I need recommendations for 88 controller keyboard/keyboard

I'd suggest trying the Kawai MP11SE

I prefer the action to the VPC1...  But if you'd have a problem with the VPC1, that may be true of the MP11SE ...

just thought I'd mention it, as I find mine to be incredibly satisfying.

Jack

^^
The VPC1 and MP11SE are a bit too heavy so their not an option for me personally but sounds like they have great keybeds.

Anyone with SL88 Grand can suggest if i would like its keybed according to the preferences i mentioned above?

Ok, that sucks, but how would you compare it against other keybeds in terms of responsiveness? Fast repetitions? The weight of the keys? Is there even weight distribution between the white keys and black keys? The Noise of the keys? Etc.

Sorry Progman, wish I could help with your pref. Thought I'd post anyway in case it does help - or in case nobody with an SL88 here encounters your thread.

I read your list of keyboards you like and don't like, but have you played the Kawai MP11? (or the SE of course).

The reason I ask, is that some 'reviews' seem to say it's heavy - but to me, it's just that it's rather more like a particular grand piano (no prize for guessing). To me, the action can be played lightly or with great force (terrific plateau in light velo zone - accurate and wonderful staccato - you don't need to press keys all the way down - perhaps this is where reviewers fault it, they overlook the meaningful range - you can press hard all the way of course, but to play light, you shouldn't have to do this - if that makes sense) - it's not that it's one way or the other, it's just capable maybe. Some reviewers might not see it that way but it would be a shame to rule it out, based on some saying it's heavy, or some bad construction issue - which I don't believe to be common.

I've owned a lot of keyboards over 40yrs and MP11 is kind of "tada!" done, pack up and lock the door, we're done here in the epic search Maybe I'd upgrade to the SE one day - but I feel like this will last me until my playing days are done. Had it for some years now and if feels better every day, unlike keyboards I've owned before it.

A drag to not have one nearby though - whatever you do, best of luck finding your keys!

MP11 weighs 32kg, too heavy for me but i'm sure it has a great keybed, so many recommendations for it, it must have. Also, i agree with you on how a good keybed should feel.

Matter-of-factly, for Pianoteq useage the only suggested keyboard manufacturer appearing directly inside your own Pianoteq user account, makes its suggested keyboard, which transmits MIDI High Resolution Velocity Prefix control change number eighty-eight (88), based on the SL88 modified.

Any Pianoteq registered user receives a discount amounting to some five percent (5%) off the keyboard retail price when he purchases it directly from Lachnit; http://www.flkeys.at/home.html.

If you yourself need to modify the SL88, you may want to have a look at this forum thread, https://www.forum-pianoteq.com/viewtopic.php?id=5897.

Hi,

I can highly recommend Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88 for you. It has an extraordinary touch, weighted keys (it feels very realistic), the haptic is very natural and you makes so much fun to play it. At this moment I can also refer to a grand piano: there is only a slight difference between playing on a grand or the KK S88.

You wrote that you write a lot of music. If you use DAW for it, it will be even better because it offers an incredible host integration for some of them: Cubase, Maschine, Logic Pro X, Garage Band (I hope don't use that one ;-) ) and Ableton Live. You can control the virtual mixer, the position of the vertical curser (scrolling) within your project; you can mute and solo every single track; you have a record, play, stop, quantize, loop and tempo button; there are 35 MIDI-CCs (including mod wheel and pitch bend). A lot of things you can do with it.

I hope, this information helps you in your search for a new keyboard!

Yes, S88 uses TP/100. Not a fan of it at all.

Hmmm can't say I tried anything in that price bracket, actually. Casio PX-5S was very good to me as far as lower budget is concerned. That same action is in some of their cheaper stage pianos as well, AFAIK.

Clavia has recently introduced the "Nord Grand", advertised as having an "88-note Kawai Hammer Action with advanced triple sensors" and "ivory touch keys". Has anyone had a chance to play one of these? I am curious as to whether the action is along the lines of the VPC-1 or more like the the MP11SE.

Casio claims that the keyboard on the PX-S3000 is is an improvement over the PX-5S. The PX-5S has features that are better than the PX-5S but not the keyboard and the price of the PX-S3000 is lower.
Has any of the more adept keyboard players tried the keyboard action on the PX-S3000?

No wonder they ditched their last keybed. I guess they listened to criticism of fake "tri sensor", bad responsiveness when playing fast, keybed too heavy for no reason. So they made a new lighter keybed. Better late than never. I'll check the px-s3000 once it is available to play, i'm curious to know if it is any better.

Last year I went to NAMM and was able to directly compare the VPC-1 vs the MP11SE; they are both excellent, but the MP11SE gets my vote for the more realistic piano touch. The VPC-1 felt somewhat stiff and sluggish in comparison. I really wish Kawai would incorporate the "Grand Feel" action in a VPC-2, I was all set to get a VPC-1 until I played the MP11SE. Disclosure: I do have a grand piano at home (where my wife works full-time, hence the need for a controller/Pianoteq).

I'm glad that it works for you. I just can't think of handling 32kg keyboard.
Kawai with their mp11se whether they like it or not position it mostly as a stationary keyboard, like acoustic piano. Some of the reason why nord 88 keyboards are so popular it their weight. Even korg kronos 88 is 24kg. Montage 8 is 28kg and imo some of its unpopularity is due to its weight, rd-2000 is 20-21kg. Yes, with a great piano like keybed there is a price to pay but most people will settle for slightly inferior keybed than carry a 32kg keyboard outside. Also, i think kawai should design their keyboard construction not like a piano, but flat, like nord stage or montage, for example, i think it would make it easier to access the controllers and buttons. I'm sure they can design a great keybed that will go inside a traditionally flat keyboard construction. Also, i bet mp11se does not go inside many keyboard cases.