Yamaha Disklavier Mark IV owners will be happy to hear that Yamaha is now shipping the Disklavier Mark IV Version 3.0 upgrade. Features of this upgrade include:

• Disklavier can now capture audio recordings of the user’s own piano performance along with vocals and other musical instruments
• User can transfer songs from the piano to a PC or a Mac, share it as an MP3 file with others or burn their music to a CD
• Users can now select favorite piano and ensemble tunes from any room in the house via a PC or a Mac
• Enhances DisklavierRadio - users listening to a DisklavierRadio channel can now purchase and download favorite songs on the fly
• Offers five additional Piano Soft Graphics files - Piano Soft Graphic files combine MIDI, audio, text, and graphics to offer true multimedia experiences
• New search function to easily find songs
• Improved timer play control
• New random repeat mode

If you’re not familiar with the Disklavier  Mark IV, think of it as a grand piano with a computer inside and a network connection to the outside world. The piano has the following key features:

• Pocket Remote Control with full color touch screen
• Built-in speakers
• Microphone port allows you to sing along
• Headphone output
• USB ports
• Built-in 80 GB HD
• Ethernet jack
• Video output
• CD/floppy drives
• Linux OS

Crazy!!

The 3.0 upgrade will come standard with all new Mark IV Disklaviers sold. Current owners may upgrade for free after completing an online survey or by visiting a local dealer. They can also purchase the upgrade for $89.95.

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Technorati Tags: Yamaha, Disklavier Mark IV 3.0 upgrade

Are you looking for a way to spice up your Rock Band drum solos? Swap out the included drum sticks for a pair of Firestix Light Up Lexan Drum Sticks and start rocking AND putting up a light show. These drumsticks are made of durable Lexan and light up upon impact. They’re available in red or blue and come with batteries. Amazon sells them for $24.95.

[Check it out via technabob]

Technorati Tags: Firestix Light Up Lexan Drum Sticks

Look out Rock Band - you’ve got some competition coming at you this fall in the form of the newly announced Activision Guitar Hero World Tour. The new game will marry Guitar Hero’s guitar gameplay with a cooperative band experience which includes a genuine electronic drum kit, a microphone, a new Music Studio music creator system that allows players to compose, record, edit, and share music, and new online capabilities including Band Career and 8 player “Battle of the Bands” contests.  The game will feature the largest on-disc set list for any game to date including master recordings from classic to modern rock bands. You’ll also be able to download localized music on all of the next generation consoles.

Here are some of the more interesting details about the new game:

• The electronic drum kit will feature three drum pads, two raised cymbals, and a bass kick pedal
• The drum controller combines larger and quieter velocity sensitive drum heads with soft rubber construction to deliver authentic bounce back
• Instruments will be wireless
• Music Studio gives players a full compliment of tools to create digital music from scratch using all of the instruments in the game. You can then share your content with friends online through GHTunes
• The game introduces Battle of the Bands concept which allows eight players to join online and challenge each other band-to-band.  There’s also a Band mode which allows up to four players to jam together online or offline

Guitar Hero World Tour will be available for the Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, and the Nintendo Wii.

One thought.. I’m going to run out of room storing all of this equipment if I have both Rock Band and Guitar Hero World Tour! Sheesh!

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Technorati Tags: Activision, Guitar Hero World Tour

Donald Bell over at CNET’s Crave has a hands-on look of the new Yahama Tenori-On music sequencer here on their website. The Tenori-On is a 16 x 16 matrix of LED switches that allows basically anyone to play music in an interactive intuitive interface - something Yamaha calls a “visible music” interface.

Yamaha is currently selling the device in the UK for approximately ?599 but it’s not clear when the Tenori-On will make it to the US or for how much (probably over $1000). Make sure to check out the CNET video that is on the blog posting for more details on how the Tenori-On works. The Yamaha website for the Tenori-On also has plenty of videos of the device in action.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Yamaha, Tenori-On