As triggers of sound modules or other MIDI gear, the ergonomics and aesthetics of master keyboards are at least as important as any pedigree in instrument manufacture. Chris Kempster samples the action of the Fatar Studio 1100 mother...

Piano-action master keyboards have been a bit thin on the ground recently, especially since Roland stopped making the A80. Yamaha finally killed off the KX88, and Cheetah became extinct. Personally, I think they have traditionally been pitched at too high a price level, but then I don't know the manufacturing costs, do I?

Notable models still around are the Peavey C8 and the Kurzweil PC88, though these are a lot more dosh than what we're looking at here. The Fatar Studio 1100 on review offers a nice piano-action keyboard, plus a side-salad of MIDI controller capabilities, all at a reasonable price. Even cheaper is the Studio 900, which has fewer facilities, but features the same keyboard.

Aesthetics

Most 88-note piano-action keyboards are a little on the heavy side overall, and this one is no exception. But it does succeed in giving the impression of a solidly-made piece of kit. The layout of controls is unfussy, with the modulation and pitchbend controls (as ever) to the left, and a clutch of function buttons and sliders in the centre.

The keyboard itself is pleasant to play, not as heavy as a KX88, for example, but heavier than a Cheetah. In other words, it'll probably suit most people. It is slightly 'bouncy', in that once you press a key down, it wants to return to rest position immediately, but not excessively so. Velocity and aftertouch are available on the 1100, although the 900 will only transmit velocity info.

The front panel controls consist of a data entry and volume slider, a three-digit display, four Preset/Function buttons, and a button each for the four zones (the 900 only has one). The back panel reveals one MIDI In and two Outs. The 1100 merges MIDI messages from the input with those of the unit itself, and pushes the same information out of the two outputs. Power is provided via the dreaded external PSU, and there are also jacks for volume and sustain pedals.

Total control

There are two basic modes of operation, Perform and Edit; the latter being where you can change the information stored in the 32 onboard presets. A preset contains settings relating to the four zones, and also global information. When in Perform mode, the four Preset/Function switches allow you to change the preset number, in conjunction with the left and right arrow switches. Once a preset is selected, you can turn the sounds associated with a particular zone on and off using the Zone switches. So you might have piano in zone 1, strings in zone 2, bass in zone 3 and horns in zone 4. Now during a song, you can turn each instrument on and off as required.

"It is slightly 'bouncy', but not excessively so"

Most of the changeable parameters refer to the zones, and these can be altered by entering Edit mode. This is achieved by pressing a zone switch and a Preset/Function switch simultaneously.

There are three parameters on each Preset/Function button, and they cycle round each time you hit it. Editable parameters include Low key/High key, Program, Volume, Transpose, Channel, Velocity, Control Slider, Wheels, Aftertouch, and Pedal.

If you want to change a sound on a module you are controlling, use the Program function, which will send out the message at the instant the new Studio 1100 preset is selected, and the Control Slider function can be programmed for issuing any MIDI control change message.

Global settings that can be edited include Receive Channel, which can be changed to receive program change messages to alter the preset in use, and Program Save And Load, useful for saving your presets onto disk.

Verdict

For those who want a reasonable level of MIDI control, coupled with a nice weighted keyboard, the Studio 1100 represents a good buy. There's not that much else in the way of competition in this price range (the Samick range being an exception), so probably the only decision is whether you get the 1100 or its brother the 900. For my money, the 1100 is the better bet, with its four zones and editable presets. However, if you're more a sequencist than a performer, you'll probably be better off getting the 900, since you can achieve most controller functions from your computer.