Kawai VPC

[Kawai James]

Shameless thread bump to let you all know that the VPC website is now online at the following URL:

 

www.kawaivpc.com

 

(up-to-date Chrome/Firefox browser recommended)

 

We've tested everything thoroughly, so there shouldn't be too many bugs/typos, however if you spot any issues, I would be grateful if you could send a private message.

 

My apologies for the delay!

 

Cheers,

James

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[Al Coda]

Shameless thread bump to let you all know that the VPC website is now online at the following URL:

 

www.kawaivpc.com

 

(up-to-date Chrome/Firefox browser recommended)

 

We've tested everything thoroughly, so there shouldn't be too many bugs/typos, however if you spot any issues, I would be grateful if you could send a private message.

 

My apologies for the delay!

 

Cheers,

James

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I have to say,- this looks really good and reading the specs I also like the features, especially the MIDI routings.

Not very lightweight but less weight than my Rhodes mk 80 and nearly the same dimensions,- so it fits into my custom made keyboard stand.

When will it be in shops in europe ?

I´ll have to check it out.

 

A.C.

[johnchop]

Speaking of stands... are there matching stands planned for this? Something like the Kawai "designer" stand for the ES6/7?

 

It's a nice enough piece that I wouldn't want it on some industrial-looking stand.

[Phil Aiken]

I know it is not for everyone, but for its intended use, this thing looks slammin'. If I wasn't lucky enough to have an acoustic piano at home, I'd get one of these in a heartbeat.

 

[Kawai James]

I have to say,- this looks really good and reading the specs I also like the features, especially the MIDI routings.

Not very lightweight but less weight than my Rhodes mk 80 and nearly the same dimensions,- so it fits into my custom made keyboard stand.

When will it be in shops in europe ?

I´ll have to check it out.

 

A.C.

 

Hi Al, thanks for your interest.

 

According to my colleagues at Kawai Europe, the VPC1 should start shipping in March. You may wish to drop them a line to query availability in your country.

 

Cheers,

James

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[Kawai James]

Speaking of stands... are there matching stands planned for this? Something like the Kawai "designer" stand for the ES6/7?

 

It's a nice enough piece that I wouldn't want it on some industrial-looking stand.

 

Yes, I'm inclined to agree.

 

Currently, I don't believe there are plans to produce a designer stand in the same vein as the ES/EP models. However, you can never rule these things out entirely - especially if the demand is there.

 

Let's see what the situation is like around Musikmesse time (April).

 

Cheers,

James

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[Kawai James]

I know it is not for everyone, but for its intended use, this thing looks slammin'. If I wasn't lucky enough to have an acoustic piano at home, I'd get one of these in a heartbeat.

 

Thanks Beethree, although it looks like you've already got plenty of nice boards already! I'm quite curious about the VAX77 - really interesting piece of kit, although I'm not sure they're available here in Japan.

 

Cheers,

James

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[Phil Aiken]

I know it is not for everyone, but for its intended use, this thing looks slammin'. If I wasn't lucky enough to have an acoustic piano at home, I'd get one of these in a heartbeat.

 

Thanks Beethree, although it looks like you've already got plenty of nice boards already! I'm quite curious about the VAX77 - really interesting piece of kit, although I'm not sure they're available here in Japan.

 

Cheers,

James

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It's truly great. I don't wish to hijack this thread, but by way of contrast, the action does NOT emulate a piano, but it is extremely accurate and fast, and comfortable ( at least for me) to play for both piano and organ.

And I should update my sig....having since upgraded both my Tonewheel Hammond and my Electro....

[CEB]

Any word yet on whether the F30 can work with the MP5 or MP8II?

 

Thanks

[Kawai James]

And I should update my sig....having since upgraded both my Tonewheel Hammond and my Electro....

 

New Electro?

 

James

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[Kawai James]

Hi CEB,

 

Any word yet on whether the F30 can work with the MP5 or MP8II?

