The Casio PX320 was Consumer Digests top choice for Premium Digital Pianos in their December 2008 issue. All digital pianos were judged on their versatility, playability and portability. Consumer Digest recognized Casio’s Privia PX-320 as the top performer. 

The magazine said, “The Casio PX-320 can produce 128 simultaneous notes (128-note polyphony) and features 70 built-in rhythm patterns and more than 200 voices. An internal recorder allows layers of up to 10,000 notes per song. No others offer this same combination for a similar price.” 

For additional information on Casio Keyboards, visit the musical instrument music store at www.AndysMusicOnline.com.

Yamaha ’s best selling console digital pianos - the YDP series - now have a name customers can ask for instead of only a number. ARIUS is the newest name in digital pianos and is sure to stand for the quality and piano-realism Yamaha has come be known for.

A combination of “Aureus” (Latin for “golden”) and “Aria”, ARIUS can be taken literally to mean “golden song” and there are two new models that are sure to live up to their moniker.

The Yamaha ARIUS YDP140 and ARIUS YDP160 have improved upon the YDP213 and YDP323 in tone, touch, and cabinetry. New piano Voices featuring 3-layer Dynamic Stereo Samples deliver true acoustic piano tone, while their Half-Damper Effect sustain pedals fluidly measure foot position for varying levels of sustain just like an acoustic piano.

The new dark alder YDP140 and dark rosewood YDP160 top-to bottom cabinetry replaces the walnut finish and Plexiglas music rests of the previous models for a more traditional console appearance.

All Yamaha ARIUS Home Digital Pianos include:

• 3-layer Dynamic Stereo Piano Samples
• 64 note polyphony
• User song record
• Adjustable touch response
• 50 Greats for the Piano music book

The ARIUS YDP160 digital piano will be available in May 2008, and the ARIUS YDP140 will ship in April. For more information on Yamaha digital pianos and keyboards, visit the music instrument music store at www.AndysMusicOnline.com.

Close your eyes and play the Roland DP990 digital piano. Your fingers will experience the feel of a real piano, and your ears will hear the authentic sound of a true grand piano. Roland’s mastery of music technology culminates in features such as the DP990’s PHA II(Progressive Hammer Action II) keyboard, which provides a true piano touch that gets gradually lighter as you travel up the keyboard. If even faithfully the “Escapement” click feel of a grand piano key action.

The Roland DP990 digital piano is sophisticated, stylish, and compact, only 13-9/16 inches in depth. It can fit easily into the tightest of spaces. When the lid is closed, the top becomes a smooth, flat surface. The DP990 is available in two attractive color choices: Satin Black and Medium Cherry, and the lid closes slowly and silently.

Yamaha has upgraded its popular YPG line with a new selection of piano-focused Yamaha Portable Grands, the YPG635, YPG535 and YPG235. The three models (which replace the YPG-625, YPG-525 and YPG-225) are targeted to all levels of players. The YPG-635 includes weighted Graded Hammer action; the YPG-535 and YPG-235 feature a new Graded Soft Touch action and piano-style keys, providing top-quality playing experiences. Yamaha’s renowned durability and portability make these models perfect for educational labs and houses of worship.

YPG-635
The 88-key Yamaha YPG635 is a weighted graded hammer action portable keyboard. Upgrades from the previous model include 64-note polyphony, a beautiful matching bench and an optional three-pedal unit, along with additional DSP (Digital Signal Processing) effects that enable realistic sounding Distortion Guitar and Rotary Organ. It also includes USB MIDI and USB to Device for removable storage, along with a high resolution Live! Grand stereo sample, song recorder, score and lyric display.

“The YPG-635 offers an affordable, feature-packed portable keyboard,” said Mark Anderson, marketing manager, Portable Keyboards. “It also boasts an authentic grand piano-like touch: heavy in the low end, feathery light in the highs, and amazingly responsive throughout.”

Yamaha YPG535
The 88-key YPG-535 offers Graded Soft Touch action, USB connectivity and a stand, adapter and sustain pedal. Performance Assistance Technology ensures error-free performances and a Music Database provides complete keyboard setups by song title. The song recorder is easy to use, and five types of Master EQ allow players to adjust the sound. The model’s design accents also add an attractive touch.

