New CBX-K2 Controller Keyboard from Yamaha

January 29, 1998 -- For MIDI musicians looking for the perfect keyboard to enter data for sequencing, the search is over. Yamaha is introducing the CBX-K2 MIDI Controller Keyboard at the Winter NAMM. The CBX-K2, designed to address and program all the parameters of GM as well as Yamaha's popular XG format, is a perfect controller keyboard for the MU Series of tone generators and the QY70 and QY700 music sequencers.

The inexpensive CBX-K2, which can operate on batteries, is a bigger, badder brother to the earlier CBX-K1, although it's still lightweight and portable. The CBX-K2 features 49 full-sized keys (compared to 37 mini keys on the CBX-K1) and many other features including: initial touch and velocity sensitivity; pitch bend wheel; assignable modulation wheel and data entry slider (new for the CBX-K2); full MIDI functions; AC adapter; MIDI IN/OUT; and foot switch. The unit has a MSRP of only $299.95 and will begin shipping this Spring.

"The CBX-K2 is the perfect companion controller for our XG-compatible tone generators and music sequencers, as well as laptop computers," states Avery Burdette, product manager, Digital Musical Instruments Department. "This full-sized, 49-key keyboard is ideal for entering sequencer data and the price is definitely attractive."

MIDI functions on the CBX-K2 include: start/stop/continue, tempo, bank select, program change, control change, reset all controllers, all sound off, GM mode on, XG support, octave shift, transpose, sustain, MIDI channel, fixed velocity and MIDI merge, as well as all RPN and NRPN data manipulations.

For more information on the CBX-K2 MIDI Controller Keyboard, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Digital Musical Instruments Department, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail info@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com.