which keyboards or midi-controllers could provide a realistic piano playing feel and are recommended for use with pianoteq?
I'm interested in budget options (for students) and medium-priced to high end options for myself (i'm a music teacher and play the piano almost daily
Hi,
Plenty to find on the forum:
Roland FP90.
Kawai MP10 (RM3 action).
Studiologic SL88 Grand could be a good choice
Roland RD2000 keys are smooth, close feel to an acoustic piano, good choice too.
Cheaper FP-90.
Casio PX5-S.
Kawai VPC 1 is also highly appreciated for its action a bit more expensive
Really have to try it for yourself is best and probably the safest choice.
Regards Dick
Hi, I use Pianoteq for everyday piano practice/pleasure.
I purchased a Casio AP-270 (budget piano) with hifi speakers on top of it (Focal chorus 706), both connected to an old computer and hifi amplifier.
Adding the cost of Pianoteq and audio cables I paid just about 1000€ (I had the computer and the hifi amp already) and I'm really happy with the result.
In my experience, adjusting Pianoteq's velocity curve and dynamics slider had a huge influence on the realism of the playing experience.
I would advise to spend a lot of time tweaking Pianoteq to fit your piano and speakers perfectly, and do the same thing for your students.
The quality of the sound is also a big factor. Not many budget digital pianos have an "aux in" input to receive audio from the computer and most of them do not have good speakers anyway. Good external speakers and/or good headphones can help a lot to provide a realistic response to your playing.
For budget Pianos: Roland FP30 or FP10, Kawai ES110, Yamaha P125, Casio PX160 (recent newer models as well).
My personal preference is for the action on the FP30, which I own. The Yamaha is notable because it supports both MIDI and Audio over USB.
I can vouch for the Roland FP30: good quality action and not too heavy if you need it to be portable. Well worth considering if you also have an acoustic piano and limited space.
Certainly check out the Casio CDP-130. Great feeling action
Am considering buying one myself till I can afford the Casio GP500
Warmest Regards,
Chris
P.s.
I've tried many, many different actions and for the money the CDP action is the best and it also integrates well with Pianoteq
Thank you all for your response and advice, very helpful.
There seem to be many options and decent keyboards around, everybody has his own favourite.
How about Nord keyboards that many pop-music and jazz players use?
And about used, second-hand (cheaper) options that are still worth considering and durable?
Technically, are there different types of MIDI or is it all the same?
Thanks again, best wishes Michiel
A used Fp50 or P155 would be ok; both are bullet proof, have a decent feel to the keys and also have line outs which you can channel into the stereo amp/speakers you may wish to use. Better than using the headphone output, imo.
Kawai mp11 (now mp11se) is very very good, for me its strong point is the longer black keys. It is very expensive, I wish there were just a controller with the same action (since I don't use any of all the functions it has).
This is an interesting question. My keyboards have dual-use: a focus on piano sounds and technique - and as midi-input devices amongst the mix with Ableton Push 2, Roli Seaboard block, etc.
Main midi keyboards are a circa 1991 Peavey DPM C8, and a 2000's Studiologic Numa white. Both are 88 key, with global aftertouch, and customizable velocity curves (the numa can create 'self-adjusting' presets based on sampling your actual style of play). I have an Axiom 25 for synth and organ (and to provide pitch and mod wheels for a numa white)...
I don't own a midi controller that actually generates sound. Pianoteq continues to be my goto piano sound, even though I have Steinberg's 'The Grand 3', and other in-the-box sampled instruments. In the synth world, for perspective - Pianoteq competes with my Prophet 12 module, and Waldorf Streichfett... august company, and it holds up nicely!
[...] customizable velocity curves (the numa can create 'self-adjusting' presets based on sampling your actual style of play).
Interesting, could you please write a few words, how it works?
Does it produce satisfying results?
Pianoteq's Keyboard calibration assistant for example looks nice on paper, but I can't get adequate results with it. As if something important is forgotten in that algorithm.
"Pianoteq's Keyboard calibration assistant for example looks nice on paper, but I can't get adequate results with it. As if something important is forgotten in that algorithm."
same impression for me, I only use the dedicated curve of the VPC1 and the "normal keyboard" and "moderately fast keyboard" in the pianoteq presets
Someone was asking about the Nord,
I bought the Nord Piano 3. It doesn't play well with Pianoteq. Let me quickly summarize:
1) their fancy 3 sensor velocity calibration does not apply to MIDI out, only their internal patches. So the sound is uneven and you really have to mess with Pianoteq to get a curve that works.
2) None of the MIDI controls on the unit pass through. You cant Transpose, for example, or octave shift, or split or anything like that. The only thing that goes by MIDI is the note and the Sustain pedal.
3) They keys are noisy. Really noisy. My neighbor complained and pounded just from the flutter sound! Man.. after paying that kind of cash you don't want that to happen to you.
So buyer beware an read carefully.. Nord sells a super high end version of the 3 for over 3k that apparently does pass midi control, but look at that value added price.. Yuck.
I'm giving the Nord Piano 3 to my dad and picking up the Kawai VPC1.. Quiet keys, software that I can transpose with, and $1000 cheaper.
Hope that helps somebody.
I haven't seen any recommendations for the Korg D1 - it must be the cheapest price you can pay for getting a top-tier action.
For the same money as a Roland FP30 you get the same action as in the Korg Kronos 88 (a 3000 euros workstation/stage piano). I have tried it and liked it.
The only thing to mention is that the grading is in 4 zones if I'm not mistaken (as opposed to 7 zones in the Roland FP90 for instance, to which this action compares well), but I didn't perceive it and it didn't bother me while playing.
Kawai MP11SE... although I'm considering an upgrade to a Kawai CA99 (the only thing making me hesitate is that I want to be able to pick up and go if needs be.)
Another vote for Kawai MP11SE - it is quite an excellent action, and the best (IMHO) in its price range.
Osho
I haven't seen any recommendations for the Korg D1 - it must be the cheapest price you can pay for getting a top-tier action.
For the same money as a Roland FP30 you get the same action as in the Korg Kronos 88 (a 3000 euros workstation/stage piano). I have tried it and liked it.
The only thing to mention is that the grading is in 4 zones if I'm not mistaken (as opposed to 7 zones in the Roland FP90 for instance, to which this action compares well), but I didn't perceive it and it didn't bother me while playing.
I am using the KORG D1 with Pianoteq Pro thru a Steinberg UR22C which runs the whole thing with no audible latency - everything is just perfect! I am exceedingly happy with this set up.
This keybed is absolutely fantastic, highly recommended. Not sure you can get anything better for the buck.
........ . . . . . . . . .
Except one thing :-(
I get a glitch now and then from my laptop, a Dell XPS 15 i7 - 7700.
I tried to deactivate the acpi and a lot of other things as recommended by people that seem to have solved the glitch issues. At no avail. Ultimately I will have to use the Latencymon some time soon to find the mysterious culprit!