Alesis Fusion 8HD 88-Note Keyboard Workstation Review

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(More customer reviews)I personally like the keyboard action a lot though it may be light for some people...its not as spongy-light as a Korg Karma but its not as heavily weighted as a Kurzweil SP76. Velocity, release velocity and mono aftertouch are standard.
Some people have been asking how I like the Fusion's Piano and, more specifically, how it stacks up against the Korg and Yamaha offerings...
Well, It kind of depends on what you like personally.
Let me explain; the Piano on my Motif Rack was a brittle piece of crap to my ears. The piano on the Fusion is a lot more realistic. Personal taste varies on piano sounds quite a bit though - I've got an old Baldwin Acrosonic Spinet in the studio that I love!
I needed at least one "workstation" type keybord with realistic instrument sounds like piano, clav and strings in my studio. I started with a Korg Karma but its sounds were overhyped plus it had the absolute worst keyboard I have ever felt. Later I traded it out for a Yamaha Motif rack - besides its too-bright sound it had awful MIDI timing slop...I sold it to help fund the Fusion.
Through my ADAM monitors, the Fusion has a nicely flat, unhyped sound. In my opinion, the Fusion's patches sit in a mix a little nicer than Korg and Yamaha - I didn't have to compress and EQ them to get them to "play nice".
I'm playing the Fusion along with a Serge Modular, Nord Modular, Yamaha VL-1, E-mu Planet Earth, Waldorf MicrowaveXT and a DSI Polyevolver Keyboard and I tell you, the Fusion can certainly hold its own, even with a disparate bunch of "weird guys". LOL! It really has a unique voice of its own thats different enough to be a very welcome addition :)
The unique sound engines in the Fusion are just a blast to program and I love their sound...that's where I think it really shines, though Its obviously no slouch as a sampler either - now I can finally trash my old S2000.
It seems fairly solid. I'm not planning on gigging with it - if I was, I would certainly buy a decent case, but I would do that for any synth I planned on transporting ;) I haven't had any lockups or software crashes yet...I've been digging pretty hard and deep into the beast since I got it and it seems very reliable so far. This is a much more mature OS version though...If you're looking into a Fusion, make sure the most recent OS is loaded - some of the earlier ones were very buggy.

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The Alesis Fusion 8HD Integrated Keyboard Workstation's ease of use makes it easy to handle your most demanding production tasks - almost effortlessly. Four types of synthesis and a built-in 24-bit sampler make your music easier to manage and produce. Save and load programs from the on-board 40GB hard drive -- or from the removable Compact Flash memory card. Onboard effects processing is powerful, and easy to control with the fully assignable buttons and 360knobs. Fully programmable arpeggiator, easy importing & converting of files & internal storage make this the keyboard no studio or workstation should be without. Multi-channel input and output options in both analog and digital (S/PDIF and ADAT Lightpipe) 96 mixes (ROM and HD) 13 filter types Effects -20 Reverbs, 10 Chorus, 50 Insert Effects, 4 Band EQ 24-bit Analog and Digital Conversion (64x oversampling A/D; 128x oversampling D/A)512 samples per multisample 16-bit sampling depth; 44.1 kHz sampling frequencies Sample formats -Alesis format; Fusion Converter Software-PC/Mac (Imports. wav, aif, Akai S-1000/3000/5000 Samples/Program data and Soundfonts) Sampling sources -Analog input L/R, Stereo output (resampling) 64MB onboard memory; optional expansion to 192MB Sampling Time -11 - 53 w/onboard memory; 37 - 15 w/full expansion memory Arpeggiater with 490 presets & unlimited user expansion, plus phrase and drum machine playbackSequence format -SMF Type 1 Pitch bend & modulation wheelsAssignable trigger buttons (4), switches (2) Backlit LCD External Storage -Compact Flash Type I and Type II (Flash and Microdrives) Power Consumption -50 W Connectors -Stereo main & aux L/R out, headphone out, S/PDIF out, Coax/Optical out, ADAT out, MIDI in/out/thru, sustain pedal, footswitch, expression pedal, USB (to host), external HDD (SATA), HD recording inputs 1-8 Dimensions -51.5 x 14 x 5 (130.8 x 35.6 x 12.7 cm)

