3/05/2012

Yamaha PSR-175 Music Keyboard with DJ Voices Review

Yamaha PSR-175 Music Keyboard with DJ Voices
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Before I go on, let me state for the record that I have been playing classical piano for over 15 years, and I bought this keyboard for jamming and multitrack recording (both midi/audio).
First, for those who are confused with the entry level Yamaha portable keyboards, the PSR-175 is almost exactly the same as the PSR-175AD and the PSR-172. The only difference is that the PSR-172 is much more widely available than the 175s. That said, let's analyze the more important features:
Keys: You get what you pay for. 61-keys is quite all right for beginners and for those who want to do some basic multitrack recording. Better players should go for a bigger keyboard, unless you don't mind using the transpose feature. However, I gave this keyboard a low rating because the keys are not truly touch-sensitive. These keys are not sensitive to the amount of force you exert on them -- the volume for each key remains the same regardless of the amount of force you exert on it. Instead, the keys are only sensitive to the length of time that they are depressed (this should have been called a portable organ instead). By playing on this keyboard, you will never be able to develop a feel for a real piano which requires varying amounts of force applied to different keys. Thus I would not recommend this keyboard for serious beginning piano players because it only hurts your musical foundation.
As for the other features, the sound patches are adequate for most users and are rather standardized in similar entry-level keyboards. I have no complaints because most of the main instruments are there and sound decent enough (piano, organs, guitars,wind, drums,etc). There is also an automated drum synthesizer that's been preprogrammed to different music genres (e.g. soul, rock, jazz, blues, etc).
Regarding size and weight, this is a small and light keyboard and I have no trouble carrying it around to jamming sessions.
On a final note, I recommend shelling out a little more (about $50) for the PSR-273, another 61-keyboard which is just one step higher and offers touch response keys that feel and react more like a real piano. A touch response key produces a louder sound when you strike it harder, vice-versa. Further, the PSR-273 is only slightly larger and heavier.
Hope this review helps. =)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha PSR-175 Music Keyboard with DJ Voices


Yamaha's 61-keyPSR175 is a full-featured portable, with plenty to offer the budding musician: Yamaha's rich "Portable Grand" sound, an education suite with 100 songs to learn (and several ways to go at it), a wealth of great voices and auto-accompaniment styles, MIDI connectivity, and more.


Yamaha's Portable Grand
The PSR175 may have an entry-level price, but it comes with a host of advanced features like the Portable Grand. The Portable Grand button is perfect for beginners and students. No matter what buttons and features you've been using (for example, the drums or DJ), one touch of the Portable Grand button instantly resets the keyboard to a great grand piano sound, with warm, clear stereo grand samples. And of course, the keyboard includes a Sustain Pedal jack on the back for practicing and playing piano pieces.

"DJ" Function
Get the world of Hip Hop, R&B, Techno and all the hottest music in a snap using your Yamaha keyboard. Push the DJ button, hold down a key with your right hand, and you're groovin'!
Conveinent display helps with songs and lessons.

Buy NowGet 37% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha PSR-175 Music Keyboard with DJ Voices

Read More...

3/04/2012

Casio CTK-573 61-Note Touch Sensitive Keyboard with Adapter and Song Books Review

Casio CTK-573 61-Note Touch Sensitive Keyboard with Adapter and Song Books
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have had this keyboard for about six years. I grew up playing my parent's piano and I wanted something to play on until I got a piano of my own. For the price, this was PERFECT...once I added the sustain pedal. It will allow you to play many notes at once (polyphonics) and you can record 2 songs in the memory banks. It does have Midi ability to hook up the the computer but I have never tried that function out. The keys are touch sensitive, piano mode is realistic sounding and in perfect tune so that I can play along with YouTube songs, such as the Beatles Live performances. It has some fun sound effect options as well. I LOVE this keyboard and it has gotten me by quite nicely without having the real thing.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Casio CTK-573 61-Note Touch Sensitive Keyboard with Adapter and Song Books

Casio CTK-573 61-Note Touch Sensitive Keyboard

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Casio CTK-573 61-Note Touch Sensitive Keyboard with Adapter and Song Books

Read More...

3/03/2012

M-Audio Prokeys Sono 88 Review

M-Audio Prokeys Sono 88
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought it for my wife,alas it didn't work.I suppose, because it was packed not enough secure and also it has very light weight and therefore fragile.I 've sent it back and had my money back but not the shipment money

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio Prokeys Sono 88

The ProKeys Sono 88 portable digial piano with audio interface lets keyboard players and songwriters bridge the gap between writing, recording and performance.88 semi-weighted, velocity-sensiive keys, advanced keybed scanning technology and a sereo-sampled Steinway grand sound deliver in incredibly expressive piano experience.Six additional instant-access instrutments and 128 on-board General MIDI sounds round out a premium performance solution that can be used with or without a computer.In the studio, the keyboard's built-in USB audio interface makes it easy to record your performance - plus vocals and instrutments - directly to the computer with the included software.ProKeys Sono 88 provides an intuitive and seamless experience from start to finish, whether you're jamming live, creating professional-quality recordings or teaching music.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about M-Audio Prokeys Sono 88

Read More...

