Topic: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Hello,

Did someone try this one ? I have to replace an old keyboard. Are DP like P525 or Korg D1 a better choice (it's just to play with pianoteq) ? I would have chosen the MP11 SE if there wasn't the famous sticky keys issue. I've tried both PHA-4 and PhA-50 keybeds and It's not my taste (I own an old Kawai MP8).

Thanks for your help !

Regards

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Borealis wrote:

Hello,

Did someone try this one ? I have to replace an old keyboard. Are DP like P525 or Korg D1 a better choice (it's just to play with pianoteq) ? I would have chosen the MP11 SE if there wasn't the famous sticky keys issue. I've tried both PHA-4 and PhA-50 keybeds and It's not my taste (I own an old Kawai MP8).

Thanks for your help !

Regards

Just some friendly wisdom gained by costly experience...

I would advise against the studiologic option. I've had two boards by them (Numa Nero and Acuna). Both of these suffered inconsistent velocity problems due to poor quality control.

Hope this helps you, Borealis.

Warmest regards,

Chris

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

sigasa wrote:
Borealis wrote:

Hello,

Did someone try this one ? I have to replace an old keyboard. Are DP like P525 or Korg D1 a better choice (it's just to play with pianoteq) ? I would have chosen the MP11 SE if there wasn't the famous sticky keys issue. I've tried both PHA-4 and PhA-50 keybeds and It's not my taste (I own an old Kawai MP8).

Thanks for your help !

Regards

P.s. if it was me, I'd seriously consider the D1

Just some friendly wisdom gained by costly experience...

I would advise against the studiologic option. I've had two boards by them (Numa Nero and Acuna). Both of these suffered inconsistent velocity problems due to poor quality control.

Hope this helps you, Borealis.

Warmest regards,

Chris

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Thanks for the tip, Chris !

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

I wouldn't take an advice from someone who didn't actually used the Fatar TP/400W action. There are plenty of videos that are showing/comparing the action (the same action is on Studiologic Numa X GT).

I have mine SL88 GT mk2 for a month and a half and IMO it's the best action that you can get in this price range. The action is on the light side (I am also using it for organ playing), the pivot point is around 21cm, and as mentioned the action itself is already there for multiple years on the Numa X GT.

They're continously releasing software updates/fixes that you can super easily install using the Numa Player.


Best regards,
Adrian

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Thanks for your answer, and experience, Adrian !

Sudiologic is kown for some reliability issues, as kawai is. Some users have some issues with the SL88 (not the GT one) and SL73 MKII. But it's good point if you are satisfied with your keyboard.

Regards

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Where do you read about issues with the mk2 version?

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Some forums. But your good experience is a good point (I haven't made any choice yet). Thanks again.

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Borealis wrote:

Some forums. But your good experience is a good point (I haven't made any choice yet). Thanks again.

Please do thorough research and, best advice I can give, try before you buy if at all possible, Borealis.

Warmest regards,

Chris

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

I do and try when it's possible. Seems that the D1 is nice for many users, whereas some find its keybed terrible. Such a pity Kawai didn't fix the MP11 SE issue !

Regards

Bill

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Borealis wrote:

I do and try when it's possible. Seems that the D1 is nice for many users, whereas some find its keybed terrible. Such a pity Kawai didn't fix the MP11 SE issue !

Regards

Bill

Yes, Kawai definitely need to look at the quality control of their digital piano range. I had a VPC1 with the dreaded slip tape issues. They are not properly regulated and many people including myself had velocity consistency trouble.

Warmest regards,

Chris

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

sigasa wrote:
Borealis wrote:

I do and try when it's possible. Seems that the D1 is nice for many users, whereas some find its keybed terrible. Such a pity Kawai didn't fix the MP11 SE issue !

Regards

Bill

Yes, Kawai definitely need to look at the quality control of their digital piano range. I had a VPC1 with the dreaded slip tape issues. They are not properly regulated and many people including myself had velocity consistency trouble.

