KeyboardZ.net

KX series keyboards are ment to fill the remaining gap in the manufacturer's arsenal.

It's already a tradition for Yamaha to show new products slightly before Winter NAMM. Just to add some spice and heat customers interest.

And the new keyboard MIDI controllers are presented in the same way, showing at yamahasynth.com few days before start of the NAMM events. OK, let's see. From one point of view new controllers look promising, the other says - "hold on". And strip off the feeling of 'renovated classics' of the infamous KX series. Yes, the same KX76 and KX88 weighted MIDI controllers which were born in the 80s and surely became the example of the excellent live controller. Even with their DX7-like interface, the reliability spoke for itself and many musiciand enjoyed touring with them for a many, many years.

What do the new KX series keyboards have to say for that? Well, no 76-key here, just modern 25-49-61 line represented by KX25, KX49, KX61, with the 'addition' of weighted KX8 (yep, 'KX88' already taken, sorry). This combined with the majority of controls and actively promoted and bundled Cubase AI software «shifts» them to the home studio rather then live use... We must have known it from the "USB keyboard studio" title here.

As for positive moments - not so much weight here. For instance, 61-key KX61 (looks like repainted Yamaha MM6 though) wieghs 5,4 kg, and 88-key KX8, which (luckily) completes the line is of 15 kg, which is not bad for hammer action keyboard Graded Hammer Standard (GHS, also used in Yamaha YPG-625, DGX-620, new digital piano P85).
What to dislike - lack of controls and cool 'live' features (just one MIDI out, 4 knobs, no sliders), lack of aftertouch.

The announced prices and avaliability:

KX25 - $399 MSRP, January 2008
KX49 - $449 MSRP, January 2008
KX61 - $499 MSRP, January 2008
KX88 - $799 MSRP, May 2008

Nothing unusual here, just a reminder of Yamaha's recent pricing strategy.

As for the moment KX series controller look doubtful. No complete line, higly priced. As a possible competitor to CME controllers - very unconvincing, will fight by weight and black color? Hope, closer to sales there will be an improvement for the specifications of (at least) the price to make the situation more clear.

Based on Yamahasynth.com  

Yamaha KX25

Yamaha KX49

Yamaha KX61

Yamaha KX8