New Roland Cube XL Guitar Amplifiers

August 31st, 2010
Roland Cube Guitar Amps With Effects

Roland Cube XL Guitar Amps

Roland has recently announced four new Cube XL guitar amplifiers: CUBE-15XL, CUBE-20XL, CUBE-40XL, and CUBE-80XL.

The CUBE-XL amplifiers include new ultra-heavy COSM amp models, updated effects, and onboard phrase looping in the 40XL and 80XL. There are wide range of sounds from crystal clean to crushing metal, along with the addition of extra-powerful amp models such as Extreme, and Metal Zone.

New features found in the CUBE-XL guitar amplifiers are onboard effects (including a new COSM vintage Spring Reverb effect), an Acoustic Guitar Simulator, and Solo and Memory functions. These new Roland amplifiers come in many different sizes and feature sets to suit any practice or performance scenario.

For more information on the new Roland Cube XL guitar amps, visit www.AndysMusicOnline.com, or call Andy’s Music at 251-633-8944.

New Roland RD-700NX Digital Piano

August 31st, 2010

Roland RD700NX

Roland RD-700NX Digital Piano

Roland marks a new RD series milestone with the introduction of the RD-700NX digital piano, a stage piano that raises the bar for onstage performance with its incredible sound, touch, and control capabilities. This flagship stage piano is packed with professional features for gigging keyboard players, including Roland’s SuperNATURAL® Piano sound engine along with newly developed E. Piano based on SuperNATURAL technology, the finest keyboard action: PHA III Ivory Feel keyboard with Escapement, a unique Sound Focus feature, and a large, high-resolution LCD Screen.

Onboard the RD-700NX are three stunning grand pianos (with 30 variations), all driven by the groundbreaking SuperNATURAL Piano sound engine. SuperNATURAL Piano offers the ultimate playing experience, delivering seamless variations in tone from pianissimo to fortissimo, notes that fade naturally without looping, and three-dimensional sound and response.

The RD-700NX stage piano is also equipped with E. Piano sounds based on SuperNATURAL technology that offer painstakingly accurate models of varied classic electric pianos from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Going far beyond standard sampling of electric pianos, the SuperNATURAL technology enables complete control and expressivity, giving players the ability to customize sounds and create entirely new electric piano voices.

For a true grand piano playing feel, the RD-700NX is outfitted with the PHA III Ivory Feel Keyboard with Escapement. This keyboard offers maximum comfort, playability, and response, and perfectly conveys dynamic, velocity-based tonal changes. This supreme keyboard action draws maximum expressivity out of both SuperNATURAL Piano and E. Piano sounds. Additionally, the keys feature Roland’s acclaimed Ivory Feel, a comfortable and realistic moisture-absorbent material that prevents slipping from perspiration during performance.

For musicians playing in large ensembles, the new Sound Focus feature ensures that the RD-700NX cuts through the densest mix without adding compression or artifacts that color the tone, and is customizable based on the type of musical performance. Combined with SuperNATURAL technology, Sound Focus provides enough presence without sacrificing any essential expressivity. New One Touch Piano feature provides instant access to three acoustic pianos and three E. Pianos with the touch of a button.

In addition to Roland’s finest acoustic and electric piano sounds, the RD-700NX is filled with hundreds of additional quality sounds for performance versatility, including organs, strings, synths, rhythm sets, and more. Navigating the vast library and editing sounds is easy with the new high-resolution display, which provides clear visibility and an intuitive graphical interface.

For more information on the Roland RD700NX and other Roland keyboards, visit www.AndysMusicOnline.com, or call Andy’s Music at 251-633-8944.

New BOSS Effects – ST2 and PS6

August 31st, 2010

BOSS has recently added two new effects to its guitar pedal lineup, the ST2 Power Stack, and the PS6 Harmonist.

BOSS ST2

BOSS ST2

The ST-2 is a unique type of BOSS distortion pedal, one that gives guitarists both the sound and feel of playing through a large, cranked-up, stack-style tube amplifier. This is accomplished through BOSS’ years of meticulous research in amp modeling, and represents a bold step forward in stompbox design.

The ST-2 has an extremely versatile range of distortion tones and authentic stack-amp feel, and is ideal for guitarists of all playing styles, from classic rock and blues to raging metal. It’s perfect for players looking for a wide range of distortion sounds from a single stompbox, and for combo-amp and multi-effects users that want to add some real tube-stack mojo to their effects board.

The BOSS PS-6 Harmonist  combines four intelligent pitch-shift effects and three-voice harmony in one compact pedal. Equipped with a powerful, custom-designed DSP chip for superior performance, the PS6 provides superb sound quality, ease of use, and professional pitch effects all under one hood.

BOSS PS6

BOSS PS6

Housed in the road-tested BOSS compact pedal chassis, the PS-6 offers four different effect modes: Harmony, Pitch Shifter, Detune, and the all-new Super Bend. An astounding amount of effects control over the four modes is possible with the easy-to-use, four-knob interface.

