Yamaha CBX-K1XG
| Type | MIDI controller keyboard with integrated GM/XG sound module |
|---|---|
| Keyboard | 37 mini-keys |
| Manufacturer | Yamaha |
| Release date | 1995 |
| Standards | Yamaha XG[1] General MIDI[1] TG300B mode[1] C/M mode[1] Disk Orchestra Collection[1] |
| Parts | 16[1] |
| Max polyphony | 32[1] |
| Normal presets | 737 (total)[1] 480 (XG)[2] 579 (TG300B)[2] |
| Drum presets | 22 (total)[1] 11 (XG)[2] 10 (TG300B)[2] |
| Effects | Reverb, Chorus, Variation[1] |
The Yamaha CBX-K1XG is a MIDI controller keyboard with an integrated Yamaha XG tone generator. Yamaha described it as a "MIDI sound keyboard". It was marketed as an "all-in one DTM [desktop music production]" solution.[3]
It is not to be confused with the Yamaha CBX-K1 and Yamaha CBX-K1B, which are pure MIDI controller keyboards (no tone generator).
Notable features:
- Tone generator based on the Yamaha MU50/Yamaha DB50XG[4] (but without the "performance mode")
- 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys
- Built-in stereo speakers
- Can be powered by AA batteries or via 12V DC input
- Pitch bend wheel
- Assignable controller wheel
- Can be configured to send any Control Change, RPN or NRPN
- Has extra "controller numbers" to allow easy use of common RPN, NRPN and SysEx messages used by Yamaha XG and Roland GS
- Many useful controller numbers listed on the panel
- Can also be configured to send Channel Pressure/Aftertouch (note: keyboard itself does not have aftertouch)
- Can send and respond to XG, GM and GS ("TG300B") messages
- Can be switched to an MT-32 ("C/M") emulation mode
- MIDI in and out ports
- Serial MIDI port
- Sustain pedal input (quarter-inch)
- Audio input (passthrough) via 3.5mm input
- Audio output via 3.5mm headphone output or via twin (stereo) RCA jacks
Things to be aware of:
- Battery life is only a few hours
- Can become quite warm during use
- XG effect control and other advanced features can only be controlled using an external device via SysEx
- Selecting non-General MIDI instruments from the panel is annoying, you need to know their Bank Select numbers