StudioLogic Fatar SL-880 MIDI Controller weighted keys

One of the best inventions since MIDI. The fatar S880 was the first affordable MIDI controller with the lovely 'Weighted Hammer Action', 88 key's en Velocity Sensitive with Aftertouch I saw (and loved).

It had 4 zones wich each can send on his own MIDI channel.  But, especially because of it's low price it's a perfect MIDI master controller.

This is a newer picture - Yet I think you get the idea.

Ours is Jet Black in color - and Very good condition as you can see by the pictures- Works Very Well!

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 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

Technical Info

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.