New Clavinova launching in April 2004

[cybermidisquare]

I heard some rumours that new CVP clavi's will be launching sometime April 2004, just after they launch the new electones.
Have anyone heard of it?

[maxou6]

You were right,

The new CVP-300 series was just released today in MusikMesse in Frankfurt...

Follow the link for some details

http://messe.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_fair/uk/10_news/index.php?pkey_country=8&pkey=97

Great news is that now they have the Tyros sounds, and also the USB-to-device function, so you can add a flash memory or hard-disk for storage.

Maxime

[maxou6]

Follow the link for a German shop selling the CVP-309, and you will have the list of features...

http://www.musical-sounds.de/pianos/yamaha/cvp309pe.html

To summarize in english the most important ones seems

- New Graded Hammer keyboard ( is it really new ? better ?)

- Internet Direct Connection...you can donwload music-scores directly from Internet, like it is implemented in the new PSR keyboards

- USB-to-Device..that's the big one for me. Can connect a USB device (and not an host like before). And it supports storage class, so we can connect HDs, flash disks...

- Sounds - New sounds from Tyros and PSR-3000... The Tyros sounds are really good (have one home), so that's for sure an improvement

- iAFC, seems it is as technique using extra recording microphones to capture resonance sounds from Piano body , to add to realism..not sure about that one though..

Anyway...time to upgrade :D

Maxime

[Ronnie]

OOh, err! Should I be cancelling the order for a 208 due for delivery in a few days time?!

Having lived and used a CVP-10 for the past twelve years and only just sold it and been perfectly happy with it over the years, I guess I should answer my own question ie. that if that I am always concerned about having the current model, I would become paranoid.

From looking at the new features of the 300 series, the main practical one will be the facilty of downloading direct whereas with the 200 series it has to be done through a computer.

Any comments?

[cybermidisquare]

Thank you for the info on the new CVP 300 series.

[elcanal2000]

Hi All,
I've been at the music fair today and posted my observations at the psr-tutorial site.
Just in case some of you are interested.
BTW, availability not befor mid 2004.

[elcanal2000]

BTW this is what I wrot at the PSR site in case not all of you know the address.

"Hi All,

as promised, here are my impressions from this year's Frankfurt Music Fair.

1. PSR 1500/3000

I have been told that the instruments are as yet not production but pre-production for demonstration models. So, they say, small things might still change until availability. It had been sid that the instruments should be available around June this year.

Prices € 1,299.- (1500) € 1,849.- (3000)

Prices might be less in the US since they are "in a competitive situation and therefore have to adapt the prices to the American market".

It is said that the European/German model will have a disk drive which the US edition might not have ( so they said).

I have played them both and they are really something!!!!! 3000 has more styles, sounds, memory and a colour screen (1500 mono). They both have now Mega voices from the Tyros.

They have "internet connection". This should be seen a t this point with a little caveat. The internet connection is at present only to a Yamaha site where you can download MIDI-files (the demonstration sample was pretty good). The price per MIDI-file is to be 0.99 €cent. This MIDI file is "non-transferrable". When you download it , it is in the PSR, when you copy it to the USB-stick, it will be on the stick only and no longer in the keyboard.

Furtheron to the downloading of MIDI files from Yamaha it is envisaged, for a second or thirs step, to use this channel for software updates. And I might add, all the Yamaha software. Since the connection is a one-button affair, other connections besides Yamaha might not be possible. Wait and see.

Additionally, at least on the models I have seen, the internet connection had to be via DSL (ehternet). Normal modem was not possible and the connection went via the USB port. Since all these features were only installed by Yamaha engineers the day before the congress, this might change until production time.

The USB port is version 2.0 "to device". The advantage, at least to me, is that all USB storage devices should work. USB hard drives, USB disk drives, USB memory sticks etc. It was said that the port can handle USB hubs for connection of carious USB devices including card readers giving the advantage of using CF cards with their higher storage capacity and better prices.

The PSR 3000 (at least) has roughly 200 additional styles over the Tyros and they sound pretty impressive.

Yamaha will sell, as of June 2004 (planned here in Germany) a software package in which these additional styles will be made available to the Tyros owners. They even said that the registrations should now be interchangeable between PSR 1500/3000 - Tyros - CVP 30x since these instruments are all based on the same technique (Tyros - Mega voices). Let's wait and see.

