Jump to content


Please note: You can easily log in to MPN using your Facebook account!

Kawai VPC


davinwv

Recommended Posts



  • Replies 179
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Bright idea! I'm pretty sure that when Synthogy demos Ivory at shows, they use an MP.

"I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck

 

"The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting! This will surely be a hit for the piano purists who's already using virtual piano software. Hard to see how Kawai could fail with this one!

Too much stuff, too little time, too few gigs, should spend more time practicing...!  🙄

main instruments: Nord Stage 3 compact, Yamaha CP88, Kurzweil PC4, Viscount KeyB Legend Live

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love the Kawai keyboard feel, so I'm eager to hear more about this.

 

- Absent wheels, an expression pedal input would seem desirable (e.g. for fading in strings/pads behind the piano sound).

- Three-pedal input?

- Will it send program changes?

- Weight?

- Looks like the top is flat, which is a nice space for another controller or light synth... assuming it's not littered with controls.

 

Just need to get this TARDIS working, and I'll have some answers for everyone.

 

-John

I make software noises.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hopefully < $500... Anything beyond and it's competing with digital pianos with more features.

 

No way - the Studiologic Numa Nero is around $1,200.00, and this is a direct competitor.

Another competitor is the 76 key Rhodes RPC-1, but AFAIK it hasn't been released yet and the price isn't official either.

I'm expecting this Kawai to cost at least $1,500. Anything below would be a positive surprise to me. By the looks of the picture it seems like almost like a luxury item - very classy looks.

Too much stuff, too little time, too few gigs, should spend more time practicing...!  🙄

main instruments: Nord Stage 3 compact, Yamaha CP88, Kurzweil PC4, Viscount KeyB Legend Live

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it's got the same action as a $2,000-$2,500 Kawai DP (or better?), the keyboard alone is not likely to be $500. I'd be surprised if it was even as low as the $1000 Roland A-88, I think it would be positioned as a higher end alternative to that.

Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it is the mechanisms from the mp10 then it is a grand action.

 

$2000+ is what I would expect.

"It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne

 

"A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!!

So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

50lbs+ controller? I think I'd use a DP for gigs, so if VST has problems you still have the internal sounds.

Well again, by the looks it seems this one isn't intended for the road, but probably great to have at home or in a studio.

Too much stuff, too little time, too few gigs, should spend more time practicing...!  🙄

main instruments: Nord Stage 3 compact, Yamaha CP88, Kurzweil PC4, Viscount KeyB Legend Live

Link to comment
Share on other sites

50lbs+ controller? I think I'd use a DP for gigs, so if VST has problems you still have the internal sounds.

Yeah, assuming it's that heavy, I tend to think this has more appeal as a studio board, but if it really ends up being much better feeling than any gigging action you can get at its price and/or weight, who knows...

Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another competitor is the 76 key Rhodes RPC-1, but AFAIK it hasn't been released yet and the price isn't official either.

It can't be a competitor if it's vaporware. By all accounts, the new Rhodes company is dead.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I could definitely see the VPC teamed up with a Windows touch tablet, like the Surface Pro, in a home studio environment. Very minimalistic, just USB to the tablet. No need for a lot of controller functions as you would control everything using the touch screen. Access to the highest quality APs and EPs and whatever else. If you can accept the inherent latency, it would provide a setup with superior action and sounds.

 

Busch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Rhodes, if it existed, would still have some significant action issues I would assume. There are no weights in the keys to provide that "balanced" feel you have with a real piano action. And there is no back check mechanism, so there will still be key bounce.

 

Busch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another competitor is the 76 key Rhodes RPC-1, but AFAIK it hasn't been released yet and the price isn't official either.

It can't be a competitor if it's vaporware. By all accounts, the new Rhodes company is dead.

Well, the Kawai isn't really released yet, is it..? ;)

 

Sorry - didn't know about the Rhodes company having financial issues.

Too much stuff, too little time, too few gigs, should spend more time practicing...!  🙄

main instruments: Nord Stage 3 compact, Yamaha CP88, Kurzweil PC4, Viscount KeyB Legend Live

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kawai is very close to releasing the VPC1. They have put a link to the VPC1 owner's manual on their website. It's not active yet but it's clearly sitting on ready.

 

I noticed that earlier. I went crazy trying to click it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Rhodes, if it existed, would still have some significant action issues I would assume. There are no weights in the keys to provide that "balanced" feel you have with a real piano action. And there is no back check mechanism, so there will still be key bounce.

Busch,

 

When the RPC-1 was announced, I recall there being some question as to whether it would have a Mark 7 action or a more piano-like action. Perhaps we'll never know.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello guys,

 

As I just wrote in the 'Flat top 88 key controller' thread, I work for Kawai. I'll need to double-check the forum rules to see if I'm required to make this clear in my username or signature.

 

Unfortunately, I cannot provide any additional information about this new product until NAMM, however once the doors have opened, I'll be more than happy to answer your queries.

 

Cheers,

James

x

Employed by Kawai Japan, however the opinions I express are my own.
Nord Electro 3 & occasional rare groove player.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello guys,

 

As I just wrote in the 'Flat top 88 key controller' thread, I work for Kawai. I'll need to double-check the forum rules to see if I'm required to make this clear in my username or signature.

 

Unfortunately, I cannot provide any additional information about this new product until NAMM, however once the doors have opened, I'll be more than happy to answer your queries.

 

Cheers,

James

x

If I read the policies correctly, you don't have to. But, I would base what you do on what Dave Weiser (Kurzweil) and Mike Martin (Casio) do. They include their professional sig when responding as reps of their respective companies, but generally leave them off when they're just posting as fellow keyboard players. You could leave the sig on all the time, but you may not want to depending on what else you post.

 

It's just common courtesy to let us know you work for Kawai when you're representing, yo. ;)

"I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck

 

"The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...