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So at this point do you think the buzz has created more disappointment than constructive awareness that leads to sales? (please say what you think and don't answer with "only time will tell" )

I actually don't know what balance of positive/negative responses have been prompted, but I do know that the teasers led a lot of people to expect a bit more than a nice action in a shiny box with some predetermined velocity curves. I think it would have been better to underplay the potential (although I admit that, as it turns out, there wasn't a lot to underplay with the VPC).

Having said that, I think that there is a market for a really good action geared towards VSTs. The minimalist approach may also have merit. But whether there are enough people wanting to spend the best part of $2k before getting to sound generation and reproduction, I just don't know.

For people who love the feel of the MP10 but prefer a VST's sound, who wish they didn't have to "pay for" all the sounds they don't need in the MP-10 just to get its action, this saves them $650. At least for now, Kawai benefits from the fact computer-based players may prefer the "value" of just paying for what they need, and there are few competitors in this market. Nothing from Yamaha, and only a low-end action from Roland.

That's true - just so long as they don't need any onboard controls at all. I think that's where the "value" equation starts to tilt a little. The $650 doesn't just pay for sounds - there's quite a lot of additional hardware involved.

But it is filling a niche that, as you point out, other manufacturers are ignoring.

Hello chaps, I've spent the morning reading through the various forums, gauging the community's reaction to the VPC1.

Evidently, our latest board has divided opinions. Some love it, some hate it, other's aren't so sure. 'Fair price for the quality', 'Too expensive without a built-in computer'...'Why is there no software included', 'I'm glad they didn't bundle the software'...'No pitchbend/mod wheel is a deal breaker', 'I never use the pitchbend when playing piano anyway', etc.

I think it's worth pointing out that the VPC1 doesn't replace anything - it simply augments Kawai's existing range of products, while providing us with a strong foothold into what is undoubtedly a growing market. There's still the ES7, MP6, and MP10 - all of which will continue to offer great overall packages in the market segments they occupy. However, now we also have a dedicated board for folks that require a professional quality 88-key controller purely for virtual pianos.

As I posted on another forum, unfortunately there were a few last minute hiccups with the website, so we have decided to postpone the opening by a few days to ensure that everything is working as it should. In the meantime, I'll obviously be monitoring this thread, and trying to respond to queries that are not addressed in the information that's already out there.

Many thanks for all your feedback - both good and bad.

Cheers,
James
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James...
Did you take any pictures with your camera? The only thing visual to see are the still shots at facebook and on the website. I'm sure we would all like to see the total package. When can we expect to be able to google a demo? I think there are a number of people who want to see this board more closely. Do you have any influence in getting the owner's manual active? It is listed, but will not presently open. That in itself would tell us so much more. Timeline for further information, videos, etc.? Can you, yourself, post here in the forums a more detailed description with the important specs, pictures, video, anything?
Many Thanks,
H.K.

Right, but most of it is there for the built in sounds.

I actually dislike unweighted boards for any style of playing or sounds, so that's why I was really bummed out that the VPC didn't come with the mod controls. It could have been a one stop solution for my studio. Oh well, I guess the Roland A88 or something makes more sense now.

I'd look at the Casio PX-5S.

Yes, I previously posted some shots with my Nord Electro a few weeks ago. However, I'm reluctant to post too many amateur snaps - especially when we have professionally photographed images ready for the website.



Have you seen the multi-angle product images on the Kraft website?
In addition to this, I posted the following image showing the extent of the curve on the top surface.





To clarify, do you mean a product demonstration video demo on YouTube?
These videos are typically produced by Kawai Europe and Kawai America, however I do not know if such a video is planned for the VPC1.



I understand. Well, I'm hopeful that some NAMM videos will begin to circulate on YouTube in the coming days, and if anyone shoots footage of the Kawai or Synthogy booths, you'll probably see the VPC1 in action.



