What makes the Viscount Legend 70s 'modular'?

The instrument features physical slots on the front panel where different sound engine modules can be inserted or swapped. This allows the user to customise the specific types of sounds available at any time, such as adding more synth modules or piano engines.

How many modules can the Artist W EX hold?

The Artist W EX model has room for a total of five modules. This provides significant flexibility for combining electric pianos, acoustic pianos, clavinets, and external MIDI control modules simultaneously.

What type of keyboard action does this model use?

It uses an 88-key graded hammer-action keyboard with high-quality wooden keys. This design is intended to provide a realistic, weighted feel that replicates the touch of a traditional acoustic or vintage electric piano.

Which modules are included with the Artist W EX by default?

It comes included with the Electric Piano module, the Clavinet module, the Acoustic Piano module, the Sound Collection module, and the External module as standard.

Why is the top of the piano flat?

The flat top is a design choice that pays homage to vintage 70s pianos. Practically, it allows performers to place a laptop, tablet, or a secondary keyboard (like a small synth or drum machine) directly on top of the instrument.

What is the typical price range for this instrument?

The Viscount Legend 70s Artist W EX typically retails for approximately £2,195. This places it in the premium category of professional stage pianos.

Is this piano suitable for studio use?

Yes, its high-quality wooden action and dedicated sound modules make it an excellent choice for studio recording where authentic feel and vintage electric piano tones are required.

How does it differ from the Legend 70s Compact EX?

The Artist W EX features the full 88-key wooden keyboard, whereas the Compact version is smaller and uses a different keybed. The Artist W EX is designed for players who need the full range and authentic touch of a real piano.

Can it control other MIDI instruments?

Yes, it includes an 'External' module as standard. This module is specifically designed to manage and control external MIDI gear, allowing the Legend 70s to act as a master controller for your entire rig.

What era of music is this instrument designed to emulate?

It is specifically designed to hearken back to the sound and style of the 1970s. This includes the aesthetics of the chassis and the specific sonic characteristics of electric pianos and clavinets from that decade.

Does the instrument feature built-in synthesiser sounds?

While its primary focus is electric pianos, it includes a 'Sound Collection' module. This provides a variety of additional sounds beyond the core piano and clavinet engines.

Who is the manufacturer of the Legend 70s?

The instrument is manufactured by Viscount Organs, an Italian company well-known for their digital organs and high-fidelity vintage keyboard emulations.

Gear article

Viscount Legend 70s Artist W EX

The Viscount Legend 70s Artist W EX is an innovative modular stage piano designed to replicate the aesthetic and sonic performance of vintage 1970s electric instruments. It features a unique customisable architecture, a graded hammer-action wooden keyboard, and a distinctive flat-top chassis suited for professional stage environments.

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Overview

The Viscount Legend 70s Artist W EX represents a departure from traditional fixed-architecture stage pianos by utilising a modular design. This allows musicians to swap or rearrange sound modules based on their specific performance requirements. The 'Artist W' designation specifically highlights the inclusion of a high-quality 88-key wooden keyboard, providing a tactile experience that mimics the weight and response of an acoustic grand or high-end vintage electric piano.

Physically, the instrument pays homage to the electric pianos of the 1970s. It features a flat top, which is intentionally designed to support secondary equipment such as a laptop, a smaller synthesiser, or an effects pedalboard. This functional design choice addresses common logistical challenges faced by keyboardists in live settings.

Modular Design and Architecture

The core of the Legend 70s concept is its modularity. The front panel is divided into sections where different sound engines can be installed. The Artist W EX version supports a total of five modules. As standard, this model comes equipped with:

Electric Piano Module: Dedicated to classic tine and reed sounds.
Clavinet Module: Reproducing the percussive character of 70s funk staples.
Acoustic Piano Module: Providing high-fidelity grand and upright samples.
Sound Collection Module: A versatile bank of additional orchestral and synth tones.
External Module: Designed to control external MIDI gear directly from the piano interface.

This system ensures that the internal processing power is dedicated to specific algorithms for each module rather than being stretched across a single general-purpose engine.

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Key Features and Hardware

The 'W' in the model name refers to the wooden keys, which provide a graded hammer action. This means the lower registers feel heavier than the higher registers, mimicking the physics of a traditional piano. This version is the flagship in terms of touch, offering more resistance and a natural feel compared to the lighter actions found in the 'Compact' variants.

Controls are tactile and immediate, eschewing deep menu-diving in favour of physical knobs and switches that reflect the era it emulates. The instrument is built to be a reliable workhorse for both studio recording and live touring.

Target Audience and Comparisons

The Legend 70s Artist W EX is primarily aimed at professional session players and vintage enthusiasts who require a specific aesthetic and feel. While modern workstations like the Yamaha MX49 II or Roland Boutique series focus on compact portability or specific synthesis types, the Legend 70s focuses on the 'Electric Piano' experience.

Compared to its smaller sibling, the Legend 70s Compact EX, the Artist W EX offers the full 88-key range and the superior wooden action, making it better suited for players who prioritise piano technique over portability. It occupies a similar space to high-end vintage emulators but stands out due to its ability to be physically reconfigured via its five-slot module bay.

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Frequently asked questions

What makes the Viscount Legend 70s 'modular'?: The instrument features physical slots on the front panel where different sound engine modules can be inserted or swapped. This allows the user to customise the specific types of sounds available at any time, such as adding more synth modules or piano engines.
How many modules can the Artist W EX hold?: The Artist W EX model has room for a total of five modules. This provides significant flexibility for combining electric pianos, acoustic pianos, clavinets, and external MIDI control modules simultaneously.
What type of keyboard action does this model use?: It uses an 88-key graded hammer-action keyboard with high-quality wooden keys. This design is intended to provide a realistic, weighted feel that replicates the touch of a traditional acoustic or vintage electric piano.
Which modules are included with the Artist W EX by default?: It comes included with the Electric Piano module, the Clavinet module, the Acoustic Piano module, the Sound Collection module, and the External module as standard.
Why is the top of the piano flat?: The flat top is a design choice that pays homage to vintage 70s pianos. Practically, it allows performers to place a laptop, tablet, or a secondary keyboard (like a small synth or drum machine) directly on top of the instrument.
What is the typical price range for this instrument?: The Viscount Legend 70s Artist W EX typically retails for approximately £2,195. This places it in the premium category of professional stage pianos.
Is this piano suitable for studio use?: Yes, its high-quality wooden action and dedicated sound modules make it an excellent choice for studio recording where authentic feel and vintage electric piano tones are required.
How does it differ from the Legend 70s Compact EX?: The Artist W EX features the full 88-key wooden keyboard, whereas the Compact version is smaller and uses a different keybed. The Artist W EX is designed for players who need the full range and authentic touch of a real piano.
Can it control other MIDI instruments?: Yes, it includes an 'External' module as standard. This module is specifically designed to manage and control external MIDI gear, allowing the Legend 70s to act as a master controller for your entire rig.
What era of music is this instrument designed to emulate?: It is specifically designed to hearken back to the sound and style of the 1970s. This includes the aesthetics of the chassis and the specific sonic characteristics of electric pianos and clavinets from that decade.
Does the instrument feature built-in synthesiser sounds?: While its primary focus is electric pianos, it includes a 'Sound Collection' module. This provides a variety of additional sounds beyond the core piano and clavinet engines.
Who is the manufacturer of the Legend 70s?: The instrument is manufactured by Viscount Organs, an Italian company well-known for their digital organs and high-fidelity vintage keyboard emulations.