Seven days report. Keyboard Festival Caister On Sea. Norfolk. UK.
Nothing really new to get excited about in this report. Yamaha stated they have 15 new models this year, but apart from additional features added to the PSR1100 .PSR2100 and Clavinova all the other models related to low priced starter boards.
KORG. Displaying the BX-3 Organ, very compact cased spinet requiring amplification & speakers. PA80 & PA 60 were attracting the keyboard enthusiast and sounding as good as ever. I asked about the new Pa-X. The Korg demonstrator having already seen and played it said it had color touch screen. Sliders from previous i3 & i30 have returned giving live playing individual volume adjustment to voices and Accompaniment parts and a BIG plus. When switching to Organ Flutes these sliders revert for use as Drawbars. ( Magic)
2 versions. 61 notes with speakers or 76 notes without speakers. Plus it contains a CD-Writer.Sounds like being a keyboard worth further investigations. Approx £2.499 UK Pounds
WERSI. Had their large road show articulated truck with folding down side stage. The new product here was the GP1000 Giga Piano, but so new even the distributor did not have any specification details.
YAMAHA. As stated above 15 new models ???? The PSR 2100 was demonstrated, there are a few additional styles plus extra features over the 2000 to improve things at no increase in price. (£1150 UK available June) If you have a PSR2000 already I do not consider its worth changing yet.
Glynn Madden previously an Organ player, in concert played a keyboard combination. Tyros Top and PSR9000 Lower. Following on with this theme one of the Yamaha demonstrators had built a small cabinet containing a low priced PSR292 (£199 UK) with Tyros laying very closely over the top so just the 292 keys were showing. No sounds were played from this board, it was midi linked to trigger the ACC & lower voice of the Tyros. Good idea for anyone wanting a dual manual for a very low price outlay.
ROLAND. Were concentrating on demonstrating the Diskcover 5. They were tight lipped when I asked about the new arranger board possibly out later this year. ????
Two highlights of the week for me were one. PETER BAARTMANS. (Holland Yamaha) This young man provided excellent evening concert and product daytime clinic demonstrations. A very funny and talented musician. The second being the lunch time and evening Hammond Jam Sessions. B3 with live drummer.
The week overall even without many new products was a very enjoyable 7 days. With new products pending from both Roland & Korg the forthcoming few months are going to be interesting. Before anyone asks I have no pictures.
Graham UK.
[This message has been edited by Graham UK (edited 05-02-2003).]
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