Monthly Archives: January 2025

The quest for Backing Conductor

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Yamaha released a new version of the Smart Pianist app. The release notes list three new features:

  • Backing Conductor (CSP Series, CVP Series and P-S500 only)
  • A-B Repeat for PDF scores
  • Scores for the 50 Classics are distributed and displayed via PDF

The Backing Conductor sounded intriguing and I was anxious to jump on it right away.

I noticed that the CSP Series 200 models require a Firmware Update for Backing Conductor. Be sure to check the downloads page for your CSP.

The Apple App store pushed version 3.6.0 to my iPad. No problem there. The screen shot (above) shows Smart Pianist 3.6.0 (January 15, 2025) running and firmware 1.09a installed on the CSP-170. Hopefully, firmware version 1.09a is good because Yamaha never stated if an update is required for the CSP 100 series.

What is Backing Conductor?

The big question: “What is Smart Pianist Backing Conductor?” At this point in time, Yamaha have not publicized any additional information. The Smart Pianist guide, such as it is, has not been updated.

Yamaha software engineering believes that they design intuitive user interfaces (apparently). No documentation required! Quite frankly, if one of my CS students made such a statement, they would have been corrected and marked down. Seriously. 🙁

And so began my quest for “Backing Conductor.”

Post-install splash screens

At one point in my quest, I deleted the Smart Pianist app and re-installed it. Below are two rather informative post-install screens which highlight Smart Pianist’s capabilities.

Blink or idly flip by and you will miss these highlights. Forever — they won’t be repeated.

Yamaha should distribute the example score “New York Hustle”. It appears in other examples. By the way, “Hustle” is misspelled as “Hastle” in the second splash screen. Sorry, I live with a professional editor…

Start-up splash screens

Every time you start up Smart Pianist and connect to your instrument, you will be treated to a different splash screen. Again, don’t blink because you will miss something.

Here are three of the screens which highlight new features in version 3.6.0. Yeah, I know. What are they and how do I use them?

“Backing Conductor” gets mentioned again without details.

Backing Conductor, finally

Finally, I hit on the fourth of these elusive splash screens (below).

Oh, now I see what I should look for!

When a PDF is displayed, Smart Pianist displays this playback control box at the top. Folks who have used earlier versions of Smart Pianist recognize the three part buttons: Others, Left and Right. Backing Conductor adds a new part button: Backing. I guess when Backing is turned ON, you can change the auto-accompaniment style, in this case, Cool 8Beat.

There’s “New York Hustle” and “Hastle”, again.

Taco Bell’s Cannon

Now that I have a clue, let’s try a PDF score: Canon D dur by Pachelbel.

Uh, oh. The Backing button and accompaniment style are greyed out. What gives? In this case, Smart Pianist plays back the PDF score without backing.

One of my big frustration using Smart Pianist is what appears to be inconsistent behavior and options. There must be rules governing behavior and user operations. The rules probably differ by the content/media type:

  • PDF score (PDF file)
  • MIDI song (Standard MIDI File)
  • Audio song (MP3, AAC, etc.)
  • Chords extracted from an audio song

I wish Yamaha would explicitly write down the dos and don’ts for each data type. Explicit rules would set expectations straight and reduce frustration.

Bonus screen

To round things out, here is the Song Settings Arrangement screen for Audio to Score playback.

In this screen, you can choose the accompaniment score pattern to be used when displaying the extracted score and you can choose the backing style. I like the ability to turn different backing parts off (on) individually. Sometimes ya just want a beat, sometimes a beat plus bass, and sometimes a full backing.

Summary

I hope my difficulties have not discouraged you. Maybe you’ll be a little bit smarter then I when you sit down with Smart Pianist.

Before ending, I want to mention my top Smart Pianist want: the ability to add new styles to Smart Pianist. I’m not asking for Style Creator as one finds in the arranger workstations — simply the ability to load new styles and play new backing styles. There are so many user-contributed styles (including my own!), the ability to load and play with new styles would give CSP a huge boost.

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2025: ROLI discover 49 keys!

