New Technics Digital Ensembles Introduced

SX-PR604/M

SX-PR804/M

For a seasoned player or beginner, the new Technics SX-PR604/M and SX-PR804/M digital ensembles come equipped with on-board instructional tools and innovative technology, including Dynamic Acoustics and Natural Response Action Keys.

Thanks to the Progressive Pianist feature, a personal tutor is at the player's disposal whenever needed. Stored in each model are 100 songs, arranged with piano as the central instrument, providing a wide range of themes to select for self-guided lessons. Using this function, beginners can master piano basics, and enjoy lessons in everything from harmony and counterpoint arrangement to rhythm practicing and techno chords. And, to make things even clearer, the major points of each lesson are indicated on the ensembles' LCD panels. Additionally, all ensemble settings, sound/rhythm patterns and sequencer information are displayed prominently on the units' LCDs for easy monitoring of these functions at a glance.

Adding to the versatility of these digital ensembles is the ability to display an accompanying slide show on the LCD panel. Now, images taken with the user's digital camera can be used to highlight the audio score being played. The SX-PR804/M even lets you output data from the VIDEO OUT jack to display the images on a TV screen for everyone to see.

For interactive entertainment, try engaging your audience in a round of karaoke. The new ensembles make it easy by displaying the lyrics on their LCD displays.

Providing numerous musical possibilities, the instruments handle complex musical arrangements with realism and fidelity. The SX-PR604/M offers 1,005 high-quality PCM sounds including Orchestral and Piano Mixtures and 64-note polyphony; while the SX-PR804/M features 1,082 sounds and 128-note polyphony. Together with an 88-key Natural Response Action keyboard -- featuring key weights that are graduated from bass to treble in four zones -- these features allow artists to enjoy full control over their compositions.

With Technics' Dynamic Acoustics (DA), even the most subtle instrument sounds are faithfully reproduced. Using digital sampling and digital signal processing, DA lets the ensembles emulate the warm tones and beautiful reverberations of a grand piano. Conversely, DA can reproduce the brightness of a harpsichord or snare drum.

With a total of 160 rhythm patterns -- everything from country rock to Latin pop -- chances are there will always be an appropriate rhythm to match the music being played. Each pattern has four variations, giving any composition a professional polish. A feature called One-Touch Play automatically selects the most appropriate instrument voice to match the selected rhythm. Users can even create their own rhythm patterns with a five-part composer mode.

The Piano Stylist and Music Style Arranger have also been redesigned to include 928 styles of some of the best artists to ever tickle the keys. In this mode, users will feel like they're playing alongside eminent names in music, from past to present, with each style clearly exemplifying the musician on whom it's based.

Digital effects include reverb and chorus, which increases sound richness and density. There's also Auto-Play Chord that allows block chord play with a single finger, and a Piano mode, which switches the ensemble back to a standard piano at the touch of a button.

And, once you create your musical masterpiece, the included USB port, which is located on the back of these ensembles, allows you to connect the ensemble to a PC and record music on your computer using either Midi or Digital Audio. Midi song files (SMF) can be created and e-mailed to your friends, or saved as Digital Audio files and burned onto a CD.

The new ensembles also offer robust built-in power. Pumping out 60 watts x 2, the SX-PR604/M and SX-PR804/M are able to deliver lively sound in the home and intimate club settings without extra amplifiers. Also available with the SX-PR804/M is the ability to create the expansive sound field of an orchestra. Just hook the ensemble up to a separately sold Home Theater Receiver/Speaker System, such as the Panasonic SC-HT400, and the Actual Rear Speaker Mode delivers an incredible ensemble sound field effect that makes you feel like you're a member of a full orchestra. Or choose the Virtual Rear Speaker Mode for a similar effect using just the ensemble's speakers.

Additional MIDI software provides users more flexibility than ever before. Format 0 files can be played back directly through the built-in disk drive, without the need to download the songs into the sequencer. Compatibility with GM, SMF, GS Simulation and DOC files means software choices are virtually unlimited. The ensemble can also handle Music Disk Collection and Piano Disk software, for even more musical choices. In and Out ports facilitate connection to other MIDI-equipped instruments as well.