Review: Akai LPK25 Mk2

Posted on March 8, 2023 by pj

Here’s a mini review for a mini keyboard!

The Akai LPK25 Mk2 is proving to be quite useful. This is a surprise because I initially bought the LPK25 Mk2 as an “organ donor” for one of my other Akai MPKs. I intended to transplant its Gen2 dynamic keyboard to either the Akai MPK Mini Play Mk1 or Akai MPK Mini Mk2. Given the mounting requirements and potentially incompatible cabling, a transplant is very doubtful.

Instead, I’ve been test driving the LPK25 Mk2 with virtual instruments running with an Audio Modeling Camelot host on iPad. Connection is made through an Apple USB charge adapter since the LPK25’s only interface is a full-size USB-B device connector.

The LPK25 Mk2 is super small — barely bigger than its mini keybed. Power draw is extremely modest. You can run the LPK25 Mk2 from iPad battery using the old Apple Camera Adapter. [This was tested.] I’m using a charge adapter primarily to satisfy the CPU- and power-hungry virtual instruments. Not many mini keyboards can run on iPad battery power, tripping the infamous “attached accessory uses too much power” message followed by USB shut-down. Definitely a plus for the LPK25 Mk2.

As I mentioned in my transplant article, the LPK25 Mk2 has the new Akai Gen2 dynamic keybed. The LPK25 Mk2 Gen2 keyboard is still two octaves and tiny, but it’s playable! The degree of touch sensitivity depends upon the responsiveness of the virtual instruments themselves. The LPK25 Mk2 does not have any internal touch sensitivity setting.

Functionality is straightforward. The LPK25 Mk2 arpeggiator borrows from the well-known (well-worn?) MPK Mini series. There isn’t much more beyond the arpeggiator: octave up and down buttons, shift, and sustain. The sustain button (CC#64) is the only way to send a MIDI CC message as there are not sustain/expression inputs, knobs, sliders, wheels, etc. Nada. The sustain button may be a lifesaver because I need some way to control rotary speaker speed in IK Multimedia B-3X.

CC#64 is all you get. The CC message number cannot be changed to anything else like CC#1 modulation. Akai missed an opportunity here as allowing this change by way of the LPK25 editor would provide a tiny skosh of configurability.

If you absolutely detest mini keys, I doubt if the LPK25 Mk2 will change your opinion. However, if you want a “lap board” and accept the limitations of 25 small keys, the LPK25 Mk2 is a candidate for consideration. It’s not much bigger than the Keith McMillen QuNexus and its mini keys are more playable than the KMI chiclets. Of course, the Akai keys don’t have tilt, aftertouch or MPE…

My dream is a tiny keyboard rig for melody lines or the occasional one-handed pad. In this respect, the LPK25 Mk2 is $40 USD well-spent (Used, B&H Photo Video). The LPK25 Mk2 is also an ultra inexpensive gateway to Akai’s MPC production suite and software ecosystem.

NAMM 2023: Roland go uptown

Posted on March 7, 2023 by pj

Roland’s big announcement this week is the GP Series Grand Inspiration digital pianos. The GP digital pianos cover a range of players and prices:

GP-3 Micro Grand: $4,000 USD (available now)
GP-6 Mini Grand: $6,300 USD (available March 2023)
GP-9 Grand Piano: $11,000 USD (available March 2023)
GP-9M Grand Piano: $19,000 USD (available May 2023)

All instruments feature beautifully styled wood cabinets and the “Piano Reality” sound engine inside. The product line is feature-graded, of course. 🙂 White models are also planned and will be available.

The GP-3 and GP-6 are appropriate for families who are serious about piano. I wouldn’t drop that much for a beginner piano! The GP-3 and GP-6 should also appeal to space and budget conscious schools and worship communities. As I’m painfully aware, not all churches can accomodate or afford a full grand, acoustic or digital.

The GP-9 is the targeted sweet-spot for sensible upscale customers and I think Roland is hoping to sell a lot of these. The GP-9M adds a self-playing moving key function, XLR outputs and a microphone input for sing-alongs. The GP-9M has an air of “expensive toy” about it. My Lord, the GP-9M is about what I paid for my Toyota (Scion) iM.

