Yamaha Introduces Hip-Hop, Techno, Rap, Rave, and Dance to its Portable Keyboards
July 10, 1998Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, has stepped outside of its traditional thinking on Portable Keyboards with the introduction of the new Yamaha DJX. The current rage in music and in professional keyboards is "Dance." Dance includes Rap, Hip-Hop, Techno, Rave, R&B, and more. The new Yamaha DJX, with its striking contemporary cosmetics, is sharply focused in these musical styles. While most professional keyboards being introduced today are focused in these musical styles, none can do it at the price of the Yamaha DJX. The suggested retail price of $459.95 puts it within reach of the consumer group that loves the music it makes-the youth.
The Yamaha DJX Portable Keyboard is a traditional portable keyboard in that it has 61 full size keys, stereo speakers, and is General MIDI compatible with an internal GM voice set. In addition, the DJX has auto accompaniment capabilities and can be battery- powered. What's new about the DJX starts with its musical content. All the sounds are very contemporary and derived from the latest musical trend-Dance. Many of the sounds are sampled drum loops and human voices.
The DJX contains a total of 100 styles. Of these styles, 50 are Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B, etc. and 50 are Techno, Rave, etc. Another DJX first is the fact that half of these styles were developed at their source, half in the U.S. and half in Europe. The quality of these styles is startling.
The Yamaha DJX innovations continue with the built-in sampler. The sampler is capable of sampling from the included microphone and line inputs. The user can sample his/her own voice through an optional microphone or from any audio source. The Yamaha DJX can sample up to 7 1/2 seconds and assign the samples to 12 different channels.
There's more. The DJX includes a group of analog-type knobs that control Resonance, Cut Off, Assign, Groove, and Bass Boost. Speaking of bass boost, the Yamaha DJX includes Yamaha's bass reflex speaker technology resulting in the most volume and bass you've ever heard from a Portable Keyboard that is this affordable.
An arpeggiator, a ribbon controller, and a pitch bend wheel complete the DJX's very professional features. For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Portable Keyboard Department, PO Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622-6600; call (714) 522-9011; or visit the Yamaha web site at http://www.yamaha.com/.
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