Super Bend creates wild three- and four-octave pitch sweeps, and pedal-bending effects. The automatic behavior of Super Bend is easily adjusted with SHIFT, RISE TIME, and FALL TIME controls. For realtime control, users can connect an optional BOSS FV-500L/H or Roland EV-5 expression pedal and use the PS-6 as a foot-controlled pedal-bend effect.

For more information on BOSS guitar effects pedals, visit www.andysmusiconline.com, or call Andy’s Music at 251-633-8944.

Yamaha PSRE323 – Very Popular

August 21st, 2010
Yamaha PSRE-323 Portable Keyboard With Survival Kit

Yamaha PSRE-323

The Yamaha PSRE323 is one of our most popular 61-key musical keyboards, and its touch sensitive keyboard is one reason why. Touch sensitivity is very important in a digital keyboard; when you strike the key softly, the note plays softly, and vice versa. This is one feature you should not overlook.

The sound quality of the PSRE-323 is another reason for its popularity. Yamaha samples (records) their on samples to insure a quality reproduction of the sampled instrument.  The result is amazing sound quality and almost 500 voices for you to choose from, offering even greater compatibility with both 3rd party and Yamaha XG software.

Other features include a backlit LCD screen, and an easy-to-use 2-track recorder. The Portable Grand button resets the keyboard to the incredible piano sound, while Music Database provides complete setups by song title.

Yamaha PSRE-323 Features:

  • Touch Response: expressive touch like a piano
  • Backlit display: better information
  • 2-track sequencer: record your own songs
  • Yamaha Education Suite features “Keys to Success” function
  • Flash ROM: import Standard MIDI Files for listening or learning
  • 12 Drumkits plus 1 Sound Effect kit with dedicated button
  • Split (different voice on L&R) & Layer (2 voices i.e. Piano/Strings)
  • Music Database: automatic keyboard setups by song title
  • DSP effects include 9 Reverb and 4 Chorus
  • Bass ports provide full sound

For additional information on Yamaha keyboards and pianos, contact Andy’s Music at 251-633-8944, or visit www.AndysMusicOnline.com

Alfred Piano Teacher Workshop

August 5th, 2010
Andy’s Music recently hosted an Alfred Piano Teacher Workshop, featuring Gayle Kowalchyk.

Gayle Kowalchyk

Gayle Kowalchyk at Andy's Music, Mobile, AL

During her workshop, Gayle shared personal triumphs and challenges from her own teaching experiences, as well as valuable teaching tips and ideas that teachers can put into action immediately with their students.

Dr. Kowalchyk also covered repertoire selection and presented valuable motivational ideas for studio use. Other topics included: creative ideas for themed recitals, keys to understanding performance practices, selecting duets for students, and much more.

As Keyboard Editor for Supplementary Piano Publications (1988-present) for Alfred Publishing, Dr. Gayle Kowalchyk selects and edits music for the supplementary piano catalog. She holds degrees from Ohio University (piano performance, 1977), Northwestern University (piano performance and pedagogy, 1979) and an Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University (piano pedagogy, 1989).

Gayle Kowalchyk at Andy's Music, Mobile, AL

Left to right, Michael McClelland, Kassy Wooley, President, MMTA, Gayle Kowalchyk

From 1981 until 1996 Dr. Kowalchyk and her husband taught students of all ages at their independent piano studio in Norman, Oklahoma. She now lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and two children, where she works full-time on writing and editing projects for Alfred.

Michael McClelland was host and organizer for the clinic, and Sharon DeLaFuente was the culinary hostess

New Yamaha XF Synthesizer Workstations

August 2nd, 2010
Yamaha Motif XF

Yamaha Motif XF Synthesizer

Yamaha has recently announced the new Motif XF synthesizer workstations, Motif XF8, Motif XF7, and Motif XF6. The XF8 features an 88 key, balanced hammer effect keyboard with initial and aftertouch. The XF7 and XF6 have the FSX keyboard with initial and aftertouch.

Other important features include:

  • 128 note polyphony
  • Comprehensive high sound quality, including an enormous 741MB of waveforms
  • An additional 128 Voices and 8 drum kits, for a total of 1,353 high-quality Voices
  • Up to 2GB of additional content available through separately sold flash memory
  • Realization of unique instrument performance methods through the XA (Expanded Articulation) tone generation system
  • Reproduction of the unique, natural, warm sounds of vintage instruments through VCM effects
  • 384 types of performances based on approximately 7800 types of arpeggiators
  • Enhanced sampling through 128MB of onboard SD-RAM
  • The popular FSX keyboard
  • Improvement of usability thanks to the use of a new GUI
  • Category Search feature that provides instant access to the Voices you want
  • Cubase AI — a DAW software application from Steinberg
  • DAW integration through remote control, an editor software
  • Scalability through standard-equipped USB and Ethernet and the FW16E option

    For more information on the new Yamaha Motif XF synthesizers, visit www.AndysMusicOnline.com, or call Andy’s Music at 251-633-8944.

