After viewing the recently revealed picture of the KN7000, http://www.wtenaykeyboardstudios.com/SK-KN7000.html
I wanted to offer my thoughts & opinions.

I must admit that the new flip top lid (ala laptop computer style) is an innovative new idea for an arranger keyboard. I assume (hope) that the tilt back/forward combination LCD display & button control panel is able to tilt back to an almost flat position to provide the customary button access angle we're all used to. It appears that because of this design, that the panel memory buttons and other arranger function buttons will be situtated (disappointingly) further away from the key bed than I'd prefer.

My BIGGEST concern is the fact that this large tilt panel is one BIG moveable part. cable(s) are needed to connect from the main keyboard to this large moving panel & LCD display. I remember (on my KN5000) that I (and a number of other KN5000 owners as well) experienced loose cable connection problems between the tilt up color LCD screen & keyboard, so I see how this could become an even greater potential problem on the KN7000.

Aesthetically speaking, at least from what I can gather from this initial picture, I DO NOT like the looks/styling of the KN7000. It's oversized tilt control panel looks way out of proportion (too large & awkward looking ) in relation to the keyboard itself. The large tilt panel seems like it may block (muffle) the sound coming from the speakers (from the player's POV) as well.

As I have been putting a lot of (next keyboard) hopes into the KN7000, I'm not going to jump to any final conclusions about it this early in the game. Afterall, the KN7000 won't even be released till the Fall, so I suppose anything can happen between now and then. Nonetheless, I look forward to hearing other KN7000 opinions (based on the pic & Alec's report) as well. - Scott

PS: I'm now wondering if the KN7000 was designed and intended to be played with the panel in a near 90 degree angle position from the keyboard (as the picture shows). If so, you'd have to be careful not to press the buttons too hard (or risk moving the panel while performing). Other issues to consider is if the panel (in a 90 degree angle position) will block a clear view of the audience and/or music stand and internal speakers? Just my mind working overtime as usual.

Hi Scott
Just in case the picture disappears again I've saved it, enlarged it and set it as my wallpaper!
I agree with your concerns about the flip top. Surely it must continue back to a lower position. Also the one big moveable part is a problem especially for a gigging musician like yourself. If technics made the plastic shell a bit stronger it would help but if it's like previous models then the flip top certainly appears a little over-exposed and susceptible to accidents.
The button layout, apart from the pads, lcd screen and wheel all seem very different from the 6000. Have they discarded the tracker ball (or whatever it's called)....or is it over on the right somewhere? INTERESTING!
Peter

If this is going to be the new #1 top of the line from Technics,
it have to be as good to use that the "pros" can use it too.
The material quality have always been good, so I think that is
to be continued. Cable connections between the board and panel
should not be the big problem nowadays. (Look at all the laptops
around).
The picture is not any good, the keyboard is higher than wide,
so when we see it in better photos the first impression may be
far better. But it sure looks different then we're used to see
the keyboards.
I'm looking forward to see, feel and hear the machine, because
for me that's the only way to decide if my "good old" KN5000 is
leaving for a new Technics, or another added to the family.
GJ

I think the lift up panel is not a novolty. Years ago I think Yamaha something lik that only lifting backward not over the keys.

My concern is the color screen incorporated into the panel. As mentioned in other messages for a good access/feel wiht the buttons you tilt the panel almost to a flat posistion. But what if you want a better view on the screen.
You have to compromising.

many of these points have already been discussed and explained here in the other relevant threads.

The tilt up panel is the same angle(s?) as we have now, this picture just gives a false perspective of it. 90 degrees does not make any sense however you look at it.
I have heard of no problems with 6000 swivel panel connections since the 6000 was launched, so any problems are likely to have been many years ago.

The tweeters are not blocked at all by the panel, and high frequencies are the directional ones subject to reflection off solid surfaces. By the time the crossover to the midrange speakers has occured, the minimal amount of grill behind the fold back panel is completely negligible compared to the wavelengths of the frequencies involved, so there is no blocking of sound at all.

I would have thought gigers would have been pleased to see the back of the raised grills that could be dented so easily through mishandling.

Since the tweeters are closer to the player than before in this arrangement, monitoring and clarity should theoretically be improved in comparison. It remains to be seen how successfully this has been implemented in practise. But from a theoretical acoustic viewpoint it is a very logical design and likely to be superior to what we have now provided that it has been balanced as successfully.

The Yamaha with the same physical arrangement was the psr6100 (then 6300) which Bill Norrie pointed out here, and which I thought of as soon as I walked into the demo, because both of us have owned that model in the past. This was 1986 I think.

The panel is much the same angle as the Genesys and the 6500 so I can see no problems there. My only concern is how far away the buttons are, and that can only be resolved by actually playing it and seeing if it suits you. We will have to see...

The first time I saw the picture, I thought: "Yuk, what an ugly keyboard that is." But then when I looked at it a second time, the new design might have some charm. I quess the picture doesn't represent the keyboard very well, because in the report of Alec he stated that the metallic colour of the keyboard has been maintained, but on the picture it almost has an antracite/black colouring. I think it's a very dark picture.
The only thing that worries me as well, is that the display and the buttons are on the same panel. I don't think that to be very beautifull. Even with the KN6000, which I think is a very beautifull keyboard (according to the looks), the display and the arranger buttons are divided with a thin line. I hope that such 3D-effects are in the panel of the KN7000 as well. Because one major, big, but very flat panel is not the thing that sounds very appealing to me. The new sound can be very beautifull, but if it comes from a keyboard with bad looks... But then I didn't see, nor hear it in Frankfurt, the picture doesn't represent the "star-trek" effect (see review of Alec) of the board, and its a very dark picture. I quess we just have to wait to see the real looks. I hope it's way better than what's represented on this picture.

