The Piano Man

Also, most annoyingly removed feature: a tie between standard midi sockets and standard 6.3mm audio outputs most missed feature of yesteryear: again a tie between decent metal construction and an internal power supply

Forum user who should really be getting paid for his advice: AnotherScott Best Music Industry Professional who shares his wisdom at no cost: Dave Weiser As for gear… Most ridiculously named product: Korg Liano Another year, another missed opportunity: the Swedish handmade and red squeezebox… the aNordian 😂

Picked up a couple of pre owned gems: Kurzweil PC3a8 Roland XV3080 Keen on a Hammond SK Pro (or something cheaper) and I’m set.

I’ve always thought it would be great if there was something designed like this, but with a built in piano sound and with a lighter weight action that got the board under 20kg. It really takes the acoustic piano design in terms of the polished finish, clean design, lack of buttons and the Kawai logo. Come on Yamaha!

I’ve heard the SV1 described as like trying to pick up a greased piglet. I’ve not attempted to pick up either! On the other hand, Korg did put a handle on the X50.

Personally, I think the M3 looks a lot cheaper. It could easily pass for a mid 90s Technics or Yamaha arranger keyboard with cheesy auto accompaniments

On a side note, I do think the Nords would have even more visual appeal if they didn’t display the number so prominently, if at all. Think Apple’s approach. I don’t want a big no.15 on the iPhone 15. I think the Piano 5 should just be labelled “Nord Piano”, or even “Nord” They could pop the “5” in smaller font on the main panel. Maybe that’s just me but it is the approach on real acoustic pianos to just name the company and hide the model number somewhere else. I guess I could just buy some red tape. I know there are much more important things to be concerned about!!!

I have owned three red keyboards: - Stage 2 - Piano 2 - Stage 2 ex hp76 I liked all three best when playing with a nice pair of headphones. However, for live gigs, I love my Kurzweil PC3a8 and also my old Technics stage pianos. Find what works for you.

I still don’t feel the “device to keyboard action” connection is as good as old school hardware modules. Latency? Secondly, you plug a hardware module in and it turns on but god forbid you forget to charge an iPad… you plug it in at a gig and nothing happens… you wait hours for 1% battery to appear. (Yes, I guess I need a new IOS device, but the point remains) I’d love to see a Pro iPad for gigging with near instant power upon being plugged in. Then I might consider it for gigging but, for now, it’s a stress I could do without.

It’s a pity there’s not a PC3 rack or PC4 rack as you could then buy a lighter weight midi controller and still enjoy your Kurzweil sounds. I actually just sold an RD88 and picked up a second hand PC3a8, having previously owned the PC3x. My lighter weight alternative is a 2001 Technics P50. (16kg) Personally, I cannot stand any of the modern lighter weight 88s. The RD88 action was tiresome and the piano sounds were far too muddy sounding for me. Any attempt at EQing couldn’t sort the base sound. I actually own an old Roland XV3080 with SRX02 and far prefer these piano sounds than those on the RD88.

Disclaimer: I am not a pro paintshopper. 😂 Also, I’d want eq on each channel, but you get the idea!

Does such a thing exist? It’s all subjective, of course, but I would love QSC or RCF to make a keyboard combo. Basically, take the K10 or K12.2 or whatever but repurpose it in keyboard amp format with a built in mixer accessible on the front panel (ie three or four channels with eq etc in easy reach of a keyboard player’s hands) Yes, I can hook up a mixer. Yes, stereo is better. However, sometimes, I find myself using a Roland KC or Peavey KB because of convenience. I just wish they had more competition. Side note: I’m UK based which means I cannot easily source Traynor, Barbetta or Spacestation. I think a QSC KB1, Yamaha DXR-KB (or whatever) could be a decent seller. Your thoughts?

You’re quite right. Yeh, I guess the Yamaha adds the realism whilst the Roland has the body. I just meant that, to me, the Roland is lacking the bright percussive sound that cuts through and that’s where I viewed the Yamaha as having a key role to balance the sound.

