What happens when you are a fledgling Italian synthesizer and keyboard manufacturer? Whore out your manufacturing and capabilities for other companies, and in this instant Siel built a keyboard for Japanese company Suzuki Corporation, not to be confused with Suzuki Motor Corporation. While not rare, these keyboards can be somewhat uncommon with the PK-37 being on the lower end and this particular instrument has some interesting aspects but nothing too impressive.
Build
This keyboard probably has the quality expectations of a lower end keyboard but does contain some interesting aspects. While this instrument can probably be considered a toy or introductory learning device, as evidenced by the presence of a "Demo Song" button, it does feature full-sized keys that, much like the other Italian synthesizers I have come across, have spring mechanisms for the keys which provide for a better feel. The buttons can seem finicky. Their odd shape and construction can sometimes cause the functions to not fully engage or cause a stutter when depressing. The 4 volume and tempo potentiometers can also be a bit scratchy.
Cosmetics
Slanted buttons and knobs, color coordinated from light orange to red (and blue), minimally spaced with a place to hold sheet music. This keyboard looks exactly like what someone would think a entry level home keyboard from the eighties would look like. The button layout is interesting and somewhat appealing but can be distracting since the accompanying text is also at an angle so it takes a little bit to get used to reading with your head turned sideways, but this isn't as terrible as it may sound.
Sound
What is there to say?
The sound is basic. The instruments have that early in-name-only nomenclature because they barely sound like Pianos or Clarinets, but they do have somewhat nice sounds, slightly different from a Casio or Yamaha. While definitely dated they are simple and clearly understandable. The real shining aspect of this keyboard are the analog rhythms. The accompaniment is pleasant and not overproduced and the arpeggio is simple but depending on how many keys are depressed can sometimes sound too busy at faster tempos. There does appear to be an occasional hum and minor noise that emanates from time to time but when plugged in directly using the 1/8" audio jack some well-rounded sounds that are not extremely tinny can be produced.
There are plenty of single-key chord options depending on which keys are depressed and the synchronization button can provide a little bit of expression by giving you some percussive control, like playing a hit or breaking up the rhythm. The accompaniment and arpeggio also change as soon as a different note is played and not at the end of the measure. With practice this can provide for some pleasant variations.
Features
What features?
This keyboard has basic volume control for the various parts (rhythm, accompaniment, and main voice), tempo control, Arpeggio, an bass and chord variation, a counter melody, and sustain (excluded on the "celeste" voice because, per the manual, it has "automatical" sustain).
The two interesting features on this keyboard are located on the back. There is an 1/8" jack on the back marked "SERIAL IN-OUT" that allows for hookup to a compatible keyboard or computer (Commodore 64 or SX-64). This pretty much acts as a MIDI port and transmits at the astonishingly fast signal of 2400 baud. There is a "TR-RC" switch, which identifies whether the keyboard will receive or send signals, like a MIDI IN/OUT port.
The second amazing feature is the demo song, which is stored in the keyboard and can be recalled at anytime (unless connected to a computer). You can even add accompaniment or change the instrument in which it plays.
Overall
The keyword for the Keyman is "simple." This is a no frills beginner keyboard with nice analog rhythms and early home keyboard sounds than this is your instrument. They can be found relatively cheap online (between $0.01 and $100) and if so desired can be used as a controller for music software on 30-year-old computers or for circuit bending (the casing has ample room for modifications, both inside and out.
Build
This keyboard probably has the quality expectations of a lower end keyboard but does contain some interesting aspects. While this instrument can probably be considered a toy or introductory learning device, as evidenced by the presence of a "Demo Song" button, it does feature full-sized keys that, much like the other Italian synthesizers I have come across, have spring mechanisms for the keys which provide for a better feel. The buttons can seem finicky. Their odd shape and construction can sometimes cause the functions to not fully engage or cause a stutter when depressing. The 4 volume and tempo potentiometers can also be a bit scratchy.
Cosmetics
Slanted buttons and knobs, color coordinated from light orange to red (and blue), minimally spaced with a place to hold sheet music. This keyboard looks exactly like what someone would think a entry level home keyboard from the eighties would look like. The button layout is interesting and somewhat appealing but can be distracting since the accompanying text is also at an angle so it takes a little bit to get used to reading with your head turned sideways, but this isn't as terrible as it may sound.
Sound
What is there to say?
The sound is basic. The instruments have that early in-name-only nomenclature because they barely sound like Pianos or Clarinets, but they do have somewhat nice sounds, slightly different from a Casio or Yamaha. While definitely dated they are simple and clearly understandable. The real shining aspect of this keyboard are the analog rhythms. The accompaniment is pleasant and not overproduced and the arpeggio is simple but depending on how many keys are depressed can sometimes sound too busy at faster tempos. There does appear to be an occasional hum and minor noise that emanates from time to time but when plugged in directly using the 1/8" audio jack some well-rounded sounds that are not extremely tinny can be produced.
There are plenty of single-key chord options depending on which keys are depressed and the synchronization button can provide a little bit of expression by giving you some percussive control, like playing a hit or breaking up the rhythm. The accompaniment and arpeggio also change as soon as a different note is played and not at the end of the measure. With practice this can provide for some pleasant variations.
Features
What features?
This keyboard has basic volume control for the various parts (rhythm, accompaniment, and main voice), tempo control, Arpeggio, an bass and chord variation, a counter melody, and sustain (excluded on the "celeste" voice because, per the manual, it has "automatical" sustain).
The two interesting features on this keyboard are located on the back. There is an 1/8" jack on the back marked "SERIAL IN-OUT" that allows for hookup to a compatible keyboard or computer (Commodore 64 or SX-64). This pretty much acts as a MIDI port and transmits at the astonishingly fast signal of 2400 baud. There is a "TR-RC" switch, which identifies whether the keyboard will receive or send signals, like a MIDI IN/OUT port.
The second amazing feature is the demo song, which is stored in the keyboard and can be recalled at anytime (unless connected to a computer). You can even add accompaniment or change the instrument in which it plays.
Overall
The keyword for the Keyman is "simple." This is a no frills beginner keyboard with nice analog rhythms and early home keyboard sounds than this is your instrument. They can be found relatively cheap online (between $0.01 and $100) and if so desired can be used as a controller for music software on 30-year-old computers or for circuit bending (the casing has ample room for modifications, both inside and out.
I did a complete video overview of this keyboard, with a semi teardown, cleaning, and demos of everything.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5s1qsF48Lk
I responded to your video a while back. I stand by my Youtube comment - great thorough video on a little known synth.
ReplyDeleteWhere can the manual be found?
ReplyDelete