Tag Archives: Winter NAMM 2020

Winter NAMM 2020 prequel

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Feels like Winter NAMM 2020 came and went already. Here’s a short round-up of products that don’t or won’t get big press.

BeatBox by rhythmo is a do-it-yourself cardboard MIDI controller drum kit. The BeatBox is just $159USD. For that tidy sum, you get a BeatBox with a 4×4 grid of pad-like (arcade) buttons, 4 filter knobs, 8 function (arcade) buttons, an internal amplifier, two 15W speakers and 3000 mAh rechargeable battery pack. Everything is housed in an 8″x9″ cardboard chasis. The Beatbox is MIDI mappable and will work with most DAWs. The Beatbox has an USB-B device to host port and can be used as a MIDI controller.

rhythmo BeatBox

BeatBox is an Indiegogo project. I presume that Beatbox is programmable at the code level although the funding page doesn’t mention what’s inside. Rhythmo Lab is pitching Beatbox at both CES and Winter NAMM 2020.

The Viscount Legend ’70s digital piano is a modular approach to retro piano design. The Legend ’70s is a platform that accepts modules, allowing a player to customize the instrument to their needs. Viscounts have revived the idea of the old Yamaha PLG boards, but the Viscount modules include front panel controls, too.

Viscount Legend ’70s Compact

Viscount’s on-line information is a little bit hard to decypher, i.e., what do I get for my money. Anyway, the platform comes in three versions: Compact (73 keys), Artist (88 keys) and Artist-W (88 wooden keys). Hammer action all around. All three come with two modules:

  • E.Piano: 5 Rhodes, 2 Wurly, E.Grand
  • Sound Collection: Pad, Strings, Choir, Brass, Keyboard, Organ, Bass, Guitar, Bells, Marimba

Sound generaation is physical modeling. The platforms have a good range of effects: Tremolo, chorus, etc., too.

You can add any of three modules to a platform:

  • Acoustic Piano Module: 8 sampled pianos, 128 note polyphony
  • Clavi Module: 2 physically modeled Clavinets
  • External Module: Send MIDI control messages to external gear

The modules have all of the appropriate knobs and buttons as well as the tone generation (and/or control) electronics.

Italy’s Lab4Music have two interesting products: the Sipario MIDI router and the Enjoy MIDI CV controller. The Sipario has 2 MIDI IN DIN connectors, 2 MIDI OUT DIN connectors, and 1 USB port (HOST/DEVICE). It’s programmable and can handle all of the usual chores (e.g., send program change) in addition to routing. It has a touch screen (!) and is built to a robust road-ready standard (metal chassis).

Lab4Music Enjoy

The Lab4Music Enjoy controller bridges MIDI (digital) with control voltage (analog). The digital side is an USB class compliant MIDI device. The analog side can generate CV, gate, pitch, trigger and LFO signals. The Enjoy has a joystick on top as well as expression pedal jacks. The enjoy handles conversion between MIDI messages and analog signals. Ten memory slots are available to hold specific control and conversion configurations.

The Blipblox folks will be releasing an adult version of the Blipblox toy synthesizer: Blipblox After Dark. (As if all synthesizers aren’t toys? 🙂 ) It will have the same signal flow as the original adding a multimode resonant filter, a stereo delay, new oscillator modulation schemes and new kick/snare samples. I can’t say that I like the physical aesthetics, prefering the colors and white chassis of the “kid’s” version.

Back in the do-it-yourself domain, check out the midistomp six button foot controller. It has five latching footswitches and one momentary footswitch. It’s USB over MIDI — no MIDI DINs. The midistomp is based on the Arduino Teensy which means user code! Hurray! An assembled midistomp is $99USD. Or choose a DIY kit of parts for $85USD.

midistomp

Copyright © 2020 Paul J. Drongowski

Yamaha YC61 stage organ

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Not to be out-done, Yamaha have announced the YC61 61-key Stage Keyboard. MSRP is $2,499 and MAP (Street) is $2,000.

Yamaha YC61 Stage Organ

The YC61 has waterfall keys and drawbars with VCM out the wazoo. The YC61 also includes FM synthesis for FM electric pianos. Speaking of pianos, the YC61 has acoustic pianos as well as electric:

  • Acoustic pianos: CFX, S700, C7 and U1 upright.
  • Electric pianos: Real FM, CP80, 78 Rhodes, 75 Rhodes Funky, 73 Rhodes, Wurlitzer.

The voice list in the Owner’s Manual shows:

  • Acoustic pianos
  • Electric pianos
  • Synths (pad, strings, Brass, Lead, Bass, Chromatic Percussion)
  • Strings
  • Guitar
  • Brass
  • Sax/Winds
  • Basses
  • Chromatic Percussion (Glock, vibes, etc.)
  • Accordions

The selection of voices is very rock, pop and jazz-oriented as one might expect in a keyboard of this type.

