Arturia Key Lab 88 MK2

Hi Peter, welcome!

I think if you're happy with your keys that's all that counts

Arturia I think used a Fatar board, so likely they are 'similar' to many similarly priced units - but they may have updated since I looked at their 88s.

Always good to see other long-term musicians finding Pianoteq - it absolutely changed my piano focus, from getting into generally more serious piano on sub-par keys/sound combinations, to getting a dpiano I felt at home with, then feeling much more like actually playing a real piano.

Like some others I know in our time-line, I got stuck thinking 90s dpianos were OK enough for recording with and although I liked real pianos, playing them was going to interfere with my studio time - so put it off until the last few decades. I happened on Pianoteq and thought "OK at last, this sounds more like a recording of a piano, than a 90s keyboard with a slightly better piano sound to it." Pianoteq smashed the glacial evolutional process I was captured within for decades.

To this day, I haven't found anything as incredibly lifelike as Pianoteq, playing and recording - I know we'll each find our fav dpiano to make it sing - no matter what others think of our choice. Totally understand some loving a certain keybed and can also understand how that same keybed may be a poor choice for some, a great choice for others.

Happy with mine and can only hope everyone who purchases Pianoteq can take the time to consider their dpiano choice over time.

People may have to buy a few before they understand what they truly 'feel' will be their best dpiano.. next. I think many begin with "What's THE BEST keyboard?". The best, for one may be the worst, for another. It should be "What's the best FOR ME" - and that takes time and experimentation, playing many different keyboards and pianos. That's just being an evolving musician - and hopefully we can all evolved into our preferred kit and love using it

Cheers.

Hi Qexl- Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I totally agree the question for the pianist is never "what's the best keyboard" it's "what's the best way to play the keyboard I am playing"! In my case my actual B has a perfect action fine tuned by David Stanwood who is a master of action. Lives near me so that helped! I purchased the Arturia not planning on doing classical  on it but as a powerful midi controller for playing multiple instruments and mixing, etc. I did find the initial feel to be off putting but I'm learning to play it. It allows extremely fine degrees of dynamic articulation though I hadn't really heard this until I got Pianoteq. The program allows fantastic dynamics because it's creating the sound based on your touch not selecting the closest samples which always leaves subtle gaps. Anyway when I play a Beethoven Sonata with the Arturia through a Steinway D prelude setting I can more easily achieve the subtlest dynamics with it. Another wooden, longer key board may indeed play even better but I can love the one I'm with as long as I treat her right. And the only time I played a D was visiting my son at music school. My first reaction was "man, these keys are big and heavy" but I suspect I could make it work just fine with practice.

@peterhalperin - SInce you appreciate the action on your B, have you considered adding a laser key-reading strip and a 'stop bar'?  Some shops set up Steinways and other pianos going out the door with these.  I added the QRS PnoScan and their Stop Bar to my piano.  This way, you get your excellent action, unaltered, and you can play analog, electronic, or both (depending upon if you leave the Stop Bar engaged or disengaged).

Thanks David- I am intrigued and will look into this, but my situation is needing a portable keyboard for playing out when a suitable piano is not available. I am happy having my B all acoustic in my studio but one never knows....Peter

Couldn't agree more. No controller can match the action of a well "tuned" grand. If I needed to record Pianoteq I might look into the hybrid solution. But I've gone all in with excellent mics and a UA Apollo based recording system that can't be beat for recording acoustically. (I just made an avatar with my set up.)

Good to see you enjoy the best of both worlds there Peter.

Those look like Townsend L22 mics - with Sphere software sys. Indeed that kit would be hard to beat IMHO. Hats off!

If not, I'm sure some will be keen to know what you chose. Looks like a similar versatile mic array type I will sometimes use in Pianoteq's mic pane.

Nice to see another good word for Arturia keys @sharpnine - I always liked the look of the offerings. Cool setup!

Good eye. yes they are spheres which I use with an Apollo based recording system. The software mic models are fantastic. UA proved to me that modeling can be extremely accurate which led me to look into pianoteq.
On another topic which maybe I'll post separately- I am not getting any response from Modartt about some simple issues that came up with my purchases. They say to expect a response in 24 hours but is has been over a week for my first inquiry and several days since my last. Anyone know a trick to get through? Do they monitor this forum? Thanks.....Peter

Thanks very much for helping out Qexl. It's a silly issue born out of my enthusiasm and impulsiveness. I bought the Studio version 10 days ago or so. and got 3 packages. (Steinway B, Bluethner, and Electric). Then I bought the Steinway D and the next day upgraded to Pro forgetting I could have added the D for free as the 4th package. I wrote them about maybe getting a refund for the D and then again to say I'd be happy to make the Bechstein the 4th but they have it in my account that the D came with Pro by mistake with no way of downloading a 4th package. It's got to be the simplest problem they will be solving this year! And again, the Sphere system is game changing. I came from a singer songwriter scene in the 70s-80s and had experiences singing and playing with the great Neumann etc mikes and I'm telling you these Sphere models hold up incredibly well. In fact the spheres sound quite good "dry" but I never really use them that way except to track with the option of changing the mic afterward.

Hi Peter,

We replied to your support issue on 30 May and on 2 June. Please check your spam folder to see if the emails went there. If you cannot find them there, please contact us again using another email account to ensure you will be able to receive our replies.

Thanks,
Niclas

Want to thank Niclas for handling the situation. Looks like the support from Modartt rivals the excellence of the program! Meanwhile while waiting to resolve the issue with the Steinway D package I got the Bechstein yesterday. Stumbled on Recording 2, and, WOW!!  It is my current choice to perform with, and I'm a Steinway guy. best....Peter