I'm wondering if there are any new ideas for meaningful discussion. Is it me, or are the same topics (best EP, cheapest EP, best amp, V vs. AG...) constantly being asked. I even bet my question has been asked a thousand times.

The same questions have been asked basically since the beginning of this forum. For the most part genuinely new topics are introduced only by the technically advanced people, and quite infrequently.

Well, there are some new topics generated by new product releases, but those are not as frequent as we would like.

Answering questions about the cheapest piano under $1000 that feels like a grand (the number one most common thread here) is sort of a way to pass the time until more interesting topics come up.

There is a lot of turnover in the participants of the forum. For that reason, some of these threads continue to be interesting (like "what are the best speakers/headphones for digital piano"). As new people come in, you get some new experience and perspective. I like that.

I went back and looked over and reread a bunch of historical threads (from years ago). They are shockingly similar to current threads, although in many cases they contain a different set of common knowledge. Very informative in some cases.

I'd be happy to discuss creating scripts for sending CV changes via DCB to a JP-8 but I don't think too many people would be interested.

It's not just you ... it's the same questions time and again. (It's the same on some other forums.)
New ideas?How about these ...
1. Custom modifications
2. Unusual equipment configurations
3. Piano repair
4. Non-piano sounds
5. Accompaniments

Not sure if this particular topic has been discussed, but it seems like some people here complain about digitals being "too light". I'm using an FP7-F and it crossed my mind to solder some more weight onto the hammer weights inside the action...provided it's done in such a way that doesn't obstruct the flow of the action, what negative consequences could occur? Obviously it would require more effort to depress each key, which is the goal, and since there would be more weight lifted, more weight would fall, causing a faster key return (possibly too fast?) in theory. Thoughts anyone?

Here's one - How can I modify my FP-4 to add Nord Rhodes sounds? That would be a cool thread.

Paint it red.

Well, the quick, dirty and not inexpensive way---assuming the FP-4 has MIDI in / out---would be to purchase a Nord that you can connect to. Barring that, find some bored hacker teen who's not spending all his free time online with internet porn to hack Nords proprietary format to expose it to your Roland.

But prepare yourself for potential litigation from Clavia.

i would go farther- not only are there no new titles- its the same progression- somebody tries a DP, falls in love with it, takes it home, sings its praises, hits the wrong note one day, the paint starts to peel off the facade, the bad sounds start to haunt their dreams, they get depressed and send the keyboard back. and then somebody else wanders in and says they are a newbie and it starts over....and over... and over

but its fun and its cheap being here! and although i have lived through all the torment of others and shared my own experiences and biases too, there is a catharsis about it and we all feel we are on the same journey....

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Sounds like a nice idea in theory. However, actually doing it and getting the exact same amount of weight on each key would be next to impossible ... in my opinion. And you wouldn't have to solder any weight to them. The weight of the solder itself would probably be too much.

A nicer idea would be to motivate the manufacturer to install some sort of counter weight on their keys which could be manually manipulated to result in "heavy" or "light" key action.

That might be relatively easy to do.

Just solder a USofA penny to each key.

Back when I owned an FP-7 and couldn't stand the bottoming out I just bought some pink insulation from Home Depot and lined the keybed. -__-

Hacking Kronos?!

[/quote] Just solder a USofA penny to each key.[/quote]

Yeh ... that sounds like a good idea. LOL ....

If you want to increase the weight of the PHAIII action that should be a simple matter. The weights each have a hole in the middle (see picture below) - just put a machine screw, lockwasher, and nut through each. No need to even disassemble the key mechanisms, just remove the FP-7F cover and go to town. Once you are sure of the added weight you want, a bit of loctite on the threads might be a wise move.


Figure 1. PHAIII action in the RD-700NX. Highest key weight is on the right, rearing it's ugly head when played.

More key pix are located HERE. And if you open up your FP-7F please post some pics of the guts!

That's a joke, right? You didn't actually do that, did you?

Naw. But if I thought it would of worked I might of tried it. Just can't understand how companies think it's ok to make a keyboard with a keyboard that feels like a car with bad shocks and an action that's so loud it drowns out the music at soft volume. I hope these co. have staff reading this stuff.

I agree, and one reason I've switched from the Roland PHA-III action to the Kawai RM3 action.