Korg has announced its GrandStage 88 performance piano, an electric keyboard that can be seen as something of a deluxe version of its popular SV–1 electric piano.
The GrandStage 88 stands apart from much of its competition as a stage piano that embraces its status as an electronic keyboard, eschewing all of the upright piano aesthetics of Kawai and Yamaha competition to look and act much like a synth.
That said, this is not meant simply as a device that replicates piano sounds, but seemingly as a competitor to Nord’s own Stage series, offering a high–quality keyboard with a wide variety of classic electric piano and organ sounds.
There are the usual suspects common to the SV–1 and Nord’s models, like the Rhodes, Wurlitzer 200A, Clavinet, and Hammond B3 sounds, but also the tantalizing addition of VOX and Farfisa organ emulations. With FM synth presets sitting alongside faithful piano replications, the GrandStage really covers all the bases.
Emphasis is on performance with this one, including Smooth Sound Transitions for less jarring switching between presets, an effects section, and a handy panel lock that prevents an impassioned keys player from accidentally moving a knob in the middle of a sweeping glissando. There's even variable control over the color and brightness of the Korg logo on the back.