zephonic Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 I have known of Blüthner as a venerable acoustic piano manufacturer, they are fairly well-known in the old country. But I had no idea they make a digital piano, very curious if this is any good or simply repackaging technology from other vendors. https://www.eklavier.com/en/models/pro88-ex Quote local: Korg Nautilus 61 AT | Yamaha MODX8 away: GigPerformer | 16" MBP M1 Max home: Kawai RX-2 | Korg D1 | Roland Fantom X7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Lose points for external power supply. Gain points for aux in, expression pedal and 5-pin MIDI. 57lb excluding stand. Gotta say: who thought that 70s brutalist industrial design was the way to go? With a 60s-ish raked Z-style stand? Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doerfler Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Plastic keys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 I suspected they ordered a generic digital piano build from a factory in Shanghai, sent them the samples or modeling software from a Blüthner recording session. But, what is interesting is all the Blüthner trademarking and development references in the specs… “88 Keys Blüthner Grand-Touch Mechanic”. ??? The copy on the website also suggests, "Made in Germany". https://www.eklavier.com/en/history/bluthnerdigital The K&M screws - I’m guessing they hold the sheet music stand, is also interesting. Worth a play if I can find one anywhere. Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewall08530 Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 18 minutes ago, Doerfler said: Plastic keys And yet weighs 57lbs? Hard pass…..👎🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 4 hours ago, stoken6 said: Gotta say: who thought that 70s brutalist industrial design was the way to go? Other digital models from them have a different aesthetic... check out the pics at https://www.eklavier.com/de/modelle/pianette and the more traditional implementation at https://www.eklavier.com/de/modelle/sonus and the ones below... 2 hours ago, Doerfler said: Plastic keys 1 hour ago, ewall08530 said: And yet weighs 57lbs? Hard pass…..👎🏻 This page says the weight is under 20 kg (so under 44 lbs). https://www.eklavier.com/de/modelle/pro88-ex It's also available in alternate designs with wooden keys, the one below being the most portable, increases weight to 77 lbs. Unclear if that weight includes the stand. Available in two finishes. https://www.eklavier.com/de/modelle/e1as 1 hour ago, ElmerJFudd said: I suspect they ordered a generic digital piano build from a factory in Shanghai, sent them the samples from a Blüthner recording session or software for modeling I don't think so. Even that basic chassis does not look like it would be a generic Chinese design. There are generic Chinese models with different software, the kinds of things you find private-labeled or available from multiple vendors with minor differences, but I think those are only low-end models, the Chinese company builds these for volume. Think plastic chassis, minimal connectivity. Also the link above says "developed and built in Germany" and every page of the manual says "Made in Germany" -- though of course that doesn't mean they couldn't be sourcing parts of it from China or elsewhere. (The menu system and the control panel are reminiscent of Dexibell, so they could have some partnership there...?) Quote 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 More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 53 minutes ago, AnotherScott said: Other digital models from them have a different aesthetic... check out the pics at https://www.eklavier.com/de/modelle/pianette and the more traditional implementation at https://www.eklavier.com/de/modelle/sonus and the ones below... This page says the weight is under 20 kg (so under 44 lbs). https://www.eklavier.com/de/modelle/pro88-ex It's also available in alternate designs with wooden keys, the one below being the most portable, increases weight to 77 lbs. Unclear if that weight includes the stand. Available in two finishes. https://www.eklavier.com/de/modelle/e1as I don't think so. Even that basic chassis does not look like it would be a generic Chinese design. There are generic Chinese models with different software, the kinds of things you find private-labeled or available from multiple vendors with minor differences, but I think those are only low-end models, the Chinese company builds these for volume. Think plastic chassis, minimal connectivity. Also the link above says "developed and built in Germany" and every page of the manual says "Made in Germany" -- though of course that doesn't mean they couldn't be sourcing parts of it from China or elsewhere. (The menu system and the control panel are reminiscent of Dexibell, so they could have some partnership there...?) Right, while you were jumping into conversation I read more of their copy - they seem to be designing and building these in house. I’m curious about the action - 44lbs can be worth it if they designed an exceptional action. Could it be comparable to an MP11SE? Other than their piano engine - the other tones seem to be a GM sound set they developed. So not expecting much beyond the acoustic piano sound. Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanael_I Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 Digital basically ate the upright market. I’d imagine they need this to stay relevant. The grand piano market is very small. Even if it offers nothing new, it’s probably critical for survival. When I played a new Bluthner it didn’t grab me. The treble they are so proud of was just unbalanced to the rest of the instrument in my ears. Definitely a unique sound. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reezekeys Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 I was interested in their mention of "the unique vibration of the 4th string Blüthner‐Aliquot in the treble range", which seems to suggest some kind of custom sampling or DSP happening. I had no idea what this was until I googled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16251 Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 This piano has been out for a while. I remember finding this YT video on Joey trying it out. Enjoy. Quote AvantGrand N2 | ES520 | Gallien-Krueger MK & MP | https://soundcloud.com/pete36251 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 16 minutes ago, 16251 said: This piano has been out for a while. I remember finding this YT video on Joey trying it out. Enjoy. If it’s modeled, the attack of the sound is pretty good. Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piano39 Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 Hate to change the subject, but..... What mode is he riffing on? That is some terrific improv. Quote Yamaha Motif XF6, Yamaha AN200, Logic Pro X, Arturia Microbrute, Behringer Model D, Yamaha UX-3 Acoustic Piano, assorted homemade synth modules Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16251 Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 YT seems to think I am interested in this. Quote AvantGrand N2 | ES520 | Gallien-Krueger MK & MP | https://soundcloud.com/pete36251 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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