DeltaJockey
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Posts posted by DeltaJockey
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In Oz, we have a cultural observation called, "The Tall Poppy Syndrome". It's about egalitarian principles, a person or institution that is overly dominant or way above anyone else is looked upon with disdain, and in contra to a fair go society.
I think it's wonderful that Studiologic not being one of the really big players is producing such good gear recently. I know in the past, I have complained of their quality control with products I've owned , and they seem to have made quite some progress on this too. Kudo's to them!
When I was a child, people used to ask my father which football team he followed. He used to say...I follow the team at the bottom, because they need the most help 👍
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2 hours ago, Dave Ferris said:
I'm nosing around for prices and availability and called a music store back East that I've dealt with many times in the past. The fellow I use to work with, that gave the best prices around, retired a few years back. They are totally legit Yamaha, Korg, Roland, etc., etc. dealers. My guy used to be able to get literally anything, except for certain Pro Audio products.
So I'm talking with the owner's son who took over for my past guy, very nice young kid, he's really trying to be helpful...but man he's scattered x 10. Maybe too much Red Bull or whatever...lol
I'm looking at ordering a CP88 and a Montage 6. He proceeds to tell me that the Montage 8 would be a better choice over the CP88.
I said no, first off I'm still gigging a tad and at almost age 70, the weight of the Montage 8 at 64 lbs. is insane, WAY out of the question. I'm trying to shave off 8 lbs. from the P-515 as it is. Plus the Montage 8 action feels much lighter and is less of an overall less substantial piano playing board then the CP88. Also I preferred the CP88 CFX (not to mention the Hamburg) piano sample to what I've heard in the Montage.
The M8 has the "balanced action" while the CP88 sports the "natural wood graded hammer action". Now technically I don't know the pecking order of Yamaha action names, I've always gone on feel. I know my P-515 is another entirely different grade of action then both of those. It's been sometime since I played the M8 in a store but I distinctly remember it being lighter then the CP88, I'd bet my Steinway on that.
Anyway he proceeds to tell me that the Montage 8's action has been updated and/or made heavier in recent years. Now I'm not up on a lot of updates, I might've missed it, but that's the first I've ever heard of that. I pressed him on it asking specifically, when did this heavier action come about ? He replied, about two years ago. I said, interesting and thanks for the info. I didn't say anything to him but in reality I'm having my doubts.
He gave me a great price on it, along with the Montage 6 and CP88. Sure I'd love the Full Monty Montage at home for messing around on but it's not a priority. The two keyboards are more practical.
But I have to ask, has anyone heard of this update or a tweaking of the Montage 8 action ? I'm more curious then anything.
My 2 cents worth on the M8 BHE...... My experience is that the perceived weighting probably depends on how you play it. Like many keybeds, there seems to me a marked difference in static force and dynamic force. I've been ambivalent about it, because when I push a few keys slowly and compare with my other keybeds, it feels quite light. But I tend to play 7 to 10 finger arpeggios a lot, very quickly, and the dynamic force is quite significant to my fingers. This can strain them quite quickly. (It's why I currently love my Numa X GT.)
It feels a bit like moving your hand through Non Newtonian fluid, but much subtler. As my hands age, I'm less tolerant of these dynamic forces for any length of time. If you compare the BHE to the older Fatars, and Fatar equiped Nords, it's dynamic force is less IMO, but is still noticeable for me compared to my Numa X GT, or Kawai MP7SE etc.
The balanced weighting has never been a problem for me, even as a piano player, after a few minutes of playing you don't even notice it. I wonder whether people who say they wouldn't like it, just reject it as a ideological reason.
ps. I've also not been a fan of the Montage pianos. Even the Bosendorfer has a certain "bright thinness", like it's been processed for rock piano use. Considering its main use I wouldn't be surprised. I used sample robot at one stage to capture a nice Steinway B, and loaded into the user memory, which I much prefer.
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thanks for that 😀
I only updated a few weeks ago, and didn't check recently thinking that I still had the latest!