The 9s try to provide a complete piano experience minus the hassles of strings, humidity and temperature fluctuations. Public spaces are notoriously hostile to acoustic instruments. This model should appeal to churches and commercial venues — excellent piano experience and low(er) maintenance than an acoustic grand.

As to technology, the GP-9 Piano Reality engine claims “unlimited polyphony.” The keyboard has progressive hammer action, escapement, hybrid wood/molded keys with Ivory Feel, long key pivot length, and haptic vibration.

Roland clearly put a lot of effort into the multi-channel audio projection system in order to produce an immersive experience. Don’t like what you hear? Use the Piano Designer tools and app to tweak the sound (string tuning, temperament, key sensiticity, cabinet resonance, sound field, etc.)

For 11 or 18 large, I’m sure you’ll read the specifications and try one first. 🙂

Yamaha teasers

Vocaloid™s are welcoming a new singing avatar into the pack: Po-uta™. Po-uta is based on the voice of Porter (Po) Robinson. [“Uta” means song.] As with most things Vocaloid, you’ll need to point your browser toward Japan as Yamaha seems to target Vocaloid primarily to its domestic market. Vocaloid 6 implements Vocalo Changer™ which uses your own vocal data to personalize a performance.

Notice all of the trademark ™ symbols? Yamaha applied for these trademarks in roughly the same timeframe as AN-X™, CK61™ and CK88™.

Yamaha issued a teaser NAMM 2023 press release stating:

This year, Yamaha will introduce breakthrough products at the show across multiple musical categories, including piano, synthesizer, winds, acoustic guitar, drums and percussion, and professional audio.

So, will AN-X™, CK61™ and CK88™ see the light of day?

Inside Akai LPK25 Mk2

Posted on March 3, 2023 by pj

Akai Professional have sliced and diced its mini-controller technology in every way possible: MPK Mini Plus, MPK Mini Mk3, LPK25 Mk2, LPD8 Mk2, and more.

The latest keyboard-equipped minis — including the LPK25 Mk2 — sport a new Gen2 dynamic keybed. The original keybed (Gen1) is grudgingly tolerable and nothing to write home about. Judging from Youtube repair videos, the Gen1 keys are prone to break. So, is the Gen2 keybed a genuine improvement?

Like the game of poker, you need to flash some cash to see the cards. So too with mini keyboards. As a secondary question, I also wanted to crack a new Akai mini open and see if it’s possible to transplant a Gen2 keybed to my Akai MPK Mini Play Mk1. I needed to tear down LPK25 Mk2 to know if such a mod is remotely feasible.

An Akai LPK25 Mk2 sells for $59 USD (MAP). Since I intended to void the warranty immediately, I bought a used LPK25 Mk2 for $40 in order to save money. At the very least, I knew I would gain another license to Akai’s software bundle: MPC Beats, Velvet EP, Mini Grand and AIR Hybrid 3. Fair enough.

Before grabbing a screwdriver, I compared the LPK25 Mk2 keybed against the MPK Mini Play mk1 and MPK Mini Mk2. A little bit of trial play with the LPK25 Mk2 and I’m already convinced there is improvement. The black keys have a little bit of pleasant-to-feel texture. The keys have a nice springiness.

Truth be told, there are differences in the MPK Mini Play Mk1 keybed and the MPK Mini Mk2 White Special Edition — both “Gen1”. The Special Edition is easier to play — the keys have a lighter action and seem to strike more reliably than the Mini Play. Key texture between models is different, too.

The Gen2 keybed really is more dynamic. Playing Lounge Lizard EP, response from pianissimo to forte is relatively smooth without any nasty jumps in volume (key velocity). In comparison, inconsistent touch and volume discontinuities with the Mini Play drive me crazy! As a player, I’m sold on the Gen2 keybed and recommend Gen2 Akai minis, if you’re faced with choice.

Popping the LPK25 Mk2 top is easy: remove the eight screws along the perimeter of the bottom chassis plate. I first thought that the rubber pad in the upper right corner (looking at the bottom) might cover a screw hole. It does not. Leave the rubber pad alone. Please. In the image above, I parked the screws where they need to be removed. The ten screws (5 x 2) arrayed further toward the middle of the plate mount the keybed assembly to the bottom plate.

