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| velocipede |
 Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:05 am |
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Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 94
Location: Takarazuka, Japan
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I went to the "Music Instrument Festival" in Tokyo this weekend. Probably not nearly as interesting as AES, but fun nonetheless.
I wish I could say that there was a lot to get excited about, but this show wasn't a place for new product announcements. I tried the new Korg KP3. The first one I tried was broken. The display staff told me after I had worked with it for a few minutes, perplexed. I'm sure its cool, but I couldn't really judge in the short time I spent with a working unit. I thought there was some sort of sequencing, but not according to the Korg rep.
I spent a few minutes with the SH-201. I was a little disappointed that the knobs are just plastic, but otherwise it seems to be a really appealing unit. My English friend was taken with Roland's new vocodor/chorus synth. We both agreed, though, that it would be even better as a plug-in or rack-mount since we don't need more keyboards, especially one with such a specialized function.
I had suspected it before, but I can confirm that Roland's AX-7 is no longer production. If you want a new key-tar, buy now!
Vestax was also displaying their Mushroom line of guitars and some really slick looking home audio gear under the brand name Guber. Vestax started as a guitar company according to the rep I talked to.
http://www.vestax.jp/products/players/guber.html
Alesis was selling the last 3 Ions in Japan. After the Roland, Yamaha and Korg, they had the best presence at the show.
I have written about the Handsonic 10 in a separate thread and about the VIMA in comments to one of Peter's articles, if anyone is interested.
Finally, I encountered the Xaphoon, which is totally not digital, but pretty amazing nonetheless. Originally bamboo, they are now making a cheaper plastic version. This wind instrument looks a lot like a recorder but sounds like a sax. Amazing tone out of such a little, inexpensive instrument. Absolutely no PSU, USB or MIDI!
http://www.xaphoon.com/
Aaron |
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| PeterKirn |
| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 5:39 pm |
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Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 822
Location: New York, NY
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No more AX-7, really? There are plenty still in stock here in the US and I heard from at least one Roland rep that they'd been surprised by a resurgence in sales. Wonder why they did that ...
I'm still looking for the perfect, semi-portable 88-key progressive hammer-action keyboard. The RD-700SX and a couple of the Yamahas spring to the top of the list, but I still don't have one that for me hits the sweet spot, and I think it's an issue for many others. I'd really like to go Roland, but Yamaha has more choices and more affordable ones at that ... many other cheaper options from other competitors, but the feel isn't as good; it seems to make a difference having the experience the older companies have. |
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| velocipede |
| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:23 pm |
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Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 94
Location: Takarazuka, Japan
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Yes, I had seen the AX-7 listed as "out of production" on a Japanese retailer site, so I asked a Roland rep at the fair. There are still plenty available it seems, especially in the US, but some online shops here are listing them out of stock. I would not be too surprised to see some company incorporate wireless midi in a key-tar soon.
For a weighted 88, have you tried the Casio Privias? I have heard they use hydraulics to achieve their weighting and that makes them lighter. I like mine, but it is certainly different from the Yamaha and Roland feel. Yamaha, at least seems to have cut their prices (in Japan, at least) to compete with the inexpensive Casios. I am not a trained pianist, but I have heard some people who are speak well of their action. |
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| PeterKirn |
| Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:43 pm |
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Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 822
Location: New York, NY
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The keyboard to beat right now seems like the Yamaha CP33, at US$1100. It's got the high-end Yamaha progressive hammer action but still weighs 39 lbs., which is luggable. I've played its predecessor's action and it's top-notch; this should be even better.
But I have heard very good things about the Casios, weighing and costing much less; there would be some tradeoffs, but for portability on price they look very nice. I'd still have trouble picking up a Privias over the Yamaha P70, though, with a better action, better sound, and the same weight, for roughly the same price or a $100 difference (US$600 for the Yamaha).
Roland just seems to me to be totally out of the game when it comes to the digital piano market; the RD-700SX flagship is terrific and will appeal to people who like the Roland feel, but the RD-300SX compromises action vs. the CP33, and there's nothing sub-$1000.
One keyboard I really *don't* like in the sub-$100 range is the M-Audio ProKeys. It's a decent instrument and I generally like M-Audio, but I find the action unplayable versus the similarly-priced Yamaha and Casio models. |
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| velocipede |
| Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:04 pm |
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Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 94
Location: Takarazuka, Japan
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| Roland is missing that segment of the market, isn't it? Maybe they just don't want to compete at that level. The Yamaha P70, by the way, is the same price as the new basic Casio in Japan. I see them for about US$420. This seems like a very low margin price for both companies. |
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| PeterKirn |
| Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:48 pm |
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Site Admin
Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 822
Location: New York, NY
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I've played the P70 quite a bit and fiddled with the Casio enough to know the Yamaha is a better deal. It's come down in price by about 50%, though, so I'll be you're right -- bet you can thank Casio for the price pressure.
It's funny, some electronics seem to be priced the same in Japan and the US, but you've obviously got the edge on keyboards! Now I just need a gig over there; I could come over with nothing and fly back with a keyboard.  |
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| velocipede |
| Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 10:19 pm |
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Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 94
Location: Takarazuka, Japan
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Indeed. In contrast, the Alesis Fusion 6HD is $2000 here!
Let me know if you do make it over here for a gig. |
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