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The big reveal from ROLI is a 49-key version of the LUMI Keys, now known as the ROLI Piano M. Price is $599 USD/€599 (RRP) with a very limited-time introductory price of $399/€399. First orders will ship in May.

Add color to your musical ideas with four octaves of full-sized, semi-weighted keys, each with per-key pitchbend, polyphonic aftertouch, and vibrant Brightkey illumination. ROLI Piano is MPE-ready, perfectly portable, and designed to inspire. Add Airwave, and you can even play the air above your keys – seriously. [ROLI]

ROLI made a few additional improvements in addition to 49 full-size, full-throw keys:

  • Sustain/expression pedal input
  • MIDI OUT (3.5mm TRS)
  • USB-C class-compliant MIDI
  • Diminuitive size: 27.5″ x 8″ x 1.8″ (mm x 200 mm x 45 mm)
  • Light weight: 7.7 pounds (3.5kg)

Basically, you get an MPE-compatible MIDI controller for not a lot of money. This might put a dent into Keith McMillen K-Board Pro sales.

49-key ROLI Piano and Airwave [ROLI]

Not to pick on ROLI specifically, but I have a thing against any keyboard shorter than 49 keys. Look, I play real music. I need Middle C and two octaves above and two octaves below. This minimal range lets my left hand wander a little bit and my right hand can play most melodies within range of the human singing voice.

The LUMI Keys (mine is a “Keys”) has 24 keys. Right off the top, forget two hands. No matter where you put Middle C, there’s a chance that you will run out of keys. Because LUMI Keys is designed to snap together, it is missing the C above Middle C, too. I can’t count the number of times my pinky finger is flapping in the breeze because that C key isn’t there.

I will give credit to ROLI for rolling out a longer 49-key keyboard with full-sized keys. My LUMI keys has the short scale (Stretto, 5.5″ per octave) keys. At this point, I adapt to mini-keys when necessary. Still, I prefer full-size keys (either synth- or piano-width).

I wish ROLI well. Recently, I bought a 48-key Novation Launchkey Mk4 and love it (review on the way). I’ll be keeping the ROLI LUMI Keys for MPE experiments and for occasions that require extreme portability and built-in Bluetooth MIDI.

Novation and Klevgrand

Novation and Klevgrand have something in the works, thanks to their new partnership agreement. They are teasing new software designed specifically for Novation controller users. March 2025 is the target timeframe. [As we used to joke in software development, “Is that the beginning or the end of the month?”]

Novation already bundle a few Klevgrand plug-ins with Launchkey. (I still need to get to them!) Klevgrand’s user interface (UI) is super clean and tidy, so I’m looking forward to the fruits of their collaboration. If you are a Novation user, keep your eyes open and look for offers and activations later this year.

Floobydust

CME realize that their greatest asset is their software. Thus, they announced the C2MIDI Pro USB5-pin MIDI cable with filtering, routing and mapping smarts. The U6MIDI PRO, WIDI Master and MIDI Jack are in daily use, here. I just say, these guys know this domain and produce reliable, affordable MIDI products. The C2MIDI cable will sell for $29.99, shipping February 2025.

Studiologic have announced the SL Mk2 controllers: SL73 Mk2 ($500 USD) and SL88 Mk2 ($500), and SL88GT Mk2 with acoustic-weighted keys ($1,000).

Behringer are showing the BX1 DX1 knock-off, the PRO-16 Sequential Circuits re-do, and the JT-16 Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer.

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2025: NI free stuff

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Tomorrow (January 23) is when NAMM 2025 exhibits open. On to today’s news!

Native Instruments free stuff

I was about to blow off the Native Instruments announcements when I realized, “Wait, I can get some free stuff.”

If you shuffle through the corporate-speak — and there is plenty of it — you’ll gist that NI have partnered with other hardware manufacturers to provide integrated support (NKS compatibility). The first batch of controllers to be supported are:

  • Akai Professional: MPK Mini, MPK Mini Play, and MPK Mini Plus
  • Nektar: Impact LX Mk3
  • Novation: Launchkey Mk3 and Mk4, FLkey, and SL Mk3 controllers
  • Korg: Keystage controllers
  • M-Audio: Oxygen Series keyboards

Support will be implemented in the next Komplete Kontrol update.

