Kawai James

Hello Paul, I'm not familiar with Wikipedia editing, however it appears to only be possible by creating an account and logging in. Unfortunately, I don't have an account. Kind regards, James x

.svg = Scalable Vector Graphics If you wish to edit the file, you'll need to use something that can handle vector graphics (e.g. Illustrator, Inkscape), rather than converting it to raster and editing in Photoshop etc. Here's an edited version with Paul's requests implemented. I also re-centred the number labels and connecting lines. The word labels are type objects, so can be modified easily. However, the numbers are a combination of outlined fonts and type - I think this could be due to the fractions. Fonts normally have fraction characters for 1/2, 1/4, 3/4, however 2/3, 3/5 etc. are less common. Illustrator can create the fractions automatically if using an OpenType font, however the original font used here is Arial, which is not OTF, and I don't believe that font format would play well with .svg... so no straightforward fraction functionality. Judging from the different font used for the 3/5 fraction, I expect this file may have been edited in the past. If type was possible, it would be easy to add the angled quote (prime) character. The forum does not allow uploading .svg files, so I've uploaded the edited version to the URL below: https://svgshare.com/s/aur Hope this helps! Cheers, James x

Hello ewall08530, I would recommend the Kawai SC-1. https://www.kawai-global.com/product/sc-1/ Kind regards, James x

Luke Miani suggested that it could be a new entry-level iMac to replace the dreadful dual-core model that he laid into a few weeks ago: [video:youtube] Cheers, James x

...and why does the woman have a P-125 (?) in the kitchen, and (what appears to be...) another one in the backroom? In all seriousness though, this looks like a pretty decent app.

Relevant video from Constant Geekery: [video:youtube] He suggests that new Macs may not be announced until WWDC later in the year. By the way, I really like this guy's clear, unflashy videos...and he's also a fellow Brit, so I feel something of an obligation to support this channel. Cheers, James x

M1 MacBook Air here, went for the 16GB model, but only a 256 SSD. I recently bought an entry-level Synology NAS and a single 4TB drive for storage (I can easily add another 4TB at a later date).

Hello folks, I recently purchased a new computer, with a view to being a little more creative at home. One project I'd like to do is "remaster" some old 720p band videos I have, upscale them to 4K, and also attempt to "correct" some of my more obvious playing mistakes. Does anyone here any suggestions for this kind of thing? I've already downloaded the trial version of "Topaz AI video upscaler", so that should help to improve the video resolution. But how about the audio? A few years ago I had reasonably good success with Meloydyne, pitchshifting the odd bum-note here and there to play the correct key. Is Melodyne still the best app for this kind of task, or are there more modern, perhaps AI-based open-source tools that can achieve better results? Any tips warmly appreciated! Cheers, James x

The original Quiccosound mi.1 has been replaced by the mi.1 II. It serves the same purpose as the original but now supports MIDI timestamps, and has lower latency. The connector's housing is also a little smaller, so thery are able to plug into instruments that have a small gap between the MIDI IN and OUT terminals. As I say, I had one of the 1st generation mi.1 units, which has been great. However, upgrading to this one, I immediately noticed an improvement in latency, and it's not such a squeeze to connect. The Quiccosound mi.1 Cable is a brand new product. It's a set of two interfaces that allow fully wireless MIDI (via Bluetooth) without the need for a computer or iOS/Android device as a bridge. In the video above, Katsunori-san uses the mi.1 Cable to connect a Reface CS with a Nord Rack 3 wirelessly. This would not be possible with the original mi.1. I guess theoretically you could connect an mi.1 to both instruments, and then pair them both with the same computer, and then use MIDI routing software to link the two...but it would be complicated, and the latency would be double (Reface --> computer --> Nord Rack 3). With mi.1 Cable, you do not need a cable to provide the intermediary connection - the two instruments can effectively communicate with each other directly. Moreover, you can prioritise timing by connect the white mi.1 Cable into the instrument that requires it. Cheers, James x

Quiccosound mi1. Cable (note: this is different to the regular Quiccosound mi.1). Check out this video from Katsunori-san: [video:youtube] (English subtitles available) Cheers, James x ps. I recently picked up the new improved mi.1 II - the latency is improved compared to my original (crowd-funding backed) mi.1.

It's been a while since I did anything like this, but a few years ago I made an MP3 album from a live concert DVD. Unfortunately I forget the name of the tool, however I used some software which analyses the inserted DVD then lists the available chapters. Within each chapter, there are options to rip the video, audio, or subtitle streams. I ripped the audio, which was mixed in both DD5.1 (surround) and DD2.0 (stereo). From there, I used another tool to convert the audio (.AC3 format, I believe) to discreet mono WAV tracks, then experimented with remixing the 5.1 down to stereo and comparing it to the pre-mixed stereo version. Once I came up with a mix I was satisfied with, I exported everything out as stereo WAV tracks, then used an MP3 encoder. Finally, I ID3 tagged all of the tracks and added album art. The results were pretty good, purely digital (i.e. DA conversion) and allowed me to enjoy the live DVD on my MP3 player (...like I say, this was a few years ago now - before smartphones that would no trouble playing ripped DVDs were a thing...). It was a nice little "I wonder if I can do that..." project for a rainy Sunday afternoon. Cheers, James x