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Casio WK-1630 76-Note Touch-Sensitive Portable Electronic Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)My wife and I debated on which 76-Note keyboard to buy: Casio WK-1630 or Yamaha PSR-GX76AD. The price range for both products is very close.
At the beginning, we kind of lean on the Yamaha for the following reasons:
-Yamaha GX76 has 5 songs, 6 tracks memory while Casio WK1630 only has 2 songs, 6 tracks memory.
-Yamaha has one hundred built-in songs while Casio has twenty something songs.
-Yamaha has education book come with it while Casio has none.
-Yamaha has four local stores in town for services while Casio has none.
After testing both products in several stores, we finally settled for the Casio WK1630 for the following reasons: Casio WK1630 has a better volume control and the sound quality seems to be a little better than the Yamaha GX76. Since my wife is not a beginner, she doesn't care about the education book. She only cares the quality of the music and the audible level of the music. She wants loud PoP music. Yamaha can't produce loud enough music even we turned the volume to the max. We tried the volume features on several stores to make the comparison. The conclusion is Casio produces music louder at the max volume with acceptable sound quality while Yahama couldn't produce loud music at the max volume. That help us made up our mind.
So if you are a beginner and don't care about the loudness of the music, Yamaha seems to be better.
If you are not a beginner and want a loud PoP music, you may consider the Casio WK1630.

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The Casio WK-1630 has 76 touch-sensitive keys, 32-note polyphony, programmable rhythm patterns, expanded digital effects, a modulation wheel, and separate line-out and headphone jacks. With 232 tones, a split and layer function, 132 rhythm patterns, and a two-song, six-track memory, this keyboard provides a full set of features for the beginner and intermediate keyboard player.
A backlit LCD window displays selections and status of tone, rhythm, mixer, and keyboard functions. The mixer allows control over each MIDI channel and accompaniment part you choose. Other controls include pitch bend and modulation wheels, along with transpose and tuning.
This keyboard operates on D batteries or an included AC adapter.

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On-Stage Stands Deluxe Heavy Duty X 2-Tier Keyboard Stand Review

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(More customer reviews)This stand rocks. I've had it for two years, throwing it around in our band's trailer and it is as sturdy as always. I leave the second tier on permanently and it still folds up quick and nice. The Quick-lok system never fails and the way you squeeze the handle at the top to unlock the middle of the X is convenient and sturdy. Couldn't be better for me

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Pro-level On-Stage Stands deluxe heavy-duty double-X keyboard stand is built with 2 tiers and styled for demanding musicians. Super heavy-duty tubing and welded construction support 395 lbs. on the bottom tier. Frame allows height adjustment from 27" to 39" and width adjustment from 11" to 30". The second tier supports 75 lbs. Uses ERGO-LOK technology for ease of use. The ERGO-LOK system includes an ergonomic trigger, an internal rod mechanism, and a solid steel spring-loaded deadbolt assembly. Uses dual sheer disk plates and heavy-duty deadbolt for superior stability. Assembling the 2 pieces: 1. Remove upper rear end caps from keyboard stand. 2. Take 2nd tier assembly and slide inner retainer into upper tube of stand. 3. Once second tier retainer is fully inside tube, then fully tighten 2" round OSS knobs.

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Peterson V-SAM Virtual Strobe Audio Metronome Review