With the top removed, one quickly discovers that Gen2 is not hype. Gen1 and Gen2 keybeds are significantly different. Gen1 keys are secured at their tops by screws. (See one of the many MPK repair videos for details.) Gen1 keys flex when they are struck and they return as the plastic flexes back to its original position. This is why Gen1 keys often break. Flex and return weakens the plastic.

Gen2 keys are individually sprung — with real springs! When a Gen2 key is struck, its spring is stretched. The key returns when the spring collapses to its original coiled state. The Akai Gen2 design is similar, in this respect, to the Arturia Keystep key design. The Akai Gen2 keys should be a lot more reliable in the long run, in addition to being nicer to play. Gen2 has padding to eliminate clunks and thumps, too.

Yep, I’m sold on the Akai Gen2 dynamic keybed. But, can a Gen2 keybed be transplanted to a Gen1 instrument?

Doubtful. At best, it’s not a slam dunk. The Gen2 keybed is mounted to the bottom plate. Gen1 instruments have no such mounting holes as the Gen1 keys are screwed directly to the bottom plate. (There are two 12-key subassemblies plus the high C key.)

Then there is the ribbon cable connection to fret about. Are the signals compatible? Are the connectors compatible? I don’t know at this point. The LPK25 Mk2 cable dresses to the left while MPK Mini cable dresses toward the top. One idea to explore is mixing and matching pieces such as transplanting a Gen1 contact printed circuit board (PCB) into a Gen2 keybed assembly. Given the way the Gen2 keybed mounts from the bottom, I doubt if one can replace the Gen2 contact PCB with a Gen1 contact PCB. Oh, well, only out $40. 🙂

There you have the nickel tour. If you’re buying, go for the Akai Gen2 dynamic keybed. If you’re thinking about a transplant, buy and mod at your own risk.

NAMM 2023: Korg want to sell you (a) kit

Posted on February 27, 2023 by pj

Korg have announced the ARP ODYSSEY FS synthesizer kit.

In case you’re Rip van Winkle, the ARP ODYSSEY is a classic 2-VCO duophonic synthesizer played by the greats like Herbie Hancock. Korg have been manufacturing and selling the ARP ODYSSEY Full Size (FS) and will now offer the FS as a kit.

The Korg ODYSSEY FS has all of the ARP basics: 2 VCOs, sync, sample and hold, pulse width modulation, high-pass filter, two envelope generators and proportional pitch control (PPC), which was ARP’s take on modulation control. Korg extends the original spec covering all three generations of VCF circuitry: Rev1 12 dB/octave, Rev2 24 dB/octave and Rev3 resonance stable filter.

Like other Korg kits, the ODYSSEY FS requires assembly, but no soldering. Judging from the picture, assembly will be more involved than the NTS-1, for example, due to the number of components and printed circuit boards. It does look manageable, however.

Korg also kick in a bundle of music software. European prices are £1,699 and €1,889 recommended retail price (RRP). I’m still waiting for official USA pricing. Update: And that will be $1,800 USD street. Ouch.

I hope the ODYSSEY FS kit is not a ghost. Where is the NTS-2, Korg?

NAMM 2023: Roland SH-4D

Posted on February 23, 2023 by pj

This week’s launch Thursday goes to the Roland SH-4D Desktop Synthesizer (AKA a “module”). I don’t know which is worse: the over-the-top marketing-speak, the seizure inducing media, or endless scrolling through pop-up site graphics. Save some eyestrain and go right to the Soundcloud demos.

We report the facts without glitz:

11 oscillator models: SH-4D, SH-3D, SYNC, SH-101, JUNO-106, Cross FM, RING, WAVETABLE, CHORD, DRAWING PCM, Rhythm
60 voice polyphony
5 parts (4 tone, 1 rhythm)
Modulation matrix
Effects: Reverb, Chorus, MFX, Delay, Master, Master EQ
Rhythm part: 49 preset kits plus 64 user slots
Arpeggiator
Sequencer (5 parts, 64 steps, motion recording)
Pattern plus mixing mode (level, pan, chorus, reverb, delay)
LCD display 128 x 64 pixels
USB-C, 5-pin MIDI IN/OUT, clock IN, audio IN
12 channel USB audio
USB (500mA) or battery power (4 AA LR6 or HR6)
Battery life: Approximately 4 hours
14.2″ x 7.7″ x 2.6″ (360mm x 195mm x 66mm)
3.9 pounds (1.78kg)

All of this for a fairly reasonable asking price of $650 USD (available March 2023). If you skipped the Boutique series so far, the price and models make the SH-4D irresistible.

