The Piano Man

February 8

47 minutes ago, AnotherScott said:

I felt that way when I got the XE20, that Italian piano is great... I assume that piano (if not an even better version of it) is the Italian piano in the GS as well. (It was not in my old Kronos.)

The Italian piano is my favourite. Quite impressive if they offer a version of it in the entry level XE20. What’s the action like on that one? NH? Any good?

February 8

I’ve got an XV3080 too. So many of the sounds just work really well live. I have the SRX02 piano card. It’s pretty decent live actually and you can run it mono without too much loss of sound. The Dynamic Grand patch is clean and clear.

I agree with other comments: the 3080 sounds better than other XV/JV models

February 8

The original Grandstage is the best stage piano I have ever owned. Arrived last week. I cannot believe how good the RH3 action feels with the GS samples.

I have previously played the RH3 on a SV1, a D1, the SP250 and the M50-88.

Unquestionably, the Grandstage is best but then, I guess, the samples make a psychological difference to the feel of the keys. Having said that, it really does feel and sound amazing. I was never a fully fledged Korg guy for pianos until I got this one.

February 8

I think the RD1000 used one of the Matsushita (Technics) actions.

I have a Technics P30 (circa 2001) stage piano and it has a very light and very quick hammer action. Not fatiguing at all.

I would have recommended the Korg RH3 but I see you have already tried that. What about the Yamaha GHS? It’s pretty light and quick, at least to me. YMMV.

February 7

5 hours ago, Stefan011 said:

I use Laney AH150 (plus a passive speaker for stereo) for rehearsals and small gigs. It's super flexible, but I don't really like the sound. Do you think a pair of Altos would make a difference? Or should I stick with Laney at this price point?

I briefly owned a Laney AH150. Honestly, the worst sound I have ever experienced. Makes Roland KC amps sound like Nexo or Logic System in comparison.

I have heard the newer Roland KC series is much improved, so they could be handy if you want the convenience of a keyboard amp.

However, if sound is a priority, a stereo pair of decent active speakers is a good option. Keen to try those Altos myself after all these recommendations but I already own EV ZXa1 which I presume are better still?

February 4

8 minutes ago, Floyd Tatum said:

Thanks. I just downloaded the P-140 manual, and it came out in 2005, so I must be confusing the P-145 with this older model. I'm an older model myself - this kind of thing happens to me more frequently these days..... 😃

The P140 was an odd one. It was the successor to the P120 but, if I remember correctly, it had phono outputs instead of standard jack and a far worse Rhodes sound than that on its predecessor.

February 4

There was a P140 and a P45. The P145 is more recent.

I posted the following at Piano World after a query about Yamaha P series and the confusing numbers…

Yamaha P range

I would say there are 4 tiers.

Tier 1

Starting with the P60, this tier brings you an 88 key weighted piano with no frills and no lineouts!

P60

P70

P85

P95

P35

P45

(All GHS)

P145 (GHC)

Tier 2

Starting with the P105, these are basically the same approach as Tier 1 in that they are a very light weight and a budget cost but they add some features such as extra sounds and line outs.

P105

P115

P125

(All GHS)

P225 (GHC)

Tier 3

I am calling Tier 3 the models that are still portable by one person but that include a more quality keyboard action. Here, there is a mix of speakerless and others with speakers.

Speakerless:

P80

P90

This speakerless line would now be the CP range.

With speakers:

P120

P140

P155

P255

(All GH)

P-S500 (GHS) (not sure where to put this one!)

Tier 4

I am calling Tier 4 the highest level P piano at any given time. Usually Yamaha is unconcerned about the final weight of the piano. These models date back a long way and I may need help with this section but here goes:

P100 (Clavinova PF-P100) Action Effect (AE)

P150 (Action Effect II)

P200

P250

CP300 (perhaps shouldn’t be listed here but did somewhat fill a void in the P series for a few years)

(All GH)

P515 (NWX)

P525 (GrandTouch S)

February 2

5 minutes ago, AnotherScott said:

Well, you did say it was something you'd "pay good money for." 🙂

Indeed, I’d pay good money not bad money. I’d definitely rather have 2 K8s or DXR8s, no question!

The Roland KC200 is about £400. A pair of K10.2s are about £1400. I’d say there’s scope for a high quality keyboard amp at around the £900 mark

February 2

1 hour ago, AnotherScott said:

The problem is that people think the number = how loud it will go (and that manufacturers take advantage of that misconception in their marketing).

Part of it is that wattage can be measured in different ways (peak vs. continuous; over different frequency ranges; at different levels of distortion), so you may or may not be comparing "the same" wattage spec between devices. Then there's the fact that some systems have multiple amps (i.e. a biamped system that has separate power for the low and high frequency drivers), and then manufacturers may use a number that is the sum of both amplifiers' output. Then there is the fact that biamped models may use two channels of a stereo amp that puts out the same power per channel, even though the HF driver will never see more than a fraction of the power the LF driver sees. (Your 800 watt EV, I believe, is 400 watts to the LF driver and 400 watts to the HF driver... but the HF driver probably never sees more than 10% of that). Then, when an amp is not purchased separately but instead comes permanently mated to the speakers, the efficiency of the speaker can make a big difference. (100 watts into a speaker with a 95 dB efficiency spec yields the same volume as 800 watts into a speaker with 86 dB efficiency). Then there can be differences in input sensitivity. Some PA speakers expect only a +4 signal, while a keyboard amp expects -10.

