I've tried a few of the high-end digital pianos. Yamaha CLP-785 was the best for playing chords like Bb-D-F-Bb evenly. Kawai CA99 has some advantages though: wooden keys, nice response for lyrical playing, and the included virtual piano sound is quite realistic.
I haven't tried a hybrid piano. How would you rate the difference?
Hi Lycomedes, most weighted keyboards can produce evenly played chords, but if the action is too light, then uneven playing is more likely. Also the key length can have an effect when playing further forward near the fallboard, short keys become more difficult to press in this area, longer keys remain quite playable in this position and are better. I haven't played the Yamaha CLP-785, but I would guess it would play well.
Nick
Also, some entry level keyboards have the same pivot position (balance rail) on both black and white keys, but on the Kawai VPC1 for example, the pivots are positioned so the black keys, been shorter, has the pivot further away (from the player position), and white key pivots closer to the players position, this allows a similar key pressure when playing both black and white keys. Again, high end keyboards will have this feature.
Regarding key length as I mentioned in my last post, this is not just the visible playing area length, but the whole key length inside the cabinet. An example here is, the Kawai VPC1 has shorter keys than the Kawai MP11, the MP11 is a better action.
Edit; sorry there, I got carried away on the 'evenly played chords' part of your question, I have not played a hybrid keyboard myself, but hope you found some of my answer useful.
Nick
Thanks for the info.
Yes, something like M-Audio Hammer 88 Pro has far too short keys, rendering the back area hard to press, and making some pieces virtually unplayable.
Yamaha does in fact use this as a selling point for the CLP-785:
«When playing a digital piano, the back area of the keys may prove to be a challenge to full musical expression. This is because the back of the key is closest to the fulcrum of the action. The closer to this pivot point that you strike the key, the less leverage you have and the more strength you need to apply. The greater length of GrandTouch keys give the player MORE leverage, allowing for better expressive control, even at the backs of the keys. This is the same support length found on the Yamaha S3X premium grand piano (as of July 2020), and is the longest support length used on any digital piano.»
Yes it's good that you know this for when you choose your keyboard.
You will find also, as I mentioned earlier, a light action, although fun to play, will not be as good as a heavier action in terms of even chords. I tried to get a balance between light and even when I modified my VPC1 (I don't by the way recommend modifying keyboards, it takes forever).
Nick
It's easy to overthink when buying new equipment though. An example would be if one had a slow laptop that needed replacing, to focus on the fastest laptop spec you could find, when an average mid-priced one would have been fast enough.
Full length keys will give you more control over shorter keys, this is the main thing.
Nick
I tried Kawai's NV-5S Hybrid. It's a step up in terms of realism, especially the pedals, reverberations, and sound. However, I can't say the key action is definitely superior to the CLP-785, DG-30, and CA99. That's a matter of taste.
Just a side note about marketing.
Kawai describes one of their entry-level models, with short plastic keys, as follows:
«The KDP70 delivers the touch of a world-class grand piano through its Responsive Hammer Compact (RHC) keyboard action, which authentically reproduces the natural motion and feel of an acoustic piano.»
This is clearly not true. Do people really expect to be lied to? To get to the truth, you always have to cut through these thick layers of marketing-speak.
I played on a ton of keyboards just to find the one that felt the most realistic. I couldn't find any one that has the Lachnit MK23, but based on the designer and his history, I took the plung and ordered it. It is indeed the best keyboard in terms of feel, build quality and velocity resolution (very good for PianoTeq).
I played on a ton of keyboards just to find the one that felt the most realistic. I couldn't find any one that has the Lachnit MK23, but based on the designer and his history, I took the plung and ordered it. It is indeed the best keyboard in terms of feel, build quality and velocity resolution (very good for PianoTeq).
And Channel aftertouch! Mod wheels! Nice. Out of my price range, unfortunately.
Mk4UmHa wrote:I played on a ton of keyboards just to find the one that felt the most realistic. I couldn't find any one that has the Lachnit MK23, but based on the designer and his history, I took the plung and ordered it. It is indeed the best keyboard in terms of feel, build quality and velocity resolution (very good for PianoTeq).
And Channel aftertouch! Mod wheels! Nice. Out of my price range, unfortunately.
I would like to see polyphonic aftertouch as standard at that price point!