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Keyboards

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    Roland XP30

    64-voice Expandable Synthesizer

    Take the sound engine of the acclaimed JV1080/2080, add the data from three expansion boards (plus space for two more), a 5-octave keyboard arpeggiator, 40 multi-effect algorithms and four real-time control sliders and what do you get? Paul Farrer turns (XP)30...

    Reviews Aug 1999
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    Korg Triton

    Music Workstation

    Korg's Trinity workstation has, like their earlier instruments, become virtually an industry standard — but far from resting on their laurels, the company have upped the ante still further with the new Triton. Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser provide an exclusive hands-on review.

    Reviews Jun 1999
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    Korg MS10 [Retrozone]

    Keyboard Synthesizer

    Even the mightiest keyboard players have to start somewhere and quite a few started with Korg's diminutive MS10 patchable monosynth.

    Reviews Jun 1999
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    Octave CAT, Kitten & Voyetra

    Synthesizer (Retrozone)

    Most US synthesizer manufacturers followed the now all-too-familiar corporate history of rapid growth in the 1970s followed by acrimonious dissolution in the 1980s. What happened to Octave, however, was a little different...

    Reviews May 1999
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    Generalmusic Equinox

    Keyboard Workstation

    Italian firm Generalmusic have made their reputation in the home keyboard market, but their new Equinox is an extremely well-specified professional workstation.

    Reviews May 1999
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    Waldorf Q (Preview)

    Analogue Modelling Synthesizer

    Waldorf's long-awaited Q synthesizer is now shipping, but without many of the features it will ultimately possess. Gordon Reid takes a hands-on look at what's here now and what's to come.

    Reviews May 1999
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    Roland SK88 Pro Sound Canvas

    Desktop Keyboard

    For those who want to fit an entire MIDI studio on a desktop, Roland have produced a baby keyboard stuffed with their Sound Canvas GM/GS sounds. Paul White clears space by his computer for the SK88 Pro.

    Reviews Apr 1999
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    Fairlight CMI [Retrozone]

    Digital Sampling Keyboard Synthesizer

    Norm Leete waxes lyrical about the mega-synth that introduced sampling to the world back in 1980 and went on to appear on innumerable hit singles and albums.

    Reviews Apr 1999
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    Yamaha CS2X

    Performance Synth

    Yamha scored a big success with their famously blue, knob-endowed CS1x Performance synth, and now they seek to build on this with the silver-grey CS2x — but does the 1-digit increment and change of colour scheme constitute revolution or evolution?

    Reviews Mar 1999
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    Ensoniq Fizmo

    Real-time Transwave Synth

    Ensoniq were as the forefront of workstation and sampling technology in the '80s, but their recent synth offerings have not kept up with the fashion for controller-festooned techno boxes. The Fizmo, however, updates their take on wavetable synthesis with extensive real-time control.

    Reviews Mar 1999
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    Kurzweil K250 workstation keyboard with Apple Macintosh.

    Kurzweil K250 [Retrozone]

    Workstation Keyboard

    Philip Meehan fondly remembers his first love — a keyboard with the voice of an angel, the mind of a genius, and the body of a heavyweight boxer in a big black coat.

    Reviews Feb 1999
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    Roland EG101

    Groove Keyboard

    With the advent of 'groove'-based instruments like Yamaha's DJX, the humble home keyboard is acquiring a new hipness. Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser explore Roland's attempt to make the cutting edge user-friendly.

    Reviews Feb 1999
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    Roland VK1 drawbar organ.

    Roland VK1 (Retrozone)

    Drawbar Organ

    Sam Inglis roots around in the dustbin of history and fishes out one of the few Roland analogue instruments you can still afford without a second mortgage. Does it deserve to be rehabilitated?

    Reviews Jan 1999
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    Roland G1000

    Arranger Workstation

    Roland's latest high-end arranger is the company's first for three years, yet it looks strikingly similar to its predecessor. Does it have anything new to offer in an increasingly sophisticated market? Simon Trask arranges some time with the G1000...

    Reviews Dec 1998
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    Korg DW8000 [Retrozone]

    Keyboard Synthesizer

    Paul Ward reintroduces an instrument now widely neglected on account of its 'digital' tag, and argues that it still has much to recommend it.

    Reviews Dec 1998
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    Roland JP8080

    Analogue Modelling Synthesizer

    Roland have finally released the rackmounting version of their much-vaunted JP8000. And what is this? A mic input? Paul Ward adopts his best Kraftwerk pose for a spot of modern nostalgia.

    Reviews Nov 1998
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    Yamaha P200

    Electronic Piano

    When such an established name in the world of electronic pianos comes out with something new, you'd be wise to sit up and take notice. Yamaha's latest offering, the P200 promises up to 64-note polyphony, state-of-the-art on-board sounds, and a brand new fully weighted 88-note keyboard. Interested? Paul Farrer finds out if it has all been worth the weight.

    Reviews Nov 1998
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    Roland Alpha Juno 1 & 2

    Synthesizers (Retro)

    Prepare to shed a tear in another near-miss tale of a desirable analogue synth swept aside by the rise of digital technology.

    Reviews Oct 1998
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    Moog Minimoog 204E

    Synth

    The Minimoog rides again thanks to Welsh company Moog Music Limited. But how close does it sound to the original? We at SOS knew opinion would be split, so we got five of our regular synth reviewers, all previous or current Mini owners, to give us their views.

    Reviews Oct 1998
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    Roland JX305

    Groovesynth

    Roland have repackaged their techno-centric Groovebox, the MC505, adding a keyboard and removing some of the performance features. The result is the JX305. But have they thrown out the baby with the bathwater? Derek Johnson finds out...

    Reviews Oct 1998
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    Quasimidi Sirius

    Dance Workstation

    There's a new star in the current galaxy of groovy dance-oriented synths, but does it outshine the rest? Derek Johnson and Debbie Poyser investigate Quasimidi's most comprehensive dance music creation tool yet.

    Reviews Oct 1998

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