Yamaha KX8...

Hi,
I suspect it might only have a sustain-switch entry, so you can't enjoy the continuous sustain handling (e.g. half pedalling) in pianoteq.
Technically you can work around this if the board has an expression predal input - you can map the expression pedal to PTQ's sustain.
However, I'm not sure the KX8 has an expression pedal input,
and advertising is quite confusing.
It seems this board has very little controller inputs for a pure midi-controller.

I'll be glad to know what  you found out

-- Eran

I don't really know what yamaha were aiming at with this keyboard. I love the idea of large flat surfaces where one can put on a laptop and soundcard, but it seems neither yamaha nor roland want to put out the right controller for laptop based music.
M-audio does, but their build quality is very low....
Seems CME are up for it with the UF-8, but it is a little too heavy for my taste.
Currently I use an old roland fp-3 as my controller, which has great action, and continous sustain, together with a Korg nano-control.
I guess at this day and age, where traditional digital-piano makers that have the knowhow to build good action keyboard, have not the insentive to design them for laptop-based music,
is not easy for pianists who'd like to use a laptop (e.g. us pianoteq customers).

And maybe this is a little off topic, but perhaps it would interest all of us to have a sticky thread about hardware setups that we have with pianoteq, as well as suggestions, tips, etc... ????

-- Eran

I've tried to play the VMK-188 for a while but I haven't succeeded in my efforts... But I think that there is other boards that have the same keys, but which one???
And my next question: Is it working with Pianoteq?

Right now I'm playing a Yamaha CLP-150, and thats quite OK!

God bless!

The VMK-188 from Fatar does work with Pianoteq. I use one. I like it. I'm no expert, but I just pointed Pianoteq to the port that the keyboard is connected to and that worked for me.

My set-up:
Connected via USB port
OS: Windows XP Pro

Pianoteq:
In options/Devices/Active midi inputs: Listen to all midi input (checked)
Audio device type: ASIO (checked)
Device: SB Audigy ASIO [A800] (Soundcard) (Selected)
Active output channels: Wave/MP3 (1)/(2) Front L/R (1)/(2) (all checked).

Maybe you have something else running as the primary midi source. If for example, I start 'TruePianos' first, then start Pianoteq, I can't use Pianoteq.

I know that there have been discussions in various forums about Pianoteq 3 working on Muse Receptor, but their demo videos shows the VMK-188 using it:
http://www.museresearch.com/receptor-videos.php

Can you get continuous sustain with it? Looking at the manual it seems like only simple on-off sustain is supported.

Probably worth a confirmation because the documentation is vague, but I believe it is "implying" that the 3 pedal inputs can output continuous midi data or can be used as switch type control.  I like the sliders for virtual B3 control, but the pitch/mod "stick" is in a strange place and there seems to be no USB.  Two MIDI outs is nice, though.  Remember, anyone, that if you find a great keyboard action you like but it doesn't have continuous sustain, you can always add that with a tiny MIDI Solutions box and your footcontroller -no batteries required...

Its my first proper 88 key Keyboard, so I don't really know what other keyboard to compare it to. I have felt other keyboards in shop displays and I prefer the feel of the VMK-188. Build quality is rock solid it, weighs about 20kg. It has good weighted keys: Though when I compare it to the Steinway (at church) the ultimate comparison , I would have liked it to have a little more weight, especially in the base end: though I think Fatar have added this to their 'Numa.'

The sound is good, with the right software (Pianoteq) you'd play for hours.

I don't like the User Manual.

Continuous sustain:
Sorry to let you down, but I've only got as far as using the supplied single sustain peddle. I think you might need to Google it.
According to this specification it does have:
http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~nam...d~4042.asp

My kx8 arrived today.  I'll check it out tonight with Pianoteq and post a review.  The bonus DVD that is advertised with it came attached to the outside of the shipping carton in plastic wrap just like a shipping label.  Amazingly it seems intact.  The DVD has a bunch of free software (demo & full copy).  They advertise in the mail order listings that you must request the DVD to be mailed to you, but I discovered on a forum that they were now sticking it on the box.... otherwise I think I would have missed it.

OK... the KX8 will work for me.  It is of solid construction.  I can only compare the action to my older StudioLogic/Fatar SL990 and my Chickering spinet ...and some non-weighted keys.  It is a bit easier and less "clunky" than the Fatar.  There is less extraneous mechanism noise and the key travel is more secure, though it is a shorter travel.  I couldn't find any key wobble.  There is a bit of hard sponge at the end of the travel (no aftertouch) but that's OK because I like a "soft" landing.  The keys are very glossy and slippery.  I might just give it a bit more ivory feel with careful light sanding -don't try this unless you know what you are doing.  It kinda feels like a Rhodes piano but the way you'd want a Rhodes to play, with fast spring-back, not mushy.  (I used to own a Rhodes 88)  The preset velocity curve worked well with Pianoteq.  Playing dynamics from soft to loud were smooth and easy to maintain.  It's rather heavy but it won't be traveling much.  The large top surface can easily accommodate a laptop or separate controller/mini synth.  I actually powered it off the USB of my little netbook which was also running on batteries.  The bottom line is whether it inspires, so... time will tell.  But please don't buy one just on my review, as I'm no pianist.  (I just play one on TV)

PS:  You must install drivers for it to use USB.  I couldn't get it to work with USB when I first hooked it up and after several driver re-installs, I finally checked the menu on the KX8 and saw that the connection was preset for a MIDI cable -not USB.  You have to tell it which one you are using -it doesn't transmit out both at the same time !

Did you have to remove the keys to apply the teflon? I know the space between the inner surface of the key and the sides of those key guides is practically nothing. So how did you do it?

Sadly, they didn't.  There is barely any difference in key weight between the extremities of the keyboard on the Numa.  My Yamaha  KX8 is lighter overall than the Numa (but not much) but there is more  noticeable gradation across the compass.

I commented some months ago on another thread about the KX8 that it does not support Yamaha's own FC3 continuous sustain controller.  I personally got around this by cutting off the jack plug and hard-wiring it to a midi controller which has continuous control (potentiometer) inputs.  This was actually an HWCE encoder from Jordan Petkov at Midiboutique, but as I now need to re-deploy that in a new  organ console, I will ask Jordan if he can provide me with an encoder for Pianoteq which will allow me to use a 3-pedal setup.

Neil