    Yamaha DGX640 Now Shipping

    July 29th, 2010

    The new Yamaha DGX640 digital piano is now shipping. It replaces the popular YPG635, and comes in two finishes, walnut and cherry.

    Updated features on the DGX640 include new piano voices, more voices and styles, expanded DSP effects for more realistic voices, 4 registration pads, and the new walnut finish. The flash drive input is on the front panel now, providing more convenient access to it; and the access button is right next to it, no more delving down into menus.

    Yamaha DGX640 Digital Piano

    Yamaha DGX640 Digital Piano

    Yamaha’s highly acclaimed Sweet! and Cool! Voices deliver incredibly natural and very dynamic sound. Use the Pitch Bend wheel and hear these Voices–especially the Sax and Trumpet–truly come alive!

    The Yamaha DGX640 keyboard is Yamaha’s most piano-like Portable Grand ever, with its weighted Graded Hammer Standard keyboard action and wide selection of piano Voices. Selecting a sound is as easy as keying in a number, and recording virtuoso performances is simple with the built-in recorder. The Yamaha Education Suite and USB connectivity add functionality.

    Related articles:

    Yamaha DGX640 Portable Digital Grand Piano (andysmusiconline.com)

    Yamaha Arius YDP181 Digital Piano (andysmusiconline.com)

    Yamaha P95 Digital Piano (yamaha-keyboards.blogspot.com)

    Yamaha PSRE423 Portable Keyboard (yamaha-keyboards.blogspot.com)

    Yamaha YPG635 Electronic Keyboard (yamaha-keyboards.blogspot.com)

    New Yamaha Keyboards and Digital Pianos at Winter NAMM (yamaha-keyboards.blogspot.com)

    Yamaha Arius YDP181 Digital Piano

    July 20th, 2010
    Yamaha Arius YDP181

    Yamaha YDP181

    As the replacement for the Yamaha YDP223, the YDP181 has some big shoes to fill. But, based on its specifications, it should do an admiral job. Updated features include: dynamic stereo sampling, 128 note polyphony, 2-track, 3 song sequencer, damper resonance for richer sustained tones, and USB TO DEVICE port.

    The Yamaha Arius YDP181 uses the USB device port for storing songs recorded on the instrument. The damper pedal includes a half-damper effect, giving you nuanced expressive control over the sustained sound, and Dual Voice capability lets you play two different instrument sounds at the same time. An on-board 2-track song recorder allows you to capture your original musical ideas and performances while practicing or performing.

    The YDP181 is suited to students and experienced players alike, and provides true piano sound and feel. The Graded Hammer keyboard of the YDP-181 makes it a true joy to play, both in practice and performance, and the 3-level AWM Dynamic Stereo Sampling Voices deliver remarkably authentic sound.

    Yamaha CP1 – Best Stage Piano of 2010

    June 21st, 2010

    The new Yamaha CP1 digital piano claimed top prize as Best Stage Piano 2010 at the recent Musikmesse International Press Award (MIPA) ceremony on March 26, 2010. Musikmesse is an international musical instrument trade show held annually in Germany. The MIPA Musikmesse Internationl Press Award is considered the “Grammy” of the musical instrument and pro audio industry.

    For the 11th time, more than 100 magazines from all over the world voted for the best products of 2009/2010 in the more than 40 categories of the MIPA Musikmesse International Press Award. More than 300 international representatives of manufacturers and distributors of musical instruments and audio equipment gathered for the 11th mipa Awards Show with guest from around the world.

    The Yamaha CP1 is the flagship of a completely redesigned lineup of CP Series Stage Pianos, which also includes the CP5 and CP50 digital pianos.

    Zoom H1 Handy Recorder – New!

    June 1st, 2010
    Zoom H1

    Zoom H1 Recorder

    With the introduction of the new  Zoom H1 Handy Recorder, Zoom recording technology is available to everyone. And with an infinite variety of applications, you’ll want to take your H1 everywhere. From musical performances, songwriting sessions and rehearsals to seminars, conferences, journalism or capturing audio for video, the H1 gives you clean, clear stereo sound effortlessly.

    The new Zoom H1 Handy Recorder is Zoom’s smallest recorder to date, weighing in at about 2 ounces. The H1 records big sound despite its tiny footprint and features the same studio-quality microphones as Zoom’s renowned H2 – the most popular handheld recorder in the world. The H1 is priced at just $99, making it one of the most affordable professional recording solutions available.

    The H1 is also the easiest Zoom recorder to use, sporting a newly designed user interface that places all its functions at the touch of a button. Zoom included access to the track marker, auto record, low cut filter, level and volume controls with onboard buttons and no menus.

    For more information on Zoom recorders, visit www.AndysMusicOnline.com, or call Andy’s Music at 251-633-8944.