Tools to Engage Users and Unleash Their Creativity

March 13, 2024

The CK series is a stage keyboard lineup that gives performers the freedom to take their sound wherever they desire. It caters to the needs of keyboardists with a diverse range of tones, from piano and organ to modern synth sounds. The intuitive interface ensures that players can concentrate on their performance, giving them the freedom to explore their sound in various musical styles.

Perhaps the most innovative feature of this keyboard, however, is its built-in speaker, seamlessly integrated into its compact structure. Typically, stage keyboards require external sound equipment or headphones for playing. The CK series breaks free from this constraint, providing performers with the flexibility to play anytime and in any way they want. Let's explore the origins of this unconventional concept.

A Design Tailored for Every Keyboardist

The product planning for the CK series began during the final stages of development for the YC series, a stage keyboard lineup introduced in 2020. Yuji Yamada, a member of the Digital Musical Instruments Division, reflects on that period, stating, "While conceptualizing stage keyboards, we identified a common issue faced by keyboardists."

The challenge was the inability to play on the spot. "Our interviews covered a range of performers, from professional musicians to more casual student players, resulting in diverse issues being brought to light. Nevertheless, a common thread emerged — a shared desire among them to make music wherever, whenever they wanted. The idea of a built-in speaker didn't cross anyone's mind, though, because it is crucial for stage keyboards to be lightweight and compact.”

• A stage keyboard is a keyboard designed for use in live performances. Typically, they do not come with built-in speakers, as they are usually connected to a sound system during live shows.

Typically, setting up a stage keyboard involves a lot of preparation. To play with a band, keyboardists need to use sound equipment and connect cables. It's not an instrument that allows for spontaneous playing whenever the player feels like it. But what if using a stage keyboard were as simple as picking up an acoustic guitar? This idea inspired the concept for the CK series — a stage keyboard designed for easy enjoyment in any situation.

Since childhood, Yamada has been fascinated by synthesizers and the art of creating new sounds. This passion led him to major in design engineering at university, where he explored innovative forms of sound expression. He always thought of Yamaha as a mainstream musical instrument manufacturer, so he was surprised to discover "TENORI-ON," an experimental electronic musical instrument developed by Yamaha in 2008 with media artist Toshio Iwai. The ability of Yamaha to create innovative and captivating instruments inspired him to work for the company.

After joining Yamaha, he worked on designing digital pianos and drums. He also took on a side project, developing a new conceptual keyboard called the "reface.” The project reignited his interest in synthesizers, and motivated him to create instruments that he would personally like to own. As someone who explored new sound expressions as a student, he aspired to plan and design an innovative musical instrument that could contribute to music culture. This passion shines through in all projects he has worked on, including the CK series.

Designing From Dilemma

Yamada set out on a mission to craft a stage keyboard that could be enjoyed in various situations, but this posed a tough challenge. The desire to perform anywhere clashed with the need for the keyboard to be compact and portable. Despite the difficulty, Yamada adopted the mindset, "you never know how far you can go until you try." To address this core dilemma, he formed a working group and began crafting prototypes.

Yamada holds the title of "product planner," but his role extends beyond generating ideas upstream. He engages in every phase of development, guiding the process to finalize specifications and conducting feasibility studies to address challenges. Rather than merely presenting concepts and requests to the engineers, he draws from his design background and collaborates directly with engineers to discover breakthroughs together.

"At first, I usually think we only have a limited number of options,” he says. “But once I sit down with my team and start talking, one idea sparks the next. We explore the new possibilities, and keep iterating until we arrive at an idea that we couldn't have even imaged at the start.”

The breakthrough for the CK series occurred when the team was trying to determine the size and placement of the built-in speakers. They discovered that a front speaker grille wasn't necessary for good sound if they got creative with the structure and mounting. "It sounds pretty clear, even without the grille," someone noted. "And it doesn't affect the overall design either." Once this realization was shared within the working group, the development of the CK series picked up speed.

An Instrument That Fosters Creativity

Launched in March 2023, the CK series (CK61 / CK88) offers players the freedom to play anywhere thanks to its stand-alone capability, while also providing a stress-free playing experience with its intuitive interface. "My hope is that this stage keyboard spreads across various music scenes around the world — not only in professional live performances and music festivals but also in school concerts and online streaming,” Yamada comments.

Yamada sees the CK series as offering more than just a stress-free playing experience. Free from complex operations and settings, players can wholly concentrate on their performance. The ability to play anywhere, anytime allows keyboardists to instantly translate their inspirations into sound. Such versatility could open doors for wild ideas to take shape, like playing on the top of a mountain. It truly allows every player to unleash their creativity.

“I see selling the keyboards as only the starting point. We hope that the CK series will spark creativity in players, encouraging them explore new forms of musical performance. The performers’ inventiveness, in turn, can inspire listeners, prompting them to express themselves, too. Musical instruments possess the potential to ignite creativity in players and listeners alike, and I aim to keep crafting instruments that fulfill that purpose.”

The CK series provides unparalleled versatility for keyboardists, while the AG08 offers intuitive usability for live streamers. Both products have the ability to captivate users and enable them to fully immerse themselves in their creative endeavors. In the upcoming third article in this series, we will delve into the “Key” that unites these products. Stay tuned!

(Interview date: September 2023)

*Bio as of the time of the interview

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