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Hi to you all. I'm just curious why on this forum the Korg SV1 seems to be the invisible DP. It is usually only mentioned in passing and then only in relation to it's key action. I find this strange as I totally love this board. Youtube performances agree with me, from the great players Korg employ to keen amateurs, the SV1 sounds damn good. The choice of sounds now offered between the different sound packs mean you can really personalise your selection of sounds.
The only down side for me is that several notes (about 5 or so)are noisey with a clicky sound, but it's not all the time. I do however like the feel of the action, it bottoms out softly, feels great for playing the EP sounds and I don't mind it with APs as well.
There must be more than me out there that enjoys playing the SV1? Let me know I'm not alone.

Hey marknz,

I looked at it when researching for my new DP. I think that most people in this forum (me included) are usually discussing actual piano replacements or extensions of piano, so an almost dedicated EP will get less 'airtime'. Just as, for example, the Roland FP-7F has LITERALLY 2 posts discussing it over at the Roland Clan forums (I was really shocked by this!), yet here there are several people discussing it.

I think its more to do with the 'common ground' people in here share than the actual usefulness and quality of an instrument as interesting as the SV1.

With that out of the way , I really think the SV1 is a fantastic sounding instrument, and incredibly versatile as an EP. I agree that the APs sound interesting as well, just not as nice as the Rolands or Kawais or even the new Kronos. The computer connectivity is really interesting and the expansion possibilities are a nice customer treat.

If, like you, you already have a DP like the 700NX, I believe the SV-1 would be the ideal companion as an EP! If you have some recordings, I'd really love to hear them!

Best regards,
Rafa.

Hi marknz

There were a few threads when it first came out a going on 2 years ago now. To me the SV-1 is more a gigging instrument with "vintage keyboard sounds" as opposed to a home DP. It seems generally speaking, a large percentage of people that come here are more solo players that play from home where the Korg seems more at home in a band.

I think the very poor keybed takes it far away from any other common DPs

The Korg SV-1 is a nice board, however I believe the acoustic pianos and keyboard action aren't strong enough to challenge offerings from Roland, Kawai, and Yamaha, while the Nord Electro 3 has it beat for EPs and pretty much everything else.

James
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Hi Mark,

Like you, I've had the combination of an RD700 series Piano and the Korg SV1.

As others have commented, the problematic keyboard was the main reason I sold mine after only a few months of use. Those clicky keys were a complete pain in the arse and I only had the keyboard a month when they started acting up. It went off to Korg for a service and when it was returned, they hadn't even screwed the bottom plate back fully onto the unit so when I started playing the keys basically sunk! I repaired it myself and the clicking had returned within a month again.

Like Dave Ferris, I too found that the sound just didn't connect with the action. Unlike my 5+ year old Roland Rd700SX and the AP's were simply not up to scratch for me either - it was as if the beauty of the note didn't bother to hang around any longer than it absolutely had to. The EP's on the other hand were sublime and I found the knobby interface fun to use and I could get some amazing bark and growl out of it with a few adjustments.

Maybe a Version-2 of the same instrument will iron out those issues, however, it's probably too late for me as I may have already moved on again........

Thanks for your reply guys.

@Rafa.You are correct in what you said. If I had to choose between the NX and the SV1 I would go with the Roland but boy I'd miss the Korg. Those EPs really bite. I'm lucky to work in the music retail industry so it was possible to get both units at very good prices.
When playing a gig I use the SV1 over the Roland. I don't play in a band so it's either playing solo piano or with a singer. The SV1 is more mover friendly and it has all I need and sounds great.
Rafa I'm a bit technically ignorant when it comes to putting recordings on to online forums like this, I may get there one day.

@Dave. I remember when you received your second SV1 and that it didn't stay long. I've had mine now 18 months and have had none of the issues regarding build quality some others have had, except those few clacky notes that bother a bit. Korgs are not built like Rolands but the SV1 isn't too bad, I'd be more concerned with the Kronos if I was moving it about alot.
You can't fault Roland's Stage Pianos build quality(like tanks)and I guess the downside to that strength and durability is it's extra weight. Cheers Guys.

