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Byzounette
Published on 11/23/09 at 04:57
This model comes in two almost-identical versions: The PR305 and the PR 307, both in cabinet version with lower crosstie or with a central post (the K series). The PR 307 has an extra 20 sounds and 16 rhythms, it is has a higher power (60 w instead of 50 w). The sustain pedal works in stages (8) on the 307 and it's only on or off on the 305. The rest of the features are almost identical.
UTILIZATION
The first thing that strikes you about the piano is the quality of the keyboard, which is very high. It has weighted keys with a system that recalls the double escapement of a grand piano. The dynamics of the keys can be adjusted, as well as their "weight." The latter can be set to light, normal or heavy by electronically adjusting the key response time (it doesn't affect the real weight of the keys themselves, it only adjusts the velocity with which the keys are released), but it does feel like if the weight had changed. The dynamics can be adjusted so that no sound or almost no sound comes out when you play really soft (like on a real piano). The amplitude can also be adjusted (obviously: Be it with 5 or 3 different levels, for the sound to be more or less dynamic). It provides a truly expressive playing and users of acoustic pianos won't be disappointed.
It features comprehensive and adjustable MIDI connections. Your compositions can be saved in ECM or MIDI (on 16 channels) format. In case you record MIDI, instruments aren't reassigned automatically, but you can at least recover all data of the 16 tracks (melody, temperament, etc.), so you only need to reassign the instruments in your sequencer (Cubase, FL Studio, etc.)
SOUNDS
Secondly, the quality of the pianos sounds is truly exceptional (especially the Grand and the Rhodes). It must be noted that you can adjust the sympathetic resonance effect, which provides a very realistic effect.
It features 3 pedals, two of which can be configured to be used with other functions. I like specially the Sostenuto pedal (the one in the middle), since this type of pianos don't usually have one. It allows you to extend the duration of a note selectively (you play a note and press the pedal and the note will keep on resonating as long as you keep the pedal pressed, without affecting the other notes). It's particularly interesting to highlight the root note of a chord in the lows, for example.
A special feature is temperament adjustment, which means you can set it so that all notes are perfectly tuned (like on modern synths), or like on a real piano, where the lowest notes are slightly lower-pitched and the highest notes are slightly higher-pitched than usual. It provides a truly interesting realism.
Although this instrument is a bit outdated, the sequencer and composer functions are very developed and very easy to use. You can, for example, modify the recordings bar by bar, be it replaying only the bar that needs to be modified or modifying the notes one by one, without the need to re-record everything.
OVERALL OPINION
When I bought this piano secondhand, a key didn't work, but I had no problem repairing it (it was easy to disassemble). Besides, you can still find original parts for these series (PR and KN).
I must also add that the membranes of two woofers broke and I need to have them replaced (according to my sources, it's a recurring issue with Technics pianos), but it's not hard to repair.
The electronics are pretty modern, very far from old Crumar-type organs, which were hard to repair (although they had inimitable sounds).
The quality of the sound library is good (better than the one on my Casio CTK 200), but it is above all an excellent digital piano. It's exactly the type of instrument I was looking for. After having taught myself to play synths and organ (Crumar), I wanted to learn to play piano seriously and this instrument gave me very good sensations.
If you are looking for a very good piano, nice Rhodes and excellent Hammond sounds do not hesitate!
UTILIZATION
The first thing that strikes you about the piano is the quality of the keyboard, which is very high. It has weighted keys with a system that recalls the double escapement of a grand piano. The dynamics of the keys can be adjusted, as well as their "weight." The latter can be set to light, normal or heavy by electronically adjusting the key response time (it doesn't affect the real weight of the keys themselves, it only adjusts the velocity with which the keys are released), but it does feel like if the weight had changed. The dynamics can be adjusted so that no sound or almost no sound comes out when you play really soft (like on a real piano). The amplitude can also be adjusted (obviously: Be it with 5 or 3 different levels, for the sound to be more or less dynamic). It provides a truly expressive playing and users of acoustic pianos won't be disappointed.
It features comprehensive and adjustable MIDI connections. Your compositions can be saved in ECM or MIDI (on 16 channels) format. In case you record MIDI, instruments aren't reassigned automatically, but you can at least recover all data of the 16 tracks (melody, temperament, etc.), so you only need to reassign the instruments in your sequencer (Cubase, FL Studio, etc.)
SOUNDS
Secondly, the quality of the pianos sounds is truly exceptional (especially the Grand and the Rhodes). It must be noted that you can adjust the sympathetic resonance effect, which provides a very realistic effect.
It features 3 pedals, two of which can be configured to be used with other functions. I like specially the Sostenuto pedal (the one in the middle), since this type of pianos don't usually have one. It allows you to extend the duration of a note selectively (you play a note and press the pedal and the note will keep on resonating as long as you keep the pedal pressed, without affecting the other notes). It's particularly interesting to highlight the root note of a chord in the lows, for example.
A special feature is temperament adjustment, which means you can set it so that all notes are perfectly tuned (like on modern synths), or like on a real piano, where the lowest notes are slightly lower-pitched and the highest notes are slightly higher-pitched than usual. It provides a truly interesting realism.
Although this instrument is a bit outdated, the sequencer and composer functions are very developed and very easy to use. You can, for example, modify the recordings bar by bar, be it replaying only the bar that needs to be modified or modifying the notes one by one, without the need to re-record everything.
OVERALL OPINION
When I bought this piano secondhand, a key didn't work, but I had no problem repairing it (it was easy to disassemble). Besides, you can still find original parts for these series (PR and KN).
I must also add that the membranes of two woofers broke and I need to have them replaced (according to my sources, it's a recurring issue with Technics pianos), but it's not hard to repair.
The electronics are pretty modern, very far from old Crumar-type organs, which were hard to repair (although they had inimitable sounds).
The quality of the sound library is good (better than the one on my Casio CTK 200), but it is above all an excellent digital piano. It's exactly the type of instrument I was looking for. After having taught myself to play synths and organ (Crumar), I wanted to learn to play piano seriously and this instrument gave me very good sensations.
If you are looking for a very good piano, nice Rhodes and excellent Hammond sounds do not hesitate!