[pianotech] Interesting Product at NAMM

[David Ilvedson]

Nice to know the model #?   That way we can activate PTG black squad to destroy all protypes...



David Ilvedson, RPT

Pacifica, CA 94044







Original message

From: "Paul McCloud" 

To: Pianotech 

Received: 1/18/2009 8:56:52 PM

Subject: [pianotech] Interesting Product at NAMM







Hi, All:

    I was at the Roland booth at NAMM on Thursday, and saw a demonstration of one of their keyboards.  It had the capability to modify the sound in ways that hereinbefore, only technicians have the ability to do on real pianos.  For instance, the artist can change the sound to replicate the effect of using a harder hammer.  On screen, a computer generated picture of a hammer was shown, and as the artist played with the setting, the hammer appeared to swell or shrink.  He demonstrated how he could change the unison tuning, from perfect to several beats, to create the "honky tonk" sound just the way you like it.  On screen a view of a grand  piano showed two tuning hammers, one on each of the outside strings' tuning pin.  As he changed the setting, the hammers moved too!  He could "remove" the bass strings, and just keep the plain wire sound all the way to the bottom, so there would be no "break" in the tone.   Supposedly it demonstrated how a 14 foot piano might sound (not sure that is entirely true.  That's what he said anyway).  Any part of the keyboard could be modified separately, in pieces, as desired, with a visual representation on a screen.  He could make the sound more lively (I would say more sustain) or reverberating, and create all these changes at will to any part of the keyboard.  Different kinds of characteristics common to American, European and other types of pianos could be selected (though that's already being done).  I don't recall that he was able to change the touchweight.  It was a very interesting presentation.  At the end, he played a while with a bassist and drummer in a bit of jazz.  Very tight.   

    Of course, this is not to say that I recommend going out and buying one.  But more to say it could be an interesting way to demonstrate what kind of result you might get by changing hammers, re-scaling, and other changes in the overall design.  

    If you happen to get a chance to drop by a Roland dealer with one of these, it would be worth taking a look at.  If anyone is interested. I'll find out what the model number was.  We carry Roland at our store, but we don't have the professional line.  



    Paul McCloud

    San Diego







Paul McCloud

Service Technician for PianoSD.com

www.pianoservsd.com 

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