The front panel and its controls are small — designed for elfin hands. That would make real-time performance a little tricky. Listening to the demos, I like the sound of this thing.

“Future Retro” in 1960s OCR font? Pu-leaze! I’m sure Roland will be featuring the SH-4D at NAMM, 13-15 April 2023.

NAMM 2023: Mini-bites

Posted on February 21, 2023 by pj

Astatic M2 from CAD Audio

If you need a small format mixer and USB interface for mobile, the new Astatic M2 from CAD Audio might fit the bill. The Astatic M2 is a multipurpose 2-channel (2 mic/line) analog mixer with a built-in USB interface:

USB Type C interface for data and power (rear panel)
2 XLR combo inputs
High/low shelving EQ per channel
16-bit/48kHz digital audio
Reverb (on/off, level, decay controls)
Bus powered
+48V phantom power (switch on rear panel)
7″ x 7″ x 2.3″ (18cm x 18cm x 6cm)
1.3 pounds (0.6kg)

The price is certainly right: $60 USD. So, if the M2 gets nicked or trashed, you’re not out much dough.

The documentation is kinda sketchy, however. We have to assume class compliance and it looks like the digital audio level into the mixer is set at the source.

Hercules keyboard stands

Hercules keyboard stands aren’t as well-known in these parts as other brands (e.g., Ultimate Support, K&M, On-Stage, Gator), but that’s about to change. Hercules USA offers two product lines, X and Z with a full complement of accessories.

Lately, I’ve been searching for a stand with small front-to-rear depth. My keyboard stand, music stand, and seat need to fit on a four foot deep choir riser. Yeah, I could play standing, but dancing on the pedals is difficult. Pickin’s are slim if you need to minimize your front-to-back footprint.

Stands for mini-keyboards (e.g., Reface, Arturia, etc.) is another niche waiting to be filled. My Keylab Essential 49 is just a bit too narrow for most keyboard stands opened wide for a comfortable sitting position. Worse, manufacturers do not publish height/width for the intermediate positions of an adjustable stand. Only Quik Lok publishes this essential information. (See example diagram below.)

Most of us are buying on-line, people. Give us what we need to make decisions!

Acquisitions

Yamaha continue to grow. Yamaha Guitar Group, Inc. (a U.S. subsidiary of Japan-based Yamaha Corporation) have acquired the Córdoba Music Group (CMG). CMG started out as a purveyor of nylon guitars. CMG itself eventually acquired Guild Guitars, HumiCase, and DeArmond. The big fish eat the little fish. Now add “Guild” along side of “Ampeg” in the Yamaha line-up.

Synths are the tail of the big dog. Strings — pianos and git-tars — still rule the roost at Yamaha in terms of sales (by dollar and by unit volume). Ponder that while waiting for AN-X. 🙂 Or, CK61/CK88.

Nord Stage 4 preview

Posted on February 15, 2023 by pj

Nordic hearts are a flutter as the new Nord Stage 4 breaks cover. The official premiere is 16 February 2023, and, as usual, details are escaping early. Surely, Nord will feature the NS4 at NAMM 2023 (13-15 April 2023).

The Nord Stage 4 has three models:

Fully-weighted 88 keys ($5699 USD MAP)
Fully-weighted 73 keys HA73 ($5399 USD)
Semi-weighted 73 keys Compact ($4899 USD)

Stage 4 Youtube videos are now unlocked.

The prices are high — typical for a premium product. Forum folk like to trash the Yamaha Genos price, $6000 MAP. When it comes to premium keyboards, please don’t click on the Buy button. Shop around. Find a reliable independent dealer who is willing to negotiate. When it comes to arrangers, I recommend AudioProCT in Connecticut. Visit the store or call to see if they will beat the Minimum Advertised Price (MAP). I bought Genos for less than the MAP price of an NS4 Compact.

