Topic by AndyMac

  • Avatar
  • AndyMac
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Wirral, UK
  • Registered: 23-11-2019
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

Currently have an Arturia KeyLab 88 which is pretty good, but does lack some features for piano - and is pretty great for other instruments (Hammond, etc.) as well as synths/strings. Currently looking at replacing/"upgrading" it with another MIDI Master Keyboard. This sits alongside a Arturia Keylab 49 (soon to be upgraded to the Mk2 61 key) which I use for upper Hammond keyboard, synth leads, etc.

I can't justify the cost of a Kawai VPC-1, and anyway, it is so focussed on piano it would not really do me for other instruments - so, having researched it as far as you can, the StudioLogic SL88 Grand looks like a better option than the Arturia range... no-one nearby stocks them for me to try (the only and nearest being a 5 to 6  hour journey away) so....

Would love to get any RECENT experience of the StudioLogic SL88 Grand (with the Fatar TP40/WOOD keyboard) that people on the forum have, or even just experience of other instruments using the TP40/WOOD keybed.

The SL88 Grand seems to offer a good set of features for what I'm looking for (around piano playing), including a more piano-style feel (including the triple sensors), note off velocity, the option of a 3-pedal unit with half pedalling, and customisable curves across the keyboard - plus enough flexibility in terms of additional pedal/expression inputs and some level of synth control (via the joysticks, which I'm not 100% convinced about).

My specific questions are:
* How have users of the SL Grand found it?
* How much of an improvement is the TP40/WOOD triple sensor keyboard over TP100 style keyboards?
* How well does it work with Pianoteq, including the velocity curves, the note off velocity, half pedalling, etc.
* Are there issues with the joysticks (I have read about dead zones being an issue) and from a practical perspective is this a problem?
* Is the software stable and reliable (it has had a few years to get there now)?
* Any specific plusses or minuses with StudioLogic?

Thanks in advance
Andrew

Reply by Chopin87

  • Avatar
  • Chopin87
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 18-10-2012
  • Posts: 325

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

AndyMac wrote:

Currently have an Arturia KeyLab 88 which is pretty good, but does lack some features for piano - and is pretty great for other instruments (Hammond, etc.) as well as synths/strings. Currently looking at replacing/"upgrading" it with another MIDI Master Keyboard. This sits alongside a Arturia Keylab 49 (soon to be upgraded to the Mk2 61 key) which I use for upper Hammond keyboard, synth leads, etc.

I can't justify the cost of a Kawai VPC-1, and anyway, it is so focussed on piano it would not really do me for other instruments - so, having researched it as far as you can, the StudioLogic SL88 Grand looks like a better option than the Arturia range... no-one nearby stocks them for me to try (the only and nearest being a 5 to 6  hour journey away) so....

Would love to get any RECENT experience of the StudioLogic SL88 Grand (with the Fatar TP40/WOOD keyboard) that people on the forum have, or even just experience of other instruments using the TP40/WOOD keybed.

The SL88 Grand seems to offer a good set of features for what I'm looking for (around piano playing), including a more piano-style feel (including the triple sensors), note off velocity, the option of a 3-pedal unit with half pedalling, and customisable curves across the keyboard - plus enough flexibility in terms of additional pedal/expression inputs and some level of synth control (via the joysticks, which I'm not 100% convinced about).

My specific questions are:
* How have users of the SL Grand found it?
* How much of an improvement is the TP40/WOOD triple sensor keyboard over TP100 style keyboards?
* How well does it work with Pianoteq, including the velocity curves, the note off velocity, half pedalling, etc.
* Are there issues with the joysticks (I have read about dead zones being an issue) and from a practical perspective is this a problem?
* Is the software stable and reliable (it has had a few years to get there now)?
* Any specific plusses or minuses with StudioLogic?