YPG-235
The 76-key YPG235 features USB MIDI computer connectivity for quick and easy transfer of songs, Graded Soft Touch action, piano-style keys and a six-track song recorder. “The portable grand button is simplicity in itself, since it allows players to call up the best piano sound in the keyboard and simply play,” said Anderson. “USB allows customers to add additional songs and play along.”

The YPG-635  will ship in June 2008. Models YPG-535  and YPG-235 are scheduled to ship in April 2008.  

Casio has recently announced the PX320 and PX120 digital pianos. Both feature 88 weighted keys, and weigh less than 30 pounds. These new pianos are the perfect solution for the garage band or the music student. They are are compact and stylish, and can easily be stored to conserve space in a studio, classroom or apartment.

The Privia has dual headphone jacks that allow a student and instructor to play the keyboard simultaneously and features the new AIF sound engine that provides quality sampling and the ability to produce 128 polyphony.

The PX320 has 1/4″ line outs and can be connected to an amp or studio equipment without requiring adapters. A USB Port provides quick and easy connection to a PC for recording and sharing music with friends and family. These new Casio keyboards will be available in February of 2008.

Yamaha has recently announced the introduction of the P85 and P85S digital pianos. The new models will replace the existing P70 and P70S models. The P85 and P85S feature 88 weighted action keys, 62 note polyphony, 10 voices, metronome, sequencer, and much more.

 Also available are the matching keyboard stands L85 and L85S and the LP5 pedal set. We should receive these new digital pianos in the latter part of January.

Effective November 1, 2007, the Yamaha P140 and P140S digital pianos will have a new low price of $999.99.

The P140 digital piano has three separate layers of stereo samples each set at a different velocity, Dynamic Stereo Sampling changes not only the volume, but also the harmonic structure of the notes depending on how hard you play the keyboard – just like a real acoustic piano! An exclusive fourth sample layer recreates a piano’s unique sustain resonance whenever the damper pedal is pressed, while key-off samples add even the subtle sounds of felt dampers coming to rest on piano strings. Better still, the P140’s highly efficient built-in powered speaker system directs your music forward for unbeatable sound.

At the new price, the Yamaha P140 is definitely a bargain!

Casio keyboards entered the digital keyboard arena in the early 1980’s with some very affordable and full-featured models. Their CZ series of synthesizers were well received also.

Today, Casio has a complete line of portable keyboards, digital pianos and keyboard accessories. The WK series are called workstations, and popular models include the WK8000, WK3800, WK3300 and WK110. The very affordable CTK series includes the CTK720, CTK810 and the CTK900. There is also a lighted keyboard model, the LK94TV. It can be connected to your TV for great Karaoke fun, and the song lyrics appear on the screen for you to follow along. The LK94TV also includes a USB interface, the Casio HL dual-element sound chip and General MIDI.

The Casio Privia digital pianos are price and performance leaders, and feature 88-key weighted actions. Models include the PX110 and the PX310. For complete information on Casio keyboards and musical instruments, visit the online music instrument music store at http://www.andysmusiconline.com/.

Yamaha has designated October as Yamaha Music Month, and in each product category of music instruments - i.e. digital pianos, synths, guitars, etc. - they are providing Special Offers. For instance, if you buy a Yamaha YDP223 digital piano, you receive a free Home Companion Kit. If you purchase a Yamaha guitar - some models excluded - you get a free Yamaha Axe Pack.

The Yamaha YDP323 digital piano uses Yamaha’s renowned AWM (Advanced Wave Memory) tone generation technology and Stereo Sampling. When you play a key on the YDP323, what you hear is a “sample”, or digital recording, of the same note on a high quality concert grand piano. This exceptionally realistic, natural acoustic sound makes the Yamaha YDP323 ideal for anyone wanting true piano tone.

Besides outstanding sound, the YDP-323 offers incredibly natural touch. Applying the know-how gleaned from over 100 years of crafting fine acoustic pianos, Yamaha created the highly acclaimed GH (Graded Hammer effect) keyboard. Unlike conventional digital piano keyboards that use springs or dampers to simulate piano feel, the GH keyboard uses weights and mechanical linkages to provide a new level of realism. You’ll notice the difference it makes as soon as you start playing.

For a limited time starting October 1, 2007, when you purchase the Yamaha YDP323, you receive a free Yamaha Piano Home Companion Kit.