The sound of a piano on different keyboards (NE6D + KAWAI VPC-1)

[EdwardGlekov]

I have NE6D SW61 and also KAWAI VPC-1
I just recently got the NE6D and at first I was very upset that all the pianos sounded kind of soapy, the sound was round, there was not enough growl in the bass. At first I thought that I had screwed something up wrong, or configured it incorrectly, because on YouTube recordings the pianos sound amazing!! At concerts Nord also sounds exemplary.
But out of curiosity, I connected the KAWAI VPC-1 via midi and was shocked - this is the sound I dreamed of!!! I couldn't believe my ears. I have the NE6D on the top cover of the KAWAI VPC-1 and I can compare head-to-head. I didn't think that a keyboard could have such an effect on the sound!! I basically got a Nord Grand 2 setup (it has the exact same RM3 Grand keyboard). What is the reason? Is it the weight of the keys, the sensors, or what else could it be? I'm confused...

[Rusty Mike]

I encounter the same phenomenon with my Electro 6D 73 as well. Playing the SW keys, the acoustic pianos are rather dull and less dynamic. Played via MIDI with my Roland RD-800, the response is so much more dynamic and full of life. Mind you, this is in a home studio and not a stage. When playing the Electro out on a gig, I don't recall a similar experience.

[pianoharri]

I have had five different Nord keyboards so far- three with SW, one with HP and one with HA keyboard. With each of them my favourite piano sample has been a different one, and I believe one big reason is that the pianos just sound different with different key actions.

[maxpiano]

I have had five different Nord keyboards so far- three with SW, one with HP and one with HA keyboard. With each of them my favourite piano sample has been a different one, and I believe one big reason is that the pianos just sound different with different key actions.

The piano sound itself is always the same as well as velocity levels available, what changes is the fingers-key-sound connection and so our perception of the sound result (which depends only on the velocity detected for each note) vs our intention.

[EdwardGlekov]

Good topic! I also experience the difference in hand-to-ear connection on the NS3-HA88 versus the same piano sound on the NS3C. It also happened when I briefly had a MODX7. The flagship Yamaha piano sound on the synth keyboard on the MODX7 seemed flat and dull compared to playing it via MIDI from the HA88. I typically bring both my boards with me wherever I'm playing, but in situations where I just have my NS3C, I can get comfortable playing piano sounds by focusing on expression and visualizing the mechanical/percussive interaction that I’m not receiving from the keybed.

That being said, I think there is a difference in velocity curves for the different keypads and how they interact with the various sample layers of the pianos. For example, there is a certain attack/bark I can get out of Wurli sounds on the HA88 that I can’t get on the waterfall keyed on the Compact, even if I’m just playing one note at a time each keyed trying to duplicate the sound.

Logically, unless there’s more going on in the capture and translation of velocity, it doesn't make sense that if I send MIDI volume 110 to the same sound engine, I get two different sounds, but that’s what it feels like is happening. I’m pretty sure that a while back I hooked up MIDI cables so I could play the sound engines in each from the other’s keyboard, and I got the same result from each keybed. I may have to do that test again just to make sure.