The Gabe Dixon Band - Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook Review

The Gabe Dixon Band - Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
First off, let me say that if you haven't purchased Gabe Dixon's newest album, you must do that as you buy this book. It's amazing! I'm assuming that since you're looking for the songbook, you've already heard his songs. The book lives up to what I expected it to be: Piano tabs with the melody included in the notes, guitar tabs, and vocals.
I've had the book for about a day now and have played through the entire book. It has a medium level of difficulty and is pretty fun to play. My only beef about the book is that I wished it would include just the tabs that Gabe plays and not include the melody line embedded in it. I'm able to play around with the tabs a bit and sing the melody, but it would be nice to add some of the flair that Gabe includes (which i haven't been able to make up yet). However, that's how all of these songbooks are written so i guess i can't complain that much about it. That little tidbit shouldn't prevent anyone from buying this book. It's great and I highly recommend it! Great job Gabe, I've been waiting for your book for quite sometime!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Gabe Dixon Band - Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook

Soulful, heartfelt and rockin' - piano-based trio The Gabe Dixon Band "deserves to join the ranks of Jackson Browne and early Elton John in the pop pantheon'' (The Nashville Tennessean). Our songbook features all the songs from their self-titled album that Paste called "one of my favorite records of the year'' and that was hailed in The Village Voice critics poll as one of the Top 10 Albums of the Year: All Will Be Well * And the World Turned * Baby Doll * Disappear * Ever After You * Far from Home * Find My Way * Five More Hours * Further the Sky * Sirens * Till You're Gone.

Buy Now

Click here for more information about The Gabe Dixon Band - Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook

Read More...

3/02/2012

Yamaha FC7 Volume Control Pedal Review

Yamaha FC7 Volume Control Pedal
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I needed a crescendo pedal for the virtual pipe-organ that I am building, reviews of the FC7 were very favourable.
Delivery to Australia was very prompt and the pedal is beautifully made and "feels" good to use. Am highly delighted.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha FC7 Volume Control Pedal

For those electronic keyboards with an input jack labeled "FOOT CONTROLLER", the FC7 is used as Volume, Expression and Assignable controller. FC7 also has a fortissimo function, which enables you to accent certain parts of your performance.Also, the pedal angle is adjustable for seated or standing performance.

Buy NowGet 43% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha FC7 Volume Control Pedal

Read More...

3/01/2012

Alfred 00-26191 21 Selected Piano Works Review

Alfred 00-26191 21 Selected Piano Works
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The beauty of this one [with its CD] and let me quote from the section entitled "About This Edition" on page 7, "The object of this edition has been to supply a completely reliable text that clearly reflects Liszt's original indications, yet which gives the less experienced performer careful and relatively complete directions for execution." That about says it all in the 21 selected piano works of Franz Liszt where even Liszt's recommended fingerings are rendered together with those of the editor.
So too, and in passing, there was only one available from Amazon vendor Sam Ash company and while the shipping was a bit more and I did have to pay tax since the company is located in my own state, it was well worth the extra few dollars since I received it on a Saturday via FedEx expedited delivery and the packing was excellent which I generally fret about when there are attached CD's or DVD's or in this particular case a single CD containing all 21 pieces . Each piece has a separate albeit succinct write-up and in some cases a reproduction of Liszt's original autograph of the piece is available for review including the 'why' or motivation for the piece itself.
What's that? That's easy! Page 28, to wit, "Liebeslied: Widmung" which ironically [but understandably] is listed as the "easier version" which in reality only differentiates the piece from the "more difficult concert version" [sic]. I personally find the "easier version" quite enough of a challenge to do both correctly and even as the notation for the "easier version" says, "Liszt's consistent alignment of the notes in the opposite manuscript [on the facing page] indicates clearly how the two-against-three rhythms should be played" but I like the rest of that sentence where it goes on to say, " ... this accommodation has much to recommend, although a final decision must be left to the performer."
96 pages in all and part of the Alfred "Masterwork Edition" edited by Joseph Banowetz. Sort of a grace-note here but I've often received the tongue-in-cheek remark [via my reviews where Dr. Alan Walker is involved and his many tomes on Liszt] as being an ad hoc 'PR man' for Doc Walker but, hey, Dr. Walker doesn't need any 'additional' hurrahs from me so let the editor of this present work speak in his section on "Suggestions for Further Reading" and lo and behold, there is the name, inter alia, Alan Walker! And the present editor says, "It would be difficult to over-praise Walker's magnificent three volume biography of Liszt. This set is absolutely essential for all those interested in Liszt as both the man and the artist. Walker has researched what will undoubtedly remain the definitive study of Liszt for generations of musicians." [sic].
My sentiments exactly! And not to mention in addition to the 3 volumes, the 2005 "Reflections on Liszt" with what I term the 'capstone' of the Liszt biographical trilogy and the book editing on the quite revealing Lina Schmalhausen and Carl Lachmund diaries and various others edited and annotated by Dr. Walker. As I said in other reviews dealing with Franz Liszt and Dr. Walker's input, the 'consensus', world version, of view as to his research output and/or editing [with assessments therein] excellence. Kudos likewise to the editor Joseph Banowetz for the present work!
Doc Tony