Thanks in advance
Andrew

I had it for a few years now and I think it is still worth the money for what they ask (even better so if you buy it on discount). The action is superb, I simply love how it feels under the fingers more so than the Kawai VPC1 which is lighter. The TP40/WOOD is far better than the TP100 particularly if you're heavy-handed, it is closer not just aesthetically to the real piano action. I really had no issues with Pianoteq or REAPER it was jus just plug and play. I did need to touch anything in Pianoteq or in the SLeditor. Now let's come to the minuses: electronics is subpar. After a few months I had lines disappearing from the display, it seems to be a common issue. I don't use much the controllers but people who do much more than me (playing synths , vstis and other stuff) have reported issues. So far mines are good, but I live with this terror because you clearly see by touching them how fragile they are. On another SL keyboard my pitchwheel started sending random signals so... Last thing is support: basically inexistent. If you have a person that is well-versed in repairing your gear you're lucky otherwise you have to live with it.

"And live to be the show and gaze o' the time."  (William Shakespeare)

Reply by revp01

  • Avatar
  • revp01
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 29-12-2016
  • Posts: 11

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

I have owned an SL88 Grand for a while. I'm late with my responses but here they are.

* How have users of the SL Grand found it?
          I have nothing but praise for the SL88Grand. Great action, control over 4 midi channels at a time was something I needed in a controller, usually having to
          use my old Fantom X8 when I needed this level of control live.  Finally, it can stay in the studio.  SL88Grand is solid and road-worthy. Get one!

* How much of an improvement is the TP40/WOOD triple sensor keyboard over TP100 style keyboards?
          Superior keybed and a MAJOR improvement over TP100 (Keylab 88, Komplete S88, Forte SE88).  The action bounces back as smooth and quickly as a
          grand piano.  I own 2 and 1 is right next to a yamaha C7 grand and the action is similar and a joy to play.

* How well does it work with Pianoteq, including the velocity curves, the note off velocity, half pedalling, etc.
          Great. The velocity, key, & pedal settings of the SL software are infinite and intricate.  The keybed & controls respond very well to Pianoteq's software.

* Are there issues with the joysticks (I have read about dead zones being an issue) and from a practical perspective is this a problem?
          I thought I would hate the joysticks but they are very useable. I have no complaints.  I usually have a few programmed to control tremolo speed
          and depth when I'm using a Rhodes or Wurlitzer patch.  I've also used them to shape wah and compression as well. 

* Is the software stable and reliable (it has had a few years to get there now)?
          Yes. The only issue I've had with the software is when I'm using the SL Mixface with my SL88Grand.  Something still off with that unit but I think it's more how
           it handles power

* Any specific plusses or minuses with StudioLogic?
          The company has been decent at support via email, most of which, for me, has been concerning the Mixface not the SL88Grand.

Last edited by revp01 (24-06-2020 20:52)

Reply by keybender

  • Avatar
  • keybender
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 01-04-2019
  • Posts: 29

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

I've had one for a bit more than a year now.

I like it a lot except for the SL editor software which is a huge pain although I don't use it often.

Keyboard feel is great, better than most of the digital pianos I've played. Feels solid in all aspects - keys, surfaces, etc. MIDI "Dynamic range" is good. To get a 1, you need to touch really gently and to get a 127, you need to hit the key quite hard. I also think that's consistent between different Keys. There is a distince "thunk" when the keys hit the bottom. It's clearly weighted on the heavy side so it's good training but I find that when I play on an acoustic instrument with a lighter action, I simply play the fast bits better and with more confidence. However, repetition is good enough. If you're ever playing a synth, you'll find the aftertouch (although global and not per key) pretty cool.

I also own the 3 pedal unit which is not so easy to set up unfortunately but otherwise I can recommend that too.

Weight is just about okay to move around. Any heavier and it would be a real pain.

I played the VPC1 for a very short while - I don't think it feels _much better_. I also played the MP11SE which I clearly prefer.

The fact that you can power it via USB is handy.

Reply by Gaston

  • Avatar
  • Gaston
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Blois - France
  • Registered: 04-10-2012
  • Posts: 949

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

keybender wrote:

............................
The fact that you can power it via USB is handy.

