Roland JD-XA Analog/Digital Synthesizer
The JD-XA Analog/Digital Synthesizer is essentially two synths in one. The analog and digital engines can be used side-by-side or layered together. The analog side features a four-part engine with true analog filters. On the digital side, a four-part, 64-voice sound engine provides expressive and natural sounds. Each analog and digital part is equipped with an MFX processor that offers 67 effect types. Other features include velocity-sensitive keyboard, a 16-track patter sequencer, backlit controls, built-in mic input for vocoding or singing, and MIDI I/O.
www.rolandus.com MSRP: $2,199
Casio Privia PX-160 Digital Piano
Casio’s Privia PX-160 88-key digital piano provides enhanced performance in an exciting new design. A dual 8W speaker system is open to the front, but also ported to the back for projection towards the audience. Left and right 1/4-inch outputs make connection for external amplification and recording a snap. AIR sound generation technology provides the sound of a nine-foot concert grand, plus newly developed string ensemble and electric piano tones. PX-160’s Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action II keyboard give the feel of ebony and ivory keys.
www.casiomusicgear.com MSRP: $499
Yamaha S Series Arranger Workstation Keyboards
Yamaha’s three new Arranger Workstations—PSR-S670, PSR-S770, and PSR-S970—feature two assignable control knobs for unprecedented control over voice and style characteristics, a large onboard Flash ROM that affords use of an ever-growing library of voice and style expansions, and advanced connectivity options. Powerful and portable, the workstations have an Audio Link Multi Pad function that lets you link your own audio files and trigger them from Multi Pads as you perform. The top-of-the-line PSR-S970 features a larger VGA screen, superior sound innovation, vocal harmony features, and pro-quality accompaniment and recording capabilities.
usa.yamaha.com MSRP: $999 to $2,499
Yamaha Reface Mobile Mini Keyboards
Beginning in September, experience the sounds of some of the most renowned keyboards ever made, in fun and highly portable instruments. Yamaha has reimagined the interface of four classic Yamaha instruments to create its reface series of mini keyboards. They are easy to operate and provide thick, booming sound from built in speakers, 37 keys with professional-grade HQ-Mini action, and battery-operated portability. They can connect to external speakers, smartphones, tablets, MIDI devices, and computers—perfect for stage, studio, or creating on the go.
reface DX—Inspired by DX7 (1983) the first commercially successful electronic keyboard used by many bands (Toto’s “Africa” and the Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes”), reface DX changes between retro-80s tones and cutting-edge modern at the touch of a button. The Multi-Touch Control interface makes for simple sound customization. It features eight-note polyphony, 32 voice memories, and backlit display.
reface YC—The YC Yamaha Combo organs (late 1960s), used by Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, and others, is reimagined by reface YC. It provides five retro organ sounds, and drawbars, rotary speaker percussion, and effects. It includes 128-note polyphony.
reface CP—Combo Piano (1975) is redesigned in the reface CP. The Combo Piano sound enhanced the work of Keane, U2, Genesis, Billy Joel, and more. reface CP features six electric piano sounds—tine, reed, clav, toy, and CP80—plus six 1970s style effects. It has a sustain pedal input with half-damper response and 128-note polyphony.
reface CS—The legacy of CS-series Control Synthesizers (1976) and the sounds of Vangelis, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson, are rekindled in reface CS. Offering eight-note polyphony, reface CS uses virtual analog synth technology and five flexible oscillator modules to create a wide range of complex analog and digital sounds.
www.yamahasynth.com MSRP: $799
To see all the other instruments and tech from Summer NAMM click here.