I tried the SV1 many times. I loved the styling and really wanted to like the board. My main issues with the SV1 were the piano sounds and the action. I thought the EPs were great and full of character, but the pianos just sounded dull to me. The action also felt a bit weird.

I now own the Kronos. The pianos on the Kronos are completely different than those on the SV1 and sound excellent. The EP engine is also very deep and produces some of the best EP sounds I have heard. I think when it comes to sound quality, the Kronos arguably has the best combination of top notch pianos and EPs, not to mention the organs and 6 other sound engines.

The action is where I feel the Kronos lags behind Yamaha, Roland and Kawai. The action is completely responsive and playable, but it isn't built with the same manufacturing precision and is definitely noisy compared to the Yamaha and Kawai actions. That being said, I do think the new sounds on the Kronos make the playing experience quite different than the SV1.

If they put the new sound engines in a SV2 I think it will get more traction with the piano focused crowd, however I think the SV1 will primarily be remembered as a great live EP board.

Korg desperately needs a new top-of-the-range keybed. The RH3 action was poor on the M3, poor on the SV-1 and is now probably the principal thing holding the Kronos back.

Agree. It feels like mud playing it. Not nearly as responsive as the other competitors. I was disappointed to find out the Kronos uses the same RH3 action (w/aftertouch). It deserved a new improved action.

Most definitely.

@ Kawai James. I disagree that the Nord beats the SV1 in EPs. It comes down to preferences and what we get used to. Someone recently put a video on this forum proclaiming the SV1 had the best Rhodes mark 1 simulation he had heard, and it was hard to disagree when hearing that clip. There are several DPs now that stand out with their EP sounds. The CP1/5, SV1/Kronos, Nord and your own Kawai MP10.

@ Siriosys. My fellow Kiwi. I know you had issues with your SV1 and you didn't like the action. If you are still considering the Nord piano make sure you give it a good play first as you may find that it's action dosen't measure up for you as well. I guess you could get the Electro 3 and midi it up to your SX but that brings with it a new set of hassles if you are moving it about alot.

@ Hideki. Agreed, the EPs truly sound awesome on the Kronos and if I had to say which EP sounds were actually the best my money would be on the Kronos. We are spoiled for choice these days as there are many good boards that inspire and enhance our performances.

I have to say that even though I think the Kronos action isn't as nice as the action on the Yamaha, Roland and Kawai, it isn't really an issue of performance. The action is very responsive and not limiting in any way. It is simply that the action is a bit noisy and lacks the refinement in build quality of the other actions. I wouldn't call the action sluggish at all. If anything it feels a bit light under the fingers for me. I will say that I do prefer the Kronos action to the action on the Nords, however I do love the way Nords sound on stage.

I don't think the action should stop anyone from checking out the Kronos. The sounds are quite amazing and a 2 year warranty should alleviate any QC issues about the action. It isn't the action I would want in my perfect board, but it also isn't something that has me reconsidering my purchase.

Hideki, Your music room is a wonderland! I'm first in line to house sit for you when you go on vacation.

Not bad.

What's that X-stand doing beneath the Virus, though?

James
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H- doesn't that Roc n Soc throne kill your posterior ? !

Man I used one for years on gigs and it finally dawned on me how uncomfortable it was when I sat in on another keyboard player's rig and he had a thickly padded, straight, Quick Lok keyboard bench. My RnS has been relegated to attic for about the last 8 years.

Yeah nice looking room with the Shigeru has a centerpiece.

It is a bench. Extra support under the rear brace of the stand because the V-synth is heavier than the Virus, making the rig top heavy. I probably don't need it, but with my plush carpet I just want to be safe. The bench just ended up being the perfect height.

Yes. It is made for a drummer's seating position, which isn't ideal for pianists. If you sit in a pianists posture, the ridge ends up hurting. I only use it in the digital setup so I can swivel around.

Hideki the photo of your music room brings to mind heaven.

Like you I don't mind the RH3 action, I like the feel of it, just not the noisey clack.

I own a SV-1 73 and really like it. I don't have vast experience with keybeds of different brands but I find the RH3 on the Korg meets my needs just fine. I've also mentioned in the past that the 73 key Korg was the only sized stage piano that was going to fit into my locker at work where I store it sometimes if I think I will have a change to play.