Keyboards and Accessories
One-Stop Pop
Experience a new world of audio/visual entertainment with the VIMA RK-500 recreational keyboard from Roland, which transforms any room into an interactive theater of sight and sound. The VIMA RK-500, sibling to the RK-100, is packed with hundreds of incredible sounds, all under the control of an authentic-feeling 88-note keyboard. It comes loaded with a library of songs, and you can add songs as well. It can also play back CDs, and it lets you connect two microphones for Karaoke fun. As you listen, play, and/or sing, the RK-500 can display a variety of images on the internal LCD or connect to a big-screen television. It can even display the musical DigiScore or a piano-roll simulation of a song that’s playing back.
For more information, visit www.rolandusa.com
Grand Design
Yamaha has enhanced its CLP-200 Series of Clavinova digital pianos and has debuted two grand piano-style models, the CLP-265GP and the CLP-295GP. The CLP-265GP offers a luxurious polished ebony mini grand case cabinet, along with a range of the key CLP-200 Series technologies, including a Graded Hammer 3 keyboard for true grand piano feel, Stereo Sampling Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) tone generation, and PC interface via a USB port. Replacing the CLP-175, the CLP-295GP offers the same stunning polished ebony grand cabinet, AWM tone generation, and USB interface. This top-of-the-line model additionally features Yamaha’s Instrumental Active Field Control System, which enhances and enriches the piano sound to match the acoustics of the room in which it’s played. The CLP-295GP also offers a natural wood keyboard with real-wood white keys.
For more information, visit www.yamaha.com
Keys to Music
Yamaha’s new YPG portable keyboard line—the 76-key YPG-225, the 88-key YPG-525, and the 88-key Graded Hammer YPG-625—replaces its DGX line and is targeted for beginners to serious hobbyists. All three models feature USB functions, 32 notes of polyphony, recording capabilities, and built-in speaker systems. Performance Assistant Technology ensures error-free performances, the Music Database offers complete keyboard setups by song title, and Yamaha’s ultra-realistic Portable Grand function is activated by the press of a button. The built-in Yamaha Education Suite incorporates progressive exercises and timing lessons to help develop two-hand proficiency.
For more information, visit http://www.yamaha.com/
Lifelong Learning
Roland’s HPi-6 Digital Interactive Piano is a great choice for beginners. It combines Roland’s high-quality piano sounds with a Visual Lesson Education Suite, and the DigiScore function that displays notation and lyrics on an LCD screen built into the music stand. Music games can be played on the built-in screen to make learning the mysteries of music theory a breeze. The HPi-6 also features a built-in metronome, a USB port, MIDI compatibility, and two 25-watt speakers.
For more information, visit http://www.rolandus.com/
Take the Stage
The Nord Stage 88 is Clavia’s new full-range, weighted action stage piano. It is constructed to hold up to the rigors of touring and constant transportation, but at less than 42 pounds, the Stage 88 is among the most easily portable controllers available. 
The Stage 88 features three sound sections: organ, piano, and synth, which thanks to a multi-timbral function can be played in combination. Explore a variety of classic sounds—from Hammond B-3 to Rhodes Mark V—within each section. The Stage also features many effects, including phaser, flanger, and chorus effects modeled after the classic analog stomp boxes of the 1970s.
For more information, visit www.nord-music.com