Are you sure ?
In the specs I can read " Bus-powered : No "

Gérard Delassus
Chansons
SoundCloud
Hearthis.at

Reply by keybender

  • Avatar
  • keybender
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 01-04-2019
  • Posts: 29

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

Gaston wrote:
keybender wrote:

............................
The fact that you can power it via USB is handy.

Are you sure ?
In the specs I can read " Bus-powered : No "

I'm pretty sure there is only the USB and pedal cable plugged in to keyboard at this very moment
The USB cable goes straight to my laptop.

There was a power supply in the package but it's not necessary - the USB port has to be fairly new I'd guess so that it can provide enough power.

Last edited by keybender (09-03-2020 17:39)

Reply by Chopin87

  • Avatar
  • Chopin87
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 18-10-2012
  • Posts: 325

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

keybender wrote:
Gaston wrote:
keybender wrote:

............................
The fact that you can power it via USB is handy.

Are you sure ?
In the specs I can read " Bus-powered : No "

I'm pretty sure there is only the USB and pedal cable plugged in to keyboard at this very moment
The USB cable goes straight to my laptop.

There was a power supply in the package but it's not necessary - the USB port has to be fairly new I'd guess so that it can provide enough power.

Same here. It works fine.

"And live to be the show and gaze o' the time."  (William Shakespeare)

Reply by Gaston

  • Avatar
  • Gaston
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Blois - France
  • Registered: 04-10-2012
  • Posts: 949

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

Chopin87 wrote:
keybender wrote:
Gaston wrote:

Are you sure ?
In the specs I can read " Bus-powered : No "

I'm pretty sure there is only the USB and pedal cable plugged in to keyboard at this very moment
The USB cable goes straight to my laptop.

There was a power supply in the package but it's not necessary - the USB port has to be fairly new I'd guess so that it can provide enough power.

Same here. It works fine.

Good to know, thank you both !

Gérard Delassus
Chansons
SoundCloud
Hearthis.at

Reply by Filip

  • Avatar
  • Filip
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 01-10-2019
  • Posts: 22

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

Hi, i was also considering this keyboard for myself, but I read on Thomann, that the keys have crazy touchweight around 100g, which is not heavy, it's simply unusable.
Can anyone measure it, please?
Thanks.

Reply by Gaston

  • Avatar
  • Gaston
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Blois - France
  • Registered: 04-10-2012
  • Posts: 949

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

I plan to replace my old SL990Pro (No USB, no split-zones, noisy mechanics).
The SL88 Grand is beyond my budget, so I'm thinking about the SL88 Studio, more affordable.
Its four zones would make it easier for me to play Organteq...

Gérard Delassus
Chansons
SoundCloud
Hearthis.at

Reply by eriks

  • Avatar
  • eriks
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Berlin
  • Registered: 22-12-2016
  • Posts: 55

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

Filip wrote:

Hi, i was also considering this keyboard for myself, but I read on Thomann, that the keys have crazy touchweight around 100g, which is not heavy, it's simply unusable.
Can anyone measure it, please?
Thanks.

If I freely hold a ~50g swiss army knife over the top of a key, its getting down half way. With some 8g-magnets on it even further. The 100g claim seems to be FUD and not very credible anyway. Piano builders aim for 50g touch weight.

I can say for myself (and I own a SL88 Grand since christmas, but playing all available models in the stores for about 2 years), that I'm absolutely happy and satisfied with the decision I can only recommend for it. There is no issue at all with build quality, the keyboard just came perfectly, the only thing I changed is the ratio of black to white keys. Its running bus powered from a Raspi 4 (with a strong power supply because the Raspi has an amp on the GPIO bus).

But I also know that all this is very much a question of 1. habitude 2. personal taste 3. habitude.

I also suggest to buy a half-pedaling sustain pedal like the Roland DP-10. Plugged into the on of the continuous controller ports of the SL88 and setting the MIDI controller value of the port to 64.

