When it comes to satisfyingly elaborate synth engines, Waldorf are the go-to. A respectable name in the high-end synth game, Waldorf always mean serious business, which is exactly why we're treated to sweet synth chunks like the Iridium. The engine at the core of this module is so extensive that it'll take years before you hear everything it can do and even then, you'll still be wondering if you really have heard everything. The original Iridium is a keyboard synthesizer so, if you already have a perfectly good keyboard at your disposal, then the Waldorf Iridium Core is a more flexible and desktop-friendly alternative. This edition is not only more compact and free of a keyboard, but also comes at a slice of the price.The Waldorf Iridium CoreJust like the keyboard edition, this is one serious bit of kit. The 12-voice polyphony is backed up by three oscillators per voice, and its in the oscillators where you can really make your mark: wave table, the wave form, particle, resonator or kernel. Wave table speaks for itself: simple sample playback, 2GBs of which already comes preloaded onto the flash memory. Here, 'waveform' is another word for virtual analogue, so you can mess around with your sawtooth and square waves and so on. Particle deals in sample-based granular synthesis. Resonator opens up a world of acoustic instrument simulations and, to finish, 'kernel' basically means FM synthesis via a maximum of six coupled sub-oscillators. On top of that, expansive filter options are on offer alongside a massive modulation matrix and enough effects to fill the boots of the most demanding of producers.Who's it Built For?While this model does have a few less control elements than the earlier edition of the Iridium module, is that going to be an issue? In a word: no. Everything can be done via the giant 1024 x 600 pixel display screen anyway. The Core is also fully compatible with the Iridium and Quantum, supporting patch-swapping. Basically, this model brings a whole horizon of sonic options but packs them away in a more compact box and, while the controls are fairly straightforward, the sheer breadth might be a bit overwhelming for the beginner synth-head, while more experienced producers will have more than enough to chew on.

Known for offering up solid-and-elegant solutions, König & Meyer present the 13942 Piano Bench. Featuring a clean, stylish design and a sturdy beechwood construction, this piano bench is a great match for digital pianos like the Casio Privia PX-S7000. The dual crossbar height adjustment system helps ensure the optimum playing position, while the padded seat cushion brings the playing comfort. To protect the floor, felt pads have been stuck underneath the legs.

Known for offering up solid-and-elegant solutions, König & Meyer present the 13945 Piano Bench. Featuring a clean, stylish design and a sturdy beechwood construction, this piano bench is a great match for digital pianos like the Casio Privia PX-S7000. The dual crossbar height adjustment system helps ensure the optimum playing position, while the padded seat cushion brings the playing comfort. To protect the floor, felt pads have been stuck underneath the legs.

Il faut bien reconnaître qu'il est difficile de trouver un piano numérique complet à prix abordable. Bien sûr, il existe des claviers indépendants, mais dans un salon, il est préférable d'avoir un meuble à part entière, c'est-à-dire avec une base stable et élégante ainsi qu'un pédalier. Le Fazley FSP-500 est un de ces claviers indépendants, mais dans ce set, il est accompagné d'une base lui donnant beaucoup plus de prestance. Cette dernière est même équipée de trois pédales ! Pour une somme intéressante, vous obtenez un piano numérique de qualité, facile à utiliser et sans complications. Idéal pour les personnes qui prennent des cours de piano, par exemple, ou qui souhaitent simplement jouer à la maison. N'oubliez pas qu'un piano numérique destiné à une utilisation à domicile (en combinaison avec un casque) est beaucoup plus pratique pour les colocataires (et les voisins) qu'un véritable piano acoustique. Avec 16 sons (ce sont les sons caractéristiques des pianos numériques) et une polyphonie de 64 voix, vous ne risquez pas de vous ennuyer. Vous avez un ordinateur à proximité ? Grâce à un câble USB disponible séparément, vous pouvez également utiliser le piano pour contrôler un logiciel. Vous n'avez peut-être pas besoin de ça au début de votre apprentissage du piano, mais un jour ou l'autre, vous serez subtilement séduit par ce type d'aventure. Le FSP-500 est prêt à répondre à cette demande. Pour ce prix, c'est un piano numérique très tentant !

If you're kitted out with a Korg Pa5X, Pa4X, Pa3X or Pa3XLe, then you're in command of one stunning keyboard/workstation - but then, without any built-in speakers. To complete the setup, Korg presents the PaAS MK2 speaker system. This system is easily installed without the need for any extra cables, giving you direct access to focussed, impressive sound with plenty of depth.

While built on the same principles as its popular predecessor, the Clavia Nord Grand 2 also beefs things up with an expanded effects section and a sample library that's practically twice as big. If you're a gigging musician, you've definitely come to the right place.The Clavia Nord Grand 2: What's New?Compared to the original Grand, the Grand 2 boasts an improved keyboard response as well as 32 additional programs, upping the total to 432. On top of that, you're getting two piano layers plus two sample layers, while the built-in sample library has not only increased from 512MB to 1GB in size, but includes a selection of Symphonia and Swing (ProjectSAM) samples. The FX section has also been given a serious upgrade.Fuss-Free and Intuitive ControlIf there's one thing that sets the Clavia Nord Grand apart from other stage pianos, it's user-friendliness. Made with gigging musicians in mind, the Grand 2 enables you to switch to a different sound or setting in seconds, without the need for any menu-diving or complex push-button sequences. Everything you might need to deliver a tight performance is effortlessly accessible and easy to find.

The Akai Professional MPC Key 37 is a powerful sound-shaping tool packed up inside a compact, keyboard-style housing. This standalone workstation takes up much less room than its 61-key sibling and has been geared up with sixteen RGB-backlit, touch-sensitive pads and four touch-sensitive Q-link encoders to help you create music on the spot.The Akai Professional MPC Key 37: From Underground Urban to MainstreamWhile the MPC Key 37 isn't the only little synth that hooks you up with a vast amount of sequencing and synthesis options, it does offer massive value for money since it can handle anything you care to throw at it, from urban styles to mainstream pop. It's even compatible with MPC Stems, which means it fully supports creative sampling.

The Korg NTS-1 (or Korg Nu:Tekt NTS-1) is already a nifty little synth with itty-bitty dimensions, hiding away far more synth-moulding options that you could shake a stick at and, using the logueSDK, could even be low-level programmed - serving the seasoned synth-nerd as well as the fresh-faced synth-newbie. But that was in 2019, and a lot has happened in between the dawn of the first-gen Korg NTS and the Korg NTS-1 Digital MKII - which holds true to the same concept, but brings way more.The Korg NTS-1 Digital MK2 SynthesizerThe most obvious change is the new keyboard, which still has a touchpad style layout, but the black keys have been shifted and separated from the white keys to complete the more-logical playability. The SEQ button is another new addition and forms a gateway to the on-board eight-step sequencer, opening up a wee universe of rhythmic options. The keyboard can now send polyphonic MIDI data out and a MIDI output jack has been fitted, so the sequencer data can also be sent out. In fact, with the new oscillators, new modulation options and new effects, you might forget that this synth is small enough to fit in the palm of one hand and, since Korg has also included a sweet software package, you're getting more than enough to sink your sonic teeth into. Just like the original model, this synth comes in bits so you get to put it together yourself, but just like the original model, the assembly is just as easy and just as satisfying.