From the Native Instruments press release:

Owners of NKS-ready hardware from Novation, Nektar, Korg and M-Audio will be eligible to receive Native Instruments’ flagship production bundle, Komplete 15 Select, free of charge. Creators can choose from three editions tailored to specific workflows:

  • Beats Edition: Synths and sound packs ideal for pop, hip-hop, and R&B.
  • Band Edition: Guitars, keys, and studio effects designed for songwriters and live performers.
  • Electronic Edition: Advanced synths and tools for house, techno, and trance producers.

For Akai Professional users, an MPK purchase includes Komplete 15 Select.

I haven’t blabbed about it here (yet), but I picked up a Novation Launchkey Mk4 last month. I will check this deal out.

Native Instruments is releasing exclusive content for the Akai MPC platform:

  • Five MPC Expansions: Drum kits and sample packs reformatted for Akai MPC hardware
  • Five MPC Editions: Instrument plugins based on the Play Series

You can check the titles at the NI webshop. These titles are MPC hardware-only.

Steinberg NAMM 2025 deals

Let’s throw a bone to Steinberg who are offering deals on Dorico (40%), WaveLab (40%), WaveLab Cast 2 (40%), Cubase (25%) and other products. Offers last until February 5, 2025. The NAMM sale seems like an annual thing, so catch up on updates and upgrades.

Korg, again

Korg will preview two audio interfaces: Korg microAudio 22 and and Korg microAudio 722. You’ve probably seen the pictures — each is a table-top interface in black, 2 inputs (Hi-Z, +48V phantom power), 2 outputs, 24-bit/192kHz. The 722 has a miniKORG 700S analog filter with lowpass and highpass settings, LFO, cutoff and resonance knobs.

We haven’t seen pictures of the goes-in/goes-out, but there is a MIDI light on the front panel.

Korg call these “concept prototypes” which “may or may not be destined for commercialization.” Thus, no prices.

Roland V-STAGE

Yeah, it’s out. I want to shout out demo videos by Patrice Rushen and Ed Diaz (Kraft Music). Patrice deserves more recognition — what a talent!

At some point, we gotta talk money. 🙁

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2025: ROLI teaser

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ROLI piano teaser

ROLI are teasing a “Bigger, Brighter, Smarter, piano of the future” to be announced on January 23: AI-generated Pianoception advertisement. 👎

ROLI will be offering “early-bird deals”. Hmmm, I smell crowd-sourced money to finish product development. I hate to be so darned cynical, but c’mon.

There is even an adminition “to check your spam folder” for the offer. Yeah, cuz your teaser and promotional copy read like spam? “Early batches are going to be moving fast, and we know you’re going to love this. Keep your eyes peeled — we don’t want you to miss out.”

I like ROLI. They’re spunky. But jeez, fire your copy writer. I hate spunky. 🙂

ROLI will also be promoting ROLI Piano M as a learning tool and the ROLI Airwave controller.

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2025: Wait, there’s more!

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Hope you’ve caught your breath. This year’s NAMM (2025) has brought a bumper crop of new keyboard releases.

Just to list a few that we’ve seen. This is an exciting year for players!

Nord Piano 6

Check your credit limit because Nord weren’t finished after announcing the Nord Organ 3. Today, Nord have given us the Nord Piano 6:

  • Dual layers for piano and synth with independent effects
  • Dedicated LED faders for each layer
  • Triple sensor keybed
  • Nord triple pedal 2 is included
  • New spring reverb and spin effects

Two piano layers plus two synth layers will give punters better splits and layers over previous models, addressing a frequently voiced need.

Nord Piano 6 73

Catch the introductory video. Sure sounds nice. The Bonners video hits the highlights.