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(More customer reviews)I am called on to tune harpsichords, and this is often done using unusual temperaments and pitch standards far from A=440Hz. I formerly used the excellent Korg MT-1200, because it could be programmed to any temperament, and because it allowed a very wide range of pitch standards (I often need to tune to A=411, for example). Korg has discontinued the MT-1200, replacing it with the model OT-12, which has most of the same features but is not programmable. When the MT-1200 that I used went bad (its memory chip failed, so it needed to be re-programmed every time I used it, quite a hassle), I went on a search for something else that would do the job.
After consulting with harpsichord players, builders, and other experts, I learned about the Peterson V-SAM. None of my experts had actually used this tuner, but had heard that it was an amazing new device that was great for harpsichords. I called Peterson (for a very long time known as a venerable manufacturer of stroboscopic tuners) and their sales people confirmed that the V-SAM was excellent for this kind of instrument. I let my experts know what Peterson had told me, and so they independently bought V-SAMs at the same time I bought mine.
About a week after I got my V-SAM, I started getting calls from the others. Nobody could make the V-SAM work with harpsichords. It was unstable, and would frequently not even recognize that a note was being played on the instruments. Suspecting a faulty unit or perhaps a faulty manufacturing run, I checked my V-SAM with some wind instruments. It worked fine. Several calls to Peterson tech support revealed that if I simply added an external microphone, the V-SAM would work great on the harpsichord. I tried hand held mics, clip on mics, and suction-cup mics, and nothing helped. The others had similar experiences.
Finally, I was able to talk to engineering at Peterson, and was advised that the V-SAM was never designed to work with instruments like pianos or harpsichords. They said the tuner was intended to be used with instruments that can sustain their tones, like violins and wind instruments.
I have since returned my V-SAM, as have all my associates. I want to stress that this is not really a fault of the unit...Peterson is a good company with a high quality product. The problem is that this design is not suitable with certain instruments that produce transient tones. Unfortunately, Peterson sales and tech support did not know this and led me astray. Likewise, most retailers simply parrot what Peterson says or implies in their sales capacity, and hence the bad information is kept circulating.
In my opinion the V-SAM is a fine product for most applications, but if you want to use it with instruments that produce tones that decay quickly, look elsewhere.


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The Peterson V-SAM' presents a combination of programmable Virtual Strobe' tuner, audio tone generator, and metronome in a hand-held format. It marries the revolutionary Virtual Strobe Technology', first introduced in the VS-1 tuner, with a new, brighter, high-contrast display. The high-output tone generator within the V-SAM offers 10 octaves of audible tones, which conform to a selected preset or custom temperament and are adjustable in 0.1 cent increments. This permits ear-training possibilities previously unavailable in a hand-held device.Versatile MetronomeThe V-SAM's audio/visual metronome allows tap or dial-in tempo, adjustable beats per measure, beat subdivisions, and a stopwatch function.Built to be BetterThe V-SAM's "tuner mode" expands upon the Peterson VS-1' with an even wider variety of alternate temperaments and the ability to select temperament tonal roots. In addition, the user can create and store custom temperaments and use them with the same flexibility as preset ones. The V-SAM automatically detects a note being played in real-time and is accurate to 1/1000th of a semitone. It can transpose displayed notes based on any of 12 scale notes.

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Casio CTK810 Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)Casio CTK810 Keyboard
This is a fine solid keyboard if you are looking to learn a couple of songs and have a good sound. Even if you want to get a keyboard for your kids, as well as a good item for amusement. It is equipped with several voices, functions, and a teaching method. It is Touch Sensitive, so you can express yourself fully and it has USB connectivity that other brand's similar models lack.
It's an excellent option for your first keyboard.

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The Casio CTK-810 has an Advanced HL Sound Source that generates true piano sound and is Touch Sensitive like a piano, the harder you strike a key the louder and brighter the sound.This allows for more expressive playing. It now adds USB for added value, as you can now connect it to a computer, opening up a world of digital music possibility! Touch Sensitive with Dual Wave Form Processing General MIDI capable 61 Full-Size keys 32-Note Polyphony Advanced HL Sound Chip, (also found in our workstations) Stereo speaker system Advanced 3-step lesson system 500 Tones, 120 Rhythms, 50 Songs Digital Effects Backlit LCD Display 2-song Memory Front Microphone Input and Volume for Sing Along-Key Control Interactive Grading system with Voice and Display Assignable Pedal Jack and USB For Data Expansion, CD ROM Included Warranty: One year parts and labor.