Yes. There is a clip on YouTube of his soundman doing some pre gig checks. It shows a mixing desk with two stereo channels for the “acoustic” piano sound, one named “Roland” and one named “Yamaha”. I think the MKS gives the main basis of the sound (same as RD1000 as used by Elton for many years). The Yamaha gives the required “cut” or brightness for the live sound. His current setup may well vary but I believe that is the basic foundation.

Elton sound = Roland MKS20 plus Yamaha Motif Rack (formerly Alesis Nanopiano) plus great sound engineers and an excellent musician!

Stage pianos are funny things to amplify/monitor for live gigging. If we take Elton John as an example, the sound he uses live is not the most natural, piano sound. It is the right sound to cut over his band. I can see why older S700 samples are recommended over CFX etc for Yamaha. In the same way, I still use old Technics stage pianos live as they cut the way I need. Likewise, rough and ready monitors like Roland KC can work in some purposes. Ultimately, as always, you have to trial and get the setup that works for you. For most scenarios, the audience will be happy if you’re happy and they are less concerned about the piano sample and monitor choice.

Everything from RCF TT, QSC, Yam DXR, EV ZX and even some Bose and Roland KC fans! I guess it goes to show that you have to try things out for yourself and let your own ears decide!

I would add the EV ZXa1 to your list. I know you mentioned a boxy sound with a pair of EVs but I am assuming they were an older line or a more budget line. Oh and in terms of the boxy sound from a Roland KC, that is exactly as they sound. Rough and ready. Useful for some purposes but rarely particularly pleasant for piano.

Agree. I’ve owned lots of Kurzweil stuff: - PC3x - PC2r - Micropiano - KME61 - SP76 - SP4-7 I love the sounds. They sit so well in a mix. I particularly like the pianos (even the old Triple Strike), the strings, basses etc. I believe the SP7 Grand has the TP110 from Fatar, which is a newer version of the TP100. I found the TP100 (which I owned in a Nord Stage 2 ex hp76) to be a fair compromise for the light weight, if a little sluggish. I haven’t tried the TP110. I believe the standard SP7 uses a Medeli hammer action. I had Medeli semi weighted in the SP4-7. It was fine but noticeably budget feeling. You get what you pay for. I love the TP40L but it’s pricey and makes the boards heavier. I own a Roland RD88, which I see you are also considering. I find it a very handy tool: a compact keyboard with a decent keybed and feature set at a low weight. However, I much prefer the Kurzweil sounds. I don’t think there is a Kurzweil 88 as compact as the RD88 in terms of depth though, so fair play to Roland for that.

Thanks Dave! Guess I ought to save up for the SP6-7 or, even better, the PC4-7 Cheers!

@Dave Weiser

Hello all, I recently picked up a Kurzweil SP76. Do you know if it is possible to adjust/edit the release on the internal sounds, specifically the piano programs? I see “Release” listed as a midi destination but have tried setting Ribbon A to this (no.72) but it does not seem to affect the piano sound. I used to own a PC3x. Obviously it’s a much more in depth board but, on this one, I would edit Amp Envelope Release settings to get a slighter longer release. I know the wonderfully wise and helpful Dave Weiser sometimes frequents these forums and I know that he will know the answer. Perhaps someone else does too? Used to own a Micropiano so I love the sounds on the SP76 and really like the keyboard action… presuming it is a Fatar TP8 or something similar.

Kurzweil Triple Strike. Yes, it is old. No, it doesn’t complete with stereo samples of multigigabit libraries. However, for gigging, it just works. YMMV

Despite my frustrations about an IOS setup, this thread is making me think I should try and persevere… Does anyone know any way of getting a Volume Pedal to control iFretless but not to control Ravenscroft IOS? I cannot see where to disable the volume pedal on Ravenscroft IOS. I only want it on the bass sound coming via iFretless. Thanks in anticipation!