Topic by Adam FIlter

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  • Adam FIlter
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Topic: VPC1 Consensus

I know this has bean probably beaten to death, I've read multiple threads  on this and other forums.

There seems to be a lot of people that are very happy with their VPC1 and there's a second group that had bad experiences for various technical reasons. Some people state velocity inconsistency, noisy keybed and.even peeling paint.

When I read VPC1 posts it's like I'm reading about 2 different products.

I'm looking to upgrade from TP/100 in Studiologic SL88 Studio, since I've finally started practicing jazz piano a year ago, it's going pretty nicely and I'm highly motivated to improve my playing. A lot of people recommend getting a digital piano and using it as a controller, but I'm not keen to go that route really. I keep coming back to VPC1, as the Studiologic SL88 Grand is said to be noisy and a lot of people say to stay away from Fatar in general, if you want higher end action.

Is there any controller keyboard with a decent piano action (preferably graded) out there today not ridden with faults?

I'd appreciate any insights.

Reply by Pianistically

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Re: VPC1 Consensus

Adam FIlter wrote:

When I read VPC1 posts it's like I'm reading about 2 different products.

I have owned one for 7 years and indeed I can understand why the opinions differ when it comes to be the VPC1 : 

IMHO,  here are my personal plus and cons based on my experience with with controller.

The plus :
(1) Excellent feeling/control in the mid velocity range with default curve . (50-80 region)
(2) Possibility of creating any velocity curve with the VPC1 editor
(3) 5 pin Midi in.out allows control of other instruments
(4) I actually find this action on the quiet side. The wood material is better than plastic for shock absorption.
(5) Action is really robust. After 7 years of use if was like new. Less issues related to infamous' slip tape' issue than with GF1, GF2 Kawai wooden key actions.

The cons:
(1) Very hard to produce consistent low velocities. Every user who has measured the down weight with gram weights and programs like velocitester realises there are important differences between   adjacent keys. The root cause seems to be inconsistent friction with the let -off simulation plastic notch. It doesn't really affect velocities above the 50 mark.    This was the main season why I sold my VPC1.
(2) Impossible to reach velocity 127 with linear curve.
(3)  Heavy feeling which can cause fatigue if you play long hours
(4)  Indeed I had the problem with peeling paint affecting the thin metal part near the front of the white keys. ( also affects my MP11)


Adam FIlter wrote:

Is there any controller keyboard with a decent piano action (preferably graded) out there today not ridden with faults?

 
Unfortunately there are not many midi controllers geared toward piano players in the market today. So I think it is worth considering the portable DP ranges as well as it will give you much more options.

Reply by Adam FIlter

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Re: VPC1 Consensus

Thanks. I usually don't practice more than an hour at a time. This is a hobby for me and I'm heavy handed, so a harder action might not be a problem and I don't play classical at all, so maybe I can live with that. I have to take an iPad to a store where they have a VPC1 and test. Quiet action is one of the things I'm looking for as loud action of SL88 Studio is getting on my nerves.

The other alternatives I have narrowed this down to are FP-90X and P-525, but they are more expensive and as I said, I won't be using the onboard sounds.
I can see myself pulling the trigger on VPC1 as it's probably not that hard to re-sell.

The main thing that is holding me back is potential technical problems and having to send it back for servicing.

Could any one tell me where the paint peels off exactly? I wonder how easy is to fix it at home should the need arise.

Reply by Pianistically

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Re: VPC1 Consensus

Adam FIlter wrote:

The main thing that is holding me back is potential technical problems and having to send it back for servicing.

There is no technical problems on the VPC1, except the lack of accuracy of midi output at low velocities , and limitation ~ 110 in max note-on velocity  with standard velocity curve.

Adam FIlter wrote:

Could any one tell me where the paint peels off exactly? I wonder how easy is to fix it at home should the need arise.

Here is a snapshot on the VPC1 taken before I sold it
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mLBCSE...share_link

Same paint issue on my current MP11
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nb_G5n...sp=sharing

So it seems to be a quality issue with the paint  of these keyboards. A friend of mine who also has a VPC1 has confirmed he has noticed the same issue with his board ad it has also be reported in other forums.

It is just a cosmetic issue. The front part of the case affected and it can be removed after opening the keyboard and can be re-painted providing you manage to get same glossy black.   If you play only one hour per day as you mention, you may not experience the issue.  In my personal case , I play about 5-6 hours day on the keyboard , that may be why I had the issue on both boards.

Last edited by Pianistically (05-06-2024 09:14)

Reply by sigasa

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Re: VPC1 Consensus

Pianistically wrote:
Adam FIlter wrote:

The main thing that is holding me back is potential technical problems and having to send it back for servicing.

There is no technical problems on the VPC1, except the lack of accuracy of midi output at low velocities , and limitation ~ 110 in max note-on velocity  with standard velocity curve.

Adam FIlter wrote:

Could any one tell me where the paint peels off exactly? I wonder how easy is to fix it at home should the need arise.

Here is a snapshot on the VPC1 taken before I sold it
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mLBCSE...share_link

Same paint issue on my current MP11
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nb_G5n...sp=sharing

So it seems to be a quality issue with the paint  of these keyboards. A friend of mine who also has a VPC1 has confirmed he has noticed the same issue with his board ad it has also be reported in other forums.

It is just a cosmetic issue. The front part of the case affected and it can be removed after opening the keyboard and can be re-painted providing you manage to get same glossy black.   If you play only one hour per day as you mention, you may not experience the issue.  In my personal case , I play about 5-6 hours day on the keyboard , that may be why I had the issue on both boards.

Quality control issues all round with the Kawai VPC 1

Even the keys are laminated rather than solid wood, and badly machined.

I won't touch Kawai digital. They need to improve the QC of their digital range.

Reply by Michael10

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Re: VPC1 Consensus

I'm playing a VPC1 since 3 years. It's still the best solution for me to play silently and with pianos triggered on my macbook.
I also wanted a digi piano that comes close to a real keyboard. And for me the VPC1 is still king in this regard, if you can live with only a controller with no built in sounds.

It's not perfect but IMO there's no better solution at this moment in the price range of the VPC1. The next best solution would be a Kawai or Yamaha digi piano with a real hammer action (e.g. Kawai NV10S).

The one thing that is really crap about the VPC1 is the pedal. Expect to have to replace it after a certain amount of use.
When mine broke I first fixed the internal mechanics, but it's all plastic and will fail eventually.
I then replaced mine with a Roland pedal connected to a USB conversion box.