Kurzweil MPS10

Description

Why is the piano sound so realistic?

Kurzweil’s founder, Ray Kurzweil, was the first to realistically emulate the sound of a grand piano in an electronic instrument. It was a request from Stevie Wonder that challenged Kurzweil and his team of engineers… And thank goodness for the challenge… because of that, today we have such wonderful sounding digital pianos!
Read more about Ray Kurzweil on Wikipedia.

The Kurzweil MPS10 has a full-bodied, resonant, natural piano sound that’s been regarded as one of the best for over 30 years.
Stevie Wonder has been involved with the design of sounds from 1980 to the current day.
These sounds are heard today when listening to Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, David Rosenthal, Rubern Valtierra,
Pink Floyd, Alecia Keys, Luther Vandross, Depeche Mode, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Paul Mcartney and many more famous artists.

 

Specifications

The Kurzweil MPS10 features 88 sounds and performance from the highly acclaimed PC3 Series keyboard. Included are 10 world-class acoustic pianos, incorporating Kurzweil’s renowned “Triple Strike” Grand Piano samples. In addition, Kurzweil has re-created 24 celebrated vintage electric pianos & organs sampled and modeled with amazing realism. Onboard are many solo and orchestral instruments including vocals, choirs, guitar, bass and drums. Also included are 78 rhythm backgrounds in a variety of styles.

All of your sounds and rhythms can be stored to one of the 3 favorite preset buttons. The “Easy Play” sequencer makes recording simple with the added convenience of storing up to 9 songs to the MPS10 user presets. Layer 2 sounds, split, transpose, pitch, touch sensitivity and preset effects are all included.

A matching, wooden furniture style stand can be purchased separately making this a very stable and suitable piano for home use.
The MPS10 is lightweight and versatile for the travelling musician, but can also be used at home because it has built-in speakers.

 

 “The Kurzweil MPS10 is my favourite portable piano under £700. It’s great value for what you get. The MPS10 has a full, natural piano sound (this is mainly because of its large speakers and high quality amplification system). And its fully-weighted key touch is smooth and sensitive, which makes it suitable for beginner or advanced players.
Listen to the video above: 10 out of 10 for the sound and pianist… 1 out of 10 for the jumper”, Graham Howard

 

Keyboard:
88 Note, Fully-Weighted,Hammer-Action Keyboard

MPS10: LK-40L
MPS10F: Fatar TP/40L

Keyboard Sensitivity: 10 selectable response levels
Display: Scrolling 2-character, dot-matrix LED
Polyphony: 64 note
Preset Programs: 88 Expressive sounds including award winning Triple Strike Grand Piano, all taken from the PC3.
User Presets: 3, one-touch recallable “favorites”, providing quick access to customized selections.
General MIDI: No
Splits/Layers: Quick Split/Layer, easy access with adjustable relative volume
Transpose: Full transposition to any key, +/- two octaves
Tune: Adjust by Cents (+/- 100 cents)
Effects: Dual ambience and effect processors (reverberation and chorus). Rich and complex effects from the PC3 Series.
Drum Patterns: 78 pre-recorded interactive patterns in a variety of styles (incl. metronome)
Recorder/Sequencer: 1-Track; 9 song capacity.
Demo Songs: 51 classic piano demonstration songs
Sound System:
Amplifier: 2×10 Watts RMS at 1% THD; 30 watts maximum total power

Speakers: 2 full-range speaker stereo sound system.

Audio Outs: Stereo left/right 1/4″ line outs (for connecting to external amplification)
Audio Ins: Stereo left/right 1/4″ line ins (for connecting external sound sources)
Headphones: (2) 1/4″ stereo headphone outs
MIDI I/O: MIDI over USB (see below)
USB: (1) port; “Plug and Play” USB functionality allows MIDI over USB for connecting to/from an external computer sequencer; no software driver needed
Pedals: (1) dual switch-type jack (single switch-pedal included)
Finishes: Dark Gray
Stand: Matching stand optional
Bench: Sold separately
Included Accessories:: Power cable, Switch pedal
Dimensions:
Instrument: 3.54in(H) x 51.22in(L) x 14.17in(D)

9.0cm(H) x 130.1cm(L) x 36.0cm(D)

Stand (optional): 26.02in(H) x 51.22in(L) x 13.78in(D)

66.1cm(H) x 130.1cm(L) x 35.0cm(D)

Weight: 39.7 lb / 18.3 Kg
Power: 15 VDC, 2.5A, 100-240VAC external power adaptor (incl.)

 

Questions and Answers

Q/ Bit disappointed that the keys make a slight noise.
(we got it because the keyboard we have has keys that clatter).
When I’m listening to my daughter play I don’t notice it and
it sounds like a piano!

We should have probably visited a store nearby and tried out
different makes first – then maybe they all do that.
I’ll get used to it – hopefully.
It is better through the headphones.

Have you tried out this one yourself?

Regards Alison

R/ Hi Alison

The Kurzweil has a key action made by the Fatar
company in Italy. (These are really well made and
built to last).
The key noise is heard when the key returns, this
is because there’s a spring at the back of each key
that accelerates the return of the key to allow
faster repetition.

If the volume is set on at least half way then the
key noise should be less audible.

I actually love the way this piano sounds and feels.
It can cope with any technically demanding piece.

I’m really sorry that you’re are not 100% happy with it.

Kind regards
Graham Howard
UK Pianos