Korg Grandstage: Powerful stage piano (88 key & 73 key)

Korg Grandstage is a powerful stage piano, available in 88-keys and 73 keys. It has got a fantastic fantastic selection of sound engines that produces some of the most realistic sounds — beautiful acoustic pianos, EPs, organs and more. Nice mix of excellent acoustic pianos and electronic sounds, and you get fully weighted keys. A true stage piano for the pros; use it onstage or in the studio.

Korg Grandstage Review

Sound Engine

• SGX-2 acoustic piano engine: Access to six German and Japanese grand pianos capture in Berlin, Heidelberg, Austria, Japan and Italy. It simulates theri damper resonance to mechanical noise as well.
• EP-1 electric piano engine lets you fully customize the six included EPs. The electronic pianos cover all the usual suspects.
• Three organ sound engines – CX-3 tonewheel engine, VOX organ engine (vintage), Compact transistor organ sound engine
• AL-1 analog modeling sound engine lets you use beautiful reed and brass sounds
• HD-1 PCM sound engine includes a variety of sounds such as classic keyboard instruments, clavinet, harpsichord, pipe organ, and more (sorted for all things General MIDI).

Even though the focus is more on piano sounds, you actually get an impressive range of diverse sounds.

Keyboard Action
Keyboard: “Real Weighted Hammer Action 3” (RH3) key-bed, velocity sensitive, aftertouch not supported.

Premium hammer action keyboard responds to every playing nuance and gives a concert grand feel: heavier in the lower registers and lighter in the upper registers.

Unique Shape
The Grandstage seems to have square shape design (some may find it unattractive), which is actually quite in contrast to the Korg SV-1, which was quite beautiful.

Sturdy Keyboard Stand
You get a sturdy, adjustable stand along with the stage piano that lets you keep the piano off the floor (the whole thing is quite heavy).

Easy to Use
The front panel provides easy access to the effects engine. Dynamics and EQ are also available right there on the dash.

Splits and layers are easily accessible using the “Keyboards” and “Ensemble” knobs.

Panel-Lock
“Panel Lock” button prevents you from accidentally changing anythings. Some musicians hate it at times though as they can’t figure out why the keyboard controls are not working.

Smooth Sound Transistions (SST)
One nice feature is the Korg’s Smooth Sound Transistions (SST). There’s no pause or jolt between selecting sounds as the sustain and effects ensures the switch is done smoothly.

88-Keys and 73-Keys
Korg Grandstage is available in 73 note and 88 note versions, and comes with the scaffolding required to hold it up as well as the DS1h damper pedal.

Demo / Video Review

More Features & Specs

• RH3 (Real Weighted Hammer Action 3), velocity sensitive, aftertouch not supported
• 500 tones, including tonewheel organs, vintage analog synths, strings, acoustic & electric pianos, and more. Useful for any live gig or studio session.
• Realtime Controller Pitch bend wheel, Modulation wheel, SW1 button, SW2 button
• Pedal has has half-damper capability
• Audio Output (Left/Right): XLR Connector: XLR-3-32 type (balanced)
  Audio Output (L/Mono, R): phone Connector: 6.3 mm TS phone jacks (unbalanced)
  Headphones Connector: 6.3 mm stereo phone jack
  MIIDI IN, OUT
  USB (TYPE A) for connecting USB storage media
  USB (TYPE B) for USB-MIDI Interface
• Weight 88-key: 20.0 kg / 44.09 lbs (excluding music stand)
  73-key: 17.0 kg / 37.48 lbs (excluding music stand)
• More on Korg Website.

Included Items AC cord, Music stand, Damper pedal (DS-1H).

Useful Accessories: Expression/Volume Pedal (XVP-20 , XVP-10), Foot Controller EXP-2 Pedal, Switch (PS-3, PS-1).

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Easy to use, great live control features, excellent piano sounds, EPs are all tweakable.
• Cons: Its heavy (close to 44lbs), Boot time is longer

Buying Links

• Korg Grandstage 88: Buy on zZounds | Buy on Musiciansfriend
• Korg Grandstage 73: Buy on zZounds | Buy on Musiciansfriend

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KeytarHQ Editorial Team

KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.