Calling All pianist!

[esteven1]

What 88 key midi controller has the most realistic piano-like action? I\'m trying to decide on whether to re-buy my Alesis Qs8, which wasn\'t too bad, but I\'m looking for something that has better action.

[TJ]

I still love my old Kurzweil K250 for its action but there aren\'t many around and those that are seem to be collector\'s items.

I think Kurzweil brought out a piano a short while back which I had the pleasure of playing when depping for a friend in the Lion King. I can\'t recall the name (although I think it might have had a 9000 in it!). Anyway, that was a really nice instrument to play.

[Chadwick]

I always like the Roland feel (direct/solid) better than the Yamaha (springy - except for the KX88).

[csduke]

I use a Yamaha P-80. It has a nice heavy action and feels very good to me. It does not have expression controllers (wheels)though. I use my Roland D-50 for that.

When I performed my investigation, I learned that a particular company uses different actions for different \"piano\" keyboards. So, try them all out.
http://www.yamahasynth.com/pro/p80/feat1.html (\"http://www.yamahasynth.com/pro/p80/feat1.html\")

[ursatz]

I\'m using a Studio Logic SL-880. I\'m pretty happy with it - some people think the action is too heavy, but it feels pretty realistic to me.

[abi]

Why did you sell your QS-8? I have QS-8 and I love the action. I hate all the built in piano sounds though...

I\'ve compared my QS-8 action with roland A-90 and FATAR controller. I still prefer QS-8 action. I love the fact that you can adjust the \'Velocity Scaling\'.

[Ken-P]

Yamaha S-80!
My friends make it (^_^).

[Neal Keane]

I use the Yamaha KX-88...feels solid, no bounce, keys edges are rounded just enough. It\'s been around for a while, so the MIDI implementation is not as good as the latest models, but, to me, it\'s still the most realistic.
I visited the factory in Hammamatsu where they pump these things out...they have special inspectors who hand-test each key for uniform feel...quite amazing.

[Ken-P]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Neal Keane:
I visited the factory in Hammamatsu where they pump these things out...they have special inspectors who hand-test each key for uniform feel...quite amazing.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Really? Hamamatsu is my hometown!

[Neal Keane]

Hey Ken,
Small world, huh? Can you get me discount on a KX-88 http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif (just kidding...they probably don\'t make them anymore)
So, how come you\'re not working for Yamaha or Kawai?

[Ken-P]

I think that Kawai MP9000 has the most realistic piano-like action. But Yamaha S-80 and Roland XV-88 are the best midi controllers.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Neal Keane:
Hey Ken,
Small world, huh? Can you get me discount on a KX-88 http://www.northernsounds.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif (just kidding...they probably don\'t make them anymore)
So, how come you\'re not working for Yamaha or Kawai?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hahaha Unfortunately, Yamaha doesn\'t make KX-88 anymore.
Because Yamaha, Kawai and Roland have been very close to me since my childhood, and a lot of my friends work at these companies, so I have wanted to work other places.

[Hans Adamson]

Ken-P,

I have the Kawai MP9000. I recently tried out the Yamaha P80 in a store, and I was very impressed with the realistic feel of the keyboard. I also liked the matte-finish black keys. Have you had a chance to compare these?

Hans

[AzureCrystal]

I have been on that quest for many years now, coming from a heavy classical Piano training background, I prefer a little heavier action than the usual out there: This is what I found: If you are a Steinway \"light action\" fan, your best bet will be the Fatar SL880 !! I absolutely love it. If you need the deeper, heavier concert grand action found in some Baldwins, I would suggest the Yamaha P-80. I practice on the P-80 to keep my chops up, then I use the Fatar SL-880 live to get my fingers going faster, and for the pitch bend and modulation, plus it has a big surface to put other synths, mouse, etc... on it. the Fatar also has aftertouch (P-80 does not), so I use him for my studio as well to control synths. Hope this helps ! I tried all other controllers regardless of price, and I found those two to be just perfect for my needs ! -Azure

[Ken-P]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=\"1\" face=\"Verdana, Arial\">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hans Adamson:
Ken-P, I have the Kawai MP9000. I recently tried out the Yamaha P80 in a store, and I was very impressed with the realistic feel of the keyboard. I also liked the matte-finish black keys. Have you had a chance to compare these? Hans<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes I have. My friends make p-80, too! I think that P-80 and P-200 are the greatest products for the piano people. But as csduke said before, these Do Not have expression controllers (wheels) like MOD. So if you don\'t need those expression controllers and verious sounds, I think P-80 is a good choice.

Technically speaking, the piano action of synth is very difficult to achive, because the piano action mainly come from weight of keys and action of hammer of piano. So good piano-like synth and digital piano are usually very heavy.

This problem is up to your acceptability and taste. There are \"digital piano\" \"Piano-like synth\" \"light-piano-like synth\" \"fake-piano-like synth\" and \"synth-like synth\" (^-^).

Try before you buy (originally leap?)! I think this is only way to solve this problems and know your acceptability, taste and purpose of buying it.

Sorry my stupid English (*_*).

[Synth2k]

If you can find a a used Yamaha KX88 that is in good shape you should seriously consider one. Really a great controller, and they\'re built like a tank. A friend of mine has had his KX88 for 15 years or so I think, and only recently has he had to have a tech look at it for some minor fixes. The Peavey DPM C8X is also worth a look. I was impressed with the quick action and although it doesn\'t quite feel like the pianos that I\'m used to playing on, it\'s not bad! I like how the Yamaha P200 feels but it is rather expensive and has limited built in control, possibly making it more suitable to live performance than as a studio controller.

You may also wish to check out this thread on controllers for more opinions:
http://www..com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=000019 (\"http://www..com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=000019\")

Good luck in your search for a new controller.

Ryan.

------------------
Sonic Control
www..com (\"http://www..com\")
Giga Users Network at
www..com/gigasampler/ (\"http://www..com/gigasampler/\")

[This message has been edited by Synth2k (edited 08-28-2001).]

[Hans Adamson]

Csduke,

I have a question regarding the Yamaha P-80:
What\'s the typical velocity range when the keyboard is set to velocity=normal? ( for instance: 30-110 )
I assume that you have a computer midi sequencer, where you can see the velocity values played.

Thanks,
Hans

[cobra7]

I have an Alesis QS8.1, which feels pretty good, but now that I\'ve played it for a while, I do feel that it is a bit heavy and \"slow\". The Rolands I\'ve played have had a nice action, as well as the Yamahas. From a price standpoint, the Alesis is a great deal though, and, though this is rather subjective, the built in piano sounds are good. I\'m in heaven though when I use the QS8.1 keyboard to trigger the Gigapiano - just awesome!

Cheers!