There will be two models:

  • Nord Piano 6 88, 88-key triple sensor keybed with grand weighted action, 19.2 kg (42.3 lbs)
  • Nord Piano 6 73, 73-key triple sensor keybed with grand weighted action, 16.2 kg (35.7 lbs)

The 73 is priced at $3,599 USD (£2,999) and the 88 is priced at $3,799 (£3,299).

Viscount Legend One

Viscount International have released new videos demonstrating the new Viscount Legend One stage keyboard. Here are a few links to start you off:

Kraft Music have a short page about the Legend One. The 61 and 73 are available for pre-order at $1,790 USD and $1,990, respectively. Now those are competitive prices!

Ketron (AjamSonic)

Ketron is not a well-known name in North America. However, they offer a range of digital pianos, arranger keyboards and modules. They are represented in the United States by AjamSonic.

AjamSonic (Ketron) will have a booth at NAMM 2025 next week. (Jeez, we’ve seen all this stuff and the show hasn’t started!) Here is a video from AjamSonic, including a preview of their NAMM announcements.

  • EVENT flagship arranger workstation
  • EVP 1 flagship grand piano
  • EVP 2 upright/spinet digital piano
  • EVP 4 stage/slab piano
  • EVS pocket-sized professional sound module
  • FUSION multi-cultural (world) arranger and production keyboard
    • EVENT functionality and features
    • Real arranger and multi-ethnic styles
    • Joystick, ribbon, articulations and drum pad
    • 4GByte user flash memory (2GB Sbk and 2GB sampler)
    • Oriental drum kits, sounds and musical scale
  • New sounds, new styles
  • KB series near-field powered speakers (KB5A and KB6A)
  • KS10A active sub woofer
  • KM6 portable mixer

The AjamSonic video is refreshingly mellow. Chill.

Ketron EVS sound module

The EVS caught my eye because I am always looking for new sound modules. Features include:

  • EVENT sound engine in a small box
  • 256 factory presets
  • 256 user presets
  • Ability to layer three voices
  • Desk-top voice ditor
  • USB and MIDI IN/OUT

It can be used as a MIDI file player as well as an external sound module.

You can try the Ketron America link, but Chrome gives me guff.

More Yamaha updates

Yamaha snuck out a small update for the Montage M series. They also released Smart Pianist v3.6.0 with “Backing Conductor”. I’m currently trying v3.6.0 and searching for Backing Conductor within. One question has already gone out to Yamaha customer support — what the heck is Backing Conductor?

[Update] CSP-200 series models need a firmware update to enable Backing Conductor. The Smart Pianist specification PDF shows Backing Conductor to be supported on CSP-100 series and P-S500. I didn’t find a CSP-100 series firmware update, so maybe Yamaha has not yet pushed the update file?

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2025: Korg miniKORG 700Sm

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My heart leapt with joy when I saw Korg’s newly announced KORG miniKORG 700Sm.

I’ve been fascinated with the design of electronic musical instruments since teenage. I haunted musical instrument stores trying this and trying that — perpetually short on cash.

KORG miniKORG 700Sm [Source: Korg]

So, imagine wondering into a music store in a downtown Cleveland organ store (1973?) and seeing the Korg Minikorg 700 monophonic synth (Univox K1). It was like encountering an alien life-form for the first time. I didn’t know what to make of it and neither did the music store. I was hooked on synths thereafter.

Yes, you are feeling deja vu. Korg reissued the 700S in 2021: the full-size 700S FS. The 700Sm is a smaller, full-phat version of the reissue. Check the video. Korg set the shrink ray to 86% with the 700Sm weighing in at 12.8 pounds (5.8kg). Uh, yeah, that’s lighter than a KRONOS 3. 🙂 Cheaper, too: $1,199 USD.

The 700Sm uses new electronics, but quoting Korg:

We were able to bring the original sound to life thanks to our team of technicians, who have gained invaluable expertise over the years through their work on numerous synthesizer revival projects. This team was guided by the legendary Fumio Mieda, a KORG engineer since the early 1970s and one of the designers of the original miniKORG 700S. Working closely with Korg’s sound designers, they meticulously reproduced the original sound as faithfully as possible.. We hope that those who play the miniKORG 700Sm will experience it as a beautifully crafted and authentic recreation of the original.

