Kawai MP6 vs Roland FP-7F

[activistaccord]

I need some input for a digital piano purchase. How to choose between a Kawai MP6 and Roland FP-7F. I have been encouraged to seriously consider the MP6 as is has fantastic action and sound beyond any in it's price range. Thoughts?

 

thanks

[Throbert]

if you only need Kawais action then just get one of there digi Pianos and use it as a controller. You could do better with PianoTech or Ivory

[johnchop]

Hmm... I'd think fp7f versus mp6 is sort of red apples vs. green apples. Roland 300NX seems the better comparison feature-wise, although it's not here for another month or thereabouts.

 

I'm sorting through the same set of options right now myself. To my ears, the SuperNatural pianos are REALLY nice, if a bit brittle in the high end. Gotta call the local Kawai dealer and see if the MP6 might be in stock... can't wait to try it!

 

For me, it's going to be about overall keyboard action and things like retriggering speed. That plus basic piano sound trump every other feature, as its going to be my "living room" board.

 

-John

 

 

 

[Jazz+]

For me, that SuperNATURAL dynamic control advantage trumps the others.

[Throbert]

Happy with my Kawai ES3 best feel and Playability IMO. It's easy to find a good weighted controller, there are plenty around. The hard to find controllers are 76 key synth action keybeds. The only ones out there are made by CME and those have plenty of bugs with a total lack of support. That Numa Organ is looking good but lacks knobs and sliders.

[Dave Ferris]

I played the MP6 about 2 weeks ago--the action was good and the sound was not bad. I think for me though it's a lateral move from the CP5 and really not at that level, so not worth it to lose the 7 or 8 lbs for schlepping.

 

I thought the default sound was a bit harsh but I didn't futz too much so maybe it can be improved upon. I just kinda lost interest after about 10 minutes though.

 

For someone that's looking to upgrade from an older model, I think it would be a good move.

[resigned]

I prefer Kawai over Roland for action and sound authenticity. Kawai samples their own pianos whereas Roland samples multiple pianos and "stiches" the sounds together to create a piano that doesn't exist in nature. I find the tone in Roland FP's to change too radically within a scale to be realistic, but that's why personal taste is the most important factor in piano buying.

 

[johnchop]

I think for me though it's a lateral move from the CP5 and really not at that level

 

Totally different price class, too (CP50 a fairer comparison?) but that's about all I want to invest.

[activistaccord]

Local dealers do not have these in stock and when ordered the MP6 cannot be returned. So can and should I order one from a company like Sweetwater, play it, return it, then order the other so I can play and compare and choose, finally? Thanks

[Throbert]

Wasn't able to find Kawai online.They may be changing, but when I bought mine I had to look for piano stores that carried Kawai to start with and then ask if the also had their Digi boards. The problem with that, is you start playying the acoustics and begin to wonder weather you should get one. I don't use the internal sounds on mine I use it as a controller for my RPX, PianoTech, Ivory.....Drake, VST or Samples usually sound better than any thing that resides on board.

[johnchop]

So can and should I order one from a company like Sweetwater, play it, return it, then order the other so I can play and compare and choose, finally? Thanks

 

If you can sweat the stocking and return shipping fees--and the hassle--it could be an option.

[activistaccord]

Kawai MP6 purchased ! Eager to see it here in the corner of the extra room. Thanks for your help.

[johnchop]

How's the MP6 working for you?

[wanog]

Hey activistaccord! What did you think about the Kawai? Im in doubt too... Thinking about Roland RD 300 NX, FP 7F or this kawai MP 6. It wont be able to me to test it, unfortunately... Did you like the sounds? Have you tried the others? Can you compare them? lol Thank you!

[CEB]

If appearances are important to you the black skin finish on the MP series does not hold up well on the road. Impossible to keep looking clean and it shows scratches badly as black finish comes off pretty easily.

 

Sounds and actions are a matter of personal tastes.

 

The Kawai has 4 zone sliders and the RD300NX has three and the FP7-f has none. This gives the Kawai a huge advantage for me. If you don't use external midi sound sources then it may be moot.

 

But the Kawai shows road wear easily but it looks very nice when it is new.

 

 

 

[hotdawg]

I was thinking of purchasing the roland Fp 7f because I was generally impressed with it's features seen on youtube. I have seen one in the music store also. I basically want a full sized digital that's has a realistic piano feel and sounds. don't need too many effects on board as in a full on workstation but the rhythm backing is important. I was also very impressed with the vocal harmony feature on the Fp 7f that's great to use for solo events,functions etc.

The onboard speakers are great for home practice. The keyboard panel set up is so simple without heaps of buttons and controls to make it confusing. It is priced around Au$3000. Can anyone suggest other digital piano similar to the roland fp 7f which has also the inbuilt vocal harmony feature? I really like that feature. it is better than also having to buy an additional vocal harmony processor with all the connections etc. to worry about

[AnotherScott]

It sounds like the FP-7F is perfect for you, hotdawg. It has the features you want, and I think it has about the best action of any digital piano. If you like the sound and can deal with the 50+ pound weight, I think you'd be quite satisfied.

[PianoManinSoCal]

First, IMJ there is no better piano sound than Roland's SuperNatural piano modeling... period. I've tested them all, and there is no sampled piano sound that can even come close to what Roland has created. Everything is just plain awful in comparison, this includes everything from Kawai, Yamaha, PianoTeq, the Boesendorfer 290, etc. It's so amazing because it can actually sound BETTER than anything one could record with mics from an acoustic piano from ANY manufacturer (Steinway, Boesendorfer, etc), plus how would you obtain a 16-foot grand piano would with say triple wound silver strings? The typical 7 levels of velocity sampled for the best of piano samples is like comparing a Kia to a Rolls Royce.

