Nord Piano 2 via VPC1

[carbonrod]

I'm currently learning Jazz piano, playing weekly on an actual piano and doing my practise on my Nord Piano 2. The more I play the piano, the more I've felt I'm lacking something from the Nord keybed and I've been considering alternatives. If I can sell my Piano 2, then I might go for a Kawai MP11 or another stage piano with a more realistic action (the digital pianos are just too bulky for me). But with a 2 year old Nord Piano 2, I fear I will be holding onto it for a while considering the Nord Piano 3 is out.

That brought me to the idea of a MIDI controller; the Kawai VPC1 looks pretty impressive. I'm completely new to MIDI, so forgive me if the questions are naive. The Nord Piano 2 doesn't have triple sensor technology, for example, so would you really be able to take advantage of this with the VPC1 which does? Or maybe if the VPC1 has finer sensitivity registering the velocity of striking the key, would all this information be effectively utilized when the Nord Piano 2 processes the input to produce the sound? The focus of such a controller would be the intimacy of the sound/touch. I'm wondering if there is really anything to be gained with the VPC1, or if the Nord Piano 2's "limited" features would prevent someone from truly taking advantage of a really good controller.

Cheers for any insights.

[Gustavo]

It's a good question. I believe that since the VPC1 is designed as a midi controller all the information it sends should keep to the midi standard. I think that it will definitely improve the feeling.

Keeping the Nord will also provide you the advantage of having a lightweight option compared to having only the Kawai MP 11.

I have tried out the MP11 and trust me if it's the best piano action I've ever played. If the VPC1 is a similar keybed you will not go wrong with either option !

Enviado desde mi E6603 mediante Tapatalk

[Mr_-G-]

Are you thinking of carrying the MP11? It is heavy...
I think that the the dynamics that you would get mixing controllers and modules cannot be precisely predicted. Best thing is to try extensively before buying!
The dynamics depend on the look up table of the velocity-to-MIDI is implemented in the instrument, but the end result also depends on how the MIDI velocity is interpreted in the slave module (which in turn depends on the number of layers *and* the relative volumes of the layers and perhaps many other things (Imagine that if the layers output all the same volume, then playing 'harder' changes the timbre, but not the volume, ending up with poor dynamics).
A curious example of the potential difference in behaviour can be easily tested in the NS2: if you create a MIDI loop (cable from MIDI Out to In) and switch the MIDI Local off, the instrument reacts differently than with the Local on (!).

[carbonrod]

I'm not a performing artist, it's purely for playing at home. So besides moving it around my room (sometimes in front of my monitors), I'm not transporting it.

I did fear that different boards would do things differently and it's impossible to predict how good a combination will sound/feel. Unfortunately, no shops in my area have the VPC1; the best I can do is try to find a Kawai digital piano with the same action. I do have a pretty good PC and software pianos are also an option; I'm just looking into those now! The cheaper option would be the VPC1 with a software piano vs the MP11 on its own.

[maurus]

I am playing a Nord Electro 5 from the VPC1 and enjoy it a lot. The pianistic feel is way better than both the keybed options available for the Electros (HP or waterfall). I have not coupled the VPC1 to an NP2 but would expect the same. Of course the triple sensor design will be used for controlling the NP2 and it makes a significant difference. The MIDI sensitivity is fine enough for our needs, no problem there.

Note that the keys of the VPC1 (RH3-II) are not exactly the same as those of the MP11 (GF) - the VPC's action is slightly heavier and the keys are a tad shorter (which makes a slight difference when playing toward the back of the keys) but I am not bothered by this at all. The action is close enough to my regular grand piano to go back and forth with ease.

[carbonrod]

Cheers for the insights maurus. PM sent with a few specific questions.

[Quai34]

Hi,
I was just looking for a difference between the VPC1 and the MP3 and saw your post: So, the heaviest one is the Vpc1 but the longer length for the keys are the ones on the MP11. I would have assumed the opposite. So, which one would you prefer to control a Stage 2?

[maurus]

Quai34, this is a matter of taste. Some prefer the GF in the MP11, some the RH3-II in the VPC1. I guess a majority would prefer the GF but I wouldn't know. Hard to say which one you would prefer.

PS. I can't even say which one I'd prefer. I play the VPC1 on a daily basis but have used the MP11 only for short periods in shops or at Musikmesse - I always liked its action a lot, though. So I guess I'd prefer the MP11...

[Quai34]

Ok, thanks, the fact is the VPC1 is around 2200 CAN$ here in Canada but 3500 CAN$...so, I already have a lot of sounds available, then I think, I will go for the VPC1...Thanks again anyway
Sincerely

[drparticle]

Another possibility: Buy a Kawai MP7 - it's about the same price as the VPC1.

I recently bought an MP7 to replace the NP88. I also play at home for personal enjoyment. The NP 88 keybed noise was a distaction when playing quietly – After trying several keybeds - the MP7 was the one I preferred. I couldn’t find an MP11 to try – too large for my room anyway.

I can offer this report after three months with the MP7 in my living room [MP7 --> Onyx 820i --> Focal CMS 65 - pair]:

What I like:
- The keybed is MUCH quieter than the NP88.
- I get more expression from the MP7, maybe this is the benefit of the triple sensor. Playing trills improved immediately. I have more range to my playing. For someone at my intermediate level, I got an instant improvement in technique.
- The sound is very faithful to a piano sound. It’s far from perfect, but certainly more than enough for home playing.

What I don't like:
- The key surface is very smooth(?) - my fingers slip off the black keys when I'm playing fast & light. This is going to take some adjusting.
- The key-stroke is shorter than the NP88 - i.e. when you push on a key, it doesn't travel as far. At first, my hands were a little sore, as the bottom of the stroke was coming too soon. Now I have adjusted and it seems normal.
- The range of piano sounds is limited - the Nord system has a much wider choice of sounds from many different pianos. The MP7 is based on just two (I think) Kawai pianos. The sound variations are mostly different mic positions, etc. The Nord grands (Lady D, Imperial) & uprights (Black, Queen) are just amazing with the right outboard audio.

Sorry to go on about a non-Nord piano. I still have my NP88 and will now use it for playing away from home, jamming with friends.