 

Technically, the F-30 pedal unit can function with the MP8, MP8II, and MP10. However, a software update would be required for all three pedals to work correctly. Unfortunately, the F-30 cannot be used with the MP5, MP6, or ES7 due to the hardware design.

 

Kind regards,

James

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[CEB]

Look what is on the Galaxy Instruments front page.

 

http://www.galaxy-instruments.com/index.html

[Mark Schmieder]

Anyone have one yet? Looks from Kraft Music like they aren't quite available yet, but Sweetwater has three glowing reviews.

 

My biggest concern is that it doesn't support the Mac, whatever that means. I don't know what the editor software is; presumably for splits/setups/etc.? So I guess it's pretty important that it is Windows-only. Too bad; I'd give it serious consideration otherwise. Those who've had it long enough to break it in say the action keeps improving; the opposite of most digital pianos. :-)

[Kawai James]

Mark, the VPC1 started shipping in the US (Kraft, Sweetwater, and some Kawai dealers) from March. There are lots of very satisfied players out there, with production at the factory being ramped-up to fill back-orders.

 

My biggest concern is that it doesn't support the Mac, whatever that means.

 

The VPC Editor software currently doesn't support Macs, however the VPC1 itself will work fine. For what it's worth, Synthogy were demoing Ivory II at NAMM using VPC1s connected to Macs - no problems.

 

As explained on the website Q&A:

 

I'm a Mac user does this mean that I cannot use the VPC1?

 

No, the VPC1 will still perform beautifully as a virtual piano controller with your Mac using standard MIDI or USB connectivity just like the MP10, MP6, and other Kawai digital pianos. Moreover, you can still take advantage of the pre-loaded 'Approved Touch Curves' by selecting the desired memory from the VPC1 itself.

 

However, it will not be possible to make changes to internal touch curves, velocity offsets, or adjust the VPC1's advanced MIDI settings.

 

I don't know what the editor software is; presumably for splits/setups/etc.?

 

The editor is primarily for managing (editing/creating) touch curves. It also has a page to adjust individual key velocity offsets, and another page for changing the MIDI transmit channel, CC# of the pedals, and MIDI routing. All of these settings are stored directly to one of the VPC1's five setup memories.

 

There's currently no split functionality on the VPC1, largely because it's primarily intended as a pure piano controller.

 

So I guess it's pretty important that it is Windows-only. Too bad; I'd give it serious consideration otherwise.

 

Well, it probably depends on your specific needs. For many players, they'll probably never need to touch the editor software - just load their preferred virtual piano, select the relevant approved touch curve on the VPC1 (it will remember the setting), then play. I know a Mac guy who loves getting under the bonnet and tweaking all the touch curves etc., so he'll use Bootcamp in order to play with the editor under Windows.

 

That being said, we obviously realise that a significant number of musicians are using Macs, so we hope to make a proper OS X version of the editor available in the future. It's being worked on at the moment, however I cannot provide any concrete dates as to when it'll be finished.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Cheers,

James

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[Ashville.Guru]

The editor is primarily for managing (editing/creating) touch curves. It also has a page to adjust individual key velocity offsets, and another page for changing the MIDI transmit channel, CC# of the pedals, and MIDI routing. All of these settings are stored directly to one of the VPC1's five setup memories.

If you're controlling sotware pianos on the Mac, I'm pretty sure all of these functions can be manipulated through 3rd-party plugins/host software. At worst, may not be as elegant as having a native editor, but certainly won't be any loss of functionality.

 

What you won't be able to do is store the settings in the VPC's internal memory, say for controlling other hardware pianos live.

 

- Guru

[Kawai James]

What you won't be able to do is store the settings in the VPC's internal memory, say for controlling other hardware pianos live.

 

That's correct.

 

James

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[Stokely]

I wonder if using windows from bootcamp or vmware would work, can't think why not...I have both on my mac laptop (for work stuff).

[Kawai James]

I wonder if using windows from bootcamp or vmware would work, can't think why not...I have both on my mac laptop (for work stuff).

 

Yes, I mentioned bootcamp above.