This instrument is clearly a labor of love. I can’t wait to read Gorder Reid’s (SOS) take on it.

KORG miniKORG 700Sm [Source: Korg]

Look at the close-up above. My soul rejoices! Exactly what I remember — only better.

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2025: Viscount Legend ONE

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It’s raining stage keyboards (and organs) up in here! Viscount International are announcing the Viscount Legend ONE:

  • Based on the Legend Soul engine
  • Four sound sections: Organ, Sound 1, Sound 2, Pedals
  • Sounds include acoustic piano, electric piano, synths, pad and strings
  • Drawbars: SET A, PEDALS, SET B
  • Synth parameter control via drawbars (cutoff, res, etc.)
  • Two models:
    • 61-key waterfall (22 pounds / 10kg)
    • 73-key semi-weighted waterfall (25 pounds / 11.5kg)
  • Connectors galore:
    • Audio out (1/4″): MAIN R, MAIN L/MONO, PEDALS, AUX 1, AUX 2
    • Rotary switch (1/4″)
    • Foot switch (1/4″)
    • Damper (1/4″)
    • Foot control (1/4″)
    • EXP (1/4″)
    • Leslie (11-pin)
    • MIDI (5-pin): IN, OUT, PEDALS KEYB ONLY
    • USB: TO HOST, TO DEVICE

Catch the Legend ONE teaser video here.

The LEGEND ONE will be easier to move than the two manual Legend SOUL 273. The 61 at 22 pounds is at the edge of what I can or want to move. No word on price although you should expect to pay well-north of $2,000 USD.

Viscount SONUS 40 Special Edition (close-up)

While I was at the Viscount site, I was really digging the SONUS 40 and SONUS 45 Special Edition organs with reversed pattern wooden covered keyboard and wooden rocker tabs. Damn! (Can I say that in church?) Sign me up, but please don’t tell me the price (>$15,000 no doubt).

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2025: Roland V-STAGE

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Roland V-STAGE 73 (rumor)

Well, if you can’t beat ’em, then join ’em! Here’s an interesting rumor by way of our friends at Yamaha Musicians Forum — the Roland V-STAGE:

  • 4 independent sections with Roland modelling technology: Organ, Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano and Synthesizer
  • Each section with its own mixer and button for split point for transposition
  • Organ section with 3 layers, 4 organ types (virtual tone wheel, 2x transistor, pipe organ), overdrive and rotary speaker effect
  • Piano section with V-Piano sound generation
  • Electric piano section with SuperNATURAL sound generation, 4 models (Tine, Reed, Digital Piano, Clavinet) and effects such as chorus, phaser, wah, tremolo and amp simulation
  • Synthesizer section with ZEN Core Engine, 2 parts, more than 400 sounds and support for SDZ Sound Packs and Roland Model Expansions
  • Effects section with delay, reverb and multi-effects
  • Master compressor and EQ
  • Pitch and modulation wheel
  • Drawbar with LED display and controls for all important parameters
  • 4.3″ Graphic display

[Update] Here is more detail about rear panel connections:

  • PEDAL (1/4″ jacks): HOLD/R, CTRL 3/C, CTRL 2/L CTRL 1
  • MIDI (5-pin jacks): IN, OUT1, OUT2/THRU
  • USB: COMPUTER (Type-C), MEMORY (Type-A)
  • EXTERNAL device (USB Type-A): DEVICE 1, DEVICE 2
  • MIC INPUT (XLR jacks)
  • LINE INPUT (1/4″ jacks): R, L/MONO
  • SUB OUT BALANCED (1/4″ jacks): R, L
  • MAIN OUT BALANCED: R, L/MONO (1/4″jacks), R, L (XLR jacks)
  • Stereo PHONES (1/4″ jacks)

Roland V-STAGE front panel

Judging from the front panel, the V-STAGE is coming right at Nord. There will be two models:

  • 76 Waterfall keys, semi-weighted and with aftertouch
  • 88 Piano keys, weighted and with aftertouch

The 76 weighs 15.2kg (33.5 pounds) with a price somewhere around 3,499€. The 88 comes in at 3,999€

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2025: Yamaha updates

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Welcome OS v2.0 for the Stage CP series:

  • CFX2 concert grand piano
  • Improved Bösendorfer Imperial 290
  • Eight new Live Sets for the CFX2 and Bösendorfer
  • USB HOST functionality
  • Output gain control (-24dB to +24dB)
  • Seamless Section Sound Switching in addition to SSS between Live Sets
  • Twice as many User Live Set pages (increased from 20 to 40)
  • Tap tempo delay
  • Damper resonance control

Well, OS v2.0 shoots down my conjecture about a “unified” stage keyboard platform. OS v2.0 extends the life of the existing platform, giving it the new(er) pianos introduced with Montage M. These are new additions and do not replace the existing voices.

You’ll find the CP88 OS v2.0 Sound Demo here.

The Yamaha SEQTRAK music production studio gets update OS v1.20:

  • Sample loops (Loop on/off, sample start, loop start and loop end)
  • Track mute mode
  • Sampler slot mute
  • Record count-in
  • Keyboard mode octave change
  • Quantized project playback
  • Auto copy pattern extension
  • Temp project auto-save
  • Visualizer external MIDI trigger

Blake’s Take on the SEQTRAK update is here. Also, watch the SEQTRAK OS v1.2 Tutorial.

More tomorrow — I’m going to bed. 🙂

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski

NAMM 2025: Korg New KRONOS

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NAMM 2025 rumors and new products.

New Korg KRONOS 3

Korg have officially announced the new Korg KRONOS 3 workstation. Expected availability is June 2025, so save your pennies now. 🙂

Of course, the obligatory KRONOS 3 video introduction.

Korg New KRONOS

Here is a brief list of top features:

  • KRONOS OS Version 3.2
  • 60% faster boot time
  • 9 sound engines: HD-1, MX-20EX, STR-1, SGX-2, PolysixEX, AL-1, EP-1, CX-3, MOD-7
  • SST – Smooth Sound Transitions
  • Italian (FAZIOLI) Grand Piano Sample (EXs21 SGX-2 Italian F Piano)
  • 256 brand new programs using the new multi-samples
  • Integrated KARMA and Drum Tracks Engines
  • Enhanced 8″ SVGA (800 x 600) color TouchView Display
  • 62GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
  • PCM RAM capacity: 3GB
  • Effects galore: 16 onboard fffect processors and EQs
    • 12 Insert effects
    • 2 Master effects
    • 2 Total effects
    • 197 effect types with 783 effect presets
    • 3-band EQ for every track
  • 16-track MIDI Sequencer
  • 16-track Audio Recorder
  • USB/MIDI HOST ports for MIDI control surfaces
  • All black styling

Punters will note the faster boot time, enhanced display, 62GB SSD and 3 GB PCM RAM. These features came up repeatedly during pre-announcement discussions. I haven’t had a chance to compare polyphony specs as yet.

I also want to emphasize Korg SST — the ability to maintain notes across patch change. Current Yamaha synths have SSS (Seamless Sound Switching), but nothing equivalent for Yamaha arranger keyboards. The lack of arranger SSS comes up frequently on Yamaha forums.

There will be three models:

  • 61-key semi-weighted action, 14.2 kg / 31.31 lbs., $2,999 (MSRP)
  • 73-key RH-3 Real Weighted Hammer action, 20.4 kg / 44.97 lbs., $3,299 (MSRP)
  • 88-key RH-3 Real Weighted Hammer action, 23.4 kg / 51.59 lbs., $3,599 (MSRP)

Overall, a pretty nice answer to the Montage M. The high-end workstation and stage keyboard markets are changing, so do your homework when shopping!

Here is a link to my article about the design of the first generation KRONOS. It’ll be interesting to take a peek inside the KRONOS 3 and see what’s changed.

Copyright © 2025 Paul J. Drongowski