Technics SX-PR700 Digital Piano Ensemble Mahogany inc Bench

This Pre-Owned Technics SX-PR700 is a digital ensemble piano that was produced by Technics (a brand of Panasonic) and was positioned as a high-end instrument offering a wide array of features for both piano performance and music arrangement. Here’s a detailed look at its characteristics:  

Keyboard and Action: The SX-PR700 features a full 88-note keyboard with a “Dynamic Acoustics” hammer action. This weighted action is designed to simulate the feel of an acoustic grand piano, offering a heavier touch in the lower register and a lighter touch in the higher register. The keys are also touch-sensitive, allowing for expressive playing with varying dynamics. Some sources refer to this as a “Natural Response Action,” emphasizing the realistic feel and tactile “release” in the middle of the keystroke, similar to a grand piano. The keyboard also offers split functionality, allowing different sounds to be played on different sections of the keyboard, with assignable split points.   

Sound Generation: The piano utilizes a PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) sound generator with stereo sampling to produce its range of sounds. It boasts a 64-note polyphony, which was quite generous for its time, allowing for complex musical passages and layered sounds without notes being cut off. The instrument features a substantial library of 196 sounds, categorized into various groups including:

• Piano & E. Piano: Multiple grand piano sounds (Concert, Pop, Upright), various electric pianos.
• Harpsichord & Mallet: Harpsichord, vibes, etc.
• Guitar: Acoustic and electric guitars.
• Special Percussion: A range of percussive sounds.
• Strings & Vocal: Orchestral strings, choir sounds.
• Organ & Accordion: Various organ types, accordion.
• Brass, Sax & Reed, Flute, Synth Lead, Bass, Synth Pad, Keyboard Percussion, Percussion & Effect: A wide selection of instrumental and synthesized sounds.

Rhythms and Accompaniment: A significant feature of the SX-PR700 is its comprehensive auto-accompaniment system. It includes 128 rhythm styles, each with 4 variations, providing a broad palette of musical genres and feels. These rhythms also feature 2 intro and 2 ending variations, as well as 2 fill-in patterns to add dynamic changes during a performance. The “Music Style Arranger” function allows for sophisticated automatic accompaniment based on the chords played by the left hand. Features like “One Touch Play” and “Piano Stylist” offer quick access to suitable sounds and arrangements for different musical styles. The auto-accompaniment system also includes a chord finder to help users learn and identify chords.   

Sequencer and Composer: The SX-PR700 functions not only as a performance instrument but also as a basic music workstation. It features a 16-track sequencer with a storage capacity of approximately 30,000 notes across 10 songs. Recording modes include Easy Record, Real-time Record, Step Record, and Punch Record, offering flexibility in how users can create and build musical ideas. Editing functions such as track assign, edit, song select/name, punch record, and medley are also available.   

Furthermore, it has a 5-part composer section (Bass, Accompaniment 1, Accompaniment 2, Accompaniment 3, Drums) with a separate memory capacity of around 10,000 notes. Input modes for the composer include Easy Composer, Real-time Record, and Step Record, along with functions like composer chord map, mode select, pattern copy, and the ability to load and save composer patterns.

Memory and Control: The instrument offers 3 banks of 10 memory slots for registrations, allowing users to save and quickly recall their favourite sound combinations and settings (4 variations, 2 intros, 2 fill-ins, 2 endings). It also has a built-in 3.5-inch floppy disk drive for saving and loading user data, including songs created with the sequencer and composer, as well as MIDI files.

Control features include main volume, rhythm volume, balance/mute for different parts, start/stop, intro/ending controls, fill-in controls, count intro, synchro start, tempo/program dial with tap tempo, fade in/out, and a split point selector. Pedals supported include sustain, sostenuto, and soft.

Display and Interface: The SX-PR700 is equipped with a large, backlit LCD screen (320 x 240 dots) that provides clear visual feedback on the selected sounds, rhythms, and settings. The interface is designed to be relatively intuitive, with dedicated buttons for accessing various functions and parameters, often accompanied by helpful icons.   

Connectivity and Output: The piano offers a range of connectivity options, including:

• MIDI: In, Out, Thru ports for connecting to other MIDI devices.
• Audio Outputs: Stereo line outputs (L/Mono, R) for connecting to external amplifiers or recording equipment.
• Audio Input: Stereo auxiliary input (L, R) for connecting external audio sources.
• Headphone Jacks: Two stereo headphone jacks for private practice or monitoring.   
• Pedal Input: For connecting the included pedal unit.

The SX-PR700 has a built-in amplification system with two 60W amplifiers and a multi-speaker setup consisting of two 16cm speakers and two 6.5cm speakers, along with two monitor speakers (13cm x 6cm), providing a powerful and clear sound.

Physical Characteristics: The piano typically came in a mahogany or black finish, giving it an elegant appearance suitable for home use. It’s a substantial instrument, with dimensions around 139.7 cm (width) x 105 cm (height with music rest) x 61.4 cm (depth) and a weight of approximately 76 kg (around 167.6 lbs). This indicates a sturdy and well-built instrument.

In conclusion, the Technics SX-PR700 was a powerful and versatile digital piano ensemble that offered a high level of realism and a wide range of creative tools for musicians and home users alike. Its combination of a weighted hammer-action keyboard, a vast sound library, sophisticated auto-accompaniment features, and a built-in sequencer and composer made it a sought-after instrument and it continues to hold appeal for some musicians today.