The time for speculation is over as the rumored SV-1 is now among the latest official releases by Korg for the year. As expected from reading those Japanese websites translated into "Googlish" (my vote for new word of the year), the Korg SV-1 Stage Piano will indeed feature a range of sounds from vintage keyboards up to world-class sounding grand piano emulations. The trademark Korg craftsmanship is evident in its retro styling and inclusion of Korg’s RH3 Real Graded Hammer Action.

The SV-1 Stage Piano is designed to appeal to all sorts of keyboard musicians from the piano purist to the cutting edge electronic keyboardist. The retro-flavored design (Saarinen Tulip Chair, anyone?) is not just about looks; it even recreates the feel and satisfaction that only a vintage instrument can offer. Say goodbye to parameter menus and LCD touch screen displays that you find in keyboards such as the Triton and OASYS -- the front panel features knobs pertaining to various functions with only LED indicators to cue the performer with regard to the keyboard’s settings. There are eight “favorites” buttons that allow you to save and have instant access to your preferred settings.

Talking about sounds, Korg boasts of their RX (Real eXperience) Technology to make each of the 36 sounds a detailed and authentic re-creation of the original. With this technology, each sound is able to emulate the full response and dynamics of the original instruments such as tine snaps, hammer noises, contact clicks, and others. Along with re-creation of effects pedals and studio processing that marked the character of the originals, the SV-1 also has Valve Reactor circuit, true analog circuitry driven by a 12AX7 tube, for real tube-driven amplifier modeling. Each of the tone modification options have their own on/off switch for intuitive, modular utilization.

The SV-1's rear panel connections

While retro technology was being re-created, Korg never forgot that the SV-1 requires modern connectivity and control options. Besides standard MIDI In and Out ports, the SV-1 has a USB MIDI connection and free editing software for more extensive programming of sounds. Balanced XLR and 1/4” inputs eliminate the need for DI boxes along with convenient audio inputs and a front-mounted headphone jack. Included in the package is a half-damping sustain pedal for greater pianistic expression, and two aux pedal inputs can accommodate either an additional switch and an additional sweep pedal (for wah and rotary speaker emulation speed control) or two more switch pedals for soft/una corda and sostenuto.

SOUNDS:

• Bank 1 - Electric Piano 1: Tine Electric Piano (x4); VPM Piano (X2)
• Bank 2 - Electric Piano 2: Reed Electric Piano (x2);Electro-Acoustic Grand; Korg SG-1D; 1980's Synth Piano; MIDI Grand
• Bank 3 - Clav: Clav (x4); Plucked Reed Piano-ette; Transistor Piano
• Bank 4 - Piano: Bright Japanese Grand; Smooth European Grand; Mono Grand; Upright Piano; Piano + Strings; Piano + Pad
• Bank 5 - Organ: Tonewheel (x3); USA Tube Console; Italian Combo; VOX Combo
• Bank 6 - Other: Real Strings; Tape Strings; String Machine; Real Choir; Synth Brass; Sharp Brass

EFFECTS:

• Equalizer: Bass, Mid, Treble
• Pre FX: Compression; Boost; U-Vibe; Chorus/Vibrato; Tremolo; Wah (Pedal or Auto)
• Amp Model: Clean; California; Tweed; AC30; Mod'ed OverDrive; Organ Hi-Gain OverDrive
• Modulation FX: Chorus 1; Chorus 2; Phaser 1; Phaser 2; Flanger; Rotary (Fast/Slow switch)
• Reverb/Delay: Room; Plate; Hall; Spring; Tape Echo; Stereo Delay (Tap-Tempo)

The Korg SV-1, given the description above, can easily qualify as my dream stage piano, which is slated to become available by early November 2009. The 73-key SV-173 will cost 2,700.00 USD (MSRP), and the 88-key SV-188 will be priced at 3,000.00 USD (MSRP).

See and hear the Korg SV-1 in action in this Korg-produced promo video: