So I finally got my portable piano and thought it was about time I did a review on it!
I've broken this review down into main parts to make it easier to find aspects of the NP-31 you are interested in.
Keys
The Yamaha NP-31 has 76 touch sensitive keys. A lot of people said that the keys were somewhat noisy, however I have not found this to be much of a problem although as I have not been able to play it in headphones yet I can not comment on this aspect much more.
The keys are not weighted which I thought was going to be an issue. I do not often play keyboard and am used to my grand piano but after a few minutes you adjust to the keys and some pieces are easier to play with unweighted keys. Plus this also makes the piano lighter which brings me onto my next topic.
Weight
When the box came through the door I was somewhat shocked by the heaviness of it. I had imagined it to be lighter and more 'portable'. I was also quite surprised by the length of the piano. Having ordered online I did not have a clear idea on how large the piano would be. Because of the length I will have to move my room around some but that is not an issue as I do need all the octaves so I can play the pieces that I want to.
Portability
As I said before the NP-31 is quite heavy and also quite long, this reduces its portability. I would not say this is a piano you could take back and forth on a train on a day to day basis. However, I think for taking to gigs using a car would be fine for this, that is if it will fit in your boot! (A test I have yet to carry out)
You can get a gig bag for this piano but at around £60, so until then my NP-31 will just have to wait.
Sound
A quality you can not deny the Piagerro is its crystal Grand Piano sound. The high keys and middle range especially match the sound of that of the real deal. I was very happy when I played out my own songs at how it mimicked a real piano. The last four or five bass notes on the piano sound a little bit 'keyboardy' but for the amount they will be used I can not complain.
The speakers on the NP-31 are of decent quality. Being positioned at either end of the piano means you sit within the middle of your sound and can clearly hear everything in balance. There is a dial to control the volume which gives you more control than volume buttons. The only issue was when you have the speakers on a very high volume it can fuzz slightly in small rooms. A note I'd like to add is these speakers will not be loud enough for gigs etc. you will need an amplifier.
Useful Links
Gig Bag - http://www.rimmersmusic.co.uk/bckkb47syamaha.html
NP-31 on Amazon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-NP31-Portable-Keyboard-Black/dp/B004RTHGHU
Wednesday 26 December 2012
Saturday 1 December 2012
Home Studio - Equipment
Right so here it is! The gadgets I'm considering getting for my home studio.
First things first - a mix desk. Now having little to no knowledge on what was good or what brands were well thought of I decided to go with something I would already know how to use.
I have recorded a few times with an Alesis
MultiMix desk and have found it very easy to use and set-up.
Because of budget I will only be getting a two or four channel desk, but this is all I will need for guitar/piano and a microphone.
For my midi keyboard I needed a lot of keys as opposed to a lot of sounds. I also needed the sound of the grand piano to be as authentic as possible. Ideally I wanted to find a portable piano that could be used on stage and off stage. The Yamaha NP31 Piaggero ticked all the right boxes when it came to these. It has 76 touch sensitive keys so it can mimic a piano quite well. I was a little disapointed when I read these keys were not weighted but I don't think that will be a major issue once I get used to playing on a keyboard again.
I also decided on this keyboard as it has built in speakers, these may not be enough for a gig but will create a nice sound at home when I don't want headphones.
The last point is it has that all vital Midi in-out connection. I also found a MIDI to USB converter cable, which would come in handy if my desk was full.
Finally I've saved the most important yet most difficult thing to look for online for last; the condenser microphone. Now I was not at all familiar with these microphones, I knew well enough what they are designed to do but what model/make did that best for the budget I was on was a mystery.
In the end I decided to go for the Behringer C1 Microphone. I didn't go for the USB version of this microphone as I heard it was not as good quality.
I also chose this mic as for a reasonable price I could get my pop filter and stand without going over my budget.
I will give some reviews on my equipment once I get it through the post!
I hope this helped anyone like me who may feel lost looking through tonnes of equipment for their studio!