Tone generation technology is specified as: VCM Organ, AWM2, and FM. Looks like Yamaha has finally issued a modeled B-3. Polyphony specs are:

  • VCM Organ + AWM2: 128
  • FM: 128

There are 32 effect types including rotary speaker and amp sims, of course. The amp sims are British Combo, British Lead and Small Stereo, all of which are recent vintage. I can’t tell right now if the main rotary speaker effect is brand new or not.

Quoting the Owner’s Manual about the “VCM Organ tone generator:”

The VCM Organ tone generator was developed to faithfully reproduce the sound of a tonewheel-type vintage organ.

VCM stands for “Virtual Circuitry Modelingâ„¢,” and is technology that uses DSP to emulate the functions of an analog electric circuit. This technology enables the instrument to reproduce sound with an analog-like depth, which cannot be reproduced by a simple digital sound. By applying this technology, the VCM Organ tone generator fully reproduces the following characteristics of a vintage

Natural, organic harmonies when playing chords — thanks to a matrix circuit that connects the keyboard, tone wheels, and drawbars

Percussion sound with remarkable presence — based on vacuum tube circuit analysis

Key clicks and leakage sounds — based on electrical circuit analysis

Natural sound distortion — simulating vintage vacuum tube pre-amplifiers

Vibrato/Chorus effect — from scanner-based vibrato circuitry

Changes in frequency characteristics and drive amount that responds dynamically to operation of the expression pedal

Adjustment of these detailed parameters makes it possible to accurately recreate the distinctive characteristics of the original instruments — including all of their specially attractive imperfections, faults and even deterioration.

Organ models are H1 (standard vintage organ), H2 (mid- to low-emphasis), H3 (percussive), F1 (simple sine waves), F2 (Vox combo), F3 (Farfisa combo).

Dimensions are 35.25″ wide by 4.25″ high by 12.2″ deep. It weighs 15.6 pounds (7.1kg) which is quite reasonable!

I just downloaded the Owner’s Manual. It will take a little study to figure out how the effect units are allocated — the spec is not exactly clear by itself.

It looks like there is good MIDI control — lots of CCs. Naturally, the devil is in the details. One doesn’t always know what’s missing until you get down to the nitty gritty of voice and rig configuration. The YC61 has master keyboard functionality (four zones including organ).

Well, that’s enough to get you started. Download the manual. Then pop the popcorn, sit back and watch the usual Web mania.

Copyright © 2020 Paul J. Drongowski

Korg unpops the NAMM 2020 cork

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Just when I’m ready to tuck into a new toy, someone — Korg — announces another pair of new keyboards for NAMM. Let’s see, the new Korg spawn now include:

  • i3 Music Workstation
  • XE20SP Digital Ensemble Piano
  • wavestate
  • SV-2 Stage Vintage Piano
  • EK-50 L Entertainer Keyboard

Catch all of the action on Korg’s web site.

Meanwhile, the Kronos fanbois are gnashing their teeth and many people are still awaiting the Messiah — a full-size Arp 2600. It would be a boring world without variety, so I hope their dreams come true. [No offense intended.]

The EK-50L and the SV-2 are updates. The EK-50 L adds a more powerful amplifier (2x10W) and speakers (2x120mm double cone bass reflex) to the EK-50. The EK-50 is intended for entertainers who play small venues like coffee shops. With in-built speakers, it’s one trip from the auto to the gig. The SV-2 is an update of the SV-1 and is firmly in the middle of the stage piano market. In addition to new sounds, there is an SV-2S model with an internal K-ARRAY speaker system. The SV-2S would be great for casuals, coffee houses and such. Same idea, one trip from the car to the job.

I always liked the SV-1 sounds and its action — a tough competitor to the Yamaha CP73/CP88. Damn, the SV-2 EPs sound nice, and that German piano! Wish I had the space (and health) for a weighted action stage piano…

Korg is also reaching out to the trenches with the i3 Music Workstation. In the promotional text, I get wisps of song writing, composing, phrase library, etc. It’s a broad pitch to those who — dare I say it — would ordinarily shun an arranger keyboard.

I thought the i3 was the Krome replacement. Sure looks like it. Modern arranger keyboards are trending toward “synth workstation” anyway. The main difference is the content. Arrangers need a wide range of styles dipping into movie themes, Schlager, big band jazz, Román népi táncok, and Lord knows what else. The Yamaha Motif series distinguishes itself through its contemporary phrases (arpeggios). With the i3, Korg took the accompaniment technology from the PA series and mated it with some seriously modern sounding styles/phrases.

Ah, Korg are certainly dancing around the “A word.” It’s a shame that the word “arranger” has gotten such a negative connotation among certain musicians. Even the text for the home-oriented XE20SP refers to “automatic accompaniment”, not “arranger.” Anyone who has played a modern mid- to top-end arranger from Korg or Yamaha know the true nature of today’s machines. Yeah, some styles leave me cold. However, the playability of acoustic instrument voices is the best it’s ever been and the voices are at the same level as flagship sample-playback synths. In the case of Yamaha’s Genos Super Articulation 2 voices, the sound even exceeds the Montage flagship.

