get the HA 88 or a compact with midi controller?

[mtier0067]

Reviving an old thread as it's a new relevant topic.

I have always used a Nord Stage 2 compact as a top board and a weighted 73 key midi controller hidden down below. I have a stacked set up in a custom folding stand/case that I've settled on being the best of all worlds for my playing style. I would bring a hammond/Leslie, Rhodes, DSI prophet, and clav if I had my way but this little stack with a Neo vent II and a good amp sounds good enough for me.

So the question is: what are people using for a weighted 73 or 76 note midi controller keyboard to control any of the stage compact models. keyboard feel and integration is key here. I found the studio logic Acuna 73 worked well with the stage 2 compact but I'm wondering if there are other options that I'm missing out on...

Current ideas to pair with the newly acquired Stage 4 Compact are:
1. Studiologic Studio SL73 (Basically a fresh TP110 keybed to replace my Acuna that has seen a lot of gigs)
2. Studiologic Numa x Piano (added bonus from SL73 but with good piano and Rhodes sounds in case the NS4 craps out at a gig)
3. Yamaha YC73 (great sounds including organ and physical drawbars. I could use this for more piano focused gigs or when I just want to bring a single board but need weighted keys more than the SW action of the compact).
4. Yamaha CP73 (great piano and Rhodes sounds - good in a pinch but probably cannot use as a single board for a gig because I rely on organ sounds so much)
4. Stuiologic 1176 - an old weighted midi controller that has wood keys and the action is supposed to be spectacular if you find one that's been used gently)

I considered a few others that have front facing controls a la the Rhodes but I want the Stage 4 Compact to be as close to the lower keybed as possible to simulate a dual manual hammond (but with one waterfall on top and weighted action on the bottom) I looked at the SV1, Crumar Seven, Viscount but the added height is a non-starter (I'm picky).

Let me know your vote on the options above. Let me know what you are using or what you think would be best!

[FZiegler]

At the moment, I'm using an older Yamaha 88-key digital piano (CP33) as weighted controller for my compact, but I'm not fully happy with the pianistic touch. I tried with a Kawai VPC1 recently, but it was close to pianistic suicide to lift it onto the stage in a hurry (watch your fingers!). I'm struggling around cost, size, weight and reliability for alternatives.

Depending on what is key for you, there would be quite different solutions. The first thing that comes to mind is a Nord Piano 5 if 73 keys is a must. Cost is high, but you have a halfway redundant system in case of failure on the Stage 4. I'm still hesitating, but others are happy with it.

[mtier0067]

I should have included the Piano 5 in the list! Thanks

I want 73 or 76 keys and the best action for pianos along with some good sounds for piano, Rhodes, and Hammond organ in case the NS4 craps out (I don’t think it will) but you never know or if I want to bring only a single weighted key action keyboard to a gig.

My leanings are currently towards the Yamaha yc73 for price and flexibility. (Also integrates very nicely with an iPad and has a built in mixer for small ensemble stuff without a pa)

I’m just wondering if there’s some really nice hammer weighted keyboard that also has decent organ sounds other than a Yamaha YC.

[mtier0067]

1. Studiologic Studio SL73 (Basically a fresh TP110 keybed to replace my Acuna that has seen a lot of gigs)
2. Studiologic Numa x Piano (added bonus from SL73 but with good piano and Rhodes sounds in case the NS4 craps out at a gig)

Just one comment: the Studiologic Studio SL73 does not have the TP/110 keybed, it's equipped with the older TP/100 LR keybed which many people don't really like. The Numa X Piano is the first one having the new TP/110 keybed

[mtier0067]

Good point! I thought that the SL upgraded from the Acuna that I have which is also the TP100. Too bad I guess that rules out a direct replacement/upgrade of my Acuna 73 with a SL73.

It seems there are a few options that fit different use cases:
1. If you want organ sounds and a ungraded but still weighted hammer action keyboard, the YC73 seems best. It's cheaper than a Electro 6HP and has physical drawbars and a good ungraded, weighted hammer action that's agreeable for piano and EP sounds and can do organ in a pinch. ~$2000 USD used is a great value for a board that can do this much.

2. If you want the best (at least for a 73 or 76 note board) HA weighted keybed and don't need organ sounds, the Nord Piano 5 is probably the ticket. A bit costly but you get what you pay for. There's no other 73note HA that I can find on the market at this moment.

3. If you want to save some money and don't need organ sounds and can deal with a ungraded hammer action, the Numa Piano X is probably the ticket. at ~$1300 USD used, its a good value.

4. If you don't need internal sounds and want a good value, the SL73 is about the best you can do at this point. ~$400 USD used is great for a fully functional (and may I say attractive) lower tier keyboard to drive the NS4 SW and/or hook up to an iPad for sounds if used stand alone.

[Schorsch]

Since Studiologic had released the Numa X Piano with the TP110 keybed I would guess that they will also bring a new version of the SL Studio with the TP110 at some point of time, but who knows …

[cphollis]

"So the question is: what are people using for a weighted 73 or 76 note midi controller keyboard to control any of the stage compact models. keyboard feel and integration is key here."

I've used a Nord Piano 5 76 since it came out.

Pros: exceptional keybed feel, no integration issues, looks great on stage under a NS4C, great resale value.

Cons: expen$ive, I sometimes feel guilty that I'm not using any of onboard voices or controls, a bit heavier than it needs to be.

[mtier0067]

Mmh, I'm quite confident that there's only a Piano 5 73, no 76.

But you never play it on its own?

[cphollis]

You're right, it's a 73. I play occasional solo piano gigs with it, but mostly I use it as a midi controller.

[mtier0067]

I'm just battling two ideas that I can't sort out for myself...

1. Does the midi controller for the NS4SW need its own sounds? I can imagine two scenarios. (1) if the NS4sw craps out at a gig and I need to create sounds from the midi controller board instead or (2) if I use the midi controller solo to play a piano centric gig.
2.The cost of having a Nord Piano as a midi controller 90% of the time is not justified in my opinion... I use a custom enclosure that I'm super happy with the aesthetics of and I can stick any midi controller that can output midi inside it. It just needs to have a good action and keybed feel. I'm fine with the TP100 but would love to try out a better action (Nord Piano 73HA, Numa X Piano, or the Yamaha YC73 all seem like a better action vs. my Acuna 73 w/ TP100).

That leads me to the next 2 questions. Is it important to have redundancy in a rig that uses a NS4SW as the primary sound source? i.e. should your weighted midi controller be able to produce its own sounds? Is an iPad and a midi controller good enough in a pinch? BX3, Neo soul, Moog, and pianoteq seem to be just fine for my 3 primary sounds and can easily be on an iPad.

What is the best keybed feel in a 73 or 76 keyboard for Piano playing (Not for EP's, organ, synth or any combo of these)