 

James

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[icarusi]

I'm just guessing, but in the market for this product I would expect most prospective customers to be Mac users. If I were an exclusively Mac user I'd baulk at not being able to access all the facilities so it would affect my prospective buying decision, IOW it'd have to be worth getting some Wino$e kit to fully operate it, or even use Bootcamp, but if you use no other Windo$e stuff, why would you want to faff around with Bootcamp and dual booting just for this. I know other boards have no Mac editors but they're often low budget, so providing dual format editors is a bigger expense.

 

Looks like there's a bug in the editor. You can't delete points in the velocity curve, just move them or reset the whole thing. You need the editor even to change the default o/p midi channel. Drawing the vel curves works well and 'playing them in' looks like a good feature.

[Mark Schmieder]

James, thanks for the clarification -- I didn't see anything past the first page on the website last night, not realizing it was simply a slow website. I was more patient today and noticed it's quite an involved presentation and includes all the details I was looking for.

 

I am certain the Pianoteq people have good velocity curves for this controller, based on visiting their forum last night.

 

I will be in Los Angeles over the 4 July "long weekend" visiting my godsons. If there is a dealer in that area that currently has these in stock, please let me know and I'll see if I can make it by (I'm going by train and won't have my own car, but depending on the location of the music stores might be able to make it).

 

Pretty sure there's never been anyone carrying Kawai digital pianos or controllers in the SF Bay Area, although there's a newish piano dealer in Walnut Creek CA that might as they carry Kawai acoustic grands and also carry Roland digital pianos (unusual for an acoustic piano dealer).

 

Regarding the editor, send me a PM if you don't mind, in confidentiality regarding the technology, and I'll see if it's something I might be able to help porting to the Mac myself (I'm a full-time software developer in the audio industry).

[Kawai James]

I'm just guessing, but in the market for this product I would expect most prospective customers to be Mac users.

 

Yes, I'm inclined to agree with you. There is certainly strong demand for a Mac version of the VPC Editor, so I'm hopeful that the software development can be completed in the near future.

 

Looks like there's a bug in the editor. You can't delete points in the velocity curve, just move them or reset the whole thing.

 

Points can be deleted using the 'Eraser' tool. I think I ought to prepare a quick tutorial video for the website, explaining the functions of the editor.

 

You need the editor even to change the default o/p midi channel.

 

Yes, this is correct. However, once the settings have been changed, everything will be stored in the VPC1 itself, meaning that the editor is no longer required. I gather there are some performing musicians that assign different MIDI channels to each of the five onboard setup memories, then switch between them during the performance to control each sound.

 

Cheers,

James

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[Kawai James]

Hello Mark,

 

James, thanks for the clarification -- I didn't see anything past the first page on the website last night, not realizing it was simply a slow website. I was more patient today and noticed it's quite an involved presentation and includes all the details I was looking for.

 

The VPC website always loads very quickly for me (before in the office and at home), however it may take longer to come down from outside of Japan. I believe the IT section are preparing to shift everything over to a new data centre in the near future, so hopefully that will speed up the connection.

 

I am certain the Pianoteq people have good velocity curves for this controller, based on visiting their forum last night.

 

The VPC1 actually includes (i.e. built-in) a Pianoteq touch curve developed by Kawai's R&D guys and approved by Modartt.

 

I will be in Los Angeles over the 4 July "long weekend" visiting my godsons. If there is a dealer in that area that currently has these in stock, please let me know and I'll see if I can make it by (I'm going by train and won't have my own car, but depending on the location of the music stores might be able to make it).

 

Okay, I can try to look into this for you, however contacting Kawai America directly with this kind of query would be my first recommendation. Access via train only may also be a little challenging.

 

Pretty sure there's never been anyone carrying Kawai digital pianos or controllers in the SF Bay Area...

 

It's a little difficult for me to provide detailed information about Kawai America's dealer network based here in Japan, however I believe there there are a couple of dealers in the SF Bay Area - DC Pianos in Berkely, for example. Perhaps you could try the dealer locator on the Kawai America website?

