Yamaha CK88 & CK61

Yamaha introduces the new CK series comprised of the two models CK88 and CK61. Building on the success of the stage keyboards from the CP and YC series, the CK instruments feature a wide variety of sounds, intuitive controls, comprehensive sound design capabilities and highly portable formats.

The new Yamaha CK88 and CK61 are made to be everything and everywhere: combining sound characteristics of the CP and YC instruments, the CK series specialises in making those sounds available wherever musicians need them. While traditional use on a stage or in a studio is certainly a possibility, CK88 and CK61 can operate beyond the usual confines of keyboards. The new models can be powered with batteries, allowing them to be taken outside, to the park, to a camping trip, to a bonfire – if a musician can go there, chances are they can play the CK series instruments there as well. With a line/microphone input and integrated loudspeakers, the CK models are even independent of external amps and speakers.

Complementing the popular CP and YC series instruments, the new Yamaha CK88 and CK61 utilize the wealth of high-quality sounds from the Yamaha Stage Keyboard ranges to make their diverse sound sets even more widely available. Pianos, electric pianos, strings, brass, organs and modern synths – the CK series has it all. What is more, CK88 and CK61 can layer and split these sounds in a variety of ways through its threefold architecture: three parts can load sounds independently of each other. Those parts can then be spread across the keyboard, split into up to three zones or layered with each other to generate vivid, organic and expressive sounds. Each part can individually be edited and processed with the integrated effects, and the mixed sound goes through an additional master effects section for the final touches. From resonant filters and envelopes to various drive and modulation effects to delay, reverb and a master equalizer, the CK series offers every option to finetune sounds.

One aspect that has been praised about all Yamaha stage keyboards is the intuitive controls. CK88 and CK61 continue this tradition, putting all important parameters at the players’ fingertips. The architecture of three parts makes it possible to easily and quickly switch between sounds and combine them during a performance, adding life to a show. Clever and customisable colour coding of the various switches keeps everything clear, signifying which parameter is active for which part. Dedicated drawbar controls allow for on-the-fly adjustments to the organ footage, granting more natural expression and a truly “organic” feel. The effect section enables quick setting of parameters, making the effects an integral part of the performative sound design.

The Yamaha CK series comes in two different sizes. The CK88 features 88 GHS keys, accommodating more piano-oriented players when no grand piano is available. The CK61, on the other hand, employs lightweight FSB keys for keyboard players looking for a versatile wealth of sounds in a compact, mobile instrument. Both CK88 and CK61 are designed to be brought anywhere: the CK61 weighs in at 5.6 kg, the CK88 with its weighted GHS keys is just over 13 kg. For increased comfort when carrying the instruments around, soft cases are available for both models.

The Yamaha CK88 and CK61 are available immediately. The prices are:

• CK88: 1,666.00 EUR
• CK61: 1,071.00 EUR

www.yamaha.com