Yes, I intend to upload the owner's manual PDF later this afternoon. Please note that the documentation itself is not terribly detailed (just a few pages for each language), nor did I have a great deal of involvement in its creation due to other tasks.



As soon as possible, I hope.



I wrote the VPC1 product overview document that is used by distributors and retailers. This explanation is currently used on the Kraft website. Of course, there's lots of information and images that I could post, however this has been prepared for the website, so I'd much rather wait and do things properly.

It's perhaps worth noting that Kawai (America) have also unveiled new ranges of acoustic and digital pianos at NAMM, however it appears that the news has yet to fully circulate. Relatively speaking, the amount of information about the VPC1 that's already out there is actually pretty good.

Cheers,
James
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James...
The Kraft website is most helpful showing several different angle shots of the board, and giving the specs. The shots of the software interface were also nice.
Though I had googled "Kawai VPC" throughout the day, I was not aware that the Kraft website had this info. This is more than enough until further details surface.
Thanks also for loading the PDF for the owner's manual. I'm sure that many will want to read all about the VPC. It is indeed a beautiful board. I'll be interested to follow it's reception. Thanks, James, for all you do!
Regards,
H.K.

HisKidd, no problem, happy to help.

The owner's manual has been uploaded to the Kawai Japan 'Worldwide' site, and the product overview is available from the url below:

http://www.kawai.co.jp/worldwide/vpc/press/kawai_vpc1_product_overview.pdf

Kind regards,
James
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Great info James! Thanks!
Does the associated software only work with PC? That is what I am getting from the reading...

How curved is that top? That is the only thing I potentially have issue with. I don't mind the lack of controllers as long as I can rest a controller on top.

Personally, I think a dedicated piano controller is great. Can't wait to try one.

James...
I just went to the worldwide site and read the owner's manual. I was both disappointed and astonished to see that the VPC editor and Kawai USB driver are not compatible with Mac OS. Am I right in understanding then, that this board will interface with a Mac computer and the proprietary software included within the VST's (Synthogy; Galaxy; Native Instruments; etc.)? And, conversely, the VPC editor and the Kawai USB driver (and therefore all approved "Touch Curves," and other VPC editor tweaking features) unavailable to the Mac user?
Is a software update to the VPC to make the editor compatible with Mac in the works?
Thanks...
H.K.

I hope this isn't the case.

The following is an extract from the 'Q&A' document prepared for the website:



I hope this answers your queries regarding the editor and Mac compatibility. Once again, my apologies for the delay with getting the website only.

Kind regards,
James
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Thanks, could be still great, dispite of the diverse not fulfilled expectations.

The main question is how good rm3 II will be for the own individual needs - have to wait for the reviews and try.

Will it have a stand fith pedal fix (not an X)?

I also think it's a good idea. If the VPC1 had been on the market when I was looking for a DP replacement, mostly because of the weight. I live in a rented house and dread the moment I have to move to another place because I have to carry my piano. I did consider the MP10, but I'm interested in only classical music, I don't want knobs and buttons everywhere. With the MP10 I had the feeling I was paying for features that I would never use.

That being said, I think it is a bit pricey (at ~16000e). No speakers [I rarely use them, but I definitely need them come recital time and I say from experience that average audio systems cannot handle a virtual piano] and call me crazy, but I actually like the Kawai sound! Now if it were more like 1200e and compete with Yamaha P155 in Europe, that would be a different story.

I'm curios how this unit will sale. Best of luck!

Temperament, the question of a stand was raised in another forum. It's not really something that we have planned for, however these thing can change if the demand is there.

Bogs, thank you for your post. I agree that for classical musicians who do not require knobs and buttons the VPC1 makes absolute sense.

On a similar note, it's perhaps worth pointing out the 'wife acceptance factor' (WAF) of the VPC1. We often hear from folks wishing to buy an MP10 or similar such stage piano, but their other half simply will not allow it in the living room. I believe the clutter-free top surface of the VPC1 may help in this respect.

Kind regards,
James
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