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Music for Little Mozarts: Music Discovery Book 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a music teacher with over 12 years experience teaching young children. I use The Music For Little Mozart's Series for my youngest students first. To ensure that you have adequate coverage of all the materials presented, make sure you get most of the books in the series. The Lesson Book is a great start, but this is the next most important book. It has Great songs to sing and play along with. Don't worry if you don't sing, your child will, with encouragement, and the help of the CD that comes as a two CD set (the other CD goes with the Lesson Book). These are very important for teaching steady beat and the joy and fun of music, and can "bring them back" to the keyboard when interest wanes. No kid can resist the racing car song with the Glissando's where they run their fingers over the keys after the song says, "Ready, set, go!"
The next most important book is the workbook that gives the student the chance to show off their new skills and has some great listening exercises you can do with them. It is not the coloring book, which is really just a coloring book. Lastly, I recommend also the Recital book. It tells you at the top of the page which page in the Lesson book it corresponds with (they all do), and it gives the student one more song to practice their skills with.
I recommend sitting down with the student for no more than 1/2 hour breaking it up into 5 min. each of review of previous topics, lesson book, recital book, workbook and Music Discovery Book with CD. You can play the CD with the lesson book to review the material on a later date and the CD of the Music Discovery Book at any time while they are playing with their toys or doing "homework" in their workbook.
I like Book 2 set as well, and you can continue through 3&4 or move to Alfred's other Piano books 1A-6 .

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The unique Music Discovery Book contains songs that allow the students to experience music through singing, movement and rhythm activities. Music appreciation is fostered through carefully chosen music; Mozart, Beethoven and Sousa are introduced. Melodies to sing, using either solfege or letter names, help students learn to match pitch and discover tonal elements of music. Correlates to the Music Lesson Book 1. Familiar songs include If You're Happy and You Know It, Mexican Hat Dance and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

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Interactive Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)After searching for some time for a good piano tutorial software I ended up at Best Buy and, almost by accident, came across Interactive Keyboard written by Laurie Arthur. As a disclaimer, I am in no way tied to the promoter or the promotion of this product. My previous exposure to piano was limited to a group piano course at a junior college and some self-training, specifically with the old Miracle Piano Teaching System which is now obsolete.
I have been working with the program for a few days now and I believe I am developing solid technique beyond my prior education. The initial setup was tricky (program loaded fine on Windows '98SE but I needed a MIDI in/out cable-to-USB to hook up my antiquated Kawai KC10 Spectra synthesizer in addition to having to download a driver for the cable hookup, although any modern keyboard should adapt just fine) but once I got rolling I found the program both intuitive and fun.
The software package comes with a 222 page manual that is simply loaded with valuable information on technique, music theory, improvisational methods, proper form and exercises, and a host of other information, as well as "Fifty Famous Feels"; a variety of samples of music in different styles one can playback and with which one can play along.
The program seems geared toward the adult learner who is intent on getting a grasp of the piano in an accelerated fashion, though a bright child with some keyboard skills could benefit as well.
From the beginning, the program sets out what is required of the student and provides ample exercises at increasingly difficult levels, along with a "Comp-u-Pare" facility that enables one to record the recital of exercises (with or without the accompanying backtrack/rhythm) and test her/his skills and abilities. In addition, the software features musical notation of the exercises, a visual/virtual "keyboard" that plays the exercise, text explanations of the lessons (mirrored in the manual), and videos that show how to play the exercises.
There is more (including MIDI interface tools which I have yet to explore) but I can safely say this is one of the best programs available if one wishes to apply the learning methods to gain a solid understanding of the keyboard at a self-paced level. The writer(s) of this program have clearly done their homework in presenting the student with a valuable tool for grasping musical knowledge best presented on the piano keyboard. However, the instruction seems to go beyond the stoic, stodgy feel of personal piano lessons and slow-paced tutorial softwares into the realm of developing the keyboard player as a MUSICIAN and gaining the "feel" of what it is like to control the instrument instead of letting it dictate your actions and feelings.
If you are serious about learning piano and music, I believe this is the most thorough approach on the market.
Mike G.

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Comprehensivew tutorial uses MIDI connection and your PC to get you playing your music keyboard like a pro

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