Class Piano Lab Manufacturers: Roland
Roland's class piano/group piano lab is the MTLC-16 Music Tutor Lab Controller. Check it out at Roland's home site: MTLC-16.
The MTLC-16 is an update of the popular TL-16, a standard for many class/group piano labs a decade ago.*
Individual keyboards are equipped with a small mixer -- student interface unit (SI Unit) -- into which are plugged the sound output of the keyboard along with the student's headphones. The SI Units are then connected to the MTLC-16 via network cables which are plugged into the back of the MTLC-16. Students control their individual volumes by adjusting the volume control on their keyboards.
The MTLC-16 is equipped to control 16 individual keyboards and can be connected (networked) to another MTLC-16 for a total of 32 individual stations. .
There is a USB computer connection which allows the unit to be connected to a IBM-PC computer (currently, no promise of a Mac version). Software is available to facilitate a a computer-based "drag-and-drop" interface for classroom management, and Roland's V-MT software for a variety of music classrooms. Customized teacher/class lists can be created along with (we assume) grading and attendance records. Software package is sold separately.
In addition to the computer interface the MTLC-16 has a monitor output which can be connected to either a regular computer monitor monitor or an LCD projector.
Visit Roland's site to view detailed specs for the MTLC-16
* Note: Roland has established a new sales policy with the introduction of their updated class piano lab teacher controller. They only sell it COMPLETE -- that is, it comes complete with "16 EVERYTHINGS" (16 student controller boxes, 16 sets of headphones, 16 audio cables, etc.). You cannot get it in any other configuration. So, if you want, say... 8 student stations -- too bad, you have to buy the whole thing. And it's not cheap. The complete unit plus installation (if you already have digital pianos) will cost in excess of $4500.00.
See A Critical Overview of Class Piano Lab Manufacturers.
Back to Class Piano Lab Resources.
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