So, I quite like it - Casio is just no fun to play. I'm considering selling/returning it - or just buying a cheap used PX150

e ?

Are you alone there, how many of you are there near your Casio ?

It's also tri-sensor,

That's right.

So, I quite like it.  Upsides are the heavier touch complete with a bit of hammer bounce, which I find quite realistic, and the tri-sensor.  High-res velocity also works with PT (didn't notice before that you have to enable that as a special MIDI mode in PT), but I didn't get enough time with it yet to really find out how significant it is (if nothing else it's more realistic, might be more of a subsconscious 'feel' thing, still valuable for that).

Downsides is that unlike my ancient Ensoniq TS-12, it doesn't have release velocity.  From a programming perspective that is so simple to add that it's just about differentiating their models.

So as a controller it's pretty damn good - what annoys me is that, it has great speakers (apparently much improved from the PX-150), but I totally don't like the built-in piano sound.  If it didn't have speakers I wouldn't even mind, but to have the functionality (and paid the premium for this newer model) and then find the sound soulless is irritating : ).  I think the Kawai's have a much better sound.  Also theirs is sampled per-key, whereas the PX stretches each sample for several keys.  And the PX piano sounds decay far too quickly which I really don't like in software pianos.

Of course piano sounds are so subjective, but to me the Casio is just no fun to play.  So I'm considering selling/returning it and trying something else, or just buying a cheap used PX150 instead and use it as a controller only (it's supposed to have the same action).

So I just ordered a Privia PX160 to see if I get on with it.  I do really like the hammer bounce and heavier-ish action, but the thing that pushed me over the edge was finding out that it supports high-res MIDI velocity signals, which Pianoteq can use.  So instead of 127 velocity levels (standard MIDI) it sends 16,383 levels.

I'm sure that's not always noticeable, but it should just feel a little more organic, and may be especially useful when playing softly.  I didn't realise they supported this, for PT that's actually a real bonus.

I'll report back how I get on with it in action, it arrives here tomorrow.

It's also tri-sensor,

I'm sure that's not always noticeable, but it should just feel a little more organic, and may be especially useful when playing softly.  I didn't realise they supported this, for PT that's actually a real bonus.

I'll report back how I get on with it in action, it arrives here tomorrow.

I went from a Kurzweil PC3x to a Roland Juno DS88.  Great 88 note weighted action.  Slightly faster than Roland's digital pianos.  Around $1,000 US new.     -Perry-

Perry how did you find the PC3x's action?

It can be very surprising to discover how much our sense of the keyboard action is influenced psychologically by the sound output. Another experiment is to shift the keyboard velocity curve back and forth to bias towards either the ppp timbres or the fff timbres, but keep the volume the same. The same keyboard can feel either heavy and sluggish or light and fast, depending on the responsiveness of the output.

This is what you can do in Pteq.  And when you find the sweet spot for your DP (it's never the default straight line!) you're onto a winner.  Took me a couple o' years to get it right, it definitely plays like a more expensive piano.  It's transformed my FP50 to the degree that I haven't a clue what to change it for when that time comes next year. . . .
I'm too lazy to go through all that again with a new keyboard/piano, possibly with no prospect of improvement.
I'd rather spend the cash on a Pianoteq upgrade.  Or two . . .

I hope you are happy with the cp4...several of my friends prefer it also.

As an aside, the issue of keyboard mechanical action/weight vs. "feel" is interesting to me. Have you ever tried playing an acoustic piano with earplugs to block the sound you hear? It can be very surprising to discover how much our sense of the keyboard action is influenced psychologically by the sound output. Another experiment is to shift the keyboard velocity curve back and forth to bias towards either the ppp timbres or the fff timbres, but keep the volume the same. The same keyboard can feel either heavy and sluggish or light and fast, depending on the responsiveness of the output. One is also sensitive to the overall volume of the output. Headphones can be deceptive. If one can set the output through speakers to the volume level and dynamic range of an acoustic piano, the keyboard action may feel very different from the intimate way (and reduced volume?) with which we listen to the output on headphones.

