THE MOST CONVENIENT FEATURES

The best stage pianos focus on three core qualities: keyboard, sound, and control. Additional features can certainly be useful, however they should reinforce the instrument’s existing strengths, rather than detract from them. After all, a mass of features can look impressive on paper, yet if they serve little practical use in real life, will simply end-up getting in the way.

This is not the case with the MP11SE. Its modest selection of additional features each has a clearly defined purpose that allows the composer, studio player, or live performer to concentrate on their music. These are convenient features that musicians will use on a daily basis, grow to love, and wonder why they’re missing on other stage pianos.

INTERNAL SONG RECORDER

The MP11SE’s internal song recorder provides a convenient means to capture and playback musical ideas, backing tracks, or complete performances at the touch of a button. Up to 10 recordings can be stored in the instrument’s memory, with an optional metronome function to assist with timing, and 100 drum rhythm patterns for inspiring creativity.

Recorded songs can be saved to a USB device as standard MIDI files for further development, while pre-made SMF data can also be loaded into the MP11SE’s recorder memory for use as backing tracks. It’s even possible to transpose the pitch of recorded songs or MIDI files on the fly, and independently of the keyboard – eliminating the need to re-record or re-edit songs for playback in different keys.

SONG RECORDER

MP3/WAV PLAYBACK & RECORD

In addition to MIDI songs stored in memory, the MP11SE also supports the recording and playback of MP3 or WAV audio files to and from USB devices. This handy feature is ideal for producing instant recordings to share online or import into a DAW-based project – all 100% digitally, and without the need for additional cables.

As with the internal recorder, a metronome or drum pattern can be used to maintain the correct tempo during recording (the metronome sound is not recorded), while the user-adjustable gain setting helps to boost the volume of quieter pieces without sacrificing audio quality.

Song playback can also be controlled from a defined foot pedal, for hands-free operating during live performance. And there’s also the ability to play through a folder of MP3/WAV files consecutively, allowing the MP11SE to be used as a standalone jukebox in-between sets.

MP3/WAV PLAYBACK & RECORD

SETUP MEMORIES

While the MP11SE provides superb real-time control over sound adjustments and various other parameters, the sheer amount of flexibility available means it’s not always practical to change everything on-the-fly.

This is the purpose of SETUP memories: a convenient method of capturing the instrument’s entire configuration - including prepared sounds, custom key ranges, controller assignments, and almost all other adjustable settings - and storing it to memory for future recall. SETUPs are sorted in banks of 8, with over 200 individual memories available, allowing live musicians to prepare every song on their set-list several shows in advance.

Individual sounds and SETUPs can be loaded and saved to USB devices for sharing with other players online, or there is the option of backing-up everything to USB and re-loading your personally prepared MP11SE onto the venue’s instrument.

SETUP MEMORIES

EQ & REVERB OFFSETS

Having prepared a collection of distinctive SETUPs that cover every song on the set-list, there’s nothing more disheartening than arriving at the venue to find it has horrible acoustics and a thin, nasally PA. On most stage pianos, the only option would be to re-adjust the reverb and EQ for each stored sound, in an attempt to overcome the venue’s undesirable characteristics.

The MP11SE however offers a more convenient solution: using the prepared sounds as originally planned, but automatically offsetting the individual reverb and EQ values to create a new ‘baseline’ character for the instrument. For example, a performance area with highly reflective walls and a tall ceiling can be tamed by uniformly reducing the amount of reverb applied, while a PA system with weak bass and a narrow mid-range can also be reborn, simply by dialing-in a corrective, EQ offset. These system-wide settings are immediately adjustable, and can make all the difference to the quality and enjoyment of a live performance.

EQ + REVERB OFFSETS

¼-INCH & XLR OUTPUTS

Equally suited to the studio or the stage, the MP11SE features both unbalanced 1/4 inch and balanced XLR stereo output jacks. The professional-grade XLR connectors bypass the instrument’s master volume fader, while eliminating the need for additional DI boxes when connecting to a venue’s mixing desk. The inclusion of XLRs and a convenient ground lift switch not only guarantees the highest quality live output, but also frees-up the MP11SE’s normal phone jacks to be used for simultaneous monitoring.

Alongside the two sets of outputs, the MP11SE also includes 1/4 inch input jacks for connecting an external line level stereo source. This allows the audio from a computer, tablet, or even a semi-weighted keyboard to be combined with the MP11SE’s internal sound without the need for an additional mixer. The input volume of the connected audio can be conveniently adjusted using the level fader on the front panel, with the ability to further boost the gain of low signals. External audio can even be recorded to a USB device in MP3 or WAV format, where it is seamlessly mixed with the MP11SE’s native sound, for instant, high-quality results.

¼-INCH & XLR OUTPUTS CONNECTIONS EXAMPLE

SIMULTANEOUS USB & MIDI

When it comes to MIDI connectivity, some stage pianos feature standard 5-pin DIN jacks, others offer a USB to Host port, and some include both. However, few instruments allow these two MIDI connection types to be used at the same time.

Fortunately, the MP11SE is one such exception. With both standard MIDI IN, OUT, and THRU jacks, and a USB to Host port, the instrument is capable of sending and receiving MIDI data, in parallel, simultaneously. This functionality allows the MP11SE’s authentic Grand Feel keyboard action to play the sounds produced by a favourite synth, expander module, or semi-weighted board, while also controlling virtual instrument software running on a PC or Mac.

A range of additional settings in the MP11SE’s system menus allow further control over how MIDI events are handled, reinforcing the instrument’s credentials as a fully-featured master keyboard, and one of the most flexible stage pianos available.

“The MP11SE integrates some of the improved MIDI controller functions of the VPC1”: Kira-san, OS ProgrammerFULL INTERVIEW

USB + MIDI SIMULTANEOUSLY CONNECTIONS EXAMPLE