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KORG C520DR Details
THE MODERN ART OF MAKING MUSIC®
The all new C-520 concert piano combines advances in sound, touch and design into a feast for all the senses.
The Piano eXperience
While existing piano sampling techniques have resembled an audio snapshot, our new “Piano eXperience” technology is more of a hologram, accurately reproducing every dimensional detail of the sound. All piano sampling for the C-520 is done in stereo to preserve the natural imaging of the sound. Different dynamic levels are captured to extend the instrument's expressive vocabulary.
Going even further, the C-520 uses the sound of the key being released and the hammer returning, as well as the sympathetic damper resonance of the strings to create all of the subtle shadings that create a superior instrument sound. This attention to detail defines the sound of the new C-520, providing an instrument that can interpret every nuance of touch into a meaningful musical gesture.
Piano is just the beginning
While great care has gone into creating such a satisfying piano experience, piano is just the beginning. Harpsichord and clavinets, organs, electric pianos and dozens of other sounds are also available. Forty sounds are arranged into four banks of ten for easy access on the C-520.
Two sounds can be used together for a layered performance and the C-520 also has a split function for playing sounds in separate areas of the keyboard. To further enhance the sound, you can add adjustable levels of reverb and chorus. In addition, the C-520 has a per-sound “Insert Effect,” including Rotary Speaker, Tremolo, Delay, Phaser, and Equalizer, which can greatly add to the character of each sound, even when layering and splitting. The Performance function allows you to easily save and recall up to 30 of these sound combinations, including levels, effects, split point, and more.
Responsive piano action
The C-520 features Korg's newest ultra-responsive RH3 graded hammer action; weighted and balanced like a true grand piano, the keys are progressively lighter toward the upper end of the keyboard. In addition, the response of the keyboard can be adjusted to suit the player's taste thanks to eight velocity curves, plus a “fixed” level setting for authentic harpsichord and organ performances. The C-520 has three pedals – including half-pedaling response for the damper and soft pedals – for an even more authentic performance. A convenient folding music rest is provided.
Easy on the eyes and ears
A pleasure to play, a pleasure to hear, the C-520 reflects improvements in cabinetry and design that makes it a pleasure to look at as well. The C-520 features a sliding cover to protect the keyboard when not in use. The cabinetry is characterized by graceful curves and accents, adding a refined look. The dark rosewood finish is designed to blend with any décor. The front panel controls are understated and uncluttered, and LED indicators provide visual feedback of the current settings.
Concealed in this artistic presentation is a powerful internal sound system. The C-520 is housed in an internal bass reflex chamber for additional “punch,” with a pair of tweeters for increased clarity, all powered by 35 Watt amplifiers.
Essential extras
The C-520 piano can be transposed into any musical key, and 10 temperaments are provided. The metronome is adjustable and provides a reliable aid for rhythmic practicing: you can select a traditional click or even a drum pattern to play with. MIDI In and Out ports are available for interfacing with a computer or other MIDI-equipped musical products. Audio outputs allow the pianos to be connected to a sound system or recording device – perfect for schools and worship services. Two headphone outputs are provided for silent practice or teacher and student privacy.
A two-part recorder lets the musician accompany himself, or record a complete piano performance. Using the demo songs, the Piano Lesson feature allows you to isolate either hand, so that each part can be learned independently. The C-520 is also equipped with audio inputs – so you can play along with CDs or add a MIDI sound module – and a USB computer interface both for MIDI connection and data exchange. To keep track of all these features, the C-520 features a 16-character backlit LCD display.
How To Choose a Digital Piano / Useful Information
Click a question to see the answer.
Why a Digital piano vs. an acoustic piano?
Digital pianos are never out of tune.
Electric pianos use headphones so you won’t bother anyone when playing or practicing.
Piano keyboards won’t break your back moving them and they take up less space in your home.
Most Electronic Pianos include songs like a player piano and a sequencer to record your performances.
Digital pianos include many other instrument sounds besides pianos .
Electronic Piano Keyboards have become extremely realistic in sound quality in recent years.
Whats the difference between a stage piano and a home piano?
The stage piano is built to better withstand
the rigors of the road but not necessarily to look good in a living room
What affects the price you will pay and what should you look for?
The level of realism of the piano sound
The number of simultaneous notes the digital piano will play (polyphony)
The quality of the cabinetry- is it simple and portable or a finished living room look
The ‘feel’ of the keyboard’s keys- almost all digital pianos have 88 keys with graded hammer
action like a real piano but they are made differently to simulate the true wood hammers of an acoustic piano.
The feel can be lighter or heavier from model to model and from brand to brand. It is mostly a
subjective issue which is better but more expensive models will have a better feel.
What should I get for my child who is just starting to play piano? Do I need to spend a lot?
