Isn't today the release day? Is anyone going to be an early adapter?

I checked with the local dealer here in Vancouver but they are not sure if they are going to carry the VPC1. As soon as anyone gets their hands on one I would like to know their thoughts on it.

Also if it comes to purchasing one from something like Streetwater has anyone had experience (in Canada) with purchasing an instrument from these sites?

They are in stock at Musik-Schmidt in Germany. The only 'In stock" VPC's I have seen so far....the rest is roughly around the 25th of March

Also from Sweetwater site:

Really - since when and why is that ? Estimates on the big web sellers seemed normal to me so far and Schmidt seems to have stock already. So what's up - any info James ?

.

I received a message from a PianoWorld forum member yesterday confirming that Sweetwater had shipped the VPC1 to him.

I do not have information regarding the disclaimer on the Sweetwater site, however I expect it's just to cover their back when demand exceeds supply.

Kind regards,
James
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The latest from their website:


I think I may order from Sweetwater. They seem to be the only online store that ships (new) Kawai products in Canada and the local Kawai dealers don't seem to be in a hurry to carry new models.

This thing is in high demand! I signed up for notification with Sweetwater for when they will have them in stock. I got the notification and immediately placed an order but they were already sold out.

Here is a review from a happy customer.

How much longer to wait!!!

I got mine today from Sweetwater. I had asked my sales engineer last week to give me a heads up when they got some in and he shipped it out Monday. I see that they are out again at the moment but he told me their next delivery is expected the second week in April.

I have two words for KAWAI.... I'M DONE!!!



Shopping for a piano controller that is! This is exactly what I've been looking and asking for. It's simply beautiful. Very nice touch using RED felt this time too! It just looks very elegant in my studio. It's exactly what I would have designed for a piano controller had KAWAI given me their drawing board.

Packaging was exceptional and it arrived in absolute pristine condition. I really can't say enough good about it. I'm giddy! They got it right.

Curt

Nice one Curt, thanks for the positive words!

Any chance of a few pics for the facebook fan page?

Oh, and which piano package are you using, just out of interest?

Cheers,
James
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Sounds great Curt! I've spent some time today looking at alternatives to acoustic grands and messed about with the Pianoteq demo to see if I want to continue using 'virtual pianos'. Currently I'm using a Casio CDP100 with Logic Pro and would probably purchase the VPC in a few months, that is if Kawai released a Mac OSX driver and editor. Might I ask James, if you know, whether or not Kawai have planned or are in the process of designing the Mac version?

UKPianoMan,

There is undoubtedly strong demand from the Mac music community for Kawai to develop a version of the VPC Editor for OS X. I'm confident that it will happen in the future, however I'm afraid I cannot provide a concrete release date.

However, even without the VPC Editor, Mac users can still enjoy the VPC1, as explained in the website Q&A:



Kind regards,
James
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Cheers for the reply James, well hopefully when the time comes for me to upgrade it'll be released. My problem is I like tweaking parameters!

This is exactly what I've been looking and asking for.

I use the Ivory Steinway exclusively.

And this actually reminded me of a question I had for you, James. The VPC1 has an Ivory touch preset, but Ivory has a family of pianos (Steinway, Yamaha, Fazzioli, Bosie). I'm curious which of these piano's actions has been captured in the Ivory preset?

Thanks!
Curt

Hey! That's what I said!

Curt

I feel there should be an option to buy a matching stand (hmmm, maybe for about $300). I know if I had bought the VPC1 piano I first thing I would have bought next is a stand. Best if it was a matching one, but since it doesn't exist I would have to settle for a non-matching stand from another company. Better that Kawai gets that extra business money rather than another company, don't ya think? Stands are high margin items and are an easy way to boost profit.

Wait, this thing requires a Windows PC to adjust all parameters?! :headshake: Surely the midi sysex param messages will be documented -- or are they "proprietary"?

In order to make user adjustments to the touch curve, key velocity offsets, and MIDI routing of the VPC1, the 'VPC Editor' software will be require. Currently, this software is available for Windows only.

Kind regards,
James
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Any chance they are working on an iPad app for these functions?

That's an interesting suggestion, however I believe OS X support should be the focus for the time being.

James
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James, any news on OS X support? I am about to purchase a VPC1 but this issue holds me back a little. Can we expect a firmware/software update in the not too distant future?

I was told by the sales engineer that they expect to get more in May.

I don't want to wait that long! Any suggestions?

This all makes me feel like Canada really is a backwater country.

You should see Australia!

maurus, again, the VPC1 works fine with Macs, it's just the editor software that's currently not available. This is not something related to the VPC1 firmware.

Kind regards,
James
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I can attest to the fact that the editor is not NEEDED to enjoy the VPC1. Granted, I've only had mine for two days but I don't see the need to edit ANYTHING about it in the foreseeable future, if at all. It's plug-n-play all the way!

Curt

P.S. James, any idea on my earlier question about the Ivory touch preset? Thanks!

Curt, I've asked the R&D chaps, and will let you know when I receive their response.

Cheers,
James
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I'm sure it does work fine with Macs. It would just be nice to know that a new editing software is in the works.

Maurus,
Given how prevalent macs are in the music industry, I was very surprised that kawai didn't have an OS X version of their editing software available at launch. Surely there must be a lot of inquiries and demand for it. So, one hopes that it is being worked on. But alas, many companies seem to keep such projects close to the vest until they're ready to launch, if they even exist at all. Personally I would wish for a definitive statement one way or the other. A simple "We have no plans to make an OS X version of our editing software" type statement would be very useful, if disappointing. Or even better, a "We are currently working on an OS X version of our editing software and expect to have it ready to go into beta testing next september" type statement would be wonderful to get from them. Maybe there have been such statements, but I've not seen them. If not, James maybe you could let the marketing folk know that we mac users would love to have a bone thrown our way.

Whilst lack of OSX support would probably not sway a decision to purchase the VPC1, I would have thought Kawai would've developed the editor software for both Windows and OSX. The vast majority of professional studios employ the use of Macs and seeing as the VPC1 seems to be a high-end professional product it would be a fantastic addition to a studio set-up. This is in no way a dig at Kawai as I am considering buying one myself later in the year.

Still, we shall wait and see!