Reply by Filip

  • Avatar
  • Filip
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 01-10-2019
  • Posts: 22

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

eriks wrote:
Filip wrote:

Hi, i was also considering this keyboard for myself, but I read on Thomann, that the keys have crazy touchweight around 100g, which is not heavy, it's simply unusable.
Can anyone measure it, please?
Thanks.

If I freely hold a ~50g swiss army knife over the top of a key, its getting down half way. With some 8g-magnets on it even further. The 100g claim seems to be FUD and not very credible anyway. Piano builders aim for 50g touch weight.

I can say for myself (and I own a SL88 Grand since christmas, but playing all available models in the stores for about 2 years), that I'm absolutely happy and satisfied with the decision I can only recommend for it. There is no issue at all with build quality, the keyboard just came perfectly, the only thing I changed is the ratio of black to white keys. Its running bus powered from a Raspi 4 (with a strong power supply because the Raspi has an amp on the GPIO bus).

But I also know that all this is very much a question of 1. habitude 2. personal taste 3. habitude.

I also suggest to buy a half-pedaling sustain pedal like the Roland DP-10. Plugged into the on of the continuous controller ports of the SL88 and setting the MIDI controller value of the port to 64.

Thanks for checking it out.

Reply by Torsten B. Hagemann

  • Avatar
  • Torsten B. Hagemann
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Registered: 14-09-2009
  • Posts: 62

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

I have the SL Grand (used at home and for gigs), the SL Studio (in rehearsal, I found a second Grand to be too expensive), plus the Mixface (can easily bring that to rehearsals). I love the Grand and the action/feel, works very well for me, but I grew up with an acoustic piano, so that is the feel I am looking for. The Grand is far superior to the Studio, far better feel and control. I got a very early version, had to have the display replaced under warranty, otherwise no issues at all. Works fine with the Mixface, it is bus powered, works fine with half pedaling and settings on Pianoteq - I used the build-in calibration, made a few adjustments, and were happy. I did some tweaking of some of the keys sensitivity, though.

I used to take advantage of all the settings in the SL Grand, but after moving to Cantabile for hosting my VSTs I moved all the settings to Cantabile.

Previously I played the Studiologic SL990 XP, the Grand is a huge step forward.

Hardware: Studiologic SL 88s + SL Mixface, Focusrite Scarlett 2i4, Lenovo Yoga I5 Windows 10 Pro
VST host: Cantabile
Other instruments: hammond (GSi VB3 II), saxophone (Selmer), harmonicas (Hohners)

Torsten B. Hagemann's Website

Reply by thman

  • Avatar
  • thman
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 15-06-2014
  • Posts: 6

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

Another very happy SL88 Grand owner here. I even prefer the SL88 Grand keybed feel over my Avantgrand N2. Seriously, the SL88 Grand and Pianoteq 7 are a terrific combo made in heaven. My SL88 Grand didn't exhibit any quality issues so far, not at all. I really LOVE it.

Last edited by thman (10-01-2021 19:32)

Reply by Gaston

  • Avatar
  • Gaston
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Blois - France
  • Registered: 04-10-2012
  • Posts: 949

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

Does anyone have any experience with the SLP3D triple pedal with the 88 Grand and Pianoteq?

Gérard Delassus
Chansons
SoundCloud
Hearthis.at

Reply by PaulieDC

  • Avatar
  • PaulieDC
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 09-02-2021
  • Posts: 1

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

Hi all, this is a bit late in the game, but I wrote up some thoughts on the SL88 Grand now that I own it. Easier to post the link from the VI-Control site. Hope it's helpful!

Reply by Gaston

  • Avatar
  • Gaston
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Blois - France
  • Registered: 04-10-2012
  • Posts: 949

Re: Anyone with real-world experience of StudioLogic SL88 Grand

PaulieDC wrote:

Hi all, this is a bit late in the game, but I wrote up some thoughts on the SL88 Grand now that I own it. Easier to post the link from the VI-Control site. Hope it's helpful!

Thanks for this helpful link !

Gérard Delassus
Chansons
SoundCloud
Hearthis.at