Yamaha has introduced a collection of Yamaha Key designs for Milano Salone 2008, an international furniture design trade show and competition, based on the theme “key for you”.
According to the company, the designs use a Minimal Element/Maximum Effect concept.

Let me know what you think of these design concepts in the comments.

Winter NAMM Show Update: Korg introduced special edition versions of its X50 and microKORG synths.
The body of the Limited Edition X50 (X50-CF) is covered in a camouflage finish, and the Limited Edition microKORG (microKORG-BK) features vintage-style, reverse-color keys (the black and white colors are reversed). Both keyboards provide the same functions and features as their [...]

From now until July 31, 2007, Korg USA is offering a $100 rebate on 61, 76 or 88-key TR Music Workstation purchased from authorized Korg dealers in the U.S.A.
Promotion details and downloadable rebate coupon can be found at www.korg.com/promo.
The Korg TR Music Workstation offers new samples and sounds, a sequencer, USB computer connectivity, an SD [...]

NAMM Update: Ultimate Sound Bank announces the availability of its latest UVI Soundcard (Vol. 5) Retro Keyboards, a comprehensive collection of studio-quality samples from the most essential keyboard instruments of the ’60s and ’70s. The new Retro Keyboards collection can be used as an expander for PLUGSOUNDPRO, or as stand alone instruments or plug-ins in [...]

 

 Retro Keyboards: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Hyundai has appointed artificial intelligence guru Ray Kurzweil as Chief Strategy Officer of Kurzweil Music Systems. Kurzweil Music Systems helped pioneer sample-based keyboard technology, but has struggled to keep up with larger keyboard manufacturers in recent years.
Hyundai, one of the world’s largest corporations, plans to work with Ray Kurzweil to “build Kurzweil Music Systems into [...]

Korg has announced the Pa800, a new Arranger keyboard based on an entirely new engine offering sophisticated sound and effects engines, TC-Helicon based vocal effects, real-time performance features and stereo two-way speaker system in a sleek, professional package.
The Pa800 features 61 keys with velocity and aftertouch plus Korg’s RX (Real eXperience) Technology for a natural [...]

Squeezytunes is an interesting new blog that covers electromechanical and mechanical keyboard instruments (ie. not modern synthesisers), including all types of organs, squeezeboxes, pianos, even Ondiolines (see photo, right).
No synth coverage, but interesting pre-synth stuff and oddball weirdness, too.

Korg has announced the addition of an 88-key model with authentic weighted action to its TR line of keyboards (shown, TR61).

The TR features Korg’s HI (Hyper Integrated) synthesis technology — the synthesis system that has made the acclaimed TRITON family a worldwide standard. With 64 MB of PCM ROM containing 470 multisamples and 518 drum [...]

NAMM 2006 Winter Show Update: M-Audio announced shipment of the ProKeys 88sx digital stage piano. This new keyboard offers many of the features of the popular ProKeys 88 in an lightweight package.
“Many players need an ultra-lightweight stage piano without sacrificing great sound quality,” said M-Audio’s Adam Castillo. “The finely-tuned multi-velocity layered samples on the ProKeys [...]

Kid Nepro has announced their latest sound library, Volume #5 Killer Keyboards - 100 New Programs for the Korg M & T Series.
Continuing their support for vintage synths, The Patch King has released a new collection of keyboard sounds compatible with Korg’s old “M” and “T” Series. The new soundbank is compatible with the Korg [...]

Korg has released Latin & Latin Dance, the latest expansion option for the Professional Arranger series keyboards.
This new collection is available as an expansion board (PaX-EXB02) for the Korg Pa1X and Pa1XPro (v.2.0 or higher), and as an expansion card (RMC-PCM03) for the Pa80 (v.3.06 or higher). “Groove Sampling” captures live performers playing real instruments [...]

Clavia has announced two updates to the Nord Modular. In July, it will release version 1.20 of the Nord Modular G2 software. It also will be releaseing the G2x, a 5-octave version of the Modular G2 keyboard.
New G2 OS v1.20

Supports Mac OSX
New graphics
Supports the new 5-octave model G2X
Some new modules have been added:

Metallic Noise Oscillator [...]

If a synth fan is taking a trip to Orlando, chances are they are not going to Disneyworld. Nearby Winter Park, Florida is the home of the Keyboard Museum, home of over 1,300 vintage keyboards and synthesizers!
The Audio Playground Keyboard Museum came to life in June of 1992, and since then it has amassed a [...]

Elektron is known for making one-of-a-kind, drool-worthy instruments. Their Machinedrum drum machine takes some of the best drum sounds available and packages them in a big, knob-filled case, giving it an immediacy that makes it perfect for capturing live performance tweaks. The SidStation turns the soundchip that was originally used in the Commodore 64 computer [...]

Korg has been one of the leaders in electronic music equipment for 30 years. Early products, like the MS series, are analog classics, while their Triton Keyboards are some of the most advanced digital keyboard workstations ever created. Korg is one of the few companies that has consistently made drool-worthy synthesizers for thirty years.
The Korg [...]