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Well, the church building around it is obviously finished already.

Shipping costs are going to be insane!

@ Vid:

On the serious side ...

I will be interested in your view on improvement in SOUND with Pianoteq and/or Vintage D when you switch to VPC1.

I am still not convinced that the "Magic" velocity curve feature is significant in producing better (as in more pleasing) sound.

I hope you can shed some light on that.

Well, I'm not expecting the "sound" to improve (the software is going to be the same). What I wanted is a better action/feel of the keyboard for more expresivity, I hope this will lead to a more pleasing "global sound". Anyway, I'll post how I feel about the new keyboard, when I get it... (it seems that I'll have to wait)



Now that I was decided with the keyboard... there aren't! >.< I wanted to buy it in a local store (in Barcelona). Do you know when is it going to be available there, Kawai James?

I expect the same. I'm hoping the keyboard will afford a lot more subtle control and "feel" more like the real thing.

As for sound its true that the sound generation is not going to change but I wonder how much difference the pedal is going to make. The other upgrade for me will be from an on/off switch sustain pedal to a graded sustain pedal. I assume I will have more subtle control over the resulting sound with the graded one. I'm also expecting the 3 light sensor to make faster passages easier to achieve.

Maybe I'll try a before and after recording to document the difference.

The sound of my teachers (acoustic) piano is different when she plays compared to when I play it. It's all down to technique, skill, training - touch. So maybe the VPC touch curves will help.

I've been using a Kawai VPC1 for about a week now, and I can tell you its just an amazing piece of equipment! I actually, just put together a review of it here:

http://youtu.be/rq93A6D1gps

I'll be using this to control the new Ravenscroft virtual piano from VI Labs.

I'm fascinated with the actual Ravenscroft 275 acoustic piano, as well as coming pretty close to mimmicking that action on the VPC1 (more on that later).

Thank you from a further different piano man Charlie, also the happy owner of a Great kawai dp, and ravenscroft (the sw, of course).
Super review.

Nicely done Chuck, thanks for posting.

It's good that you commented on how well the Nord pianos play from the VPC1's action too. I'm using a similar setup at home (Kawai MP8II & Nord Elcetro).

Cheers,
James
x

Nice review.
Right now I have a bunch of sheet music spread all over the top of my VPC. Set whatever I'm playing in front of me. Haven't decided yet if I like using the music holder more. Or just laying the music down. Have a little lift at the back with a little shelf there. Can get a little more angle on the sheet music. Am really liking this setup. Very ergo dynamic.

I have talked about customizing the curves for more touch. Nice I can do that for now in pianoteq. Found I really don't think I want that. Just wanting to pick up the touch better, physiologically. It's there in the piano. I think the key to this for me is exact height of my seat versus the keys. The setup for my arm position for feel.

I like the 'heavier' keys. I've heard it said that us less experienced players can more easily get dynamics/expression out of such keys than light keys. Like it being easier for me.

I do presume the midi generator and setup are as good as one can get. I've played lesser.

I am finding contrary to the complaint of having to go through turning on a software piano. I leave mine on all the time. With my Mac, even in sleep mode it will play. Can walk up to it anytime and play.

I'm trying to picture this... do you have a photo?



They have a Mac version of the editor coming out sometime next month.



I don't mind setting up the software each time... after waiting two and a half minutes for my Korg Kronos to boot up, its not that much different.

Thanks, James. Actually, when I tried the VPC1 to control my Nord Stage 2 (Fazioli piano sample)... WOW! It was like a completely new experience! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint), that VPC1 is really spoiling me.

It should be available on Tuesday. And yes, I did explain to my colleagues that this is April Fools Day...

James
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Totally agree!

You can leave your computer in sleep mode, and it can still play the software piano?! How does that work?

Great review - thanks for sharing!

I use Pianoteq (windows 7) and leave it 'running'. I just need to turn on the VPC1 wait a couple of seconds and start playing. Only time this doesn't work is if windows has run an update and restarted.

There! I finally got it! You wanted to see how it's set up? I do feel like putting something at the bottom of the cover of the VPC to stop the papers from sliding down. Sometimes they do. Thinking about it.

On the working with it in sleep mode. I don't know how? It just does?

LOL!! Exact same reaction

Cute how you people flatter the Fatar action on the Nords.

Ah... now that I can see it close up, I do like that setup! You have so much more information in front of you than what the music stand provides. Yes, something at the bottom of the cover of the VPC1 would be good to stop the papers from sliding!