First things first - a mix desk. Now having little to no knowledge on what was good or what brands were well thought of I decided to go with something I would already know how to use.
I have recorded a few times with an Alesis
MultiMix desk and have found it very easy to use and set-up.
Because of budget I will only be getting a two or four channel desk, but this is all I will need for guitar/piano and a microphone.
For my midi keyboard I needed a lot of keys as opposed to a lot of sounds. I also needed the sound of the grand piano to be as authentic as possible. Ideally I wanted to find a portable piano that could be used on stage and off stage. The Yamaha NP31 Piaggero ticked all the right boxes when it came to these. It has 76 touch sensitive keys so it can mimic a piano quite well. I was a little disapointed when I read these keys were not weighted but I don't think that will be a major issue once I get used to playing on a keyboard again.
I also decided on this keyboard as it has built in speakers, these may not be enough for a gig but will create a nice sound at home when I don't want headphones.
The last point is it has that all vital Midi in-out connection. I also found a MIDI to USB converter cable, which would come in handy if my desk was full.
Finally I've saved the most important yet most difficult thing to look for online for last; the condenser microphone. Now I was not at all familiar with these microphones, I knew well enough what they are designed to do but what model/make did that best for the budget I was on was a mystery.
In the end I decided to go for the Behringer C1 Microphone. I didn't go for the USB version of this microphone as I heard it was not as good quality.
I also chose this mic as for a reasonable price I could get my pop filter and stand without going over my budget.
I will give some reviews on my equipment once I get it through the post!
I hope this helped anyone like me who may feel lost looking through tonnes of equipment for their studio!
Thursday 29 November 2012
We'll be back shortly...
Hello!
Firstly, the reason for my lack of posts this past month is I've been quite ill with a chest infection that then progressed into pleurisy.
Unfortunatly, I had to scrap one of my performances that I had promised myself I would do since the start of this year. I was frustrated but I have a place on the show for next year.
I'm slowly getting better and as soon as I have I've made an oath to get my songs properly recorded.
This has nudged me to set up my own home studio which I've been debating about doing for a few months now.
So while I've been housebound I've searched high and low, scouring reviews and vlogs, for information on good quality, affordable equipment.
And I think I may have finally found the rest stuff!
I will post later on with what I am considering getting for my studio (:
Firstly, the reason for my lack of posts this past month is I've been quite ill with a chest infection that then progressed into pleurisy.
Unfortunatly, I had to scrap one of my performances that I had promised myself I would do since the start of this year. I was frustrated but I have a place on the show for next year.
I'm slowly getting better and as soon as I have I've made an oath to get my songs properly recorded.
This has nudged me to set up my own home studio which I've been debating about doing for a few months now.
So while I've been housebound I've searched high and low, scouring reviews and vlogs, for information on good quality, affordable equipment.
And I think I may have finally found the rest stuff!
I will post later on with what I am considering getting for my studio (:
Saturday 10 November 2012
The Wall
Hey Guys,
We're finishing up editing for the video, mostly my amazing braniac friend. I shall post the video up on here after we're done.
Performed at the Festival of Lights last night, a cover of Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men and two of my own What They Expected and Waiting For You. I was worried most of the week as my chest hasn't been very cooperative after my chest infection but I managed to get enough air and the audience enjoyed it which is the main thing.
Think I'll take this week easy as I'll have to start rehearsing again for my next performance soon.
So to cure my music addiction I'm going to look at adding some cello to my other songs, if you can't sing you got to play!
We're finishing up editing for the video, mostly my amazing braniac friend. I shall post the video up on here after we're done.
Performed at the Festival of Lights last night, a cover of Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men and two of my own What They Expected and Waiting For You. I was worried most of the week as my chest hasn't been very cooperative after my chest infection but I managed to get enough air and the audience enjoyed it which is the main thing.
Think I'll take this week easy as I'll have to start rehearsing again for my next performance soon.
