, portability and price.
In Key People this month, we talk to Mike Smith who was lead singer and keyboardist with the 60s pop band The Dave Clark 5. They had some massive hits covering R&B artistes like The Contours (Do You Love Me) and The Isley Brothers (Twist and Shout) and were, for a while, nearly as big as The Beatles. When the band split up he turned to studio work but decided to return to the road in 2003. Then a tragic accident changed his life completely.
One of the finest jazz pianists of all time, Oscar Peterson is the subject of Rhythm Kings this issue and Classnotes reaches part 25. We have a special offer for those wanting to get earlier parts of the series.
This is our July issue which we hope you’ll enjoy.
Hammond XM-2 and XM-2C Review
 
Issue & Web Site Update - June 2007
 

Roland Fp-7 Review

Hello again and welcome to the June issue of Keyboard Player. We’ve reached that time of year when the major distributors are starting to release their new products and Yamaha and Roland both feature largely this month with a multitude of pianos for consideration.
John Bates recently attended Roland’s piano launch and gives us the low-down on their new ranges. One of these, the FP-7 gets an in-depth review which he describes as a really innovative instrument. Reviews on the other models will follow during the next few months.
 
Andrew Gilbert takes on the new Yamaha pianos, and starts with three ‘straight’ (ie no rhythms etc) pianos, the Modus H01, YDP-S30 and the NP30/30S which range in price from a whopping £5,000 to a modest £199. With other Yamaha piano reviews coming up including a major top range CVP model there would seem to be plenty of choice this summer for those looking to buy a piano.
Talking of pianos, one of the world’s leading piano manufacturers, Kawai, celebrates their 80th anniversary this year. We look at the history of the company that arguably makes the finest acoustic piano in the world today but uses their experience to bring us excellent digital models as well. They too are launching some new products which we will be looking at over the coming months.
Yamaha Modus H01 Review
 

If you are reading this update the chances are that you play a keyboard instrument and possibly compose and produce your own music. And if that is the case you may also have thought about how to get your music heard by more people than just friends or family. Well, it may not be as hard as you think. Mark Jenkins starts a short series titled Who Needs A Record Label?’ this month in which he looks at how to produce and sell your own music.
Mark Stanway, one of the most experienced keyboardists on the UK rock scene talks about his 25 years with Magnum and his stints with Whitesnake and more recently Robert Plant, in this month’s Key People feature.
For UK keyboard students building towards LCM grades 6-8, Andrew Gilbert’s Making The Grade feature will be of particular interest in this issue.
With the popularity of World Music increasing all the time, it is only natural that musicians will want to produce ethnic instrument sounds from their keyboard. A new software package, MOTU Ethno allows you to do just that. Mark Jenkins investigates in this month’s Computer Music feature.
With a special Tangerine Dream CD feature plus the chance to win a limited edition Tangerine Dream DVD, signed by Edgar Froese, this then is our June issue that we hope you enjoy.
See you next time.

 
Issue & Web Site Update - May 2007
 

Roland E60 Review

Welcome to our May issue which is now available to purchase and download.
Our main review this month is the E-60 workstation from Roland (pictured left). Andrew Gilbert takes this one through its paces and believes it’s a worthy addition to the mid-range keyboard market with a good mix of sounds and styles.
Andrew also looks at the Pocket 180 speaker system from SR Technology which at around £500 is designed specifically for the home and studio keyboard set-up. Read his in-depth review in this issue.
 
Mark Jenkins looks at two of the latest methods of getting music recorded directly onto your computer. IKM’s Stealth Plug for guitarists and the more complex and versatile Audio Kontrol 1 from Native Instruments (pictured right). Mark also inspects the K61P MIDI controller studio keyboard from