I asked the to rate the PSR 1500 / 3000 in comparison to the 2100 and the Tyros. With the 2100 being 0 and the Tyros being 100 the PSR 3000 should be seen around 70.

2. Now to the Tyros.

No news (is good news). One source said that the Tyros II (?), definitivley not Pro (definitively no 76 keys), could be seen first at next year's music fairs. Others said, that it might be still a while until a Tyros sucessor comes to the market.

From what I have seen with the newer instruments (CVP and PSR) the next Tyros will have most likely a USB 2.0 to device port and some more styles and voices.

There will be no USB upgrade. Yamaha technical staff Japan says that re-writing the USB protocol in the Tyros is too complex and will not be done. So this means USB v 1.1 for the existing models.

Tyros admitted of having had serious USB port problems which they claim to have fixed by now. So the newer models being shipped at this moment should be o.k. For those of you having problems with their USB port, get in contact with your dealer to have it fixed.

As I said above, Tyros users will have the chance to purchase the new PSR 3000 / CVP 309 styles when they come out in June. This could be interpreted that the new Tyros II might not be in the too immediate future.

I recall that there was a discussion either here or in SVP Tyros world about Michael Voncken and his presentation of the Tyros on a German video. Michael demonstrated the PSR 3000 ther in Frankfurt and asked me to say hallo to all of you. He really plays fantastic.

3. CVP

At this year's fair Yamaha presented the new line of Clavinovas, the CVP 303/305/307. The CVP 309 is to come out in June. The price range is roughly € 3,500 (305), € 5,500 (307) and most likely € 8,500 (309). Sorry I didn't not the exact prices but this is about the range. The 309 will come out in June only.

From the technical point of view it is a Tyros / PSR 3000 in the Clavinova body as far as sounds (styles - voices), USB port and internet connection are concerned. This means that from now on, the Clavinova has a hard-drive (external USB) as well.

Clavinova has replaced the disk drive with a SD card slot.

I played the 305 and the 307. Both instruments sound beautifully. They don't have the wodden hammer action keys, but the same as they had since the 1xx models (graded hammer).

Speakers have now been placed differently (high frequency again on the front left and right of the "technical" panel, and additionally 2 speakers to the rear for a fuller sound. The wattage is still 2x60 watts. Can't say how that sounds since I had to use earphones.

As far as written material is concerned, none was available at the booth. I was referred to the internet where information should be available.

If I forgot something, blame it on my ageing brain.

On a final note, I played other instruments as well and in my opinion Yamaha still is top."

[maxou6]

Tks a lot for the accurate description...

I also found a picture in the German Yamaha forum of the CVP-307. I copied it here, hope that Thilo the author does not mind ;)

The thread is here for the ones who understand German...

http://www.yamaha-europe.com/UBB_threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=104351&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[simon hooper]

Hi - I am new to this forum and new to the world of digital pianos. I have though been doing a lot of research on what to buy. I was going to order a CVP-210 this week (having decided to go for this in preference to the Roland KR-7), but have just come across this thread. Would anyone recommend waiting until later in the year to see how the 300 series compare, or should I just go for the 210 now (before I spend the money elsewhere!).

I am not a very good piano player but I have great aspirations! Would the 210 be overkill for a novice. I currently have a CASIO CTK711 keyboard but I am bored with the limitations and I would like a digital piano with decent key action.

simon

[elcanal2000]

Simon,
in my opinion it really depends on what you want to do with your instrument.
From what I have seen and played in Frankfurt, the CVP 3xx is a major step ahead of the 2xx. You have the key-feeling, the looks and the sound of the Clavinovas, you have the technical advancement of the Tyros (and beyound), and you have now the "to device" connectivity of the new USB port aloowing you to connect, finally, an external HD so you don't have to be a DJ no longer.
The sound in the 3xx is in my opinion better than the 2xx (and closer to the 1xx (Ihave a 109 and wouldn't change it for any 2xx)).
If you "just wanted to play a very good electronic piano, the 210 is a beautiful instrument. If you can wait for a couple of more months, go for the CVP 309. I think it will be worth the wait. You will be at the forefront of technical development.
Anyhow that's my feeling. I am sure other memebers of this forum may think differently.

