Roland is pleased to announce the PK-9 Pedal Keyboard, a dynamic MIDI pedalboard for organists. The PK-9 features 20 velocity-sensitive pedal keys, an integrated expression pedal, and more, making it ideal for use with instruments such as Roland’s Atelier®, Combo, and Classic series organs, or for anyone that wants to play sounds and control functions on other MIDI devices.

The PK-9 is a solidly built and versatile MIDI controller, and its 20 comfortable pedal keys respond nicely to playing dynamics. Three different touch settings allow the user to tailor the key response to their individual playing style…

Roland is happy to announce the F-120 Digital Piano, a stylish new member of Roland’s piano line that features SuperNATURAL® sound and an Ivory Feel-G Keyboard. The F-120’s ultimate piano sound and response is combined with a supreme touch that looks and feels like a true grand.

Perfect for budget conscious players looking for an authentic yet space-saving, contemporary package, the F-120 provides expression and performance that rivals high-end pianos, thanks to the combination of the SuperNATURAL Piano engine and an Ivory Feel-G keyboard with the latest sensor technologies…

Roland is proud to announce the release of its very first backing keyboard, the BK-5, the latest in a series of Roland musical instruments with intelligent backing-track technology. Hundreds of great music, rhythms, and tones from around the world are available at the touch of a button. With exceptional sound quality, a comfortable user interface, and seemingly endless accompaniment possibilities, the new BK-5 is perfect for one-man bands, hobbyists, beginners, and professional entertainers.

The distinguished sound and music rhythm quality of the new BK-5 is derived from the BK-7m, Roland’s world-class “band in a briefcase” backing module…

Digital Music Notebook is a service that allows you to easily learn your favorite songs and take lessons.

Compared to other more traditional digital sheetmusic services, the Digital Music Notebook player provides a lot of useful interactivity. You can transpose into different keys, slow down tempos and look at virtual instruments with lighted keyboards and guitar fret boards, just to name a few.

If you are a Yamaha Keyboard or Clavinova owner with a compatible model, it gets even better. You can transfer the digital sheetmusic using a feature called Keyboard Sync and use the interactive features of your instrument to help you learn songs faster…

Yamaha Keyboard Division announces launch of the AvantGrand Piano. With its highly advanced sound reproduction and sampling technology, the AvantGrand is the first piano ever crafted to truly capture the sound, touch, action and physical resonance of a concert-quality grand piano without the tuning, cost or footprint of a comparable stringed instrument.

"Instruments that can digitally approximate the sound of an acoustic piano are hardly a new concept," says Paul Calvin, Vice President/General Manager, Yamaha Keyboard Division. "But with the AvantGrand, exceptional sound is just the beginning…

Korg announces the Pa500, combining professional workstation features with powerful songwriting tools for all musicians – regardless of keyboard proficiency – all at an accessible price point.

The Pa500 uses the same EDS (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) sound engine that powers the Korg M3 workstation, Pa800 and the new Pa2XPro. Korg’s RX (Real eXperience) Technology™ provides realism and articulation for an expressive, natural sound. The new Guitar Mode transforms the keyboard into the fretted strings of nearly any chord/neck position for authentic picking patterns, slides, strums and more. In addition, the piano from Korg’s flagship C720 concert piano is included…

Roland U.S. has launched a new contest where owners of any JUNO®-Series synthesizer have a chance to win one of three JUNO-STAGE™ keyboards by answering one simple question, “How do you JUNO?”

To enter the contest, JUNO synth owners are asked to record a short video showing how they use their JUNO-Series keyboard. This can be any Roland JUNO-Series keyboard, from the original JUNO-6, to the newest member of the JUNO family, the JUNO-STAGE. Participants can share anything about or with their JUNO—musical performances, favorite features or settings, or how the JUNO is part of their musical experience…

Korg introduces its K-series USB-MIDI Studio Controllers that combine full size velocity-sensitive keys with a variety of hardware control features. They are designed to be the centerpiece of any software-based music production environment for entry level and cost conscious users.

The K-series is comprised of three models: the K25, K49 and K61, with 25, 49 and 61 keys respectively. All feature a great keyboard feel and response, with four velocity curves and a convenient fixed velocity setting for playing organ and analog synthesizer sounds…

Roland Corporation U.S. just announced general availability of the VP-770 Vocal & Ensemble Keyboard, featuring newly developed vocal designer effects and high-quality ensemble sounds powered by Roland’s exclusive SuperNATURAL™ technology.

With a solid wood construction and metal chassis, the VP-770 features an improved interface, plus expressive onboard sounds applicable across a vast array of musical genres. A high-quality headset microphone comes standard and provides the best signal path possible in combination with the VP-770’s pristine onboard microphone preamp…

Recognizing the benefits of music education and restoring music education to public schools, the Pittsburgh Keyboard Project has distributed more than 400 Yamaha keyboards to aid music programs at needy schools in the Pittsburgh area since 2001. The program recently expanded to include schools in suburban Wilkinsburg, Pa., a district that ended specialized music instruction at its elementary schools in 1982.

The project is administered by Carnegie Mellon University and the Grable Foundation, founded by Minnie K. Grable, widow of the longtime director of Rubbermaid, Inc. The foundation funds educational programs throughout the Pittsburgh region…