Well, there you go. We’re lucky to live in an age where manufacturers are rolling out a wide variety of electronic keyboards. I’m amazed that Behringer, for example, can issue as many different makes and re-makes as they are. They run the risk of cannibalizing their own customer base! Gosh, how many synths can the average punter really afford?

Enjoy. Peace to all.

[Hey, Korg! Somebody who is a native English speaker needs to correct the sometimes hilarious spelling errors in your specs, e.g., EK-50 L.]

Copyright © 2020 Paul J. Drongowski

Let’s get small!

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I’m always looking to lighten the load and I’m pleased to see the new JBL Professional IRX Series portable PA speakers, announced for Winter NAMM 2020. There are two models: 8″ IRX108BT and 12″ IRX112BT. More class D amplifiers, no doubt, with JBL claiming 1,300 Watts. Connectivity includes two combo XLR/TRS inputs, XLR loop-out, and Bluetooth streaming. Two speakers can be linked via Bluetooth for stereo.

Light weight is achieved through polypropylene cabinets. The 8″ is 17.4 pounds and the 12″ is 27.3 pounds. Frequency response is 54Hz-20kHz and 53Hz-20kHz, respectively. I’m guessing that’s -10dB. [Funny, the press release doesn’t list the weights after touting “lightweight.”! Also, pricing info is inconsistent with the JBL sell sheet.]

Prices are reasonable. The IRX108BT is $329 (MAP) and the IRX112BT is $379 (MAP). In case you haven’t noticed, there is a lot of action in the $200 to $300 segment of the small monitor market, e.g., Headrush and others. If you’re a keyboard player, don’t disregard the full range, flat response (FRFR) monitors favored by modelling guitarists.

These days, with a health issue, I’m looking to get even smaller and lighter. I don’t need a huge amount of SPL on the job and a spot monitor like the Behringer B205D can do the job. I don’t want to sacrifice sound quality, however, Darn it, when I play an oboe patch, I want it to sound like an oboe — not an oboe played through the speaker of a 1969 Buick. I’m still not sold on class D amplifiers although class D efficiency is the way to small and light. The class A Yamaha MSR100 (now out of production) is still my favorite sound-wise.

Speaking of small, the Roland Jupiter-Xm really impresses! Yeah, it was announced last September along with the yet-to-be-seen Jupiter X. I’m sure Roland will be showing it at Winter NAMM 2020. It’s got all of Roland’s greatest hits on board — something for everybody — plus built-in speakers and battery power for on-the-go fun. You’ll have to get over your dislike of mini-keys, however. 🙂

Copyright © 2020 Paul J. Drongowski

Korg Wavestate leak?

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It’s been difficult to sniff out any big reveals at Winter NAMM 2020 (January 16-19, 2020).

There’s one credible looking leak — the Korg Wavestate. It’s a 37-key ‘board with lots of knobs, buttons, mod wheel and pitch wheel. A modern re-make of the venerable Wavestation? Filters include MS-20 and POLYSIX settings along with the usual LPF, etc. [$799]

  • Korg Wave Sequencing 2.0
  • Full size keys
  • Vector joystick
  • Up to four sound layers each containing a sequence of PCM samples
  • 64 stereo voices
  • Filter types: MS-20, POLYSIX, LPF, etc.
  • Price: 699 British pounds

It’s the only leak worth a headline — so far. 🙂 [Now that it’s official, I recommend the interview with Dan Phillips about the concepts and process behind the Wavestate.]

Good to hear about the SV-1 update — the Korg SV-2.

To fill the time, I’ve been browsing on-line retailers looking for bargains. The retailers are getting smacked with Christmas returns and you never know what might turn up. I got a good deal on a Yamaha SHS-500 Sonogenic and I’m eagerly awaiting delivery.

Even though sound tweaking via the Sonogenic front panel is limited, there may be an opportunity to edit and save patches using the MIDI Designer iPad app . I’ve been learning and experimenting with MIDI Designer, driving the Yamaha Genos via Bluetooth MIDI. MIDI Designer is a solid tool even though it’s a little price-y at $25USD. I wish it had a scripting capability in order to modify MIDI on-the-fly. Still, it’s worth considering if you need to implement a custom MIDI controller on iPad. Stay tuned for more.

Here are the goods Roland are hawking this week at CES 2020:

  • ZENBEATS Music Creation app
  • BOSS WAZA-AIR Wireless Personal Guitar Amplification System
  • V-MODA M-200 hi-res headphones
  • V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Master headphones
  • JUPITER-Xm Synthesizer
  • MC-101 Groovebox
  • MC-707 Groovebox
  • Roland Cloud
  • GO:LIVECAST Live streaming studio for smartphones

Hey, Roland! What’s up with ALL OF THE CAPITAL LETTERS?

At NAMM, look for the Roland A-88MKII MIDI 2.0-ready controller. Ivory feel PHA-4 action. $1,000USD. That is one long slab! As a player, I would be concerned about the long reach to the left hand pads, joystick and controls. I understand the desire to have a slender instrument — wrestling a deep, heavy behemoth is a nasty schlep. That’s still a long reach, however, and could become tiresome at a long gig.

Copyright © 2020 Paul J. Drongowski