Sam McDermott

My CP 73 has had an issue for about a year now where the reverb depth when I'm playing an acoustic piano will slowly creep up by one click about every ten seconds, and when I'm playing an electric piano the reverb will creep down by one click about every five seconds. I've reset the board back to manufacturer settings but that didn't help. I bought the board used but it was in practically new condition--has anyone had any experience with this? Or any experience with issues that seem to just be software bugs in their boards? I don't use reverb all that much so it's not a huge issue, I'd just like to see if I can get the issue resolved.

A Korg Prologue 8. Haven't picked it up yet, but very excited to add it to the rig.

If you don't know about Moonchild yet I would highly recommend. Just released a new album, too.

I also use one of those tents whenever I have to play outside. It only took one 45 minute set a few years ago in the direct sun on a 90+ degree day for me to make that decision haha.

Great review! Although I own the CP73, I can definitely affirm the quality of the raw samples with no effects or EQ. Coming from the SV1, on which the only way the EPs sounded good was when the amp sim and effects were on, the CP's raw samples blow me away. I can also speak to the playability of the the keybed on the 73. I played a wedding reception gig last week with a quartet, and I was using the Bosendorfer and CFX for the first hour and a half before switching to the 78 Rhodes. The key to sound connection for the pianos was great, but I've never played EPs on keyboard that just felt so good. I suppose it's hard to describe, but the 73 keybed is just killer for EPs.

I figured I should wrap up this situation, so here goes. I ended up returning the Standtastic to Sweetwater and ordering the K&M 18950 and 18952 from Thomann. They arrived yesterday and I'm very impressed with their stability and build quality, really the ideal stand for me. The best part? I ended up saving just over $150 by ordering through Thomann instead of any of the U.S. distributors. Also received great customer service from Thomann. So props to both K&M and Thomann for a great shopping experience

Man, I could never imagine being forbidden to practice. My mom has always loved when I'm playing, even if it's just shedding stuff, my dad too (our piano is in his office and it doesn't bother him at all). But of course, they're my parents haha...I imagine neighbors and strangers would be a different story...

So the Standtastic is on its way back to Sweetwater. I'm strongly considering spending a bit more and going with the K&M 18950 and 18952. Definitely pricier, but if the build quality of K&M is as good as I've read, I should be able to get some incredible mileage out of it, as I'm very careful with my gear.

Oh goodness haha. The only time I've experienced something like that was at an outdoor gig for a beer and bacon festival (really good crowd). The "stage" was essentially a small platform about 2 feet off the ground. About a half hour in, we realized the two halves of the stage had slowly been crawling away from each other--we thought it was from our drummer's foot hitting the kick drum. Anyway, aside from an electrical outage that lasted about ten minutes, that gig ended up turning out okay.

If I go with the X stand, the Quiklok 742 seems to be the most adjustable and sturdy-looking (I hate how all of this is speculation haha)

With mixed reports and not being able to see one in person, it's a tough call as much as I hate to say it, I may just resort to a two tier X stand. Or, I just found the Quiklok WS-421 and 422, which look alright. Probably not as good of build quality as the K&M equipment, but a table style stand seems very appealing. Does anyone have any experience with this pair?

Thanks for all the input! I would definitely be using it for sitting, and I don't get wild with my playing at all. I guess I'm just looking for something as solid as the Z stand but in a more portable package.

I recently ordered a Standtastic 122KS, which is a shorter two-tiered A-frame stand. However, despite reading some good reviews, both on this forum and elsewhere, I was pretty disappointed with the lack of side-to-side stability. Even with two keyboards on it, it still rocked back and forth when I played. This is a bummer because I was looking forward to how portable this stand is supposed to be with the bag it comes with. So I'll be sending it back soon. So the hunt continues. I've read some really great things about the K&M 18880, but I just can't believe how lightweight it is. Can anyone comment on not just the stability, but if there is any sideways motion when playing? I've also looked at the K&M 18810 Omega, which seems to be the ultimate solution, but the price is just a bit out of my budget. Also, it seems less portable than the 18880. If anyone can assure me that there is no lateral motion on the 18880 when it is in use, that would be great. Also, this stand would strictly be for gigging, as I have a two tiered On-Stage Z stand and ProLine X stand I use at home.

Barry is absolutely the man. His playing on Donna Lee off of Vicissitudes blows me away. It's one thing to be an incredible player, but it's another thing to be an incredible player AND an incredible educator, which he so clearly is based on all the YouTube videos I've watched. And seriously isn't he just one of the coolest dudes?

Speaking of George with Zappa, I still get chills listening to Uncle Remus off of Apostrophe. It has been my soundcheck song on many occasions. Speaking of George but NOT with Zappa, George's playing on The Black Messiah with Cannonball had a profound impact on me.