So basically, yeah, in most cases, comparing power specs between different integrated systems is pretty pointless. What you want to look for are the SPL figures, but not every mfr provides those (and evem then, they can be measured different ways).

That's why Motion Sound exists.

No, not for me. In the UK, at least, the cheapest single Motion Sound is more than a pair of DXR8s and about the same price as a pair of QSC K10.2s. I don’t think they are worth that price.

February 2

I’ve said this many times before, but I really like the immediacy of controls of a keyboard amp. The mixer is not only built in but in east reach of your hands from a seated position by your keyboard.

However, I do agree that powered speakers from QSC, EV etc generally sound much better than amps like the Roland KC range. (I own K10, ZXa1 and KC150)

Two powered speakers plus a decent small mixer is a good setup for amplification of acoustic piano sounds.

But I would still pay good money for a keyboard amp in the style of the KC but designed and made by QSC, EV or equivalent.

The Vox amps look handy. Just wish they had an internal power supply.

February 2

1 hour ago, UnderGroundGr said:

Welcome back poserp!

What other names from the past would people like to see return?

Names I remember include…

P120dUdE (aka ChrisM250)

Kiramamoru (spelling?)

EvilDragon

FlatEarth

GigMan

January 31

Personally I think it’s a ghastly beast.

I’ve actually recently ordered the original Grandstage 88. Found one in stock. I much prefer the design and price of this. And, of course, the base sound engine is the same, the keyboard action is the same and I will be able to carry it myself and fit it in my car!

My long serving Technics P30 (circa 2001) has a dodgy dc jack socket now so I decided it was time for an upgrade!

January 29

Apparently you can play very very quickly and unmusically on this too, just like you can on a Kronos.

January 29

13 minutes ago, konaboy said:

and of course rudess staring out from the banner. is there anything he doesn't endorse?

Exactly. I’m sure he just can’t wait to stop using his Kronos and switch to this thing 😏

January 29

14 minutes ago, felis said:

I had a PC361 and really liked the keys, especially the after touch. Don't know what it was, but I'd also like to see them use it in the K2061.

TP9

It would be great if all manufacturers listed the keyboard action name and any associated tweaks.

There is a thread somewhere with a link to keyboard action names. Any time I see it, it reminds me of the following musings:

- Technics (Matsushita) made some really good ones including, apparently, the one that went on to become Korg’s RH3.

- The Yamaha FS/FSX actions were/are classic solid synth actions

- Korg M3 action is also excellent (another Technics reworking?)

- Roland used to use both Matsushita and Fatar actions in various products. I always forgot that

Anyway, back on topic, great to see more pro level releases from Kurzweil.

For me, 73/76 remains the gigging sweet spot, especially when in a sleek compact form, eg

- Yamaha CP73

- Hammond SK Pro

- Vox Continental 73

- Roland VR730

For Kurzweil, I liked the Artis 7 form factor. It even had internal power supply and was a manageable 12kg . It can be done!! Not everything with internal power needs to be ridiculously heavy or light but a large plastic monstrosity.

January 28

I really feel this board should have an internal power supply. Not that I want to start another debate on this!!

Nonetheless, keen to hear if an owner can try the panning suggestion. Would be very handy if this works!!

January 27

Two tier keyboard stand?

January 27

I just love Kurzweil gear. A smaller company that, in my view, constantly thinks from the player’s perspective. Not showy, just solid. Their acoustic sounds are still very hard to beat.

January 27

The name perhaps points to a line below the K2700.

Will we see K2061 and K2073 (or K2076)?

Hoping it has retrained the pro features, including internal power supply and assignable outs.

Great to see a Kurzweil 61 key offer. The first one since, what, PC3a6? Or KME61? Trying to remember timelines

January 25

I was hoping that the Numa Compact would allow at least 2 internal zones with overlapping option and also the ability to send each sound to a different output. I’m amazed how many boards don’t offer these basic features. It’s the reason I still use a 1989 Roland Rhodes 760 to this day! (It’s also just 10kg and it also has an internal power supply)

January 19

1 hour ago, CHarrell said:

Korg's been a blizzard of activity lately, surely there's gotta be a D2 in the mix somewhere!

D2 with updated sounds and, ideally, an internal power supply would be excellent!

The latter is unlikely but the sounds definitely need an upgrade. Even the Liano has better pianos than the D1.

January 19

Nord Grand 2. Korg Grandstage X…

For me, if manufacturers can hit the pro level/lightweight/compact sweet spot, they will do well

Think Yamaha YC61, CP73, Hammond Pro etc etc

January 18

Wasn’t expecting this. I had thought SV2 and Nautilus 88 had squeezed Grandstage out of the Korg line up. Great to see a new top of the line stage piano released by Korg. Looks very premium indeed. 25kg is quite a heft these days but not undoable.

January 17

2 hours ago, Sunlight2 said:

The Chopin piano really is a bit gimmicky. Still uses the RH3 keybed and no speaker spec as far as i can see in that press release. Nice looking thing, all the same

35kg with stand. I wonder what weight they could do a slab version. I like the look. I think gigging piano players need more wood effect options!

January 16

Is it the same keyboard as that used on the Yamaha NP range or is it something more substantial?

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