Studiologic by Fatar SL880PRO 88-Key Full-Size MIDI Controller
No longer available at zZounds
![Studiologic by Fatar SL880PRO 88-Key Full-Size MIDI Controller, Main](https://cf1.zzounds.com/media/productmedia/fit,2018by3200/quality,85/SL880PRO-2ba90388612b0d99ad6531235a35841f.jpg)
Weighted hammer action keys. Velocity sensitive with aftertouch. Pitchbend and modulation wheel.
Overview
The SL880 is an 88-note, full size keyboard with the authentic, "real piano" feel and look of velocity-sensitive Grand Hammer Action keys and after touch. You'll find that you can put huge power into chord stabs and loud passages while the natural inertia of the hammer mechanism provides exactly the right kind of dynamic counterbalance that lets you massage real piano keys for expressive pianissimo. Equally important is the tiny bounce that a hammer gives to the key as it comes to rest. It's this bounce that lets you play those two handed paradiddles, and gives you the accurate, expressive control you're looking for over all your playing, whether it's piano, string, horn or percussion parts. Two wheels provide pitch bend and modulations control. Controls include MIDI channel selection, bank selection, program change, transpose and more. Features include four zones for splits and programmable layers. The rear panel includes two MIDI outputs, a sustain pedal jack and a volume pedal jack. Includes power supply.
Authentic Piano Feel - and Look
As a result of many years of Research and Development, FATAR, srl, (one of the world's largest and longest established keyboard companies and the only dedicated manufacturer of master keyboards) offers a "real piano" feel in their latest keyboard action design. Even the littlest details haven't gone unnoticed. By applying just the right coloration to the key material Fatar has produced a keyboard that not only feels like a piano but looks… read more like one also.
Stab, Massage and Bounce
The secret lies in the patented hammer mechanism. Most "Piano Action" instruments rely on weighted keys with a sluggish action and little in the way of dynamic range. Fatar's hammer, on the other hand, is thrown up and forward on its' pivot as the key is depressed, mimicking exactly the mechanism of a traditional acoustic piano. The combination of more mass moving through a greater arc means greater acceleration of the key and a remarkably increased dynamic range.
And now, Fatar has added an even more piano-like feel by developing the "Contoured Strike Force" keybed. CSF applies slightly more force to notes played in the bass register while reducing, slightly, the force applied in the treble region - thus more closely reproducing the physics of a "regulated" acoustic piano.
You'll find that you can put huge power into chord stabs and loud passages while the natural inertia of the hammer mechanism provides exactly the right kind of dynamic counterbalance that lets you massage real piano keys for expressive pianissimo. Equally important is the tiny bounce that a hammer gives to the key as it comes to rest. It's this bounce that lets you play those two handed paradiddles, and gives you the accurate, expressive control you're looking for over all your playing, whether it's piano, string, horn or percussion parts.
Harsh Realities - Eased
Separating the keyboard from the synthesizer has been the logical path since the advent of MIDI, but up until now, the cost has been prohibitive. Now, Fatar's amazing value for the money means you can have the great piano feel and comprehensive features of Studio Logic Master Controller Keyboards along with your favorite MIDI sound modules at a price that won't break the bank.
Features:
88-note -- weighted hammer action keys
Velocity sensitive with aftertouch
Pitch bend wheel and modulation wheel
Top panel includes the following items:
4 buttons for the enabling and disabling of the 4 keyboard zones
Enter/Edit button
2 scroll buttons (Up/Down) for Edit parameters
10 LEDs indicating the active parameter
4 LEDs indicating which zone button is active (On/Off)
4 zones for splits and programmable layers
Numerical keypad corresponding to the keys of the central octave
Memory for the storage of last used zone parameters
8 zone specific velocity curves
8 global velocity curves read less
Authentic Piano Feel - and Look
As a result of many years of Research and Development, FATAR, srl, (one of the world's largest and longest established keyboard companies and the only dedicated manufacturer of master keyboards) offers a "real piano" feel in their latest keyboard action design. Even the littlest details haven't gone unnoticed. By applying just the right coloration to the key material Fatar has produced a keyboard that not only feels like a piano but looks… read more like one also.
Stab, Massage and Bounce
The secret lies in the patented hammer mechanism. Most "Piano Action" instruments rely on weighted keys with a sluggish action and little in the way of dynamic range. Fatar's hammer, on the other hand, is thrown up and forward on its' pivot as the key is depressed, mimicking exactly the mechanism of a traditional acoustic piano. The combination of more mass moving through a greater arc means greater acceleration of the key and a remarkably increased dynamic range.
And now, Fatar has added an even more piano-like feel by developing the "Contoured Strike Force" keybed. CSF applies slightly more force to notes played in the bass register while reducing, slightly, the force applied in the treble region - thus more closely reproducing the physics of a "regulated" acoustic piano.