 

http://kawaius.com/locator2012.html

 

Regarding the editor, send me a PM if you don't mind, in confidentiality regarding the technology, and I'll see if it's something I might be able to help porting to the Mac myself (I'm a full-time software developer in the audio industry).

 

That's an interesting offer, thank you Mark. I believe our own software development team are already working on the Mac port, however it still may be worthwhile to keep your contact information on hand.

 

Thanks again!

 

Kind regards,

James

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[Mark Schmieder]

James,

 

The Berkeley and Walnut Creek dealers do not show up, but one in Los Angeles does, and they say right on their home page that they have the VPC-1 in stock!

 

http://www.pierresfinepianos.com/

 

Looks like it's near Westwood. I'll see if I can make it on my visit.

[Kawai James]

Hello Mark,

 

I tried entering a SF Bay Area zipcode and got the following results:

 

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5434/wr6.png

 

Anyway, yes, Pierre has a VPC1, however I'd perhaps double-check to ensure that it's not been sold already.

 

Also, in the past, I believe some players have even scheduled a visit to Kawai America's HQ in Compton to chat with the product specialists and try different boards.

 

Best of luck with your visit!

 

Cheers,

James

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[Mark Schmieder]

Oh; that map didn't work for me so I used the other tool at the website.

 

I'll give D.C. Piano Company a call tomorrow; they must be as well-hidden as my own company (it's a bit of a Combat Zone in South Berkeley) to protect their assets -- they're just 6-8 blocks from my office! I knew nothing about them until tonight!

 

Actually, more likely I'll go Monday on the way to some other places and events in Berkeley that I'll be visiting all on foot (I rarely drive anymore).

 

Their website lists the MP-series in stock, so it'll be good to try those latest models to get a feel for whether I would like the VPC-1, and inquire about the VPC-1 while I'm there.

[Kawai James]

Their website lists the MP-series in stock, so it'll be good to try those latest models to get a feel for whether I would like the VPC-1, and inquire about the VPC-1 while I'm there.

 

That's a good plan. The VPC1 action should feel very similar to the MP10 action, but with the improved responsiveness (because of the triple-sensor) of the CA95.

 

Cheers,

James

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[icarusi]

Looks like there's a bug in the editor. You can't delete points in the velocity curve, just move them or reset the whole thing.

 

Points can be deleted using the 'Eraser' tool.

 

The eraser tool didn't work either for me.

[Kawai James]

The eraser tool didn't work either for me.

 

May I ask you to clarify what happened when selecting the 'Eraser' tool and clicking the points on the curve?

 

I captured a quick video a few moments ago that illustrates what should happen. You'll see the points being added and removed.

 

[video:youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX_bmFGILoU

 

Cheers,

James

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[johnchop]

FWIW I just laid hands on one (Turner's Pianos and Keyboards in Augusta, GA).

 

Great feel! Put another way, it's nowhere near as ponderous as something like the Roland RD700nx action, and there's no (or minimal) bounce like a lighter weight action. I'd say it was shade less heavy than the Steinway M sitting nearby, but they were both a joy to lay hands on.

 

Unfortunately, I can't comment on how it triggers, as they didn't (and likely couldn't) have it hooked up to anything, so I'll have to bring my laptop by next time.

 

It's dead sexy, too. Definitely a nice "ivory feel" without that weird almost porous feeling you get from other "ivory feel" surfaces.

 

I do wish the top were completely flat, but enh. I'd put some black non-slip padding on top and stick my 49-key controller and laptop up there.

 

Given that I'm using my ES6 to control software pianos these days (Pianoteq + NI stuff), and playing through headphones most of the time, this is seriously tempting. Probably time to accelerate my gear sell-off plan.

 

-J

[Kawai James]

Thanks for the info J!

 

It's always good to hear that bricks and mortar dealers are starting to introduce 'niche' products such as the VPC1 into their stores...even if they've yet to complete the setup with a computer, audio interface, speakers, and software.

 

Cheers,

James

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