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alfred 00-26191 21 Selected Piano Works

Alfred Music Publishing is the world's largest educational music publisher. Alfred produces educational, reference pop and performance materials for teachers students professionals and hobbyists spanning every musical instrument style and difficulty level. Internationally renowned concert pianist Joseph Banowetz presents this definitive collection of original masterworks by Franz Liszt featuring a comprehensive preface composer biography vintage photographs and detailed performance notes on the solos. The companion CD features Joseph Banowetz performing Liszts most cherished piano repertoire: Ehemals from Weihnachtsbaum S. 186/10 * +tude Op. 6 No. 7; S. 136/7 * Ich liebe dich S. 542a (posth) * Liebeslied: Widmung (easier version) S. 566 (posth.) (Robert Schumann trans. by Liszt) * LiebestrSume: 3 notturnos S. 541 * No. 2: Gestorben war ich (first version) * No. 3: O lieb o lieb so lang du lieben kannst * Piano Piece in A-flat Major S. 189a (posth.) * Marche de Rßk=czyû+dition populaire S. 244/15 * Resignazione S.187a (posth.) * Romance S. 169 (posth.) * Romance oubliTe S. 527 * Ruhig S. 167a (posth.) * Scherzo S. 153 (posth.) * Six Consolations S. 172 * No. 1 in E Major * No. 2 in E Major * No. 3 in D-flat Major * No. 4 in D-flat Major * No. 5 in E Major * No. 6 in E Major * StSndchen S. 560/7 (Franz Schubert trans. by Liszt) * Valse oubliTe No. 1 S. 215/1 Joseph Banowetz graduated with a First Prize from the Vienna Akademie fnr Musik und darstellende Kunst. Banowetz has been a piano recitalist and orchestral soloist on five continents. He was awarded the Liszt Medal by the Hungarian Liszt Society in recognition of his outstanding performances of Liszt and the Romantic literature.

Buy NowGet 26% OFF

Click here for more information about Alfred 00-26191 21 Selected Piano Works

Read More...

Casio WK7500 76 Key Workstation Keyboard Review

Casio WK7500 76 Key Workstation Keyboard
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Casio has outdone themselves with this board!!! This board is capable of some serious music. I'm a guy who has been making music on keyboards, synths, and computers since the late 70's and have owned and used some expensive professional boards (Yamaha,Roland,Korg,Kurzweil etc.) If you tweak the sounds on this board using the onboard DSP you can get some amazing sounds the drawbars and audio recording is just whipped cream on the cake. GET IT, YOU WON'T REGRET IT

Click Here to see more reviews about: Casio WK7500 76 Key Workstation Keyboard

The Casio Casio WK7500 76 Key Workstation Keyboard offers powerful and extensive features at a price that is unheard of in the portable keyboard market. It offers 800 world-class tones, 250 preset rhythms, 17 track sequencer, 32 channel mixer, as well as audio recording capabilities. Any piece of music you create can be recorded as an audio file on an SDHC card. 9 sliders extend your versatility and provide an impressive 50 drawbar organ tones. Whether you are an amateur or professional musician, the WK7500 will allow you to create, edit and play your compositions at home, in the studio or on the stage. Casio Casio WK7500 76 Key Keyboard Features 800 world class tones including stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, drums, synths and many more 9 sliders extend your versatility and provide an impressive 50 drawbar organ tones 17-track sequencer for editing and tweaking your performances so you can get professional sounding tracks 250 preset rhythms with full accompaniment are built-in Front panel sliders provide control over volume, pan, effect sends for each channel MIC and Instrument inputs, stereo audio in, and a USB MIDI port Tones That Will Inspire Your Music The WK7500 provides 800 world class tones organized by category in a new easy-to-use interface. Dynamic stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, drums and a wealth of synths and acoustic instruments are at your fingertips. Each of those 800 voices can be edited with control over filters, envelopes and more. For added depth and realism, an extensive set of DSP effects are available to enhance these tones, providing you with pure inspiration at your fingertips Sliders Galore You can't miss them, nine strategically placed sliders on the front panel. Just press the Drawbar Organ

Buy NowGet 29% OFF

Click here for more information about Casio WK7500 76 Key Workstation Keyboard

Read More...