Alesis Announces Availability of DG8 Digital Grand Piano

July 23, 1999 -- Alesis has announced that its DG8 64-voice digital grand piano ($2499 US MSRP) is now shipping to US dealers. Combining Alesis' renowned synthesizer technology with the company's expertise in studio monitors, the DG8 redefines realistic piano sound and feel. The DG8 provides an affordable alternative to acoustic pianos and more complicated multi-keyboard rigs with external sound systems. The professional-caliber digital piano's remarkable sonic quality, 8MB expandability and realistic keyboard feel make it the natural choice for homes, studios, institutions and live performance.

The DG8's 24 megabytes of onboard sound ROM include 88 preset programs with several varieties of pianos, from dark-toned classical grands to bright pianos for jazz, rock and pop. Sounds include the acclaimed stereo grand found in Alesis' professional synthesizer line, as well as organs, electric pianos, synthesizers, strings, choirs and miscellaneous keyboard instruments. The DG8's grand pianos consist of three different stereo 48kHz linear samples that were digitally sampled from the three of the best acoustic grand pianos in the world.

The DG8 includes a PCMCIA-format expansion slot for adding new sounds to those provided in the its internal memory. Alesis offers a full line of QCard™ ROM expansions in a variety of instrumental and musical styles, including Classical, Vintage Synthesizers, Sanctuary and the new Latin card.

The bi-amplified internal speakers, based on Alesis' TEC award-winning studio reference monitoring technology, deliver 75 watts to the woofers and 25 watts to the tweeters per channel, resulting in excellent frequency response with extended bass.

The DG8 has true 64-voice polyphony, so every key hit rings true, and the piano is tri-timbral, allowing splits and layers. The unit provides built-in effects like reverb, chorus, and rotary speaker simulation, effects balance sliders, as well as a built-in 5-band graphic equalizer.

The advanced design of the DG8's 88-key, fully weighted, hammer-action keyboard offers the feel of a finely crafted acoustic grand piano. The DG8 features inputs for three pedals - in addition to standard sustain control, these pedals offer sostenuto and soft pedal control, and the ability to use a continuous control pedal for volume and modulation effects. A black metal and wood music rack is included, which mounts on the top surface of the piano. Stereo inputs allow an additional sound source (such as a mixer or auto-accompaniment device) to be routed through the DG8's sound system.

Alesis also announces production of the GS-1, a customized stand for the DG8. The lacquered wood stand with dedicated triple-pedal assembly securely holds the DG8 while providing an elegant presentation. The GS-1 costs $499 USD MSRP and will be available this fall.

For more information, visit Alesis at http://www.alesis.com/