Just got my new VPC1 alone upstairs in my apartment (this thing IS heavy).
But there are two things:
- Some inconsistent key-spacing. Should this be a reason to bring it back or will another one most likely have this issue too?
- The sustain pedal of the triple pedal is making a loud squeeking noise. The others dont. I hope this is not normal? Then I would just bring this back in exchange.
@VPC1 Members: Can you tell me something about that?
I'd say just spray some WD40 on the springs of the sustain pedal and see if it helps.
So its not normal that theres a different in noise from the other two pedals?
Who knows what could've happened during transport, but squirting some WD40 won't do any harm and it might fix the squeak...
But its not really a squeaking in that sense. More a mechanical noise, as if it has some play, it shoudnt have
Sustain is the analog pedal, other two are simple on/off. It is normal.
All pedals are "analog", really. You meant to say continuous. On/off switches are analog, as well
But even disregarding that, there should be no squeaking on whatever pedal.
Kawai's pedals are better than most for digital keyboards, but that's not saying a whole lot. The action of my MP8 is very loud, keyspacings are definitely inconsistent (but hey, they're inconsistent on many Steinway's too, so no issue there), and my Kawai's pedals are loud too, particularly the squeaky sustain pedal. I think it is typical unfortunately. Most digital keyboards cut significant corners when it comes to things like this.
You should still report it -- it could be yours is particularly bad. Even if not, manufacturers should be aware that customers aren't satisfied with noisy components. You might also carefully check the keys for excess noise. While turned off, play each key chromatically and listen for any friction (scraping) between two keys, or excessively loud clunking on any.
A technician from my dealer was here and fixed a key problem.
Regarding the pedal:
He greased the mechanism inside with no positive effect. He talked to Kawai, they told him, they won't send a new pedal, because the noise should be normal.
Of course they didnt hear it, and its so annoying that I will not accept it, until I can be sure about this. (After all I paid a good amout of money)
Would some of you with a VPC1 or a F-30 Pedal be so kind, to record the noise of your pedal (rappidly up, like you would pedal a fast chord change)?
That way I can compare and maybe have an argument for Kawai. And there are no video sources of the F-30 like reviews or such.
Thanks in advance!
Since Kawai were obstructive in this, I'd send it back without delay. You can always buy another, and see if it's any better.
Here is the sound of my VPC1 pedal.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/amo4jrut87jvv...5.wav?dl=0
Opening the unit and loosening up and re-fastening the screws can also help, it did in my case.
Here is the sound of my VPC1 pedal.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/amo4jrut87jvv...5.wav?dl=0
Thank you.
I exchanged my pedal with the one wich was public in the shop, because it was a BIT more quiet.
Still it seems, that the noise is just more annoying than on the F-10 Pedal...
Opening the unit and loosening up and re-fastening the screws can also help, it did in my case.
What do you mean by re-fastening?
My F-30 sustain pedal became quieter over a few months - got louder for a few weeks recently and quieter again. It's usually the same vol as una corda pedal, just pretty quiet plastic friction. On carpet (or setting it on carpet square) may help you dampen any shrill freqs and stop a % from bouncing up at you.
I initially considered returning my unit but persisted - turned out a good thing in my case but unless you upload a recording minor7add9, hard to say how diff to mine that yours is/was.
Main thing is to have pedals suiting your requirements in the end. Still feel the F-30 the best I've come across.
What do you mean by re-fastening?
On the bottom of the unit, there are screws on each corner of the metal plate. Loosening these and redoing them up is what I imagine user Kepijapa meant - but that was already done when the technician visited I also imagine.
On so many real pianos, the noises are way more than my slab and pedals on the Dpiano setup. Una corda for example is really not my cup-of-tea on a lot of real pianos, with the whole keyboard physically moving along with associated mechanical stress/flex noises.
Also a lot of pianos have way noisier pedal sounds, all the way up through metal poles up to the cabinet behind mechanisms beyond the keys.. all resonating like knocking sounds with squeaking and groaning metal and springs etc. I'd hope your F-30 experience wasn't as bad as some otherwise lovely and sometimes expensive pianos I've played
In a way, our digital piano experience is filtering out a lot of real world elements - just in case over time it's worth reflecting on - but in the end I really hope you get the pedals best for you - none of this kit setup is easy or free of trial and error if you're getting serious about it.
Well, I dont remember which screws exactly, but I mean opening up the whole unit (first the screws on the bottom, remove bottom plate, than get out the bar that keeps the mechanism in place, In the end you see the crews that keep the pedal in place. There might be tension there due to torsions ect during transport or assembly. So if you loosen it up and refasten, the whole thing gets into a more relaxed and correctly aligned position, and there is less squeeking. I dont think lubricants will do anything, its all plastic (except the spring maybe).
You can see the screws here :
Today my pedal started acting out, i fixed it by spraying motorcycle chain lubricant - aiming at the spring. Completely quiet now.
I guess the chain lubricant is pretty good because it hardens after application.
Actually I get a new pedal because of a more severe problem.
But beforehand the local techniquian, on behalf of Kawai, did use fat on the inner parts as a common practice to reduce squeaking of the plastic gearwheels.