Yamaha DGX 300 / 500 Portable Keyboards
Yamaha
Posted 2002-02-20
Yamaha Corporation of America, Portable Keyboards, announces the Winter NAMM 2002 debut of the 76-key DGX300 and 88-key DGX500. Targeted to the "first-time" buyer looking for a piano-oriented product, the new entries are ideal choices for educational, worship, or home environments.
"Yamaha is recognized as a world leader in pianos-from home models to concert grands," notes Jim Presley, marketing manager, Portable Keyboards, Pro Audio & Combo Division. "That experience makes the DGX300 and DGX500 especially significant, due to their piano focus. Consumers can now enjoy the look and feel of an expensive acoustic piano without the financial commitment, and that should certainly appeal to the large entry-level market."
The DGX300 and DGX500 carry respective MSRPs of $549 and $699, and will ship in the third quarter of 2002.
A selection of Yamaha's famous XG voices has resulted in remarkable sonic quality. Both models feature a stereo-sampled piano voice, a technology previously reserved for much more expensive, professional keyboards. With the Yamaha Portable Grand function, one dedicated piano-shaped button sets up the keyboard to play in full keyboard mode, with an optional piano accompaniment style available.
Many of the functions have vocal cues that announce in English. The built-in Yamaha Education Suite (YES) contains both right-hand and left-hand exercises, a built-in chord directory and interactive functions that grade the playing of internal exercises. Just to make the learning experience more fun, there are even built-in musical games. With Yamaha's Music Database, simply select from over 200 song titles, and the entire keyboard will set itself up for that song.
The DGX300 and DGX500 should also appeal to the technology-savvy consumer, as one push of a button on the front panel allows direct access to a computer. Both models also contain a 3.5-in. disk drive for loading additional software and saving work. Users can write, arrange and store songs, recording as they play. Song files may be downloaded from the Internet onto a 3.5-in. disk in a computer, then transferred to the DGX300 or DGX500 and played. MIDI song files may also be purchased from a music store or from selected Internet sites. The back-lit display will display songs on the disk by name; to play the song, simply push the Start button, and the unit becomes a stereo sound system. Friends and family can send personalized song files to each other- even as email attachments.
Other features include bass ports for enhanced sound and a built-in metronome. In addition, a furniture-type stand is included with the DGX500, completing its piano image.