Warmest regards,

Chris

the slip tape issue is not as such a quality control issue but more of  a design issue as the slip tape is at the extremity of the key behind the pivot point and hits the metallic capstan every time you press the key and after a certain number of shocks the slip tape gets deformed . The slip tape is made of a transparent plastic tape glued over a black pad whose function is to absorb the shocks . When the tape is deformed , the transparent plastic tends to move and the black pad still quite adhesive hits the capstan and after a while there are residues on the capstan and the keys become sticky . Also variable deformation of the tape generates inconsistent velocities from key to the next . It has been fixed on the GF3 action . Kawai has also changed the slip tape in the recent versions of MP11SE and replaced it with a more solid felt . The best piano actions in the Kawai brand are the GF3 if you like long pivot length pivot keys wooden made and the RH3 if you like very fast action with excellent control of the dynamics .
I never had the slip tape issue with the VPC1 but velocities were all over the place and I found the action too heavy . On the MP11 ( not SE) which I own , I change the slip tape once a year. When the tape is new there are no issues .

Last edited by Pianistically (18-07-2025 19:38)

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Thanks for your reply, Pianistically !

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Borealis wrote:

Thanks for your reply, Pianistically !

You are welcome Borealis.

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

amitev wrote:

I wouldn't take an advice from someone who didn't actually used the Fatar TP/400W action. There are plenty of videos that are showing/comparing the action (the same action is on Studiologic Numa X GT).

I quite agree. At the moment it seems difficult to get the SL88GT but you really should try it, you'll be surprised. I've been playing it for two months now and I totally enjoy it. Action is a slightly modified version of the TP400Wood in the Numa X GT piano. No escapement which makes it react quick and sensitive. Ideal keyboard for Pianoteq.

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

Ressen wrote:

No escapement which makes it react quick and sensitive.

Are you 100 % sure?
Thank you

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

groovy wrote:
Ressen wrote:

No escapement which makes it react quick and sensitive.

Are you 100 % sure?
Thank you

let off escapement is a very helpful feature when the middle sensor is well positioned and allows to replicate two techniques used in classical music . (1) trigger a note from the resistance point. This allows to trigger the lowest possible velocity in a very consistent way . (2) play above the jack , used in Debussy , Ravel type of music where the fingers don’t hit the keybed but impulse enough energy to trigger a sound while using the resistance point at let off as a guide for the ruler . Some keyboards implement  it very well .  Studiologic is not aiming at targeting classical music but gigging musicians who don’t require this feature . I m even surprised it was implemented in the numa X GT which is a stage slab . For instance Yamaha implements let off on all of their top keyboards , except the stage CP88 .

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

I am interested in an GT MKII only if is free of an escapement simulation. But I could not find valid information from StudioLogic, just hearsay of influencers on the net. Eventually Ressen is 100 % sure ...

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

groovy wrote:

I am interested in an GT MKII only if is free of an escapement simulation. But I could not find valid information from StudioLogic, just hearsay of influencers on the net. Eventually Ressen is 100 % sure ...

it has no let off simulation and doesn’t have the Ivory top .

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

I recently bought the SL 88 MKII GT. It has a very very nice keybed although a bit on the stiff side. For me personally I prefer be a bit lighter like a Nord Piano....although...having a price-difference of nearly 3000 euro.... I didn't get any escapement feel of the keybed. I find the keybed very precise; I hardly miss a key with this one while playing quick runs or doing strides.

Very very positive: just plug in an iPad with Pianoteq (running in AUM) and start playing. No extra devices and cables.

The only thing that I'm struggling with at the moment is the connection between key and sound. There's some latency involved and there is not much to tune with the onboard audiodevice which runs at max 48Khz. Sound-wise: it has a decent quality (more than enough for a live gig) but a Focusrite 4th gen for example is more clear.

SL88 setup

Last edited by hvaartsen (Yesterday 20:34)

Re: Studiologic SL88 GT MKII

hvaartsen wrote:

I recently bought the SL 88 MKII GT. It has a very very nice keybed although a bit on the stiff side. For me personally I prefer be a bit lighter like a Nord Piano....although...having a price-difference of nearly 3000 euro.... I didn't get any escapement feel of the keybed. I find the keybed very precise; I hardly miss a key with this one while playing quick runs or doing strides.

Very very positive: just plug in an iPad with Pianoteq (running in AUM) and start playing. No extra devices and cables.

The only thing that I'm struggling with at the moment is the connection between key and sound. There's some latency involved and there is not much to tune with the onboard audiodevice which runs at max 48Khz. Sound-wise: it has a decent quality (more than enough for a live gig) but a Focusrite 4th gen for example is more clear.

SL88 setup

Why not use the iPad as the audio interface? And the SL just for MIDI? Probably lower latency that way