So to cure my music addiction I'm going to look at adding some cello to my other songs, if you can't sing you got to play!
Wednesday 31 October 2012
First day of filming
Its day one of filming a video for my song 'Waiting for you' Fair to say I am beyond tired and have a lot of cleaning up to do before everyone arrives.
Hoping to get some rainy shots (yeah hoping for rain!) Got my fingers crossed that the fake piano doesn't get ruined in the weather though.. Or my hair ;)
Hoping to get some rainy shots (yeah hoping for rain!) Got my fingers crossed that the fake piano doesn't get ruined in the weather though.. Or my hair ;)
Friday 13 July 2012
Saturday 9 June 2012
Koi Fish
I've always thought Koi fish beautiful but never plucked up the courage to try and draw one. I lost my Koi art virginity yesterday after watching a video on the basics of Koi drawing. After I'd grasped that I was away creating different Koi's. Here are some in black and white and a colour study, I'm currently working at putting the Koi's on canvas.
Elephants
Intrigued by the snakes skin I looked for another animal who's skin would be hard to draw. An elephants wrinkles weren't as easy as I thought.
Snake
Thought a snake would be a challenge to try and draw, and it was the scale pattern was particularly hard to grasp.
Saturday 7 April 2012
Friday 6 April 2012
Yodelice!
Honestly I have fallen in love with this guys work (and his guitar) Some of his most well known songs include 'Free' and 'Sunday with a Flu.' Yodelice's video for Free is a work of art in itself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqZAELD2B6A&ob=av2e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqZAELD2B6A&ob=av2e
Person out of Dust
Just found one of my old poems that I have reinvented into a song. Flipped a few verses, and made a chorus overall pretty good job.
Smother my ashes with fire,
Force them to burn again,
Warm the corpse I once called home,
To how it was back then.
Cry your tears into my dry eyes,
Release them to my soul,
Plant your russet lips on mine,
Warm against the cold.
Breath into my slumpened frame,
Fix me upright in my seat,
Hold my tender cracked body,
Strong supplies the weak.
Chorus: Teach me ever so gently,
The lessons that I must,
Watch my ashes reassemble,
Person out of dust.
Person out of dust.
Let the memories pour out,
The ones that I keep,
Keep your ears open,
Make sure that I speak.
For I'm often quiet,
Silent in my ways,
But it will slowly break me,
As it enters all my day.
Chorus
Smother my ashes with fire,
Force them to burn again,
Warm the corpse I once called home,
To how it was back then.
Cry your tears into my dry eyes,
Release them to my soul,
Plant your russet lips on mine,
Warm against the cold.
Breath into my slumpened frame,
Fix me upright in my seat,
Hold my tender cracked body,
Strong supplies the weak.
Chorus: Teach me ever so gently,
The lessons that I must,
Watch my ashes reassemble,
Person out of dust.
Person out of dust.
Let the memories pour out,
The ones that I keep,
Keep your ears open,
Make sure that I speak.
For I'm often quiet,
Silent in my ways,
But it will slowly break me,
As it enters all my day.
Chorus
Thursday 5 April 2012
Art
These were some pictures I didn't have a record of anywhere else, when they are two of my favourites. 
Keaton Henson
Just discovered this beautiful song 'Small Hands'. However strange the video, the lyrics are honest and sentimental. His other song 'Lying to You' is also another beauty.
Thursday 8 March 2012
Cello
Listening to cello and is like listening to the power of the ocean.
One piece I heard that really struck a chord with me was Bach's Second Cello Suite in Dminor - Sarabande. It is this piece that has inspired me to take up cello lessons and honestly I can not wait.
It is featured in the Tickell documentary, where I first saw it on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgJWKDmT3y0
One piece I heard that really struck a chord with me was Bach's Second Cello Suite in Dminor - Sarabande. It is this piece that has inspired me to take up cello lessons and honestly I can not wait.
It is featured in the Tickell documentary, where I first saw it on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgJWKDmT3y0
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