Yamaha CP1 first impressions

[Dana.]

It seemed like unnecessary whining to me. And this thread has had enough of that.

 

Moving on...

[David Loving]

"The problem for me is that I want the FM DX7 sounds. But I also want strings sounds for background layers. So neither the CP1 nor the CP5 do all that I want."

 

 

aaaahhrg!!! If whatever you have now has strings, you can pick up a real DX7 and an x-stand pretty cheap.

 

Actually this thread has been great in that it has fully and clearly explained the instruments - at least so I can understand their function well enough to make an informed decision after playing them. The "drama" has just been a side show...but I don't miss it a bit - I get enough grief in real life.

[Bobadohshe]

It's not that it doesn't exist, it's that it can't exist!, the all in one for everybody.

...and perfection should never be the enemy of excellence.

 

dB

 

Well put.

[burningbusch]

In this clip, mid-way through he plays a split with acoustic bass in the left hand. It sure sounds like Velo Growl preset from the Motif ES/XS. That was one on my short list that need to be included.

 

[video:youtube]

 

Busch.

[VLH]

After reading all this, I've decided to get the CPR.

[Dana.]

After reading all this, I've decided to get the CPR.

This thread caused you cardiac arrest?

[Dave Ferris]

I indeed do have yet a third opinion of the CP-1.......EVERY DP I'VE EVER HAD THE MISFORTUNE IN LIFE OF LAYING MY HANDS ON IS A TOY.....THESE LATEST OFFERINGS ARE NO EXCEPTION!

 

 

For the record and fwiw:

 

To the KC forum members and others looking on not able get to NAMM to play and hear the CP and other new stage DPs--I really do feel the new CP series DPs are very good, imo the best thing out there to this date, definitely surpassing the new Korg, Nord and Roland updates. Kudos to Yamaha for coming up with something new and fresh.

 

To echo the opinions of the other forum members at NAMM, these are the best portable stage pianos I have played. I'm sure that like on all new keyboards, there will be little nuances that will not appeal to everyone, but on the whole I think all three of these models will be popular sellers with both pianists and keyboardists alike.

 

Personally I'm looking at possibly replacing my CP300 or P120 with either the CP5 or 50 model. The CP1 while being very nice is probably more than I would want to spend on a "gigging keyboard".

 

I recommend to outside readers that use this thread has a guideline to upgrade, that you definitely put your hands on one or all three when they hit the stores in your area---you won't be disappointed.

[keyguy]

It's caused me to have GAS...

[bhodaway10]

I went to NAMM for the first time and played the Nord Piano, the CP1/5/50 models, and the studiologic numa nano.

 

The CP1/5/50 are all great keyboards. I played the CP1 on their mini stage through the PA system and also through the headphones. Through headphones, the AP sounded glorious. I could only play the CP5 through the monitors and it was so loud in the area that I was in so I couldn't hear it as well as the other two. I played it the most however since it's probably the most likely the one I'd want to buy. I liked the CP50 too but w/ one acoustic piano sound, I thought the CP5 is a much better deal.

 

I felt like the action of the CP1 and CP5 were on the lighter side where the CP50 is harder. BTW, I played a bunch of the grands that day and none felt like any of these.

 

The only deal breaker could be the heft and size of the unit. Even the CP5 is 55 lbs.

 

I did play the Nord Piano. It's the best of nord piano I've played but at the same price as the CP5, I'm not sure if it's a great deal. The only positive is it's lighter weight and it has the ability to add samples. That is something Nord seems really good at. Plus, it's really easy to use. I thought it's action was light but when I tried the CP1/CP5 I thought they were both light. The big negative is the look - it's just so red. The organ section of the stage covers up the nord. And the price - $2600 or the same price as a CP5.

 

I thought the Numa Nano felt great. I couldn't find anyone to ask when or if it might ever come out in the states.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bobadohshe]

In this clip, mid-way through he plays a split with acoustic bass in the left hand. It sure sounds like Velo Growl preset from the Motif ES/XS. That was one on my short list that need to be included.

 

[video:youtube]

 

Busch.

 

Crazy coincidence, I also played the breakdown from 'Time Out of Mind' when I tested that keyboard out.

 

Unfortunately, this video doesn't really do the keyboard much justice, as they all sound the same through Yamaha PA speakers on a busy NAMM floor miced by a camcorder. You can see the features and sounds it has, and even through all that you can tell how great the CP 80 sound is.

[zephonic]

That is so weird. When I heard the other vid (I think it was Philippe Saisse?), I thought it sounded like a Yammie DP. When this guy plays it, it sounds different to my ears!

 

I know, nonsense, but there it is.