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For those of you that have a Numa X Piano, I had a weird thing happen last night, and wondered if it was a bug. I went into global settings and the menus were missing. It was just the scroll bar which I could still move over blank lines. In the end I had to reboot the machine. Anyone else had this happen? If it looks like a bug, I suppose I'll log it with Studiologic.
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I'm enjoying my Numa Piano X GT more than my MP11SE at the moment. This bothers me a bit, considering the caliber of the MP. However, if I rate the GT for pure playing enjoyment, it is my favorite right now.
As I also have an acoustic grand, I'm not lately focusing on a digital action to best emulate the acoustic, rather what is the nicest playing all round action with least fatigue.
(I'm starting to experience symptoms in my hands and wrists, not related to technique).
Though the MP11SE feels closer to my Kawai acoustic, I find it a bit more sluggish, and tires me quicker, even for just piano. Oddly, my real acoustic doesn't fatigue like this.
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34 minutes ago, Dave Ferris said:
That is really nice ! I'm looking into picking up a barely used Montage 8 myself. The Kronos 2 is icing on the cake. I'd actually like one of those too, the 61.
Are those Adam monitors ? How is the sound for piano and general keyboard stuff ? I'm considering the Neumann KH310s or the comparable Focals. I need any kind of acoustical treatment. Steinway sounds really good in there, electronic keyboards with speakers, not so much.
Yes, Adam A7X's with a set of A3X's for the rear surround. Had them since 2016, but have now actually just sold them, as I moved into Genelec 8040's etc. Not that there was anything wrong with the Adam's...superb sound, the Xart ribbons are soooo sweet. It's just that I had already bought some smaller Genelecs, for portable use, and was finding it a little disconcerting, swapping my ears between the 2 technologies. I became more used to the Genelecs, so decided to standardise, and I like Gen's SAM calibration in less than ideal acoustics. Otherwise just a matter of preference.
The Adams are excellent for piano, IMHO. I remember when I first auditioned them at the store. I went in looking at the Presonus MTM's. Their wide sweet spot appealed to me.
You know what it's like with sound, you think it sounds good until you hear something better. After listening to the Presonus, I heard the Adam's, and the detail in the sound, and the smooth unfatiguing experience won me immediately. I've not heard the Neumann's nor the Focals, but it seems that with all fine monitors you just have to decide for yourself. Originally, my store said I could take the Adam's home for a couple of days to try them out in my environment, but I was confident and just bought them, no regrets.
My studio is only 14ft x 10ft, and I have my acoustic grand in a larger separate living room, where it sounds fine. Because I re create the hall environments using the surround in my studio, the small room is almost an advantage. Both my Adam's and now Genelecs only sounded excellent for both piano and general synth as long as a bit of effort was put into EQing them in the room, otherwise, like all monitors they could easily sound pretty tiring.
Anyway, yes i still do recommend the Adam's for Piano etc, I believe the newer A7V's are a notch better again?
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51 minutes ago, o0Ampy0o said:
Nice!
Who do you trust to water the plants?
Sorry to disappoint, the plants are ornaments, they're not real! I used to have real ones, but artificial plants are so realistic thee days!
Saves the watering, and the inherent pests which took up residence. I do still have some real ones in the other parts of the house, which I value and enjoy
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I got one to take away with me. I haven't used it much since the pandemic though. As a piano player, I find the key size is something you do ultimately get used to, but it is a compromise. It has a squishy bottoming almost feeling like the key sticks are a bit flexible, but the velocity articulation and nimble response is surprisingly good.
I have the 61 key version, as I need room for both hands. Anything less would be too restrictive for me. (I always wished they'd make an 88 version!)
The bluetooth uses it's own Korg driver and app. I find the latency to be quite acceptable, but that is a very subjective thing. I think playing organ and synth pads would respond well enough for a gig. Note though, it does have a wired USB connection too, needing the camera adapter for the iPad. I use it with a mac, not iOS. I think I once tried it on my iPhone, but can't remember if I hardwired it or bluethooth. But yes, I think your application for it would be worth trying, if you're happy playing everything on synth keys, you might find it quite acceptable.
