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Shortly:
I'm looking to swap my Yamaha MODX8 to a better feeling hammer action keyboard to play the pianos of my Stage 3.
Reasons:
1. Action is not very good; light weight and slow return.
2. Have never needed its sounds; not worth the touch screen interface.
What I want:
1. Good and authentic piano action
2. Price 0-1500€
3. No bells and whistles; easy to use, no unnecessary functions.
4. Weight is not really a problem.
What is your digital piano or hammer action keyboard controller of choice? Any suggestions are welcome.
Last edited by Elias on 08 Jun 2020, 21:13, edited 1 time in total.
Stage use: any DP/weighted master of which you like the keybed and has some possibility to adjust the velocity curve at MIDI OUT (i.e not just for the internal generator), the one indicated by Schorsch above being a good example, but only you can tell if you like that keybed (or other) or not.
Last edited by maxpiano on 09 Jun 2020, 08:29, edited 1 time in total.
These users thanked the author maxpiano for the post:
Maybe you should also take a look at the Roland A88 mk2 controller. The PHA4 action is reliable and gives a solid piano feel when you play it. You can also find the PHA4 in the cheaper FP10, but then you only have USB midi. If you want to work with midi cables you could use a converter box in that situation, like this one:
I found someone selling their NP2+triple pedal used for 1200€.
- Seems like a nifty deal?
- Would that be a good solution for a MIDI controller?
- Is the keybed the same as Nord's newer keyboards?
Elias wrote:I found someone selling their NP2+triple pedal used for 1200€.
- Seems like a nifty deal?
- Would that be a good solution for a MIDI controller?
- Is the keybed the same as Nord's newer keyboards?
This is what I use for a weighted controller for my NS3C. I really like it. The price is good as well.
The action is pretty good on the NP2, but it got better on the NP4 and then the Nord Grand. You don't have to match velocity curves, as they are both Nord products. Form factor and weight are great. And they look great on stage together. Besides, if my NS3C ever craps out during a gig (very unlikely) I'll have the NP2 as a backup.
Be careful with the triple pedal. I've had two break on me. I guess they don't like spilled beer?
These users thanked the author cphollis for the post:
Regarding my experience with the Nord triple pedal?
One stopped working after being doused in beer. I couldn't figure out how to clean/fix it. My second one just stopped working for no apparent cause. You can find other threads here with people who have experienced broken springs, etc.
Since then, I've been using bog-standard Yamaha sustain pedals which work perfectly, don't break and don't cost $399. I play live with an electric band, so that's all I need.
These users thanked the author cphollis for the post:
I had a StudioLogic 880 pro that was the best feeling controller I've used. It is, however, limited on the amount of parameters it will control. Basically, four zones on four midi channels, but no "on the fly" control of voice parameters. I picked this one up really cheap, so it was worth playing with for awhile. Maybe the updated versions have more controls.
These users thanked the author twofarmers for the post:
cphollis wrote:Regarding my experience with the Nord triple pedal?
One stopped working after being doused in beer. I couldn't figure out how to clean/fix it. My second one just stopped working for no apparent cause. You can find other threads here with people who have experienced broken springs, etc.
Since then, I've been using bog-standard Yamaha sustain pedals which work perfectly, don't break and don't cost $399. I play live with an electric band, so that's all I need.
Well, I probably won’t need it either but don’t mind getting it as it is part of the deal.
Thanks for the info.
