Roland's Jupiter 80 synthesizer is a perfect example of this latest phenomenon. With a 76-note, semi-weighted keyboard, the Jupiter 80 offers 256 notes of polyphony with Roland's famous SuperNatural technology giving seamless note-to-note expression. The powerful sound engine feeds back on the player's technique to produce realistic sound coupled with an authentic performance. The Jupiter 80 has four on-board effects processors for great versatility plus USB connection for playing backing tracks or recording with ease. The original Jupiter was hugely popular in the Eighties and Roland know that they are onto a good thing by re-using the name for this sophisticated instrument that gives the user a retro feel backed up by Roland's latest advances in technology.
The appropriately named Korg Kronos synthesizer workstation is truly a leader in the field as it offers more than similar keyboards but at an affordable price. Korg have aimed to cover three areas with the launch of Kronos; Live, Production and Sound Design. Those using the Kronos for live performance will find a familiar program and combi layout with nine synth engines and a unique set list for compiling sounds. In production the 16-track sequencer and 16-track audio recorder together with analogue audio inputs for recording or sampling direct to the internal 300GB hard drive make the Kronos a user-friendly piece of studio kit. The aforementioned synth engines plus wave sequencing and vector synthesis put a large tick in the sound design box. Korg employed industry icons to program onboard sounds for the Kronos and it shows.
For a professional but affordable option it is hard to English Keyboard beat Yamaha's MOX6 and MOX8 synthesizer workstations. Internally they both offer the musician the same package. Both have a huge on-board 16-track sequencer, 226,000 note and 64 song capacity. There are over 1000 voices and over 350MB of waveforms, a vocoder and arpeggiator with over 6000 patterns available, which can be edited and enhanced with Yamaha's XA (Expanded Articulation) technology. All of which combine to form a great opportunity to recreate classic synth sounds or totally new ones. Externally the MOX6 has a 61-note semi-weighted keyboard, while the MOX8 has an 88-note fully weighted graded hammer action keyboard for an authentic piano feel. Both of the instruments are flexible and versatile, integrating with other audio sources and forming a complete package for beginners and professionals alike.
The electronic keyboard market is certainly very dynamic at present, producing product to meet demand for both the synth led electronic music revival and the newer computer-based music production market. Aside from the fact that the keyboard and synthesizer have long since played a major role in electronic acts from the Human League to the The Chemical Brothers and beyond, the keyboard now has just as important a role at the forefront of the traditional rock band as well as the electric guitar, which makes keyboard players the new rock and roll stars. Electronic keyboard manufacturers have certainly stepped up to the challenge and musicians now have access to a whole range of new and retro sounds in a range of high quality instruments. To check out the latest in electronic keyboards, synthesizers and digital audio workstations have a look here.
Keyboard languages are a feature of most keyboards being used today that allow a user to customize how the keyboard layout appears based on personal preferences and needs. This feature is usually available with popular operating systems, such as Windows and Mac OS.
The default language that is being used by most operating systems is United States English. This is shown while the operating system is being installed or configured. Particularly in the Windows system, English is the standard language being used by reason of its wide applicability and popularity, keeping in line with the status of the English language as the international medium of communication.
Users may find the need to change the language of the operating system and ultimately, the keyboard itself if they are not familiar with the English language, or if they would simply prefer using a different language. They can easily configure this feature in any operating system. Having a step-by-step guide on how to make this configuration, particularly in the Windows operating system, is recommended.
The language feature of Windows is generally located in the Control Panel of the operating system. This can be found by clicking START and clicking on CONTROL PANEL. Older versions of Windows operating systems have the control panel located in the My Computer folder. However, some older versions of the operating system do not offer the option of being able to change system or keyboard language.
It is characteristic of Windows Vista and Windows XP to show the contents of the Control Panel in a simplified and modernized view. Clicking the option to switch to classic view will reveal all the options in the panel. Here, you will see the REGIONAL AND LANGUAGE OPTIONS icon. Opening this application - usually by double clicking it - will bring you to a familiar panel. This is the same panel that appears when you are installing the Windows operating system onto your computer.
Once this icon has been opened, click on the LANGUAGES tab. This will bring you to another panel where the language option may be configured. Click on the DETAILS button of the part where the TEXT SERVICES AND INPUT LANGUAGES text is located. This way, you will be able to specify what language the operating system will use. Locate the INSTALLED SERVICES area in this panel and click ADD. This will allow you to add a new language. Once the ADD INPUT LANGUAGE box is opened, click on the language you prefer. As an option, you may choose the INPUT METHOD EDITOR just in case you want to fully customize the language you will be using.
Once you have approved the language change, you will see a confirmation in the system tray that the keyboard language has been changed to the language of your choice. The option of switching between preferred languages is also available when you simultaneously press the ALT and SHIFT keys. Exploring different keyboard languages may become useful for some users, especially if they are not adept in using the English language. This way, the use of the computer will be more available to more people. They will be able to use it in the most comfortable and accessible way that they can.