[elcanal2000]

Simon,
sorry that I didn't read your post correctly and did not answer your question completely.
When I bought my last Clavinova I bought a 109. I am by no means a good player (absolutely self taught). What I enjoyed was, and still is, to simply to look at the piano (so does my wife although she hates the dust collecting on the black finish). My piano will the most be used by me (I hope) 30-50% of it's capabilities. But that is not always the complete story. Listen to your inner voice. The brain will find excusions for what you bought. If you decided against your tummy (inner voice) he/it/she (simply for the insistence) will never give up. So go where your heart and desire leads you. I faired well.

[simon hooper]

Thank you Reinhard for taking the time to reply and thanks for the original post with info on the 300 series. I will probably go ahead with the 210 purchase next week but not 100% decided yet. :)

[elcanal2000]

Simon,
have fun with whatever instrument you will buy.

[oberwatz]

Here the technichal data from CVP 307, comin fresh from Yamaha!!!

Habe gerade die technischen Daten der neuen CVP Serie erhalten.
Ich sage nur: Wahnsinn!!!

Hier das wichtigste vom CVP 307:

128+128 Stimmen
451 Voices + 480 XG + 17 Drum/SX-Kits +GM2 +GS

davon: 10 Mega, 338 Regular, 38 Natural, 14 Sweet, 19 Cool und 22 Live - Voices, 10 Organ

Sound-Creator

8 Effekt-Blöcke + 1 Micro-Effekt

Master-Compressor!!!!!

Insgesamt 386 Styles, davon 316 ProStyles, 34 Session, 36 Pianist;
MegaVoice-Styles: ja

StyleCreator

120 Preset-Songs

Die üblichen Guide und Song- Funktionen

3,3MB Flash-Memory

Smart-Media Slot

USB to Device und to PC

iAFC (Super Soundsystem)
mit 2x60Watt Hauptsystem und 2x20 Watt System über eigenes Mikro und Verstärker zum Abbilden der 3D-Akkustik eines Flügels.
(Die beiden zusätzlichen Boxen strahlen nach hinten ab)


Der Oberwatz

[oberwatz]

PS: Habe schon ein CVP 309 in schwarz bestellt!

Freu....



Der Oberwatz

[dancaputi]

I would have thought a Japanese company would launch it's newest products in Japan. Was there a Japanese debut that we missed? If so, it would seem that the "world wide" web is not as wide as I thought.

[alexfarley]

Simon
The 300 series is likely to be expensive as it is so new! I just bought my CVP 210 for £3500, £1500 less than list price. You won't be able to do that for a while with the new series. The sound is amazing on the 210. Sure, it may be better with a 3 something, but a 210 will do you well. If you're just getting into using this kind of equipment the 210 will serve you well, it holds quite a lot in internal memory and then it's easy enough to archive off to a PC using the floppy drive or USB cable. It's your call, but I'm more than happy with my 210. Best wishes, whatever you get,
Alex:D

[Ronnie]

Simon

I agree with the other postings, I just took delivery of a 208 on Thursday, bought off the internet. It took an hour and a bit to assemble but no problems and it sounds absolutely fine. After a few days of playing, I can see that there is quite a learning curve before I become proficient but it's going to take me a while before I get tired of it if ever.

In purchasing the 208, I was attracted by the price as well as the spec and I should imagine the 300 series will be intitially much higher in price. As i mentioned in an earlier posting I feel at this stage if I become obsessed by having the latest model it will take some enjoyment out of it. Could I have waited another three months or so? Well, I had just sold my CVP-10 and there was no 'piano' in the house for ten days or so and I couldn't imagine waiting for three months - children's piano lessons, practice etc.

Currently, I am having to fight to get my own playing in since the children are really having fun, however, I have discovered that it's possible to 'lock' the instrument onto 'piano' temporarliy so that this can be done whilst practicing to avoid inevitable distractions!

[simon hooper]

Alex,

Where did you buy your 210 from? I can only find it for £3500 at Sounds Musical but am a bit concerned ordering from this web-site. I was thinking of buying from Chamberlainmusic.co.uk. What were your purchasing experiences?

