When you can go buy an exquisitely sampled or very respectably modeled software piano for $200, one might ask whether a new segment could be emerging in home keyboard instrument market. I believe the manufacturers of hardware DPs should be thinking about this. (Judging by some hints Kawai James gave recently, they in fact are.)

There are certain dimensions along which hardware makers like Kawai, Roland, and Yamaha may not be able compete, IMO. It may not be realistic to expect them to sample every competitor's concert grand, nor to load up their pianos with onboard PC's that would create support and obsolescence nightmares.

Still, one might think they could consider doing things like the following, just off the top of my head:

1. Build some serious acoustic-quality keyboard controllers for customers who would rather roll their own;

2. Beef up auxiliary input hardware and software features so that their DPs' internal amp/speaker systems would play more nicely with outboard gear.

It certainly seems from discussions in this forum (a self-selected sample, I admit) that some DP buyers don't fit neatly into current market segments. I don't think we are numerous enough right now to seriously disrupt existing business models for DPs. And it's not fair to ask the manufacturers to build things they can't make money on. But it seems like there might be enough of us to deserve targeting.

Or maybe some existing turnkey products are good enough and inexpensive enough that (with a few tweaks), most roll-your-own users would be content. It's a puzzle.

B.

yeah, they must think sand is an endangered species

This one is the key. I would love a high quality controller that didn't bother sticking in a bunch of sounds I'm not going to use. Alas, there just aren't enough people (at least in the manufacturers' perception) that want to use software pianos. I'm very disappointed that none of the big manufacturers are willing to make this product.

I'm not a fan of PianoTeq overall, but I think if anyone can push manufacturers into making a high quality midi controller, it's their group of vociferous followers. For that reason I hope their user base continues to grow in size and influence. Though the sampled piano makers' products are awesome, somehow they fail at creating the kind of passionate community that can demand better attention to things like MIDI controllers.

Maybe we need to hire a piano professor somewhere to make some youtube videos talking about why Galaxy Vintage D is the next generation of piano after acoustics and digitals.

gvfarns, how about an MP8/MP10 as a controller?

Yeah, got an MP8. It's good. Still, it was expensive when I bought it, and I don't use the onboard sounds. Now the gear geek in me is wanting the latest and greatest action (or perhaps a second piano with a different feel) and doesn't want to pay for onboard sounds.

Probably never be happy until I can build my own, just the way I like it.

Well, who knows, maybe one day your dreams will come true?

James
x

It might be worth looking at the PX-150. Cheap enough that you can ignore the fact that you're "paying" for on board sounds, and it feels quite nice. I'm really eager to hear some reports of people using it to drive a software piano.

Yeah, as a matter of fact, I went to the local piano store and the music store a couple of days ago in hopes of trying one out with this same thought. No one has it. Sometimes it sucks to live in the sticks.

Gvfarn, there have been many hints op pianoworld that the board you're looking for may be around the corner. In several treads about new Kawai gear. I would wait a little while and see what's coming..., then you can still decide between that and Casio's or other offerings.

Such a tease...

Or not...

Does anyone know where I can try out or purchase one of these new Casio PX-x50s in Canada?

PX-350 have arrived in Canada and are available...at least to order. I just ordered mine today!

Very cool. Where did you order it? How much was it?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Just came across this 330/350 comparison video;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGG1GwWGhBA

Thanks for the link.

Not so long ago an uncle of mine asked me to help decide what to gift his wife, as she is in her mid fifties and is mostly returning after ages to the instrument, and it seemed that Casio, at that price range (even lower than the 350), did offer the best bang for the buck.

The differences between those 330 and 350 are really noticeable. Interesting options for sub $1000 DPs, that's for sure.

Rafa.

I special ordered through AXE Music out of Edmonton, AB. Cost of 748.13 w/out tax.

Thanks.

I found it at Cosmo Music for $810 before tax.

Review on PX-350
http://www.technologytell.com/gadgets/104511/the-casio-privia-px-350-lay-your-hands-on-me/

Quite refulgent, in a volant sort of way.

Note to self: somehow work the line "my squinting tone-full ears" into next DPBSD review.

"Refulgent"? "Volant"? ....seriously?

Yeah, oh my... celestial sound excellence... colossal harmonic sound... he really didn't like it that much huh? LOL! Weird review. We have a sports commentator that talks like that over here, quite annoying.

Rafa.

Stuart Hall on BBC Radio Five Live is a broadcasting legend in the UK.



Cheers,
James
x

I'm not sure, but I think he likes it.

Yeah... not on the same league though, the guy in the video you embedded would be Shakespeare next to the one I'm talking about . LOL!

Rafa.

Ditto

Spoke to MF when ordering the P105 tonight; last week GC had $150 off of $799 + and they said I could have the 350 for $679 tonight. Gonna wait though bit.

I think the 850 looks fantastic, but the output of the 350 would be sufficient for me

I'm in Barcelona now, and spied a PX-150 in the music store around the corner from the hotel ... gonna go try it today sometime, so I can compare to my 330

My PX-350 is on order - unfortunately delivery has been put back a tad, estimated Oct 25 now.

In the meantime, here it is in a band setting - Steve LeBlanc hitting it out of the park with Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience. The EP is on a Receptor but the piano solo starting about 3.00 is the Casio's internal piano.