You'll find that you can put huge power into chord stabs and loud passages while the natural inertia of the hammer mechanism provides exactly the right kind of dynamic counterbalance that lets you massage real piano keys for expressive pianissimo. Equally important is the tiny bounce that a hammer gives to the key as it comes to rest. It's this bounce that lets you play those two handed paradiddles, and gives you the accurate, expressive control you're looking for over all your playing, whether it's piano, string, horn or percussion parts.
Harsh Realities - Eased
Separating the keyboard from the synthesizer has been the logical path since the advent of MIDI, but up until now, the cost has been prohibitive. Now, Fatar's amazing value for the money means you can have the great piano feel and comprehensive features of Studio Logic Master Controller Keyboards along with your favorite MIDI sound modules at a price that won't break the bank.
Features:
88-note -- weighted hammer action keys
Velocity sensitive with aftertouch
Pitch bend wheel and modulation wheel
Top panel includes the following items:
4 buttons for the enabling and disabling of the 4 keyboard zones
Enter/Edit button
2 scroll buttons (Up/Down) for Edit parameters
10 LEDs indicating the active parameter
4 LEDs indicating which zone button is active (On/Off)
4 zones for splits and programmable layers
Numerical keypad corresponding to the keys of the central octave
Memory for the storage of last used zone parameters
8 zone specific velocity curves
8 global velocity curves read less
Specs
Rear Panel:
2 Parallel MIDI outputs
Sustain input jack
Volume input jack
DC input jack
Power switch and LED
Size: 52.3 x 13.7 x 4.75 in.
Weight: 44 lbs.
2 Parallel MIDI outputs
Sustain input jack
Volume input jack
DC input jack
Power switch and LED
Size: 52.3 x 13.7 x 4.75 in.
Weight: 44 lbs.
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
(66 ratings)
Submitted February 15, 2006 by a customer from rochester.rr.com
"Overall an O.K. Product."
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
It seems to do what it's supposed to. But if I wanted to get another one I would search around for a different one to supplement, due to it's interface, and the general distrust I have of the product because of my first experience with one. I would probably by the Alesis QS8.2 Synth workstation to replace it. Or the M-Audio Keystation Pro 88. But I would never buy anything short of 88 keys unless it was for some strange reason required.
Sound
It's an MIDI controller the sound is only as good as what you plug it into.
Features
It has two MIDI out ports and has pitch bend and modulation wheels... It didn't include much, but the manual does have a list of the MIDI instruments and their standard numbers that I find useful. The keys feel pretty solid however. Nice feel to them.
Quality
I'm giving it a six. The first one I bought quit after a few days, but my second one seems to be working very well. Though I find myself being extra careful with it. (Ie. Making absolutely sure I do not try to turn it on when the power plug is not in it.) Other then my paranoia from my experience with my first one it seems rather solidly built. There is one issue that I'm not sure if it's the controller or my software. I think it's my software, and that is that GarageBand ('05) won't layer two different instruments at the same time.
Value
Is a good value. But… read more the Alesis QS8.2 Synth workstation looks like it has most of the same features plus a built in sound library and better interface for 2x the price of this one. But considering it's rather basic interface I can't quite say this MIDI controller is a great value.
Manufacturer Support
I've never need to use support directly.
The Wow Factor
It's a practical addition to my setup. But the keys do look rather nice. They look more like piano keys then the little slabs of plastic I've seen on cheap keyboards that are about half the price of this MIDI controller. I would prefer it to be white and silver to match my Mac mini better but other then that it's fine.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist probably. Attempting to work towards my goal of operating a music recording studio.
Musical Style:
Rock, Jazz, a little country, New Age, mostly my own compositions and style. read less
Sound
It's an MIDI controller the sound is only as good as what you plug it into.
Features
It has two MIDI out ports and has pitch bend and modulation wheels... It didn't include much, but the manual does have a list of the MIDI instruments and their standard numbers that I find useful. The keys feel pretty solid however. Nice feel to them.
Quality
I'm giving it a six. The first one I bought quit after a few days, but my second one seems to be working very well. Though I find myself being extra careful with it. (Ie. Making absolutely sure I do not try to turn it on when the power plug is not in it.) Other then my paranoia from my experience with my first one it seems rather solidly built. There is one issue that I'm not sure if it's the controller or my software. I think it's my software, and that is that GarageBand ('05) won't layer two different instruments at the same time.
Value
Is a good value. But… read more the Alesis QS8.2 Synth workstation looks like it has most of the same features plus a built in sound library and better interface for 2x the price of this one. But considering it's rather basic interface I can't quite say this MIDI controller is a great value.
Manufacturer Support
I've never need to use support directly.
The Wow Factor
It's a practical addition to my setup. But the keys do look rather nice. They look more like piano keys then the little slabs of plastic I've seen on cheap keyboards that are about half the price of this MIDI controller. I would prefer it to be white and silver to match my Mac mini better but other then that it's fine.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist probably. Attempting to work towards my goal of operating a music recording studio.
Musical Style:
Rock, Jazz, a little country, New Age, mostly my own compositions and style. read less
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