I have been practicing with the EV7 on the Numa for the past few days and after fine tuning the minimum volume, I think it will work just fine (I have a B3 but I'm primarily a piano player, so it's not like I've been accustomed to a long throw). I'll probably keep rolling with it until it craps out and then reconsider my options.

This is interesting to hear! I currently have a Roland EV-7, which works with my Numa, so it's interesting to hear the FC-7 works with yours, as I've read so many accounts of Yamaha and Roland pedals not having the same polarity. If I decide to order one, I may hold off on the adapter until I try it out to see if it works. Thanks everyone for all the info and advice! It's all much appreciated.

I always tend to sit A. because it's so much comfier and B. because when I'm trying to maneuver around pedals when I stand I feel like I'm doing an awkward two-step and my butt always ends up a bit farther out behind me then what looks normal/healthy lol. I rock a nice wooden stool at every gig (unless it's a looong gig, in which case a padded bench is the go-to)...for me, there are times for playing and then there are times for dancing, and they don't seem to overlap in my world

I found a great deal about the specs of lots of different expression pedals when I searched for this, but can anyone tell me if a Yamaha FC7 pedal will work with my Numa Organ 2? In the Numa manual it just gives the option of the VP27 or FP50 (both of which are Studiologic products) but the little info I've found about them has informed me of their short throw distances. I'd love to have the FC7, but I just need to know if it's compatible with my clone before throwing it in the Sweetwater cart haha Many thanks in advance.

My CP73 was delivered yesterday and it's everything I wanted it to be. I'll be using it for APs and EPs under a Numa Organ 2 or Mopho x4, and it meets all my needs. Love the raw samples, but the effects are killer and will be seeing a lot of use from me. I'm coming from an SV1 88, on which the Rhodes and Wurli I adored (when being run through the amp sim), the acoustic pianos were ok, and the action was always a bit heavy to me, but I got used to it. The CP delivers what I consider better sounding everything and the same mix of great effects at a MUCH lighter weight (which was my main reason for getting the CP). As far as the action goes, I REALLY dig it. Better for playing EPs than the SV, very responsive and on the lighter side. Love it for the grands and uprights as well. It just has the quality feel you would expect from a Yamaha keybed. Since I already have organ and synth covered with other instruments, I don't feel like I "settled" for anything with this instrument and can't wait to start gigging with it and dialing in some great sounds.

I revisit this track every few months to keep my soul in check. Revisited it today, so I had to drop the link. He was the man.

Found a mint CP73 for a great price online, ordered it last night. Putting a lot of faith in Yamaha's action having not played it, but they haven't let me down yet. I already dig the sound quality, both from the demo videos and from playing the 88, so if this action holds up to Yamaha's standards I'll be very happy with this once it's here I'll share my thoughts.

Stopped into the local piano/keyboard store in town about two weeks ago, owners of which are Yamaha dealers, to see if they had gotten these in yet. They had an 88 but no 73, which was a bummer because I was most interested in the 73. Played the 88 and the action felt superb, which I have found to be the case for most Yamaha's I've played. APs sounded excellent, EPs were better than what I expected them to be. I would probably always be running them through with a dash of drive and some effects, but that's ok because the effects were pretty pleasing. APs and EPs are mostly what I would be using it for, maybe some pads or strings layered with a piano, but this seems to me like a great bottom board under a clone/synth. Anyway, the 88 action felt great but I would be most interested in a 73 because of its portability. One of the guys in the shop said the action that is in the 73 comes from one of the Clavinova models. I hadn't been able to find anywhere that this was the case, but if so then I would put a lot more faith in the 73 action sight-unseen because of the quality of the new Clavinova's that I've played. Can anyone confirm this?

Ahh ok. How often does the action need to be re-lubricated? In terms of usage, I would be playing it every day if I decide to hold on to it.

I searched about this topic before posting this and didn't find anything about this specifically, so I hope I'm not beating a dead horse here...apologies if I am. I received the Nord Electro 4 HP I ordered from Reverb a few days ago and I was sort of shocked by the action. The entire keybed seems "clicky" but especially in the mid range, where I'm assuming it got the most use from its previous owner. Otherwise it's in really excellent condition, and maybe this keybed thing isn't even a technical problem at all. I was wondering if any other Nord HP users had experience with this and possibly "tightening up" the keys (if there is such a thing) to try and reduce the noise? It's not really the thud of the key when it's played, it's something else. Is there a fix for this? Or is it just an aspect of the Fatar keybed that caught me off guard? My plan was to use it primarily for AP and EP, and I was pretty impressed with the samples and effects, just not sure if the action is something I'll be able to deal with. Thanks in advance for any insight and wisdom