Topic by devhdb

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  • devhdb
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Topic: Kawai MP11 vs. Roland RD-2000: best MIDI controller for Pianoteq?

Hi,

PunBB bbcode test

https://www.kawai.co.uk/products/digita...es/mp11se/

PunBB bbcode test

Finally I have narrowed it down to these two pianos. I will wait for NAMM at the end of the month though, just in case Kawai announces the MP12.

MIDI performance is my main concern.


There's a nice side by side review of both here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDUmIwYloiI
And another one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu9tAHOXnWM



I'm looking mostly for great action and pitch/mod wheel, for I will be using it only as a MIDI controller. I don't mind its weight or the number/quality of onboard sounds.

I've heard that Kawai MP11 might have some issues used as a MIDI controller. Is that true? How about the Roland?
Alternatively, which MIDI controller would you recommend me with great action and pitch/mod wheel?

Last edited by devhdb (15-01-2024 16:00)

Reply by Pianistically

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  • Pianistically
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  • Registered: 12-07-2023
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Re: Kawai MP11 vs. Roland RD-2000: best MIDI controller for Pianoteq?

devhdb wrote:

Hi,

PunBB bbcode test

https://www.kawai.co.uk/products/digita...es/mp11se/

PunBB bbcode test

Finally I have narrowed it down to these two pianos. I will wait for NAMM at the end of the month though, just in case Kawai announces the MP12.

MIDI performance is my main concern.


There's a nice side by side review of both here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDUmIwYloiI
And another one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu9tAHOXnWM



I'm looking mostly for great action and pitch/mod wheel, for I will be using it only as a MIDI controller. I don't mind its weight or the number/quality of onboard sounds.

I've heard that Kawai MP11 might have some issues used as a MIDI controller. Is that true? How about the Roland?
Alternatively, which MIDI controller would you recommend me with great action and pitch/mod wheel?

they are both very good keyboards . As a pure midi controller I find the PHA50 better than the GF action as it is easier to cover the whole 1-127 midi range and it is very easy to play pianissimo on this action . The MP11 has the edge when you use internal piano sounds as the velocity mapping  between the internal Kawai grand piano and the action is excellent , but given your are more interested in the midi controller function, I think the Roland is a better match .

Reply by miiindbullets

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Re: Kawai MP11 vs. Roland RD-2000: best MIDI controller for Pianoteq?

devhdb wrote:

Alternatively, which MIDI controller would you recommend me with great action and pitch/mod wheel?

Both of those were on my shortlist a couple of years back when I was shopping. Both felt like premium stage pianos with great action. Kawai was a bit more realistic feeling, though I was deterred by supposed quality control issues in recent years with Kawai's actions. Not sure if that's still an issue. Yamaha and Roland are both known for making actions that can take a beating. I believe Roland has a 10-year warranty on everything they sell. That said, action is such a subjective feature it's best to try for yourself if possible.

I ended up getting a 2nd-hand Yamaha CP88. I love it, but would have also been happy with the RD-2000 or MP11SE. The CP88 action is similar to the Yamaha P515 -- very heavy, but lots of control and satisfyingly snappy, whereas the RD-2000 felt *slightly* spongier. It took a couple of months of getting used to (my previous DP was the Roland RD-30, much lighter) but I have great control with the CP88 and can hit the full 0-127 range with proper technique, though a slight curve helps for hitting the extremes with sloppier technique. That might not have been an issue with the RD2000.

I also have heard good things about the StudioLogic Numa X GT, the new Yamaha P525 (apparently it's lighter than the P515/CP88), and somewhat surprisingly the new Casio DPs. Not sure how Casio could cram a premium action into something that small, but people seem to like it. I haven't been able to play those for myself.

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