Modartt user forum - Poll: What controller do you use?

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (imyself) — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 06:17:56 +0000

Hi all,
at beginning: Kurzweil 2500 X,
then / still : Studiologic VMK188+ (a very good heavy touch) for all orchestra instruments
today: Kawai VPC1

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (sigasa) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 16:38:25 +0000

LTECpiano wrote:

2) Kawai has another action mechanism like the one that is in the VPC1 . . . except it is closer to 10-3/8". (Maybe that version will be available later.)
Lanny

Interested

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (sigasa) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 16:35:40 +0000

Kawai VPC1 (busy perfecting curve! [still!]) ;p

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (Kramster) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 13:44:05 +0000

I use a GEM pRP7 mounted in a baby grand shell and love it. I have 2 of these boards from the -90s I think. The other I gig with because it works so well in mono through my Bose.

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 07:44:38 +0000

Kurzweil PC3K8 here.

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (doug) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 23:05:10 +0000

A Kurzweil MIDIBOARD from some time in the 80s. Wooden keys (don't know how long and don't feel like opening it up to measure). Not very piano-like action--all inertia, very little friction, not graded--but quite nice for all that. And polyphonic aftertouch. The only real downside is that it weighs 90 pounds. Makes a great desk.

I use a Korg SP250 for playing out and it's quite acceptable but not luxurious.

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (keymanpal) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 20:59:28 +0000

Eigenharp Alpha...
I do call it instrument http://www.eigenlabs.com/

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (berghs.kedjan) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 19:53:06 +0000

Fatar Studiologic VMK188+

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (DonSmith) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 17:33:01 +0000

Fatar Studiologic VMK188
88-note Piano-action Controller Keyboard
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr05/a...vmk188.htm

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (LTECpiano) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:30:34 +0000

Key length is important that is, from fulcrum to the natural key face. The longer the key, the more uniform the key weight will be from front towards the back between the sharp keys. (the angular key dip will be less for longer keys)

Having said that:

The Kluge key in a high end Renner action is 10-3/8"
The Roland key is 8-9/16" (PHA II Ivory Feel model)
The Kawai key is 7-5/16" (VPC1)

addendum:

1) The Roland has the "let-off-bump". The floor salesman loves that. The studio guy playing a non-percussed virtual instrument such as French horn or flute is slightly distracted while trying to play softly and smoothly over the "let-off-bump".

2) Kawai has another action mechanism like the one that is in the VPC1 . . . except it is closer to 10-3/8". (Maybe that version will be available later.)

It's all in the price.

Lanny

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (TJ76) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 05:45:44 +0000

Roland A-88. My one and only love...

The feel of a keybed is very personal and subjective. So make sure to try as many as you can get your hands on. And - in my experience - don't expect the "real Steinway Grand feel"! Even the best controllers out there are still far from the real thing. BUT: Some do more or less perfectly match a pianists needs of controllability, and haptical comfort. With this in mind you'll find your controller of choice.

You can't go terribly wrong with the up-market controllers of the big names (Roland, Kawai, Yamaha and to a certain degree Nord and Studiologic). The rest is up to your preferences.

Cheers

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (jcfelice88keys) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 03:32:10 +0000

My keyboard controller is an ancient Roland A-80 mother controller, purchased new in 1990 and used almost every day for the past 23 years and counting. It retailed for about $2795 USD in 1990, and I think I paid about $2300 for it, as my keyboard was purchased as a larger group of instruments and products.

I am not pushing any particular product or model, and I am not associated with any manufacturer of controller keyboards. When you find a 'board that matches your musical demands, touch, and price ... you will know it. At the time, I went for the top-of-the-line Roland because I didn't want (nor would my wife want me) to be upgrading to newer keyboards every few years.

Between the years 2003 and 2010, I taught piano in a Yamaha Piano dealership, and had ample opportunity to try all of their Clavinova keyboards and Yamaha uprights and grands of all sizes and prices. To this day, I have found zero reason to part with my Roland A-80. It has never required service of any kind, and only now is the large LED display becoming darker than I would like. That said, I am so "at one" with my keyboard, that I don't change any of the settings any more, and don't miss that the LED is fading.

Cheers,

Joe

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (mabry) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 22:55:47 +0000

Numa Nero.
Kawai VPC1 is also in my near future.

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (delt) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 22:08:50 +0000

M-audio Oxygen 88. I really like it, the only downside i have with it is that quickly retriggered notes play at low volume - but that's an issue even with some real pianos.

Re: Poll: What controller do you use?

null@example.com (Cmin) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 20:27:16 +0000

Personally, I have a Roland FP-80 and it is very pleasing.