The Casio PX/CDP series starts at $499 and the Yamaha P70 starts at $599.
We recommend either highly for a beginning student.
How good do these digital pianos sound?
Please notice that almost every piano on our site has a sound file you can play on your computer
to hear for yourself
Why would I want to spend $2200 on a digital piano?
The realism of the piano sound as it recorded (sampled) more per each key at different velocities making it sound
noticeably better. The feel or action of the keys will be better as well as it should have a lot more additional sounds
and features.
What about speakers?
All home pianos and a few stage electric pianos have built-in speakers loud enough for home listening and
headphone jacks if you prefer not to be heard. Keyboard amplifiers (powered studio monitors are best if for home
use only) are on the site if you like a model without speakers, play with other louder instruments, choirs,.. or some
less expensive digital pianos may not have the best frequency response you desire without more amplification.
What about pedals? Do I need 1 or 2 or 3?
For most of us, a sustain pedal is the most we will use. Piano teachers and those who are classically trained will prefer
3 pedals for soft/half pedaling (play one of 3 strings only for each note) and sostenuto (select only certain notes to sustain).
What other features do digital pianos have to consider?
Sequencer- a recorder to record midi notes which can have one or more tracks of instruments playing back at the same time.
The number of track scan be 1 or 2 with most digital pianos and up to 16 and 32 with other keyboards.
Auto accompaniment- drum patterns to pay along with, possibly a bass line based on what notes you left hand is
playing and more in many different song genres/styles
Metronome- a repeating click for staying in time or rhythm
Music rest- for holding sheet music, sheet music stands are available if a model does not have one
Non-piano sounds like electric pianos, bass, strings,..- can also often can be layered with the piano sound
Songs to practice with, library of songs to be played back (guest pianist in your home)
Sliding key cover- good for protecting keys and reducing dust
What accessories should I consider?
Stand- come in many shapes and styles- X style, Z style,…manufacturer end legs (most sturdy).
Bench- consider a more sturdy 4 leg bench if you do not need portability, X style if you do, wider the better.
Headphones- full size will be more comfortable and quieter.
Pedals- most come with a sustain pedal, some have jacks to connect more pedals for sostenuto and half pedaling.
Bag or case- for portable models, we recommend the manufacturer bags and cases first, then Gator Cases.
Midi interface- as most computers now have a USB port, look for a midi to USB interface if the piano does not have
a USB port already, like the UX16.
Dust cover.
Portable/arranger and Pro keyboards- how are these different?
Pro keyboards can have 88 key hammer action and excellent piano sound but have a multitude of other features
you may not need including audio recording, editing the sound to the most elemental part of the sound, a
16+ track sequencer with detailed editing, will run 4 to 18 simultaneous effects like reverb, …..
Portable/arranger type keyboards are more for fast songwriting, for backing tracks when you play or
for one person band with drum patterns, bass, and other sounds with the accompaniment having different
song style genres (blues, swing, rock,..) with different patterns for the verse, chorus,.. of the song.
Glossary
What is MIDI?
an
interface to connect a keyboard to the computer like USB port for printers. It
sends note and other data from the keyboard to the computer or vice versa.
Basically says play this note at this time at this volume level- it is not an
actual audio recording. It also makes it possible for one keyboard to play
another keyboard.
What is polyphony?
the number of
simultaneous notes that can be played, though if it’s a stereo sample/recording
each note can use 2 notes at once. Its important for anyone who plays a lot of
notes at the same time and holds down the sustain pedal. The earliest notes
played will cut out when the limit is exceeded. This can happen with pianos
with 32 note polyphony especially.
What are those pedals for?
a sustain pedal
to hold all notes played as lomg as the pedal is held down. The soft/half
pedaling pedal plays one of 3 strings only for each note (softer sound) and
sostenuto (select only certain notes to sustain).
What is a sequencer?
a
recorder with 1 to 16 tracks usually so that multiple instruments can be played
back for fully orchestrated songs and can have elaborate editing capability.
Typically digital pianos have only 1 or 2 tracks for playing back a piano
performance and archiving another. These can be downloaded to the computer with
a midi interface
What is sampling/samples?
a short audio
recording of a note. For more realistic sound, digital pianos can be recorded
at different velocities so that when you strike a note harder, the timbre
changes for better realism
What are effects?
to modify and
enhance the sounds in the keyboard including non- piano sounds. e.g. - reverb
will put the piano in a small room or up to a large concert hall.
Don't see the answer to your question?
Call us toll-free at 1 877 778 7845 and speak to our
piano experts
11-7830 Byron Drive
West Palm Beach
Florida 33404
USA
Telephone:1-877-778-7845 Toll Free
or 561-842-7451 Fax: 561-840-9032E-mail Us! Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am -7 pm EST, Sat 10 am -5 pm EST
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