yannis D Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Hi forumites I'd like to know wich of the two Kawais is better to function as a midi controller/piano? Wich one has the best action and what would you choose? I won't buy it, it's just for three concerts in Israel - they guys form the promotion proposed me to choose between the two of those Kawais, MP4 and MP9000). I mostly play rhodes, piano, some strings/pads and very few organs, so the action has to be more to the piano/rhodes side Any oppinion would be great regards Yannis Be grateful for what you've got - a Nord, a laptop and two hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 I had a lot of problems that kept reoccuring with my Kawai ES4 (MP4) action (see previous threads). I don't like the Kawai piano or Rhodes sound, what I have now sounds and plays a lot better for me. Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 800 of Harry's solo piano arrangements and tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas These arrangements are for teaching solo piano chording using Harry's 2+2 harmony method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yannis D Posted May 8, 2007 Author Share Posted May 8, 2007 thnx jazzi'm talkin about action primary, as i'll have the sounds from my module/laptop. The only internal sounds will be the acoustic piano one. Is the mp4 action stiff? Be grateful for what you've got - a Nord, a laptop and two hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 It's not stiff, it's on the light side. Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 800 of Harry's solo piano arrangements and tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas These arrangements are for teaching solo piano chording using Harry's 2+2 harmony method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resigned Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 I had a lot of problems that kept reoccuring with my Kawai ES4 (MP4) action (see previous threads). I don't like the Kawai piano or Rhodes sound, what I have now sounds and plays a lot better for me. Jazz+: Don't you think it's time to give your anti-ES4 (and now the MP4) campaign a rest? For many players the Kawai MP4/ES4's action and sound is great, both of these keyboards have had excellent reviews, and very few people (two?) have had the problems you did. We're all glad that you love your FP4 so much but that doesn't mean the MP4 and ES4 aren't fine choices too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 yannis D, I know three different people that have had the clacking ES4 black key problems. I had two ES4s that did it to me. What in fact had happened was that over time the white lithium grease slid down to the bottom of the black key front guide pins, keys leaving them dry. That produced clacking noises when the the black keys came in contact with the guide pins during normal playing. The white keys don't have those same guide pins. I opened mine up and relubed every single black key. It took over two hours. Then the clacking slowly started coming back after about 24 hours of playing so I sold it. Jazz+ Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 800 of Harry's solo piano arrangements and tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas These arrangements are for teaching solo piano chording using Harry's 2+2 harmony method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yannis D Posted May 8, 2007 Author Share Posted May 8, 2007 Thnx guys. I believe you, but jazz+ words gave me some problems and i may go for the MP9000 and hope that there will be no action problems there. Anyone has any ideas about the MP9000 action by the way? Be grateful for what you've got - a Nord, a laptop and two hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resigned Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 So you're over it now Jazz+? Your situation was unfortunate but is now well documented since you've posted that story many times. I think that is giving a false impression that everyone who owns an ES4 is having similar problems. I don't think that is the case. I am especially hard on my ES4 and it has held up splendidly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yannis D Posted May 8, 2007 Author Share Posted May 8, 2007 So you're over it now? Your situation was unfortunate but is now well documented since you've posted that story many times. ??? Be grateful for what you've got - a Nord, a laptop and two hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dengus Squatburg Jr Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 My MP4 never had any "clacking" problems. To answer your initial question - the action is very good and the midi controller functions are excellent. You would do just fine with the MP4. I can't speak for the MP9000's action, but it is the early version of the Kawai wooden "pro" action, so should be very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 You folks that don't get the clacking black keys probably have ES4/MP4 units that were more carefuly lubed at the factory and they might have used a heavier grease since Kawai is aware of the problem. Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 800 of Harry's solo piano arrangements and tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas These arrangements are for teaching solo piano chording using Harry's 2+2 harmony method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yannis D Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share Posted May 10, 2007 thnx dengus, guys, for the replies. I think i'll gor the mp4 and hope for the best as they don't have any trusty Kurzweil PC88 or Roland A90 in this particular rental company. Be grateful for what you've got - a Nord, a laptop and two hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niacin Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 The MP4 action has a pleasant but relatively light and shallow action. The AWA Pro action on the MP9000/9500/8 is more substantial and plays much more like a real piano. Gig keys: Hammond SKpro, Korg Vox Continental, Crumar Mojo 61, Crumar Mojo Pedals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthdogg Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 I haven't played the MP4, but I've owned a MP9500 for about 4 years, have toured with it extensively, and it's been fantastic. Zero problems. Works great as a 4 zone controller also. The action is a little different from the original 9000, and I definitely wouldn't call the action "light". It's one of the heavier, more substantial keyboards I've played...it may not be for everyone (it can be fatiguing if you're used to lighter keybeds) but I absolutely LOVE it. The wooden keys add to the realism, and add some sexiness to boot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdman Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 If the action is your prime consideration I would go for the 9000. Its a great board as long as you don't have to carry it. The only issue with it can be some sharp edges as the wood would shrink a little bit leaving the plastic keytops sticking out a little. As long as these are sanded there should be no problem. The MP4 action is a little rubbery - not nearly as nice, but still quite playable. If you find real pianos difficult, you will probably find the 9000 difficult too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yannis D Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share Posted May 12, 2007 If you find real pianos difficult, you will probably find the 9000 difficult too. Actually, i'm a classical trained pianist-turned organist/keyboardist, so a real piano action is much better for me. the only problem is that i'll have some hard time to do orchestras/organs on the 9000. The guys did not answer me yet about wich one they have handy, mp4 or mp9000 so i guess i have to wait. Be grateful for what you've got - a Nord, a laptop and two hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motek Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 same clacking black key problems with my mp4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motek Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 same clacking black key problems with my mp4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timwat Posted December 5, 2012 Share Posted December 5, 2012 For whatever it's worth, my MP4 had no clacking key problems, I would characterize the action as on the heavy side (relative to Yamaha competitive models, and also to my Casio PX3), and found the MIDI control functions for four zones were intuitive, fast and easy to navigate. I've never played a 9000. .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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