Kawai VPC1 with NS3 issues (pedal + velocities)

[jegatw]

Hello there

I finally made the dream purchase: a Kawai VPC1 (with triple pedal) and a Nord Stage 3 HP.

Great! It goes: VPC1 -> midi -> NS3

But I do have two issues:
- the VPC1 triple pedal (connected to the VPC) hangs regularly. I mean that the NS3 notes keep on sounding. I do NOT have this issue when hooking the VPC up to Pianoteq so i guess it's not a physical problem. I tried the different sustain pedal options.
- the pedal noise when using the VPC1 triple pedal is LOUD. No impact when changing the parameter pedal noise in the NS3. Weird, no?
- when playing the VPC1 vs the NS3HP, you immediately notice that the samples are played much louder.... Besides the fact it's louder, it obviously plays the "louder sample" thus altering the piano's sound. I imagine I have to change the velocity curve in the VPC1?

[Spider]

I don't have a VPC1 so I can't answer about the velocity curves, but yes it seems you have to set it to a softer curve, if possible.

About the triple pedal, Nords only respond correctly to their own proprietary Nord Triple Pedal, which is wired differently than other pedals. There are several threads about the triple pedal and pedal noise, you can check them out.

When I play my Stage from my console digital piano the sustain works correctly, but I can't use pedal noise because it always triggers at maximum volume.
I think there are no real solutions, other than buying the Nord Triple pedal.

[jegatw]

Hello there

I finally made the dream purchase: a Kawai VPC1 (with triple pedal) and a Nord Stage 3 HP.

Great! It goes: VPC1 -> midi -> NS3

But I do have two issues:
- the VPC1 triple pedal (connected to the VPC) hangs regularly. I mean that the NS3 notes keep on sounding. I do NOT have this issue when hooking the VPC up to Pianoteq so i guess it's not a physical problem. I tried the different sustain pedal options.
- the pedal noise when using the VPC1 triple pedal is LOUD. No impact when changing the parameter pedal noise in the NS3. Weird, no?
- when playing the VPC1 vs the NS3HP, you immediately notice that the samples are played much louder.... Besides the fact it's louder, it obviously plays the "louder sample" thus altering the piano's sound. I imagine I have to change the velocity curve in the VPC1?

Hi, as an ex-owner of a VPC1 I think I can help you here:

Pedal:
- the VPC1 pedal needs to be calibrated (there is a SW utility in the VPC Editor package to do that) to ensure full range is properly read
- sometimes the SW calibration is not sufficient, some defective VPC1 pedals need to be fixed mechanically (pot doesn't get to 0 position when pedal is released, basically, I had to do it on mine) and/or replaced (if still under warranty and you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself)

Velocity:
- yes on the VPC1 there are several velocity curves you can choose from (and you can create your own ones) and saved in one of its 6 memories; try with the Pianoteq or Ivory factory curves first, then if still not satisfied create your own

(PS: did I already say "and don't forget to download and read the VPC1 manual?" )

[jegatw]

Only now I realise the calibration tool is completely seperate from the VPC Editor. Documentation by Kawai is pretty good, but indeed you have to read it, because the tools themselves are not really user friendly. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the replies.

[FZiegler]

Two more points from my side, even if I don't have a VPC1, but another weighted controller keyboard.

1. Have you already updated the NS3 OS? Starting with OS 2.60 (I think) the MIDI velocity curve has been dramatically changed so that it's easier to get the NS3 together with other boards.

2. In my experience, it is not possible to get correct pedal noise with an ordinary external pedal. That's why I switched pedal noise off. Which is a bummer.
I can't find my post where I shared my experience in detail: It was something like "While pressing the remote pedal, I get a) a release sound first, then b) 3 consecutive full pedal noises; while depressing, I get a full pedal noise." - or something like that. That's with my Yamaha CP33 as a controller keyboard and a single continuous (half-damper) sustain pedal attached to the CP33. Weird enough.

[jegatw]

Pedal calibration did the trick. Still can't believe it's so burried away in the installation folder.

Velicity curve adjusted on the VPC - much better now!

I'm genuinly impressed by the NS3.