The other thing I'm wondering is: what are these two round (are they round???) things on the right of the panel. One could be the sound-controller, but what is the other thing? And then, placing the real-time sound-controller on such a difficult-to-access place (far away), would not be very clever in my opinion (similar to the panel memory).

it is a very bad picture, obviously taken illegally (pictures were not allowed) from the back of the stage, and from above with insufficient light, and does not give a good represenation of what it looks like at all. Presumably that is why it was removed from the mr music site at technics request???

as far as I was able to tell I could see no sound controller ball, certainly not on the right at any rate.

Many of you have comments/real concerns/suggestions concerning the KN7000. I contacted Panasonic and have provided an e-mail address in a separate post for all of you to write to. Express your feelings. I was assured Panasonic wants to hear your comments. Earlier, I spoke of my wish for the KN7000 to have a switchable multi-voltage power supply. That wish is now with Panasonic via the e-mail address I have given you. The company will be forced to do a re-think if their office is inundated with e-mails from knowledgeable KN users saying we will not buy a KN7000 if certain of the things we have highlighted are not included in the production board. I made it clear I will not buy the KN7000 unless I can change voltages with the simple adjustment of a switch. Use the direct line into Panasonic to voice your opinions!

Chuck

Dutch player,

Regarding the 'round things' on the right of the panel, the one closest to the display looks like the tempo/program wheel.

Mike

ALL ANXIOUS TECHIES: Guessing is so much fun, but only time will tell. As a photographer I have studied this picture with a six power glass, and observed the following: The image is soft and rather small for detail. Underexposure is apparant
on the right end, and overexposure on the left end. Because the shot was taken from above and on a slight angle, the resulting image is distorted. Note the left end is much wider than the right end, and the Keys shorten in length from left to right. Detail is lost from front to back. Now, I am not faulting the photographer, because I understand the taking conditions of "fast draw" unauthorized quick shots, does not lend itself to following the established proceedures for perfect pictures, but I do suggest that maybe we are drawing our conclusions from a weak position, and that could be misleading for us. We all agree this is a very radical design for Keyboards, and I doubt that Panasonic has laid its reputation on the line in a "I hope it works, casual manner." Do we really think this KN-7000 was presented to the world without undergoing the pain and agony of a "think tank" full of R & D geru's, plus
market research experts, design engineers, etc & etc? Surely features such as: cable connections, material, color, button and switch location, durability of all parts, etc & etc, have been discussed over and over for months and years. Panasonic (Technics) has demonstrated a steady, successful developement of Keyboards over a long period of time and earned a reputation for excellance in their multi faceted field of many different products. And I find it hard to believe they will stub their toe with this bold and mysterous trend-setting board. IF THEY DO---BYE BYE TECHNICS. Do I detect that the "folding panel" is lowered slightly into bowels of the board. Say maybe 3" of an 8" panel, resulting in the top edge of this feature, being lower, than we concluded with our first look. Maybe not, but reason tells me that all music will be very and fully visiable when in place on the rack provided. Well guys and gals, chew me up, dream on, have fun and whatever board sets under your talented fingers, just play---play---play. ARJ

Hi Art,
I noticed you didn't mention the 'end user': US the MUSICIANS .

Seriously though, sometimes products, though tested and analyized to death by R&D and design experts alike, somehow leave out the end user in the mix. A product may technically be the latest and have the coolest design, but then lack the down in the trenches functionality required by the end user. I'm first to commend Technics for their long reputation of producing great keyboards. I just hope they consulted with REAL musicians when designing the KN7000.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it was 'just that bad picture ' that raised my concerns about its design function-ability.

Scott
http://scottyee.com

Magic Fingers Scott: As usual your point, is well taken and fully agreed with. But think not that "real musicians" were absent from my thoughts, when I posted those words. I'm not sure what an "unreal musician" is but if the users are left out of the mix---DISASTER LOOMS FOR ANY NEW PRODUCT. I'm sure when you or any of us accept any important gig, are only thoughts up to performance time is the AUDIENCE OR THE CUSTOMERS. Will they like my product, will they understand my product, is my style and song seletction the very best for the purpose, and most important will they be so satisfied they will insist on what I am selling them, over and over again. So it should be with Technics, Yamaha, and all the rest of the manufactures. Of course the best laid plans ever concieved for any product is subject, to miscalculation and rejection by those we are trying to convince. Even when everything has been considered, there is still a need for a little luck and maybe a prayer here and there. So my nice forum friends, as we look forward to this fall with anticipation, let us hope for the best, and be prepared for the worst. Cheers, and strike a few "notes" everyday. ARJ

To me, keyboard styling, general layout, and overall good looks are major factors in decision-making. Maybe not as important as sound voices and rhythm styles within the board, but close to it. After all, if one has to look at it hours on end, it should remain appealing over time. I hope the designers of the 7000 have done their homework on this issue. By the way, if "end users" are part of the mix of those planning a new product, who on this forum (or anywhere else) has participated in such activity, or been consulted in reviewing a new prototype? Everyone here seems to be in the dark. I suppose anyone like that would be sworn to secrecy anyway.

J. Larry--Well said indeed. It has occured to me however, that in as much as Technics has always had the reputation for having the best over all styles available, they must of necessity interacted with REAL MUSICIANS. Some of their styles indicate super musicans were employed. Of course these players were not using keyboards to sample the styles, but serious interchange of ideas and their incorporation into the final product must have been discussed over and over. Perhaps I'm wrong in my assumption, and haveing no direct knowledge of how it is done, leaves me skateing on thin ice. If they would just read this forum, they would understand what the end users (real real musicians) want and need, and then capture the whole market, by trying to please, and satisfy them. OH SURE
ARJ