Digital Piano Keyboards

Korg has launched the digital piano SP-170 at an affordable price. There ought to be an underlying concept in every product made, and this one breathes some fresh air both in terms of design and technology front. In regard to the design, one would be astonished at the plain and simple look with an admirable finish. The other concept which Korg has decided to shred off is the conventional notion of digital piano resemblance and operation. The deviation noted from the regular digital pianos to that of Korg SP-170 is that the latter has established all the operations by the key itself thereby eliminating the need of third control such as the display screen and many more. Though it could be viewed as a leap from the traditional grounds, we must actually take into account as how far Korg SP-170 has succeeded to reach the pinnacle of innovation.

Design

The Korg SP-170 piano purely belongs to the ‘plain and simple’ design notion. There is neither any major display screen nor any control buttons on the front panel. Even though it might be overlooked by many, it could be considered as a design perfected by Korg to take ahead the wired look of digital pianos to a classical appeal. Whatever be the marketing strategy applied, the piano rocks a marvelous finish with excellent aesthetic appeal. It comes in two colours, viz the traditional black and the delightful white, and a limited numbers of dazzling red is also available. The set as such is compact and robust, but in a way it gives a grandiose appearance. It consists of two in-built speakers housed in bass reflex compartment that magnifies the speaker efficiency and sound output.

The rear part of the digital piano houses the major action. The power switch, two headphone jacks, volume knob are placed at the rear side and the front panel is stripped off everything besides the power LED. The connection is simple and since Korg has provided additional cord hook facility, the user can be sure that the power cord will not come off recurrently. At the same time, the cord limits easy unhooking process since it is strung around the cord hook. There is an also an option available to connect the external components. Apart from the afore-said connection and set-up there is not at all any complications whatsoever with respect to the buttons and controls. Simplicity should be the keyword that is sprinkled throughout the product structure.

The Korg SP-170 consists of a dedicated groove for inserting the music stand. The music stand is accessorised with the product. Once the music stand is inserted, the piano acquires almost a traditional acoustic piano look sans the fact that it is completely portable.

Features

Natural Weighted Hammer Action (NH)

As stated earlier, Korg has admonished the usage of external buttons and controls to create music. On the other hand it completely relies on the integrated Natural weighted hammer action to spin out low register to higher notes. The idea is simple and the keyboard is logically divided into sections. The confirmation sound, key touch, transpose, MIDI capabilities are articulated into three regions. The actual trick lies in getting accustomed to the hit. The heavier touch gradually becomes lighter in the higher register and thus can get in to the tune of any playing style.

Pitch Control Function

The pitch control function enables the user to adjust the pitch while playing along with the other instruments. Again this could be done in half step using the E5 and the F5 keys. The prime keys involved in the action are A#7, B7 and C8 respectively. The reset action can also be meticulously reversed. The pitch control function at normal circumstances could be avoided because Korg Sp-170 consists of multiple velocity layers to resonate the sound dynamics.

Key Control Touch Function

Korg SP-170 88-note Digital Piano is designed to accommodate the playing strength variation to that of the sound output. But the user needs to activate the function by hitting the white keys allocated between D2 to F2. As stated earlier, three different touch can be stimulated using this function, viz, light, heavy and standard. The light touch is activated at the right end corner of the keyboard and a soft stroke is sufficient to produce the sound. When the function is not enabled the keyboard remains in the standard touch mode.

Transpose Function

Transpose key is again trickily embedded within the keys. The user can shift the keys to a range of eleven semitones. It is interesting that Korg has managed so many details in the keyboard. Take for an example, F3 key gives + 5 semitones and the key can sound the F3 pitch. On the other hand, pressing the F32 key gives raise to -6 semitones and gives the F#2 pitch. Likewise, whatever be the name of the key pressed the same becomes the transposed key. Hence, if we transpose upward, the notes present in the upper score produces the pitch in the lower score.

Reverb and Chorus Effects

The reverb effect produces a depth to the sound and the chorus effect adds width to it. The reverb and the chorus effect operations are made simple. The prominent keys involved are#7, B7 and the C8 keys and along with these, by hitting either the A5 or B5 produces reverb or chorus effect respectively. It is appreciable that many a times; the user need not fiddle around the piano to set the effects, because the keyboard itself contains everything, straight from the pitch adjustment to chorus effect. Besides, it delivers harpsichord, grand piano, organ and several others with a total package of ten preset sounds.

MIDI capabilities

Korg SP-170 Digital Piano Keyboard supports MIDI functionalities. At instances, when the SP-170 is employed as controller in the MIDI area, there must be a good compatibility between the external MIDI devices. It is possible only to alter the MIDI channel by pressing either of the keys in the C4 to the D#5 range, which is considered as the default MIDI control. SP-170 also effectively transmits MIDI program change number. Most importantly, for every preset sound, there is program and sound change messages can be sent forth.

Performance

Considering the performance part, Korg SP-170 MIDI Keyboard gets a warm welcome particularly amongst the players who are keen to apply pressure and play. The feel of the keys and the feedback is remarkable. Compared to the Yamaha P-85, the SP-170 tries to imitate an artificial grand piano effect. The sound effects created such as the harpsichord contains an original touch to it. Whatsoever be the output of the piano, it is the sound that is heard all that matters. Well in Korg SP-170, the in-built speaker does not establish a sync partnership to give out the expected output. The sound effect manifested from the speakers could have been a bit more prominent. However, if maintained at a low volume the speaker effect is felt. Particularly practise sessions when played softly gives the required output.

Verdict

Korg deserves an all round applause for designing such a basic digital keyboard that completely depends on the key for all sorts of operations. At the same time, such a complete new concept takes its time to roll the intended effect. The only concern is that the user must grow with the instrument, because as stated earlier it consists of several keys in combination to achieve the desired property. Hence, the user should get in to practice to only rely on the keyboard function and nothing else. On the contrary, the same point can be perceived as Korg’s intention to just keep the players always fingered to the keys rather than muddling around the display and buttons, so it would create an atmosphere of playing an acoustic keyboard. All in all, it is a good one and can be surely used by beginners, provided they are really serious to learn the keys in a proper fashion.

Korg SP-170 Digital Piano Keyboard – Technical Specification Table

other Digital Piano Keyboards

• M-Audio Oxygen 8 v2 25-Key USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
• Roland FP-7 Portable Digital Piano
• Yamaha PSR-E333 Portable Keyboard
• Yamaha CLP-220 Digital Piano