From dan.for@tiscali.cz Fri Jan 13 18:19:56 2012
Subject:Re: OT: V-piano

Sorry for OT, just answer to your question.

I'm owner of 18 years old but still excellent Yamaha Clavinova P500
used only in my studio, but wanted new digital piano which could also
be used at concerts. As I have P500 and lot of other Yamaha gear, I
wanted some different branch. Frankly said I didn't like too much
Roland products last let's say 16 years, my last Roland machine I
bought is JD990 from 1994. Casio is also out of question, I don't see
there any professional instrument after synthesizers CZ series and
VZ1...

So another good possibility for portable digital piano was Kawai -
some of their instruments have even wooden keyboard. Through years I
wanted MP9000, 9500, 8, 8 II, and when decision came (and some money)
there was new model MP10. As I'm in Japan, the only possibility where
to see and try the instrument was some Tokyo shop. I'm 500 km from
Tokyo, so we had to wait for opportunity. Finally near end 2010 I
could visit very good shop full of different branches and try all of
them.

First MP10 II - good price, usable sounds (including lot of others
than just piano), but I was disappointed from keyboard to my
surprise. I like light touch but this was too light. And when I did
accent on the key in bass range, key just jumped out from keyboard
and stay so! So I have pressed it back and this instrument was out of
question. I really don't know if it was just this piece or if overall
quality of MP10 is like this.
Price for MP8 II fell down and was quite tentative, but after this
key experience I've excluded Kawai from my list. I still can enjoy
their excellent K5000W in my collection :-)

Then I have tried little bit Yamaha CP1. Not bad, of course, but
somehow I didn't like design, and my wish was better not to purchase
another Yamaha. It's also expensive.

Then I came to Roland V-piano, and it was enough to touch it just 30
seconds and I knew that's what I want. And despite high price we
ordered one on the spot. I haven't cash, so we use some kind of rates
which we have to pay every month, still another two years, but I
couldn't help myself and buy anything else. It's without competition.
My account manager and financial advisor :-) was with me, she is also
musician, and she agreed with purchasing.

Main points I like:
- there are no samples inside, it's mathematical model which is much
better. So anything is settable - parameters like microtuning, hammer
hardness, detuning of strings, resonance, damper pedal sound and many
others, even individually for each key. Thanks to mathematical
modeling some very interesting things are possible - like silver
strings, three strings under each key, or soundboard made from wood
AND metal. There are different models reminding Steinway,
Bosendorfer, Yamaha, upright, Hammerclavier and some unusual non-
existing pianos, usually in different variant with concert or studio
setting. It's possible to connect three pedal unit (programmable
functions) and other pedals including continual (I use modified
Yamaha FC7) for changing parameters. I use one for detuning strings -
it's a great effect to go from detuned to tuned or in opposite
direction on sustained chord.

- As one OS update with four new piano models was offered from Roland
some time ago I expect there can be other upgrades in the future with
more models

- keyboard is the best I played and can be compared with real
acoustic piano. It has escapement, and the reaction of tone
generation on touch is just astonishing. It can do also silent touch
without sound - I don't know any MIDI instrument capable of this.
Keys have special surface simulating ivory (including ability to
accept wet fingers).

- there's possible to do sympathetic resonances like on acoustic
piano - to press silently some key in bass range and then play
staccato another higher notes belonging to harmonic series. Even
without sustain pedal resonant tones start to sound.

- inside there's also GM2 sound set, unfortunately accessible and
usable only for internal MIDI file player which can play GM and GM2
songs prepared in another sequencer and copied to memory stick (not
in price).

- instrument can play also audio files

- internal sequencer can record live play on one track only, and save
the result as MIDI file, so it can be easily transferred to software
sequencer of score editor

- on the accompanying CD there's software editor

- instrument has digital output and quadrophonic output for ambient
effect. I didn't tried this yet.

- I bought also original very heavy but nice looking stand

- weight is the only problem when gigging with V-piano. It's
necessary to purchase hard case - SKB has such, so it's on my list.
Moving it in original cartoon box is not quite practical, it's too big.

- there's also no score stand so I plan to make one

- instrument has no internal speakers

- it's necessary to say that there are no user accessible sounds
inside like Rhodes, Wurlitzer, FM or LA piano, or harpsichord,
clavinet or organ sounds. Pure piano. Which is what I like. Piano
weighted hammer keyboard is good only for piano anyway. Of course all
other sounds are inside for GM/GM2 play from memory stick.

Maybe there are even better instruments (maybe Yamaha AvantGrand?)
but for much higher price. I'm very happy with V-piano, anytime it's
real pleasure to touch it, it's very expressive.

If you can afford go for it. It's good for classical music, pop,
jazz, rock, ragtime - any style. You can create your own variations
of piano sounds. There are many demo videos on the net, but the best
is to go to the shop and play it.

Daniel Forro