Interesting, I wasn`t try that and I suppose it is true that sound output change perspective about action so is velocity curve, but touch on any acoustic piano is always different then on digital because strings send feedback to our fingers from hammer strike and this is another world compare to dead response and feel that we are disconnected from digital piano.

As an aside, the issue of keyboard mechanical action/weight vs. "feel" is interesting to me. Have you ever tried playing an acoustic piano with earplugs to block the sound you hear? It can be very surprising to discover how much our sense of the keyboard action is influenced psychologically by the sound output. Another experiment is to shift the keyboard velocity curve back and forth to bias towards either the ppp timbres or the fff timbres, but keep the volume the same. The same keyboard can feel either heavy and sluggish or light and fast, depending on the responsiveness of the output. One is also sensitive to the overall volume of the output. Headphones can be deceptive. If one can set the output through speakers to the volume level and dynamic range of an acoustic piano, the keyboard action may feel very different from the intimate way (and reduced volume?) with which we listen to the output on headphones.

Of course the Lachnit can be improved...it is quite compact and portable compared to a full-sized acoustic piano action, so it includes design compromises, as described on their website. One needs to judge any keyboard action for oneself, of course, ....Like your friend, many of us here are classically trained and have critical and valid opinions about instruments. I personally find it hard to understand why one would compare Lachnit to a semi-weighted synthesizer action. Does your friend approve of any portable keyboard action for "serious" playing?

My request to him was that I need some quality portable DP for traveling, so less weight and good action. Lachnit was one on my list. Unfortunately Kawai es8, mp7, Roland fp90 are too heavy. The action in Lachnit is too light. I was afraid of that because because this man on Youtube also said that in comments before my friend was in Vienna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daQkQQdc6lo . My friend confirm that to me and we talk and we agree that there are not many choices for quality action and low weight. Low budget DPs (Casio px, Kawai es110, Roland fp30, Yamaha p) was out of question. Maybe Yamaha cp4, p255 or Roland a88 midi. Yamaha p255 was my first choice but after awhile I choose Yamaha cp4 (GH wood action, three sensor, 17.5kg) and now I am waiting for this DP. This man on video recommends Roland, but Ivory G action is not something I like and I already have Kawai es100 as a good action substitute. I have VPC1 as my main choice in my home.

NathanShirley wrote:

Progress has been made since, but not amazing progress (at least in most portable keyboards --

You might revise this assessment if you have the opportunity to try a Lachnit keyboard.

True, I haven't tried the Lachnit and would love the opportunity. Unfortunately I don't know of anyone in my region that has one... or in the US for that matter. I especially like that they have an extended key version available.

Personally I don't mind the weight of a heavy "slab" keyboard. As long as it fits in my car it could weigh as much as me and I'd be happy -- as long as the action is good. But I appreciate that some would be glad to compromise with a lighter instrument.

Because I heard lots of good things about Lachnit, I ask my friend who often travel to Vienna to go there and try that DP. For the record my friend is highly educated (in Vienna) and classically trained professional musician and play lots of instruments including piano, so his opinion is very very valid. So he was there and said to me that Lachnit is excellent instrument but not for classical piano training because action is too light for anything serious almost like semi weight synth. He ask them why the action is not better because price is high and they said to him that if they want to put better action Lachnit will be cost at least 1k more. It is already too much money for Lachnit so this DP is not an option for me.

Just missed this post slobajudge ... if Lachnit admits the action could be better, that's telling. Way out of my price range for a digital keyboard.

NathanShirley wrote:

Progress has been made since, but not amazing progress (at least in most portable keyboards --

You might revise this assessment if you have the opportunity to try a Lachnit keyboard. Like you, I also play mostly a real grand piano, and have > 50 years of classical and jazz training and playing experience. The Lachnit (plus Pianoteq) is the only current portable keyboard I've tried that compares for action, feel and expressive control, in my opinion.

It's refreshing TimN that you've actually found a great semi-portable keyboard! I have to admit though that I am thinking along the lines of NathanShirley's post ("wait until the VPC2 comes out"). Price of Lachnit seems prohibitive for most players, and from the little I've read, Lachnit does not seem to be widely available for testing or easily serviced in many locales.