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Absolutely!
I'm going through those emotions big time right now. I've been sitting here surrounded by all my gear, including my more recent stuff, trying to decide whether to offload the older gear I don't use much, but I have an attachment to most of it, and can't bear the thought, but also can't face the thought of it just sitting here as props.🫤
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11 hours ago, CyberGene said:
As an ex-owner of a CP88 that got replaced by a Numa X Piano 73 (same sounds and feature as the GT, just a lower tier keyboard action) I can say with a certainty that the CP88 beats the Numa in regards to sounds. Not by much but still, the acoustic pianos are more engaging to play and more natural, the electric pianos are perfect, whereas on the Numa you have to tweak them... That being said, the Numa won me with some of its features such as better external MIDI zone control (good luck turning on/off external zones on the CP unless you start diving into the menus), seamless zone switching on/off where the sound doesn't get cut immediately as on the Yamaha, being able to apply effects to the audio input, compact size and lowest weight in class. So, yeah, the CP88 has some edge but then it's also 1.5x the price and has some things that are worse than the Numa.
Taking in mind the size of the companies and the difference in experience creating music instruments (because Studiologic were only making controllers until relatively recently), I would say kudos to Studiologic 👏🏻
I agree with you about the onboard pianos, to me they sound a bit bright and thin, partly the piano model and samples in my opinion. However, I'm a bit of a fan of the Steinway B, and I downloaded Studiologic's offering, and I must say it is really good to my ears. Though it has limitations in the samples, and articulation, I'm enjoying playing it as much as many of my vst pianos.
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My summit is one of those synths, I decided that even if I don't use it for some time, I won't sell it, as it's a good replica both in operation and build quality of the synths I had in the 70's I wish I still had, or wish I'd had the money to buy. It doesn't take up much space, and looks pretty cool. Heck, maybe one day I'll get a glass display cabinet for it 😁
It's the only synth key action I have now, and I use it as a synth action controller sometimes. I used to have a Komplete Kontrol S61, but sold that because my Summit key action does a better job!
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On 4/19/2023 at 4:37 AM, davinwv said:
I was really hoping to see an updated SL88 Grand with the action from the GT at NAMM. Hopefully soon . . .
After finding the keybed of my GT to be the best asset, I'm hoping they bring out a controller version too. I'd love to have a second one as a backup, because they haven't been around long enough to see how robust they'll be over time yet.
Anybody else got the magnetic ipad/laptop holder yet? They don't seem to be available at all in my neighborhood.
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3 minutes ago, Paul Woodward said:
And a nice short review demonstrating the sounds 🙂 Okay, sales pitch over 😉
I actually bought my Kawai Acoustic Grand... and my Montage from Rudi at Better Music. He was a popular guy and quite a veteran of expertise for a long time there. I believe he moved on a couple of years ago to work with Roland.🙂
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Yeah, I was thinking the same about that metal sticking out. It looks a bit rounded like the end of a knife handle!
I wonder if it's something someone tried to stick in there to lever the key up, and then it got stuck in there too
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3 hours ago, The Piano Man said:
Technics SX-P30 is still the coolest. Circa 1998 sure but sleek. No buttons at all on the panel. The Steinway sample is a little brisk and dated but just dial back the treble on your speakers of choice.
Ah yes, my first proper weighted action, after years of semi synth actions. I loved the way the connections were all on the left hand end. It made for a good controller, as it could mount flush against a desk with no leads coming out the back, and the endcaps had molded handles with the connectors recessed for carrying. The action was pretty good for it's day, and the Steinway samples were reminiscent of some of Kurzweil's piano back in the late 80's.
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If the bottom A plays but doesn't spring back, it's probably the leaf spring that has popped out. A relatively easy thing to fix. As long as there's no broken plastic tabs on the hinged part of the key. Even then, one key to buy and fix is less of a problem, and being the end key it should be even easier
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I second the D1,
it's basically a Korg RH3 keybed in a solid wooden box. The only thing is because it's a stage piano, it doesn't have built in speakers, which you mentioned.
