SK

Aspen, pardon one more request: if a piano sample is included in the demo, could the player also play something sustained and soft in the mid-range? I only ask this because playing hard on a digital piano can sound brittle, and AP sample demos usually focus on the highs and the lows which naturally sound more convincing. I'm almost ready to buy - thanks a lot!

Exactly, with a piano sound being the hardest to reproduce. If I knew for sure the CPS can give clear, accurate tone reproduction and not sound more muddy or boxy for digital piano(I'm not expecting highest quality or 'Sonic Nirvana' here), then I'm down to buy it. So far, reports are encouraging.

Thanks for your generous reply, Aspen (although the system I use is stereo, not mono.) So it seems there will be more tweaking considerations to get the best balance of stereo/mono from a particular piano patch... and that sounds interesting to me. I also would start with stereo set in the middle. My question about general sound quality regarding a piano sound is probably unanswerable. Sound, like music, is hard to convey through words, so...I think the only way for me to know is to hear it myself. And thanks again.

Hey, thanks HAM&EGZ, I appreciate it.

I'm on the verge of ordering it, but need more impressions on the effectiveness of an acoustic piano patch. Since it's a keyboard amp, I'd think a piano sound must have been factored. So far in the thread, there's been one mention of an AP patch sounding "thin", which was remedied by turning the pan slightly to the left (makes sense, as it would boost the lower end of the keyboard.) The demo with the Privia was inconclusive for me. The volume was loud and the effects pronounced, but the core piano sound itself wasn't particularly clear. Of course, all DP brands have their own sound, along with everyone's subjective opinions. But the issue for me is simply the quality of the signal (or the fidelity) before effects are added. Is it a clear, full range sound, like a true, colorless, reference quality... or not? If I could only try it out, I'd know in a few minutes. And I'm sure a sub will help. More input from anyone on this, please, including from Aspen if possible, as to how to get the best AP sound from this unit - thanks so much in advance.

I'll post this in classifieds soon: I'm going to be selling my "like new" VR-09, but I need to replace it first - so it could be a few weeks. Meanwhile, PM enquiries are welcome.

I, too, am intrigued by this amp. I'm not concerned about the bass since I have a sub to augment it. And I have no reason to doubt the spacious stereo effect it touts and its projection in the room, and I'm glad you can dial in the effect to taste. I can't demo it, and I can't tell from the videos if it's a real revolutionary winner or a revolutionary novelty. If I understand correctly, instead of two distinct L/R channels interacting with each other in normal stereo, it makes a combined L/R channel interact with another L/R channel in an opposing phase. My question is, how is the fidelity affected without clear L/R separation? Will it be a pristine, clear sound for acoustic piano patches on a DP (as with any clear left/right signal through a good stereo amp), or will it sound a bit like a mass of frequencies and processed sound to fill the room - which may muddle the solidity and clarity of the original sample tone. Tone quality is first to me, and the room filling effect is second. But I'm openminded - if both of those aspects meet my needs, I'll get one. I look forward to the coming reviews.

A sneeze into a trombone, or an elephant.

Somehow the Pagliacci in my soul, did not appreciate this joke An absurd little joke with some half truth in it. Apologies to the Pagliacci in your soul. Now for an oldie: What do you say to a banjo player in a 3 piece suit? "Will the defendant please rise."

(Shocking to see a nun eating Cheetos) A guitar player friend sent me this: Music : A profession where amateurs make millions and professionals starve.

Scott, thanks for the thoughts - of course you're right. There's a bit more to the story but was too boring to describe: I was a guest performing with a big band, my DP and VR-09 on the floor to the side of the band. Then it was decided I should be in the middle on the stage, so I quickly moved the gear without packing it all up again. Still, I don't think the drawbar knobs should come off that easily. Not a knock at the board - I'm having some fun with it and love the weight.

Thanks, WesG. A small drop of basic glue (not superglue) should be enough to keep them secure.

Worse than a bulldozer, maybe roadies! Right, I have two very small roadies, each carrying one end of the VR-09... No, I was carrying it onto the stage (keyboard towards me) with my stand in the other hand - the keyboard brushed against me and the knobs came off. Kinda surprised they aren't glued on, but lesson learned: glue them on and always carry it with the keyboard away from me. Outside of this incident, I'm having some fun with the VR-09. Maybe I'll add a paper bag to my arsenal (for those of you who remember the history on that.)

Generally, close to where you were last standing... on the floor. At least that's where I found three of mine after setup last night.

Stream of unconsciousness! Carlo, your timely video almost saved the thread.

Of course, on a real organ, you're not splitting it and using two octaves for EP or whatever. It is a little limiting if splitting the board to create a smaller portion for organ limits you to only being able to play parts that are designed for that section of the keyboard. Though as you say, some creative use of drawbars can help get around that. Agreed, definitely some limitations... just saying the transpose button works on organ.

I just tried it on my new VR-09, and the transpose button itself works fine on organ (hold it down, press up or down), but I'm not seeing where the octave buttons work. The drawbars will have to do for octaves, like a real organ.

FWIW: for the fun of it, I ordered the VR-09. Arriving tomorrow "used" (but newish) for $300 off. I think I'll enjoy a 12 LB keyboard as a second tier mainly for supplemental solo lines, synth, guitar, etc... So thanks for this thread, which I will soon be referring to.

kanker said it's from Jailhouse Rock, so I'll go with... Jailhouse Rock. Tonality has left the building

Video illustration for all those rock vs jazz threads over the years: [video:youtube]

Thanks, Linwood!

Some nice playing going on in this thread. I posted this same song in the "VI Labs True Keys" thread as a piano demo, so I'll post the "keyboards" version (with no piano) here. I play a Rhodes sound and a synth solo - a pre-final mix track to be on the CD when it comes out next month. This will be the debut CD of a brilliant young trumpet player (Victor Haskins, 19 yr. old) who's calling this CD "The Truth." Hope you enjoy it.

Thx tj! Dave, to me, Fred Hersch was his usual thoughtful, intelligent, more harmony based playing (Evans influence often there). I don't go out to listen that much - so it was nice to hear a straight up accomplished pianist - I enjoyed it.

Hey Dave, Joe and Noah. Nice to see you guys. Dave, they're probably the same 30 people traveling the country - there aren't those many upright bass players left for them to talk over. I think this CD will be really cool, a mixture of fresh and traditional with Victor's writing, a killer sax player from D.C. and my old Baltimore rhythm section. A couple days ago in NYC, I "ran into" Victor at the Village Vanguard listening to the Fred Hersch trio (small world). Now back home, I'm 'enjoying' the snow and high winds , getting ready for a rehearsal tonight.