Also, there is a rumor of a partnership agreement between Nord and Fazioli for Fazioli/Nord hybrid grand pianos. Fazioli craft beautiful “Special Models” like the Marco Polo.

A match made in (marketing) heaven. 🙂

In the works: Kiviak WoFi

Posted on February 10, 2023 by pj

Not much is known about the new sampling instrument from Kiviak Technologies in France. Their Instagram page touts:

Classic sampler emulation and player modes.
Sampling from the built-in microphone or LINE IN.
Connectivity: Stereo audio, MIDI, USB, CV, Gate, Clock.
Filter, assignable envelope generator and LFO.
Texturer [chaos, dirt, density, and spatiality].
Patch/content sharing via the mywo.fi cloud or cartridge.
Two octave mini-keys and pads for sequencing.
Cloud, cartridge, WiFi, sharing and other functions accessible through dedicated buttons.

I don’t like to get ahead of product announcements, but maybe a little constructive feedback would be helpful at this stage:

Two octaves C-to-C is too short to play real music. If spec’ing two octaves, make the keyboard F-to-F which covers the range of the human voice.
25 mini-keys are too small to play with both hands.
I smell a subscription to their proprietary cloud. I despise subscriptions. Roli is attempting this with Lumi Keys. Are they making any money?
The cartridge is proprietary, too. It would be better to use a USB flash drive. Proprietary cartridges smack of 1980s game machines.

The industrial design is nice. No price information is available nor release date.

NAMM 2023: Buchla LEM218v3

Posted on February 7, 2023 by pj

Looking for an alternative to everybody’s plain-Jake MIDI controller? Try the Buchla Lunar Excursion Module (LEM 218v3).

LEM218v3 is version 3 in the ancestral line with an improved, redesigned touch bed. The LEM has touch-capacitive “keys” including channel pressure. It has a host of I/O ports: USB-C, MIDI IN/OUT via 3.5mm jacks and four 3.5mm output jacks (1V/octave pitch, 0-8 Volts pressure, touch strip pressure and gate). MIDI output is polyphonic. The manual is here.

Save your pennies, though. The LEM218v3 is $1,299USD — a big commitment if you’re not made of money. 🙂

NAMM 2023: Korg EK-50U and EK-50CSA

Posted on February 1, 2023 by pj

The slow NAMM 2023 roll-out continues. Today, it’s Korg, again.

Korg are introducing two new models in the 61-key Entertainer Keyboard line.

The EK-50 U focuses on musical genres with “American roots”, that is, jazz, country, alternative, dance and rock. Korg breaks down the main features:

New styles
New sounds: electric and acoustic guitars, electric basses, brass, and drum kits
Performance record mode
Built-in amplification and speakers: 2x10W, 2x120mm dual-cone
Add-on styles from the Korg library
Operation on eight AA batteries (optional)
Song playback: MP3, WAV, Standard MIDI File
USB TO DEVICE and USB TO HOST ports
Weight: 16.5 pounds (7.5kg)

Street price (MAP) is $500USD. The EK-50 U and its sister are positioned in the high entry-level niche (i.e., against the Yamaha PSR-E473 and PSR-EW425).

Korg EK-50 CSA Entertainer Keyboard (don’t say “arranger”)

The EK-50 CSA focuses on Central and South America (“CSA”). It, too, has new styles and new sounds. New sounds include trumpets, saxophones, brass, guitar, bass and regional instruments like sampoña, quena and charango.

Both instruments have new speaker grill colors so I guess you can tell them apart if you own more than one. 🙂 I’m not real fond of the blue, Korg.

Listening to the audio demos, I would give the edge to the EK-50 CSA. The USA styles sound like… Well, they sound like an arranger playing rock and roll. I’ll bet the CSA out-sells the U simply due to anti-arranger bias.

BTW, the term “American” encompasses North, Central and South America. A bit chauvinistic or at least geography challenged. 🙂 “CSA” sometimes has a whole ‘nother meaning in the USA.

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