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Where in the product specs does it mention the number of Dynamic Steps each piano sample has? I've only seen it on the Yamaha specs. Where do the other companies hide this information?

Good luck trying to find this out on other companies, they take the easy route and just tell you the piano has multiple-sampling for every key. Yamaha is the only one I think that actually tell you how many dynamic steps are used. I think however that Roland as well as other companies usually use 3 dynamic steps, but they are not as effective or noticeable as Yamaha anyway.

For the Casio Privia series, you need to look at the description: The following is from the PX110:

Yamaha gives you the number of dynamic steps because, if I'm not mistaken, their sound banks are based exclusively on sampling. That's how you get to know that their CLP230 only has one step (the very same timbre, then, however softly or loudly you hit the key, only the loudness varies), the 240, 3 steps and the 270/280, 4 steps. They used to give you 5 steps with the CLP990 plus a bank of 88 (each note!!) samples plus a polyphony of 192, but that was just too good too soon, so they discontinued the model. Hence my respect and admiration for Yamaha. Their best is now 4 steps, 50 sampled notes, 128 poly on the 270/280. But you can get Polished Ebony if you'll spend hundreds more. That wasn't available on the 990.

Other manufacturers don't give you the number of steps, again if I'm not mistaken, because it is not so simple as that in their case, at least for some of them: not only are their sound banks built up from samples, but additionally they use modelling algorithms towards sound generation. For example, Kawai's Harmonic Imaging has 3 or 4 steps in all of their pianos, except there are increments in-between the steps that are recreated through fancy algorithms which dramatically increase the number of resulting, effective steps and hence, realism. Merely telling you the number of physically sampled steps would, therefore, be unfair to them.

Hope that explains and helps somewhat...

Claude

What does the Korg SP 250 have for Dynamic steps?

Ok, where are you finding that info bachmaniac? I even went through the MP4 manual and found no mention of the description of Harmonic Imaging. The website only gives a brief description with subjective phrases like, "...brings new level of authenticity...", "...faithfully reproduces the rich dynamic range..." Thanks.

OK. Joangolfing, I have to admit my total ignorance concerning Korg keyboards/pianos, sorry...

Agent, if you'll look at the MP4's page and description on kawaius.com

http://kawaius.com/main_links/digital/mp_4.html

you'll see a reference to Harmonic Imaging in the gray band at the bottom of your screen. Click on that, it will lead you here:

http://kawaius.com/main_links/digital/harmonic_imaging.htm

...and there you will see they conclude by telling you which pianos offer Harmonic Imaging, and that of course includes the MP4.

Now where I got the details about Harmonic Imaging is by word of mouth, through the Kawai technician who performed the work on my CA-X. What he told me is that in the same way as you can sample only 30 or 50 "live" notes on a grand piano to get the basic 88 sounds themselves as Yamaha does, you can limit the redundant times you sample each at a different intensity to 3 or 4 levels so as to get reference points for the variations in timbre that come with the variations in loudness. Then you can increment the difference between each step sampled and thus create additional "dynamic steps" in exactly the same way you extrapolated the missing notes between the 30 or 50 you physically sampled and the 88 you really need.

Regards,
Claude

Aha! That's what I was wondering about. For the life of me I couldn't find that information anywhere on their site. It must be nice to have a technician nearby.

Ya Agent, but it's too technical to put into a sales brochure, don't you find? I am satisfied to read that they have a proprietary way of recreating the harmony of the original acoustic piano they are trying to reproduce, and it's then up to me, the consumer, to try it out and appreciate it for myself.

How's your shopping?
Claude

Not too good. I was planning to go out yesterday and today but wasn't able to get out of the house yesterday before closing time. I'm about to leave today to get an early start. Will be hitting the Kawai, Yamaha, and Roland dealers to see what I can get. I'm least looking forward to the Kawai shop because they seemed least likely to work with me.

My best experience so far was with the Roland dealer. He seemed knowledgeable about what his products go for in other states and was willing to offer the best deal possible. In a small way I'm hoping I can give him my business if things go smoothly. But I'm hitting the Kawai dealer first so if he miraculously changes his tune and offers me a good deal today my shopping stops there. Somehow I doubt it though :rolleyes: Wish me luck!

The term "dynamic steps" is new while the technology in fact is old. It was used already back in 1988 by KORG (featured in their piano module P-3).

Hello, I would like to reopen this topic. In my opinion, this feature is one of the most important when looking for a DP, if you want something similar to an acoustic piano.

Does anybody know how many dynamic steps have Roland HP pianos? I am interested in HP-207 in particular.

Thanks.

I don't have an answer for you. But I will say this ... If you like the HP-207, buy it. It's at the top of Roland's line, on a par with the top of Yamaha's line.

Yamaha came out with a new line this year. With the CLP-380, they've raised the bar to 5 dynamic steps. But I don't know if it's any better than the Roland 207.

Again, if you're thinking about that Roland, forget about the dynamic steps. The 207 is about as good as it gets in the DP world.

At the Roland website you find in Specs\Sound Generator\ then the 7 th item, first you read 'Effects' and then the term 'DYNAMICS'.

So i think Roland means with "Dynamics 4 types" that the instrument has 4 dynamic samples, but it's not completeley clear.

You will see that for the HP-201 there are 3 types and for the HP-203,204 and 207: 4 types.

Here the link for the HP-207:

http://www.rolandce.com/products/pr...id=8&prod_id=6074&language_id=EN

Thanks for the answer, I have tried only Rorland HP207 and Yamaha CLP340. I like both of them, but they are completly different. Tomorow I'll try a Kawai. Then, I will decide. I agree with you when you suggest that your feeling with the piano its definitly more important than any writen characteristic.

I think that the HP207 and CLP340 are not meant to compete. The HP207 was on a par with the now-discontinued CLP280. It would be best to compare the Roland with the CLP380.

In any case, the HP207 was a step above the CLP240 (that's what I have) and it may also be a step above the CLP340.

BTW, whichever one you do (or don't) buy, we'd like to know what you paid (and what price the dealer asked). This is useful info for potential new buyers ... that is, if you're willing to provide the info. (It also helps to know where you bought, because prices vary by region.)

I know they are in different range of prices. It's only that I like both, but I need more time using them at the shop. It's a difference of 800€ (1600 vs 2400).

I will inform...

Co-pilot - I may be mistaken but I think the "Dynamics" referred to on this page are the number of dynamics processors built into the unit; things like compressors, limiters, harmonic exciters, etc. The fact that the information is in the Effects section of the web page suggests this as the most likely explanation.