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Fatar Studiologic SL-990 PRO
by arctic1
It is nothing too fancy. But if you just need a Midi Controller that plays well, it is all you need.
By nothing to fancy I mean there are no sliders or buttons on it you can use to send Midi data (except for the piano keys, obviously >.< and program/bank change)
So, the keys are weighted hammer action keys. Which ... means, if you play softly you'll get a softer sound and if you play harder.. just like an acoustic piano with 7 velocity curves.
The feeling of playing it is very good aswel though the keys are not as heavy as a grand but on the other hand, it's not a grand.. more like an upright.
There is a mod and pitch wheel, speaks for itself. Power adapter is included but the sustain and volume pedal ain't.
It's big, which is normal because of the number of keys. But, logically thinking it's heavy aswel. Way too heavy actually so if you have to drag it around it's not really as fun as playing it. (around 24kg or so)
They are tough. If you'd open it up, like I once did after I poured some coke in it, you'd see it's actually quite empty. It's mainly metal for the weight of the keys and a few wires and few other electronical part thingies.
When I poured coke into it, 8 keys stopped working. After I cleaned it out, 5 of the 8 worked again leaving the 3 others dead.
(That's a good thing, trust me)
There is no USB connection so you do need a Midi interface if you want to use it on your computer. (but those things are cheap anyway)
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Wittner Classic Mahogany Metronome with Bell
by paulhanton
I suggested this product to Dooyoo though there was no clear category to put it into. I have written to Dooyoo to ask them to list a 'musical accessories' category, and a saxophone category, and a sheet music category, they wrote back saying what a good idea, not happened yet. So it has been listed in piano as that is where a metronome ... is traditionally used.
I bought this however to help me with my saxophone playing. I only took up sax' 18 months ago and the hardest part of playing that I find is timing/counting. My teacher tells me that this is not unusual for people that take up learning an instrument 'later in life' (thanks!). When you think about it, you have to move your fingers, breathe properly, read the music, feel the music and count all at the same time.
What is a metronome?
It is a device that simply 'marks out' a beat to certain timing. It does this by making a sound usually, though some new devices use lights too. So supposing you wanted to play a piece of music at 70 beats per minute (70bpm) you would programme your device to make the noise it makes, in this case a nice hefty clicking noise, at the desired intervals, and play each note to that beat, or two half notes (quavers) etc. to that beat. Old style metronomes, like this one, also have a swinging arm that rocks back and forth with the timing which acts as a visual aid.
Quite simply, learning music without ever using a metronome, in my opinion is folly; not only does it aid in learning new pieces, it helps one 'internalise' timing.
Maker and model:
Wittner have been making metronomes since 1895, one of the best makes I was told by my music teacher. Subsequently they are not cheap. Some metronomes can cost as little as £5, I paid £48 for this; it can be bought cheaper on line, but I like to patronise my local music shop.
This model, the 855-111 is plastic, or 'fake mahogany', though to be honest, to look at it you would think initially it is wood. The wooden ones cot £100 +. It is in a traditional metronome shape (pyramid). It is not small, nor is it light: It stands nearly eight and a half inches tall from base to top (22 cm) and probably weighs a pond or so. To me this is an advantage, it is sturdy. It also comes in black or walnut.
It has a detachable front cover which has a securing lock, great for traveling to protect it.
Behind the cover is the mechanism. The swinging arm is metal and can be 'held' by a small clip at the top.
The swinging arm has a slider which moves down along its length to match the desired bpm which is clearly marked on a back plate, a nice steel back plate on a plain black board.. The bpm range is from 40 bpm to 208 bpm. To be fair, I have never played anything as slow as 40 bpm, and the fastest music I have played is about 180 bpm, so it suits for most pieces.
Functions:
Simple timing on a 4/4 beat as standard to most metronomes. However, as most people will know, music is not played simply in 4/4 time. This metronome allows the user, via a small side switch to change from 4/4 to 2/4, 3/4, and 6/4 (though to be honest, whilst I have come across 6/8 I have not yet come across 6/4 timing).
In addition there is an internal bell which can be set to ring on the first note of a bar, in every time setting, so for 4/4 the metronome would go;
Ding, click, click, click, ding, click, click, click, and so on.
3/4 timing:
Ding, click, click, ding, click, click, and so on.
I rarely use this function but it is useful when trying out a new piece that has a long intro', especially if the timing is quite fast, for I find I often 'lose track'.
Power:
I specifically did not want a battery operated metronome, preferring an old style wind up function, which this has.
Finally:
This is an attractive, sturdy metronome which looks good in any setting. This metronome comes with a one year warranty. I had tried different metronomes before including an electronic 'beep' and online metronome and a small metronome. None come close, this works for me and I am likely to have it for many years, a great investment.
For more information on Wittner products, visit their website:
http://www.wittner-gmbh.de/index2-e.html
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