New Technics Digital Pianos
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| SX-PR602-M |
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| SX-PR702-M |
July 10, 1998Technics introduces three new digital pianos featuring Technics Dynamic Acoustics (DA) technology. Now you can select the right acoustical instrument for each musical arrangement: choose a full-sized concert grand piano for convincing classical performances or a grand piano for more popular pieces.
The new Technics SX-PR902R/C, SX-PR702/M and SX-PR602/M digital pianos deliver high quality, Dynamic PCM (Pulse Code Modulation). And, as with a traditional piano, the Technics Dynamic Action Keyboard responds to the player's touch for realistic acoustic sound. With the new Time Variant Filter all Dynamic PCM sounds become more natural than ever.
The SX-PR902R/C and SX-PR702/M also feature two new sound categories: the new Piano Mixture combine the sounds of a piano with another instrument grouping such as strings or vocal; and Orchestral Mixtures allow more complex combinations of orchestral instruments at the touch of a button. Preset sounds encompass keyboard, string, wind, brass and percussion instruments, with multiple variations of each. The SX-PR902R/C and SX-PR702/M have a total of 455 sounds, while the SX-PR602/M features 416 presets. All three models have 12 drum kits for accenting musical high points, and 64-note polyphony ensures the keyboard is up to the most demanding works.
There will always be a background rhythm to match the music being played-the keyboard offers 128 of them, with four variations of each. The digital pianos feature a number of new rhythm patterns, many of which are ideally suited to piano ensemble performances. Users can even create their own rhythm patterns with a five-part composer mode. To give any tune a professional polish, a feature called One-Touch Play automatically selects the most appropriate instrument voice to match the selected rhythm.
Operation of these pianos couldn't be easier for the novice or pro. A large LCD display shows instrument groups, sound parameters, and drawbars for visual confirmation of the operating features. Graphic icons make the display easy to understand, and there's even a Chord Finder feature for a visual representation of the chords being played, including chord inversions. A Help mode will assist users if they get in a jam.
The digital pianos are equipped with a number of features which make it easy for players to emulate many of the acoustical masters: Piano Stylist guides users through literally hundreds of musical styles, while Piano Ambience Effect emulates the acoustic presence of a grand piano, delivering the depth and breadth of true acoustic sound. Piano Performance Pads play phrases and effects from a wide internal library covering numerous musical styles. The two Solo Pads perform chord sequences with solo melodies; performers can join the improvisation or let the digital piano take over.
For those who want to save their compositions, or tackle more demanding works, each digital piano has a large-capacity sequencer. Ten individual songs, or 16 tracks, can be stored, for a total of 40,000 notes.
Other features include Easy Composer, which lets users mix and match preset rhythm patterns to create their own composer patterns; Techni-Chord, which allows block chord play with a single finger; and digital drawbars, displayed on the LCD, so users can customize the organ sound to simulate everything from a church organ to a jazz organ. Digital effects include digital reverb and DSP, both of which help create the effect of performing in a much larger space, such as a jazz club or concert hall.
These new digital pianos back their musical performance with hearty power. The SX-PR902R/C pumps out 240 watts (120W x 2), while the SX-PR702/M and SXPR602/M deliver 120 wafts (60W x 2).
The ensemble's new software compatibility provides users with more flexibility than ever before. Format 0 files can be played back directly through the built-in disk drive, without the need to download the songs into the sequencer. Compatibility with GM and SMF files means software choice is virtually unlimited. It can also play PIANO DISC and Disc Orchestra Collection (DOC) software, opening up an extensive musical library. Of course, IN, OUT and THRU connections facilitate linking the ensemble to other MIDI-equipped instruments.
The new SX-PR702/M and SX-PR602/M digital pianos are available in an elegant black or brown simulated wood-grain finish. The SX-PR902R/C offers a choice of four high-gloss, wood-grain finishes: rosewood, cherry, black or white. See Technics products on Panasonic's website at http://www.panasonic.com. | 