[dimasa]

Quick question (as read on another forum, thought it should be asked here too!)... Can the CP5 have three simultaneous pedals assigned to it for pianos for una corda, sostenuto and damper? I only see two foot switch inputs (damper and assignable), and I'm not sure if the foot controller can be assigned to a sostenuto, or USB, or if not assignable to have a MIDI pedal set control the CP5.

[funkphingerz88]

do the new yamaha boards have stretch tuning like the SV1? One thing thats very important to a convincing Rhodes sound in particular is some subtle out of tuneness..

 

 

[madshi]

but I'm not sure I see anything wrong with posting a bit of feedback as long as it's done civilly and supported with reasons, which Madshi did do.

Thank you!

 

It seemed like unnecessary whining to me.

The purpose of my post was not to "let out my grief" or to get pity from anybody. I'm a (software) developer myself and I know that when my customers complain to me, I always need them to explain to me *WHY* they complain exactly. If they just say "I want this" or "I don't like this", then I often don't agree because I'm not in their shoes.

 

In this thread Athan seems to be in a position to gather feedback for Yamaha. So the purpose of my post was to let him know (1) that I don't like the general approach to strip some features from the top model and (2) to give him a reasonable real life explanation why the CP1/CP5 feature seperation can be a real pain for Yamaha customers.

 

If whatever you have now has strings, you can pick up a real DX7 and an x-stand pretty cheap.

Cost is not an issue. Usability and looks in my living room are.

[Federico78]

I went to NAMM for the first time and played the Nord Piano, the CP1/5/50 models, and the studiologic numa nano.

 

The CP1/5/50 are all great keyboards. I played the CP1 on their mini stage through the PA system and also through the headphones. Through headphones, the AP sounded glorious. I could only play the CP5 through the monitors and it was so loud in the area that I was in so I couldn't hear it as well as the other two. I played it the most however since it's probably the most likely the one I'd want to buy. I liked the CP50 too but w/ one acoustic piano sound, I thought the CP5 is a much better deal.

 

I felt like the action of the CP1 and CP5 were on the lighter side where the CP50 is harder. BTW, I played a bunch of the grands that day and none felt like any of these.

 

The only deal breaker could be the heft and size of the unit. Even the CP5 is 55 lbs.

 

I did play the Nord Piano. It's the best of nord piano I've played but at the same price as the CP5, I'm not sure if it's a great deal. The only positive is it's lighter weight and it has the ability to add samples. That is something Nord seems really good at. Plus, it's really easy to use. I thought it's action was light but when I tried the CP1/CP5 I thought they were both light. The big negative is the look - it's just so red. The organ section of the stage covers up the nord. And the price - $2600 or the same price as a CP5.

 

I thought the Numa Nano felt great. I couldn't find anyone to ask when or if it might ever come out in the states.

 

 

 

Your post is really helpful. It's what I wanted to hear, some comparison between different instruments.

 

So both Nord Piano and and CP1/CP5 are light action, good to know. I thought that Nord Piano action was lighter than CP1/CP5.

 

Marino spoke in a thread about Numa Nano and he also gave a positive feedback about its action, he found it heavy and responsive.

Could you elaborate on your impressions about Numa Nano action?

 

Thanks!

 

[Athan Billias]

do the new yamaha boards have stretch tuning like the SV1?

 

Yes, as well as other tunings.

[SteeVtheRipper]

It's not that it doesn't exist, it's that it can't exist!, the all in one for everybody.

 

Very true! I also made that point earlier. I did kinda like my idea of interchangeable actions. And your female comparison made me snicker.

 

The world's smallest violin is playing just for you. Athan, can that sound be found in the CP5 or CP50?

 

oh snap! haha

 

Can I also say on an unrelated note....I don't understand forum fights...at all. Or people who are still confused and or speculating about information that has already been made available as facts.

 

do the new yamaha boards have stretch tuning like the SV1?

 

Yes, as well as other tunings.

 

HOPEFULLY I am not being a hypocrite asking this now, but I have been reading this thread since it started and I am pretty sure no one asked this and I haven't seen the info anywhere.....are all 88 keys on the AP sampled or is it stretched? I KNOW someone asked if it has stretch tuning, but I am not sure if that is the same thing as what I am asking. Maybe it is and my question has been answered already. But I think if all 88 keys aren't sampled it could be a deal breaker for me and I might lean for the 700GX

 

 

It is embarrassing (to them) that people come along from another forum to lift and mock comments from LEGIT forum members here on their little pet forum off to the side. Interlopers!!! Come to NAMM next time and form your own opinions rather than trying to pull a fast one with cut and paste from people that know more and can play circles around you.

 

And this I just don't understand at all. I am new to the whole forum thing in general, so maybe there is some kind of etiquette I am missing. But what is the big deal about the transference of information from one forum of knowledge to another?

 

Though I don't know much about forums I do know that detouring from the topic of the thread is looked down upon, so pardon the off shoot.