Simon

Surrey, England

[alexfarley]

Simon

In the end I went with Peterborough Organ centre http://www.organfax.co.uk/dealers/peterboroughorgancentre.html but only because they gave me the best deal including the trade in of my Electone organ. They were great, but I doubt they will match the price of Chamberlain or Sounds musical, even though their whole service is second to none and they give good trade-in prices if you have anything to use in p/x. I was also a bit concerned by the sounds musical website when considering using them, but e-mailed them with a few queries and they were fairly quick to reply and fairly knowledgeable. I have not purchased anything as big or expensive from Chamberlain, but often use them for instrumental accessories, sheet music etc. at work (I'm the asistant director of music at a prep school) and they have always been fine. Hope it all goes well and enjoy it when it arrives

Alex

Sussex, England

[wally]

Guys, if you want to continue discussing prices and purchasing, please take it to the Clavinova Purchasing Discussions forum.

I reserve the right to delete any discussion threads that are not appropriate for any particular forum.

Thanks.

[Midi Magic]

Here, Here

Well said Wally

[dalgety]

I have anxiously been watching this forum for further word on planned availability of the CVP 300 series in North America. I have talked to the local dealers. They hadn't heard it was even coming. A certain dealer in Canada that has been extensively referred to on this site also had no news.

Before hearing of the pending arrival of the 300 series, we had pretty much settled on either a 208 or 210 (the difference being primarily a choice of furniture for us). But since I don't believe we'll be buying another for many years, I was waiting to see what the 300 series would be priced like.

Does anyone have any further information? Has anyone talked to Yamaha USA? Any of your local dealers know anything about it?

Thanks & Regards,

Ross Livingston
South Jordan, UT

[elcanal2000]

Ross,
you might want to wait with your decission until the CVP 3XX will be available around the same time as the PSR 3000. Disregard the cost question for this moment. IMHO the CVP3XX is a MAJOR upgrade to the 2XX line, mainly the ability to connect an external USB storage medium.
I suggest that you play both instruments.
Good luck.
BTW I read in another forum that the PSR3000 is to come out in 3-4 weeks. Let's keep the fingers crossed.

[dalgety]

Thanks Reinhard, I'm inclined to wait, but I'm getting pretty anxious. Can some of you longtime Yamaha observers render any opinions on when we might see these new models in North America? If news is likely forthcoming, I'll wait. If it is going to be 6+ months before anything is likely to be known, I'll probably not wait.

Thanks & Regards,

Ross

[Midi Magic]

Hi All

I have just seen, yesterday, a printed spec' for the 300 series CVPs.
From first glance, it would seem that the "Top of the range" 309s, have the same insides as the lower ones. The only difference I could see was the lower ones do not have wooden keys and a shiny case.

I have some prices for you but the guy was not too sure about them.

CVP309 High Gloss Black £6575
CVP309 High Gloss Mahogany £5575
CVP309 Mahogany £5275
CVP307 £4275
CVP305 £2950
CVP303 £2250
CVP301 £1850

All in GB pounds

[dalgety]

Yikes - I hope those are MSRP! At 1 GBP = 1.836945 USD:

6,575 £ $12,078 CVP309 High Gloss Black
5,575 £ $10,241 CVP309 High Gloss Mahogany
5,275 £ $9,690 CVP309 Mahogany
4,275 £ $7,853 CVP307
2,950 £ $5,419 CVP305
2,250 £ $4,133 CVP303
1,850 £ $3,398 CVP301

It would be interesting to compare some other known price(s) to see what might really be expected (to eliminate differences in shipping, duties, etc.). I'd ask you what a 208 or 210 goes for on your side of the pond, but the pricing is so ridiculous over here, that I'm not sure what I'd use for comparison purposes. The difference between MSRP, what they list on the showroom floor, what they say when you ask for their "best price" and what they'll actually agree to sell one for all all VERY different beasts, with the difference between the first & the last being immoral.

Besides, this isn't the Purchasing forum. Right Wally? ;-)

Has anyone heard from their North America-based dealer that the 3xx line is on the way?

-Ross

[cowpast]

If past history is any indication, you may be in for a long wait before the 300 series are available here in the U.S.
The 200 (even) series were announced early in 2003 but did not appear on the showroom floors here in SW Florida until about February of this year.
It was about the same interval for the previous (200 odd) series as I recall.
Phil

[greenhornet]

Bought a 208 three weeks ago and told my dealer here in utah what I had read in this forum about the new 3XX's. He said he hasn't recieved any advanced notice from Yamaha on new models. Basically the owner told me what has already been said here. He did say he would be unhappy if they came soon since he just bought a huge stocking order of 2XX's. I've found him to be trustworthy so far.

[BrianC]

Perhaps we'll see a North America announcement at Summer NAMM in late July.