For a long time the workstations market, if we speak about mid-range instruments, was dominated by two synthesizers: Yamaha MOXF and Roland FA, Korg Krome being cheaper and less powerful solution. Both workstations have similar set of features and capabilities, and the choice between them consisted mainly of the user's taste preferences. Has anything changed with the release of the Yamaha MODX?

One of the most famous synths of all time, Roland's first digital synthesizer and mega successful in sales, involved in a variety of popular musical compositions and soundtracks of the late 80's and 90's. It was one of the first to open our eyes to the real power of the digital music and became the object of lust for many generations of musicians, and is still being bought and resold for decent money. It is the most recopied and revived instrument by the Japanese company itself. D-50 is a digital synthesizer with the LA - Linear Arithmetic - engine. On September 9, 2017, to celebrate the 30th birthday of the synth, Roland released another reincarnation, this time with no functional compromise. Meet the best-selling (in the foreseeable future) module from the Boutique series - Roland D-05!

Roland launched its second brand new masterpiece too soon after the first one. Having announced two state of the art synths in roughly a year Roland leaves us a bit puzzled. The thing is that System-8 and JD-XA now have to compete against each other on the market though they’ve got practically nothing in common.

The fact that Roland, Kurzweil, Yamaha and Kawai can’t afford ignoring the mid-range segment (they smart enough to know that it would be foolish of them) and even more – they treat it with care and attention – is proven by the attractive quality of their stage pianos: RD-800, Artis, CP4 and probably the most stunning among them MP7 tempting with its impressive functionality. A professional pianist would agree to perform having any of them (at least once, but would anyway). These compact digital instruments include a big choice of key sounds and can be easily taken in tour. Here we’ll review a few most catching models and the full list is always ready at hand – just click our catalogue.

When companies equip their cult instruments with a professional keyboard and at least the basic controller set featuring their brand parameters they can easily entice any modular system die-hard fan as well as any touring musician. They don’t aim at the target audience they literally shoot each and every one who’s ever been into professional music. We’ll review the coolest stage synthesizers which used to shake the market and keep on doing it right now - Roland Jupiter-80, Radikal Technologies Accelerator, Access Virus Total Integration 2, Clavia Nord Stage 2EX, Kurzweil PC3A and even that marvelous beast John Bowen Synth Design Solaris!