I gave the app a quick try yesterday, just "playing" the onscreen keyboard with my fingers. As others have said, the sound is really great "out of the box". The Leslie sim is decent, as is the character of the gain control - I look forward to playing this from a real keyboard at the weekend. In terms of performance, it's difficult to judge from playing the onscreen keyboard, however switching between screens was a little laggy, presumably as the graphics loaded in. I noticed that the Leslie animation didn't play either, presumably to save CPU cycles on my slow iPad. All in all, this looks like a killer app, and is a no-brainer at the reduced price. Cheers, James x

Thanks for the heads up on the price reduction! My 1st gen iPad Air will probably struggle to run this, but I'll give it a try regardless...and it's a good excuse to pick-up a newer iPad if it doesn't. Cheers, James x

The new "mi.1 Cable" can do this. Over to you Katsunori-san: [video:youtube] The original "mi.1" has also been updated to "mi.1 II", which has an even smaller footprint. I'm not sure if this is available outside of Japan, however... Cheers, James x

Yes, this is one of the advantages of the HI-XL sound engine over PHI. By the way, is that screenshot from the Kawai-Global.com site? The alignment is all over the place...which browser are you using, may I ask? This is how that part of the page should look: Kind regards, James x

Hello folks, I'm not sure where you're taking that list from, however those are some of the improvements of the ES920 over the ES8, and not improvements of the ES920 over the ES520. For example, the ES920 and ES520 both feature new EP, organ, bass, harpsichord, and strings sounds. The ES920 uses the "Harmonic Imaging XL" (HI-XL) sound engine, while the ES520 uses the "Progressive Harmonic Imaging" (PHI) sound engine. For a full side-by-side comparison of the two boards, please use the comparison tool on the Kawai Global site at the following URL: https://www.kawai-global.com/product_comparison/?c=36/ Kind regards, James x

Extremely sad news. I thought he was incredible in "Get on Up" and of course "Black Panther" I was listening to this tribute on Democracy Now earlier: [video:youtube] Amazing to think that he continued acting throughout his treatment. James x

I'm obviously a little biased, but: - Money is no object: Kawai Novus NV5 or NV10 (okay, or AvantGrand...) - Money is sort of an object: Kawai CA99/CA79 - Slab type is preferred: Kawai MP11SE Cheers, James x

Ah, well that's a different proposition entirely. Cheers, James x

Hello Elmer, The Novus models (Novi?) are proving very popular with our customers. The NV5 is also receiving glowing reviews - check out the excellent video from Merriam Music on YouTube, for example. The laws of physics may preclude a GF action from being used in a sub-30kg slab, and the chances of this action being used in a Korg instrument are probably even more remote. However, I'll obviously keep you informed if I hear anything. Cheers, James x

Here are reference images for the Grand Feel I, II, and III actions. Cheers, James x

The MP11 uses the Grand Feel (I) action, while the CA99 (and CA79) use the Grand Feel III action. There are many similarities between the two keyboard actions, however here are the core features of Grand Feel (I): - Long, fully wooden key sticks used for both black and white keys - Acoustic piano-like "see-saw" movement - Action mechanism behind and above the keys - Staggered balance pins for black and white keys - Ivory Touch white key surfaces - Triple sensor hammer detection - Let-off simulation - Counterweights beneath the keys Grand Feel II (CA97/CA67, CA98/CA78) added some changes/improvements: - Ebony Touch black key surfaces - Graded counterweights across the length of the keyboard - Improved hammer weighting Grand Feel III (CA99/CA79) added some further changes/improvements - Capstan screw+sliptape system replaced by actuator cap - Revised hammer cushion for improved key-stop feel (less "spongy") - Improved let-off consistency So yes, GFIII is Kawai's current flagship digital piano keyboard action. However, as Elmer notes, the next step up are the Millennium III Hybrid upright and grand actions, as found in the NV5 and NV10 respectively. I hope this helps. Kind regards, James x

Hello Imagine, Sorry for my slow response - I was on holiday last week. Anyway, glad to read that connecting the DP10 to the EXP connector (with the correct ring/tip configuration) did the trick, and that the pedal calibration setting allowed the full range of values to be sent. Just to pick-up on a comment from Markyboard: This used to be the case for older wooden key MPs (MP8, MP10, MP11 [non-SE]) that included a Fatar double/triple pedal unit. However, starting with the MP11SE, we include a new GFP-3 triple pedal unit produced by Kawai R&D, which uses a single DIN connector. The same connector is also present on the MP7SE, however this instrument includes the F-10H single pedal (also produced by Kawai). Kind regards, James x

Driver?

Wow, I hadn't seen this video before - incredible performance! Honestly, this is the funniest thing I have seen in ages...I had to stop watching, I was laughing to hard. Cheers, James x