 

Second, depending on which model of Roland keyboard, is the action. I bought my first Roland A-80 new in 1989, and recently purchased another. Up until the V-Piano, nothing had better action in a portable (arguable) keyboard controller. I've been completely unimpressed with even the best of sampled pianos from every source on the planet. That is, until I played the Roland V-Piano a few years back.

 

Third, while the escapement feature is similar to other keyboards, the PHA III synthetic ivory keys are unlike anything else out there. I've played some nice old Steinways and other pianos with ivory keys, and Roland once again has set the bar so high for others to try to reach. The feel is indescribable, and you cannot buy any new piano with ivory keys, so this is the best there is.

 

While others might consider going for a lesser quality product from any other manufacturer, or even the stripped-down Roland keys like the FP-7, FP-4F, or RD-300NX, they lack everything that's in the V-Piano, RD-700NX or FP-7F.

 

Sorry to hear you chose the Kawai. I've tried it, and would never consider it, because I value the true texture and subtle nuances of an acoustic piano.

 

I started working on Moog synthesizers in 1977, with the 1/4" patch cords and very large panels with banks of oscillators, filters, etc., and could replicate almost any sound I wanted to, except an acoustic piano.

 

If money were no object, I feel the Roland V-Piano is hands down the finest representation of a piano in the world, even better than most acoustic pianos. If I were on a budget and action was important, then it's the Roland FP-7F again has no equal other than the other Roland SuperNatural keyboards.

 

If anyone's looking for something that sounds and plays as good or better than the best pianos in the world, there's no other choice than the Roland V-Piano (Grand, if you can afford it), RD-700NX, or FP-7F... period. I've searched over 30 years for the best piano, and finally I can say without any reservations whatsoever, Roland has outdone the competition for at least the next few years. Nothing else can even come close.

[PianoManinSoCal]

Sorry to hear that. A mistake, in my opinion. But then, I've only played the piano for 45 years.

[PianoManinSoCal]

Hotdawg,

 

The vocal harmony processor is not as good as many out there in the market. IMJ, I would rather use my TC-Helicon VoiceWorks Plus. It's a far better vocal harmonizer.

 

However, for something in a complete package, the Roland FP-7F is good for club gigging, provided it's not a larger venue or arena.

 

50 lbs. heavy for a keyboard? Please... try lugging around a Roland A-80 for years! It's even heavier, and just a controller! However, until the V-Piano, nothing had better action.

[AnotherScott]

I like the FP-7F a lot... if I didn't care about the weight of moving it around, it might be my pick, based on having the best sound and action of anything at all portable with built in speakers, which I like. Though I haven't played it extensively, and I have read reports from some people that it bottoms out so hard that it can get fatiguing, so I'd want to play it more to be sure. Regardless, I know, the action is not for everyone, some people prefer a heavier feeling action, the Roland offers among the lightest feeling actions of weighted boards. But the best grands I have played likewise have light actions.

 

I don't think the FP-7F has the best piano sound, though. It's pleasing enough overall, but there is something I find kind of unnatural and "exaggerated" about it. Despite their own flaws, based on sound alone, I'd probably be more inclined to choose a Yamaha or Nord. Or, for those who like a heavy action, I think the Kawai MP-10 sounds nice.

[Dana.]

First, IMJ there is no better piano sound than Roland's SuperNatural piano modeling... period. I've tested them all, and there is no sampled piano sound that can even come close to what Roland has created. Everything is just plain awful in comparison, this includes everything from Kawai, Yamaha, PianoTeq, the Boesendorfer 290, etc. It's so amazing because it can actually sound BETTER than anything one could record with mics from an acoustic piano from ANY manufacturer (Steinway, Boesendorfer, etc), plus how would you obtain a 16-foot grand piano would with say triple wound silver strings?

 

If money were no object, I feel the Roland V-Piano is hands down the finest representation of a piano in the world, even better than most acoustic pianos.

This is absurd.

[Joe Muscara]

That he has his own opinion?

[timwat]

Yeah, he's entitled to his opinion.

 

Just as I am entitled to completely disagree that Roland's SN piano "can actually sound BETTER than anything one could record with mics from an acoustic piano from ANY manufacturer". That sounds a lot like ad copy...circa 1980.

 

Which begs one sincere question - dude, do you have any formal relationship with Roland?

[Dana.]

This statement is so ridiculous, I have to post it again.

 

If money were no object, I feel the Roland V-Piano is hands down the finest representation of a piano in the world, even better than most acoustic pianos.

[non ce futuro]

PianoManinSoCal, yeah, great, if money were no issue, you take the V-piano, I'd gladly take the CFX or Imperial Bösendorfer you dismiss for not being "the finest representation of a piano in the world"

 

Joe, everybody has the right to their own opinion, but then we all have the right to disagree ferociously, right? And I agree with timwat and D-Bon on that PMSoCal affirmation is ridiculous.

[Joe Muscara]

Absolutely you can disagree. I just like to say it's in how we express that disagreement.

[non ce futuro]

Ok, I absolutely agree with you on that

[CEB]

 

If money was no issue I wouldn't be gigging.

[AnotherScott]

If money was no issue I wouldn't be gigging.

I'd still gig... I'd just be more selective about which gigs I took. And I'd hire a roadie so all I had to do was show up, play, and leave!