I like its square lines, as the style reminds me of the keyboard controllers of the 1970's modular synthesizer "walls".
To me it has a great action feel, and is improved over the original keybed in the Kronos, and very quiet. It so basic though...no controller wheels, no aftertouch, no release velocity, just attack velocity, but quite responsive, (especially compared to Yamaha actions from my experience). No USB, just 5 pin MIDI. Press the power button, and within about 3 seconds, you're good to go.
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My cromoly steel touring bike is my fave, such a soft comfortable ride all day long!
Eeks! I'd better stop walking on my millenium 3 action, I don't want to have to replace my whole piano action, just because my body weight snapped one jack.🤣
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6 minutes ago, DeltaJockey said:
It's not in there to save weight,
Actually I correct myself there, it does make the action faster and lighter of course. I meant that it isn't for saving a few grams relative to over 300kg.
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I'm not sure whether it would solve any problems in keyboards. I have a Kawai Millenium 3 action in my grand, and can see the advantages, given it is replacing timber components. It's not in there to save weight, it's just much less variable to play with changes in humidity, as well as being stronger, but your average synth/keyboard is mostly plastic and metal, not needing to use timber for acoustic character, other than the life, (and expense) would be increased. Perhaps stage pianos like MP11SE may benefit, as it's so heavy with wood, but there seems to be a move toward making stage pianos with more wood veneers anyway. My recent Studiologic Numa Piano X GT has the plastic composite keys mimicking the density of wood, so that it's a kind of lighter weight artificial parallel to using carbon composite I suppose. And in my view it does a stellar job too!
Perhaps if the the trend takes it, they could put carbon fibre veneers on the sides of the keys to appeal to more people.
I could see down the track, they could be using carbon fibre in keyboards, then have to add lead weights to stop the instrument from sliding around on the stand😁
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On 4/17/2023 at 12:22 AM, NoLights said:
I love it when someone says “comes with power chord”.
Reminds me of the old department store advertisements selling audio equipment back in the 70's and 80's. Often in the list of specs it would say...."features volume control"
I also saw somewhere once, a real audio amp that had a graduated volume knob that really did go to "11"!
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I had an S61 Mk2 which I sold. Though it was an alright semi weighted keyboard, I found the hollow plastic sound of the front panel when pushing the buttons got to me eventually. It must be me, because it's one of the reasons I originally upgraded my MODX8 to a Montage. (I have an affinity for solid metal construction) 😀
The other reason is, I found I wasn't really using the display functions, as I just found it easier to use my NI software on the computer, which had a higher res monitor. I was drawn in by the kewl color displays, but they are a bit low res and grainy, and a lot of the time when using most of my other plugins in my DAW, it would be disabled anyway.
I guess what I'm saying, is it wasn't for me. I'm sure it is the right choice for many folk😄
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I'm selling my beloved "insert gear here". I don't really want to part with it, but I really need you to give me top dollar because it's so special to me. 😆
I'm selling my legendary "...." Ha? It's so legendary, I've never heard of it.
Up for sale, or up for grabs is my "...." Is it just me, or is stating the obvious with these extra words a bit superfluous?
Conversation between 2 keyboardists,
Person A: My keyboard collection is quite old, so it's not worth much.
Person B: My keyboard collection is sooooo old, it's worth a fortune!
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I thought I'd finally get around to posting a couple of pics of my studio gear. There's nothing outstanding that you folks haven't seen, but here it is anyway 😐
(I'm a bit of clean and tidy freak, sorry).
I move stuff around from time to time, and this is a recent configuration, before pondering a re arrange.
as I've bought some new monitors I'm waiting on.
And I really need to finish my acoustic treatment!
My gear generally doesn't go traveling for gigs, so a private affair all round.
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I'm losing it! Can't remember or figure out how to embed a youtube - I can only post a clickable link.
in The Keyboard Corner
Posted
I thought you go to Other Media on the right hand side and insert URL. But it doesn't seem to be working for me.