Kawai es110 as a midi controller ?

[Dextroze]

Hey guys,

I think I'm going to buy the Kawai es110.

I had the nord Electro 6 HP, but I need some money, and since I use only VST, I don't need such a beast as the nord.

Do you know the Kawai ? Do you think it's a good choice ?

I hope I like the keybed )

[drawback]

Lots of people like it for its light action, but I wouldn't consider any controller that doesn't have an expression pedal input.

[ElmerJFudd]

Depends on your needs. No it"s not much of a controller because it hasn"t much in the way of assignable knobs, wheels, buttons, pedal inputs, etc. But if you are mainly a piano guy, and just need 88 keys that feel good for piano playing in a light weight affordable package (with USB MIDI of course). Sure, the ES-110 woulda make that list. You can handle all your splits and layers in the VST host software.

[Al Quinn]

It has a nice action. Kind of on the light side but very good. I know nothing about it"s capability as a controller. Just played it in a store once.

[RandyFF]

I have one and love the action, and it's one of the light ones, only 26 pounds.

[Throbert]

Never consider an 88 for controls other than it's keys. always have a board above to carry controller load.

ES110 is light with good action, I'd use it.

[Dextroze]

Thank you guys !

"Never consider an 88 for controls other than it's keys. always have a board above to carry controller load"

What 'above board' would you recommand then ? Thanks )

[ElmerJFudd]

Since you are using VSTs your above board to pick up controller duty could be any number of fairly inexpensive soundless midi controllers. Perhaps a Novation Launchkey. Or an Arturia Keylab.

[Al Quinn]

Depending on your needs the controller doesn"t necessarily need to have keys. Something small like a NanoKontrol could give you all you need.

 

I checked out the video in your signature. Bravo! Great playing Dexter.

[The_Star_Guy]

The very decent action, light weight, good speaker system and the quality of the on-board pianos are the overwhelming reasons for this board. I believe that as far as MIDI goes it has 5 pin DIN in & out, and also Bluetooth MIDI, but does not have either USB-MIDI or Bluetooth Audio. For extensive VST control you will probably need an additional controller. In addition to the others mentioned, I have found that Nektar makes surprisingly capable controllers. They also have a cool new new box called the MIDI Flex4 that will adapt the 5 PIN MIDI din ports for use with your DAW and other devices, located HERE

[Throbert]

Thank you guys !

"Never consider an 88 for controls other than it's keys. always have a board above to carry controller load"

What 'above board' would you recommand then ? Thanks )

Like the others have said the controller is purely about your needs and preference.

My upper board is in my sig and I also use a BCR2000 when needed.