 

[SteeVtheRipper]

I think for me, if the CP1 is as good as everyone is saying it is, that and an xk3c would be a sick core rig. I already have a Traynor k4 amp which can peel paint off the walls, and with its 2 tubes it really warms up the sound of these sterile DPs, and also I have a Roland JV1080 Rack. Add in a Leslie 3300 for good measure, Moog Voyager, a Vienna Instrument's Bosey for recording and a Motif XS rack for some extra fun sounds just in case I would need and I would be set.

[Bobadohshe]

 

HOPEFULLY I am not being a hypocrite asking this now, but I have been reading this thread since it started and I am pretty sure no one asked this and I haven't seen the info anywhere.....are all 88 keys on the AP sampled or is it stretched? I KNOW someone asked if it has stretch tuning, but I am not sure if that is the same thing as what I am asking.

 

That is not the same thing that you are asking.

 

Stretch tuning does NOT = every note is sampled.

 

Stretch tuning is a method of piano tuning. I believe it is where you actually tune the high and low notes beyond the normal notes so that it is aurally easier to perceive them as being in tune.

[SteeVtheRipper]

Word, that makes sense. I still wonder about the Cp1 and all notes being samples. I feel like for a piano of that price and that amount of specialization, and considering it's direct competition (the V and GX) that it would be a big misstep on Yamaha's part to not have all 88 sampled. No?

[Jazz+]

How does it Rhodes compare to the "Vintage 74" in the Motif and S series?

[SteeVtheRipper]

I love that '74 patch

[Aidan]

Word, that makes sense. I still wonder about the Cp1 and all notes being samples. I feel like for a piano of that price and that amount of specialization, and considering it's direct competition (the V and GX) that it would be a big misstep on Yamaha's part to not have all 88 sampled. No?

 

I can't imagine for a second that this isn't the case. As far as I recall, one of the big differences between the CP33 and CP300 models were that the 33 used some sample stretching to save memory (and cost), whereas the 300 did not. It's inconceivable that Yamaha would put up stretched samples in models that are directly up against the Roland RD700GX, for example.

[allan_evett]

"Athan, do you have any idea as to the Rhodes model heard on the second half of the CP Series video at http://www.yamahasynth.com (about 2:20 into it)? If it's the 75, the CP-50 is going to be hot."

 

That is indeed the 75 model in a demo played by Yamaha US product specialist Blake Angelos. The 75 model was selected for the CP50 because it was the most flexible of all the models. With the insert effects from the Motif XS and by changing the pick up and hammer hardness you can get a very wide variety of sounds.

 

As far as when you will see the CP1 in stores, we are shipping now and are making plans for clinics around the country starting very soon.

 

 

Athan -

 

Thanks for all of the helpful info you've provided so far in this thread. That '75 model in the CP50 is a great choice. While I did spend more time on the CP5 and CP1 at the show, I did get to check out the CP50 for a while on my last day there.

 

The combined offering of the CFS III piano, CP80 pianos, '75 Rhodes model, and Wurlitzer models makes the CP50 a very attractive option. After playing these sounds, and checking out some of the AWM voices, I was highly impressed with the CP50. This no CP Series 'afterthought'. I'll bet Yamaha ends up selling a lot of these.

 

I mentioned previously that the graded hammer action reminded me of the Yamaha P85. Phil Clendenin of Yamaha pointed out that it's actually the same action as found in the P-155; a upgrade from the P85, as I understood it.

 

The CP1 Catalog, download-able from Yamaha, has been an excellent resource for learning about the comparable capabilities of the three choices in the CP Series. I definitely want the CFS III voice, for starters, in my live rig. The CP-50 will likely be the best choice for what I do.

[ProfD]

How does it Rhodes compare to the "Vintage 74" in the Motif and S series?

Considering my Motif has been reduced primarily to that particular sound, if something comparable or better is in the CP1, I might need Tums.

[timwat]

I only have two major problems with the CP1 - the cost and schlep factor. I don't think I'm its target market.

[Mogut]

Is that a CP1 specific stand? Anyone recognize that stand?

 

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs293.ash1/22061_1335738401576_1474562130_30978779_1931520_n.jpg

 

 

[bhodaway10]

Mogut, I was just going to ask the same question.

 

At the NAMM I saw the other CP1 on this stand :

 

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/accessorydetail.html?CNTID=758

 

but it looks like it's unavailable in the states.

 

 

[burningbusch]

I only have two major problems with the CP1 - the cost and schlep factor. I don't think I'm its target market.

 

How about if Yamaha came out with a DP that had about 90% of sounds of the CP-1, had the same action, but was half the price and was a bit smaller/lighter. Would that interest you?

 

Busch.

[Suppport Guy]

The stand that the CP1 is on in the above picture with Athan is the new LG800.

Yamaha expects it to be available in May.