Honestly, I haven't tested them in-depth, as the MP6 as a package wasn't on my focus anymore (No speakers, not coming in white). I just liked the action, and went back to the CN33 I had tested before, which has the same action AFAIK. But I can say that the MP6 doesn't have similar epianos as the MP10 by far. I prefer the MP10's epianos (and the Yamaha CP5's) over the Korg SV-1's, BTW. An added bonus of the MP10 is that you can set the keyboard's response "lighter" for epianos than for acoustic pianos.



Have you tried the CP5? I think CP1 and CP5 are way better than the CP50.



I agree with most of that. But the epianos, while very dynamic and flexible, are also quite noisy and still a bit cold. The action - I liked the action better on the SP-250, though it's said to be the same in the SV-1. Strange.



I haven't hear any good Wurlitzer emulation, anywhere, yet. Not in comparison with my real 200A. (I'm selling my Wurlie, got a bit tired of the sound over the years, but still have to make this statement.)




Really, try thje CP5 instead!




I find the keyboard action of the Nord outright ugly. So unpleasnt that I didn't even listen to the sounds. Th eaction ruled it out for me, completely. No comparison to the MP6, IMO.




Well, my focus has shifted quite a bit since I started that thread. I've setteled with a piano for living room use, with good action, good looks, and built-in speakers, and an epiano that allows accompainment of ballads or praise songs, and that CN33 is all that. - For a stage piano with realistic, dynamic Rhodes sounds, I'd see 3 candidates: Yamaha CP5, Kawai MP10, Korg SV-1. Of these, I liked the CP5's action best.

JH.

jhaible, thanks so much for such a detailed reply. What you said reinforces what I'd feared for a long time: that the MP6 just isn't as professional a tool when it comes to EPs as its big brother.

I have tried the CP5 - but had discounted it due to weight. I'm 57 with a jiggered back, and need something very light. But it seems that all the lightweight boards are compromised by a poor action (NP88, SP4-7) or poor sounds (RD-300GX, PX-3) or both. Gosh, I do hope that NAMM produces something next year.

Interesting what you say about the SP250 vs SV-1 action. I used to have the SP250, and yes, it felt quite different (read better).

Good luck with your CN33; maybe I'll give up gigging and buy a home piano, too!

Nooo! Don't give up gigging VP!

How about buying a Nord for the road and a Kawai for the home?

Cheers,
James
x

You know, if I could convince my wife that those end cheeks on the MP10 blush red under stage lighting, giving the illusion of a different piano, I might just do that!

Definitely play the NP 88 before you make up your mind. For gigging I had it narrowed down to the Nord NP and the SV-1. I really like the SV but the action really worked me after a bit of playing. I love it for chords but not crazy about it for scales. I AB'd the two for about an hour and a half last week. NP 88's are really hard to find. I had to drive four hours to a store that had both and I felt lucky.

The action on the NP is different. I wouldn't diss it. After I played it for a while I liked it much more than when I first sat down to play it. I began to feel the connection. The AP's and EP's are outstanding. Very inspiring. It's well built and very light for an 88. If you like scales and runs then you'll like the Nord. You can fly on that puppy and it doesn't wear you out. Very easy on the hands and wrists. Very smooth. Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but it grows on you. And you can shop it for around 2K.

I'm beginning to think I live in Outer Mongolia. Getting to try the non-mainstream stage pianos here in Oregon is more difficult than tracking down Big Foot. I don't think there's anywhere here that stocks Nord. It may have to wait until I take a trip to LA or Seattle.

I hear what you say regarding the action on the SV-1. I'm having real problems with runs and repetitions right now on the GEM, and need a faster, but also a responsive, action. I know that Kawai makes a great action, but they are not renowned for their EPs - and that's what worries me about the MP6 (another board with a mirage-like quality in Oregon).



It's encouraging to hear that the NP88 action is not too much of an Achilles heel. I like the V5 APs/EPs, although I think there's still some room for improvement; but that's the great thing about Nord - they do improve their downloadable software all the time. I also like the fact that they seem to be readily available at 2k (a much more sensible price than the MAP).

Speedy, I do have one question about the NP88: how did you find the velocity curve and dynamic range? I read one comment that described it as almost note-on, note-off, with not much in the way of dynamics. Some of the stuff I play using APs goes from "whisper" to "thunder", and I need that sort of capability in a board.

If you find a store that sells Nords they might not have the NP 88. The Nord dealer in Birmingham Alabama is Bailey Brothers music. The salesman ordered one for himself but the store does not stock that particular model. I was fortunate in that he brought the NP from his home to the store so that I could try it out. He put it right underneath the SV 1. It's interesting that he has always played Roland DP's. He's the one who recommended the NP to me. I was previously unaware of the NP yet familiar with the Stage. I was very skeptic of the Nord at first. I've never been crazy about their AP samples. I've always played Yamahas. Over the years I've become very accustomed to the Yammy AP's. I'm ready for a change to say the least. I've had several Yamaha DP's over the years and an XS-8 resides in my studio. Love Yamaha for many reasons.

When I approached the Nord I tried to not be too critical. Yamaha has set the bar rather high IMO. Not only the sounds, but I'm also very used to their balanced and graded action keyboards. More than anything I wanted the Nord to inspire me to be creative. I'm very much into improvisation and composition. My main objective: will the creative juices flow? And yes they did! I was pleasantly surprised. As far as velocity curve and dynamic range it seemed okay to me. I really didn't experience the note on note off effect. The NP was connected to a nice pair of KRK's running in stereo. I also didn't experience the "harpsichord" effect or sound that many have attested to.

Like I previously mentioned, I really like the SV 1. I would play it for a while and then go back to the NP. Back and forth, over and over. Over time I found myself spending more time with the NP. That really surprised me. It was just fun to play and I really enjoyed how different it was from the Yamaha sound that I am so used to. I guess I've become conditioned to some degree. My only regret is that the SV 1 did not have the sound pack 2 installed. I've heard great comments about the new sound pack. I've heard the demos but I want to play them for myself.

I would just be patient, find one somewhere, give it a ride and you'll know if it's the one for you!

Done!

JH.

hi,

I live in Italy
I play viscount VP 91 in a shop.

if you want a stage piano with the same price but with made in italy quality, try FARFISA DP 300

http://www.farfisamusic.it/index.php?opt...=71&lang=it