Kurzweil SP7 Grand 88-Key Stage Piano

There were not many surprises at NAMM 2022 but one of the really interesting keyboards to be given a showing is the new Kurzweil SP7 Grand 88-Key Stage Piano.

The SP7 Grand is something of a departure for Kurzweil as it is not using their highly regarded V.A.S.T. system. Instead, we have the new A.T.S.T (Authentic Timbre Synthesis Technology) engine which is sure to appear in many future Kurzweil keyboards. Built around their custom semiconductor, A.T.S.T. features high fidelity audio, streamlined sound programming and boasts near-seamless velocity layer transitions.

Fueled by the German 9″ grand piano samples found in Kurzweil’s flagship K2700 workstation, the SP7 Grand A.T.S.T. engine provides significant advances in realism through the support of higher resolution audio, smooth velocity transitions, and a 2x oversampling filter. The SP7 offers Kurzweil’s TP100LRG key action, featuring the latest technology from Fatar, the world’s leading piano-keybed manufacturer. The action is ideally balanced for feel and playability, serving a variety of playing styles. Pairing these technologies with a colour touch display, 16-zone multi-controller mode, and more.

Bear in mind that the version of the keyboard that we have seen still has a few things to be added. The specifications below may change.

The Spec:

Keyboard: 88-note, fully-weighted hammer-action (Fatar TP100LRG)
Display: 1024 x 600 pixel, high resolution 7″ colour LCD touch screen
Polyphony: 256
Multitimbral: 16 parts (one per MIDI channel)
Architecture: A.T.S.T. – Authentic Timbre Synthesis Technology
Features fixed PCM subtractive with variable filter and 2x oversampling state variable 96 kHz filter
Factory Samples: 2 GB
Factory Programs: 307
Factory Multis: 512
User Multis: 128
Multi Zones: 16
General MIDI: GM2
Piano String Resonance: Yes
Piano Damper Resonance: Yes
Master EQ: 4-Band
Aux FX Busses: 2
Insert Effects: Reverb: 6 Algorithms
Modulation: BPM-Sync’d Delay, Chorus/Flanger, Rotary Speaker, Vibrato, Tremolo, Auto Wah-Wah
Dynamic: Compression, Noise Gate
Distortion: Dist/Ovd/Tube/Fuzz, Bit Crusher
EQ: 4-Band, Hi/Low Shelf, Peak/Notch, Hi/Low Pass
Vocal Pitch Correction: Yes / Automatic
Vocal Harmony Generation: 4-Part
Controllers: 1 Pitch/Mod Joystick
8 Knobs
8 Buttons
2 Transpose switches
2 Switch pedal inputs; supports a single half-damper pedal (1 switch/sustain pedal is included; half-damper pedals sold separately)
1 Continuous Control Pedal Input (pedal sold separately)
Arpeggiator: 8 – Hybrid-Arpeggiators
System Sample Rate: 48kHz (max 192 kHz)
System Bit Rate: 48 bit (fixed point)
Analog Inputs: 2 XLR-1/4″ balanced combi
Analog Outputs: 2 1/4″ Main 2 1/4″ Monitor
Headphone: 1 back panel 1/4″ headphone output
MIDI: In, Out
USB MIDI: 1 Type B port
USB Audio Interface: 2-In/2-Out; 24-bit/48kHz
Software Editor: External Macro Synthesis Editor (coming soon)
OS Updates: via USB (Engine firmware), via SD card (GUI firmware)
Included Accessories: Power cable, Switch pedal, USB cable, 1/4″ TRS cable
Height: 4.7″ (12 cm)
Depth: 14.6″ (37 cm)
Length: 52″ (132 cm)
Weight: 36 lb (16.3 kg)
Power: External 15VDC 2.5A Power Supply

Features:

Detail orientated

The SP7 Grand pianos are enhanced by the use of both string and pedal resonance modelling, envelope/velocity controlled key-off samples as well as half-damper* pedalling, together delivering a heightened piano performance experience

A multitude of effects

21 effect algorithms are available to enhance the SP7 Grand’s rich sound, including reverb, BPM-synced delay, chorus, flange, compression, various distortion types, rotary speaker, tremolo, wah-wah and eq.

16-zone multi-controller mode

The SP7 Grand offers 16 performance zones for creating your own sonic split/layer combinations along with a host of customizable controllers.

Hybrid arpeggiators

The SP7 Grand Hybrid-Arpeggiator combines both a step-sequencer and note-arpeggiator. This original twist on the classic arpeggiator design is capable of generating endless possible musical phrases.

Stay in tune and harmonize

Auto-stabilize the pitch of the mic input as well as adjust the signal’s vibrato and legato qualities. Further, process your vocals and automatically generate up to 4-part harmonies in real-time as well as generate vocoder-like effects.

Colour touch display

Navigate the SP7 Grand via its elegant 1024 x 600 pixel, high resolution, 7″ colour LCD touch screen.

USB audio interface

The 2-in-2 out 24 bit/48 kHz audio interface easily connects to your Mac/PC via USB. Mix with the various effects on the SP7 Grand to create new sounds. Loopback functionality further expands the production capabilities.

Take control

Express yourself and enhance your performances using the SP7 Grand’s pitch/mod joystick, 8 knobs, 8 buttons, 2 switch pedal inputs and continuous control pedal input.