OMG! Here's the smallest 'MOST PORTABLE' lightweight arranger keyboard available yet :


Play 'n' Roll Electronic Piano

"This innovative portable piano unrolls to reveal a 49-key, four-octave electronic keyboard that sounds amazingly like a real piano. Its integrated keypad with digital display provides myriad options and inspirations for the aspiring or experienced player.

You choose from 100 realistic instrument tones — including piano, saxophone, harp and guitar — with a selectable "sustained notes" function. The rhythm accompaniment includes 100 different patterns in 13 musical styles, from rumba and rock 'n' roll to disco and country.

Have fun creating your own original music using recording and playback capabilities. Need a demo? Play 'n' Roll has 10 popular songs built in. The speaker is built into the keypad, along with a volume control dial. For big sound, connect Play 'n' Roll to a stereo amplifier or a home theater sound system via the auxiliary output jack. Input jack lets you play privately with your own headphones.

The entire piano rolls up into its own drawstring pouch. Plug it into any outlet with the included AC adapter; or for portability, it also runs on 4 AA batteries (order separately). Measures 10 1/2" x 2" x 2" and weighs 2 lbs".
http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview.jhtml?sku=GU001

Scott

This has been out for quite some time now, and even WERSI (German organ brand) brings it out under their own name.

The good thing besides it's portability is that if you like a soft touch to the keys, roll it out on a towel, for those who like the feel of piano (weighted) keys, use a hardboard

John

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Have a nice day

Scott

I think you've got it by jove! I don't know what, but you've definitly go it!

Seriously though, if it can use a hard drive and Yamaha styles I think I've found my light weight keyboard finally.

ScottL

Scott,
have you or anyone else for that matter actually heard or played the damned thing ?
It reminds me of my firs Casio way back when............
if the sounds are acceptable it looks like something everyone of us would like to have , if only for kicks...........!!!

Is the keyboard better than the psr 2000?


[This message has been edited by trident (edited 06-28-2005).]

at 59 bucks ?
come off it Trident, you must be joking ?!
it may challenge the G-70 though !!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott, its obvious you haven't actually used this thing. The reponse time after hitting the keys is terrible, and I think it has a polyphony of 2. No kidding.

It might be kinda nice for the hell of it, i mean its a lot smaller than any full size arranger, but id think the key feel between that and the real thing would throw you off a lot and it would interfere with your playing.

Phil

I am going to get 2...one for each hand..Ha!!!

May now manufactureres will take note and start making lighter weight & smaller profife arranger KB's its time for big change!

No Ruthless chording.... sorry scott

I'm surprised no-one has said it sounds better than a G-70, yet!!

But has anyone actually played one of these things?

I must say it would be REALLY handy to take on vacation/holidays...

Jerry

Yes, I played it and as I said, it has an uneven delayed response time, no polyphony, and obviously no touch sense. You might as well play music on your cell phone...

I would have to say pass on any of these that you see. I own one and the keyboard is not really the problem. The rubber mat that you play on is just that, a rubber mat. If you want to know what it feels like, pull your rubber floor mats out of the car and pretend your playing the piano on it. The major hang up for this product so far is that the sound module is poorly designed. The polyphony on mine turned out to be only six notes. Some of the newer ones that I have seen are claiming that they now have 16 note polyphony. The internal speaker is garbage. The sound samples are very poor quality. I would compare them to the first generation computer sound cards. If Yamaha or someone of that caliber were to design this item with there sound canvas attached then it would be great.
It takes some getting used to, but playing the rubber keyboard is not as bad as you might think. (considering your playing a rubber mat) I have located a manufacturer that has developed a better sound module, however I am unable to find a vendor that has them for sale. I contacted the manufacturer and was quoted pricing for quantity orders.
Some of the things to look for right now if you want one of these roll up pianos is: MIDI, Sustain Pedal port and Polyphony. They do come in 61 note keyboards as well. I wish they had chord following accompaniment also.
My final thought of the current design makes me say that these keyboards are a novelty item.


Best regards,

Dennis Almond

The version that's made by Fortissimo (model HRP-1) has :

- 61 keys
- 128 sounds
- 100 rhythms
- 61 note polyphony
- MIDI OUT
- Stereo Output connector
- Headphone Output
http://www.kluth.ch/fortissimoHRP-1.htm

John

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Have a nice day