While Yamaha has found new ways to incorporate technology into musical instruments — some of which were around for hundreds of years before computers were invented — the president of it's America division says the company is still looking for ways to modernize and has taken seriously the issue of sustainability.
Yamaha Corp. of America President Tom Sumner told Cheddar the company has worked to find ways to combine traditional craftsmanship and technology to create a more "compelling" instrument for musicians.
He says they wanted to make an instrument that creates a better musical experience and give musicians another option when shopping for new ones. "There really isn't a demand out there for musicians, we're trying to create a more compelling thing for them."
One of the first instruments they focused on was the piano, recalled Sumner. "We started with the digital piano and we said it needs to sound better (as opposed to a piano that is 2 feet in front of your face). You need to feel like you are sitting in front of a 9-foot concert grand, so we developed a sound system that would do that."
Meanwhile, many traditional acoustic instruments are made with wood and Yamaha has made an effort to provide sustainable resources in the communities they source from. "We went to Tanzania and worked with communities and said let's plant some trees. And we actually planted 5,000 African Blackwood trees to get some sustainability there and provide the community with resources," Sumner said.
The effort to make electronic instruments sound like the 'real' thing has been an ongoing battle for many instrument companies, but Sumner says compromise is inevitable and is more focused on creating innovative products for musicians.
"We try to make it so when the musician sits down they go 'wow,' something that makes them respond. If they're responding that way we know we're getting the right thing," Sumner said.
Elon Musk unveiled 'Grok,' his new A.I. chatbot over the weekend, adding that it will be more rebellious than its counterparts. Cheddar News breaks it down.
Heinz is combining two popular flavors for its new condiment, pickle ketchup.
Federal health officials are expanding an investigation into potentially lead-tainted pouches of apple cinnamon fruit puree marketed for children amid reports of more illnesses and additional product recalls.
Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate run by businessman Warren Buffett, reported its operating earnings in its most recent quarter jumped more than 40% from a year ago but posted its first net quarterly loss in a year.
Maks Chmerkovskiy and wife Peta Murgatroyd, of "Dancing With the Stars" fame, are branching out into skincare.
Donald Trump began testifying Monday morning in his civil fraud trial, producing the spectacle of a former president and the leading Republican presidential candidate defending himself against allegations that he dramatically inflated his net worth.
The trial between Google and the maker of the game Fortnite will begin Monday as a San Francisco jury will hear Epic Games' case claiming the Google Play Store takes an unfair commission on purchases made through apps.
One of the most self-made and success stories in the country, Emma Grede, has worked along with the Kardashian Jenner family on many of their best-known brands. Grede, CEO and co-founder of Good American, gave back to the next generation of business leaders as a featured speaker at the Chase for Business Make Your Move summit last week. She spoke with Cheddar News about her career, her company's fashion brand, working with the famous Kardashian-Jennifer family and balancing her own family life.
Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate run by businessman Warren Buffett, reported its operating earnings in its most recent quarter jumped more than 40% from a year ago but posted its first net quarterly loss in a year.
Elon Musk's company XaI has announced a new chatbot called Grok.
