What is the best digital piano?
Godfrey Degamo
Hello. I want to buy a digital piano. I am willing to spend
$3500-4000 for a good model. I have heard reviews of a Baldwin model
RP2 (I'm not sure of the model's name, but I am sure of the
manufacturer.)
What I really want to buy is a grand piano, but I live in an
apartment, and my neighbors would not like that. I also don't have
the space for one.
My problem with the baldwin, is that I don't need any of the special
features. I would like a digital piano that mimics the piano as
closely as possible, that's it! No midi, string intrumental sounds,
percussion, blah blah... basically, things that jack the price up.
(yes, I will spend money, but not on extra things, I still don't want
to get ripped off.)
Does anyone have suggestions?
Thanks.
-Godfrey Degamo,
go...@jimmy.harvard.edu
,,,,
go...@jimmy.harvard.edu (Godfrey Degamo) wrote:
I have a Roland KR-570, and had a Roland KR-370 before that ... while
they do have lots of extra things, blah blah; the KR-370 is in the
price range you mentioned. The KR-570 is a little more spendy but I
think the grand piano (2 styles) is the best around. (Better than the
Yamaha, for comparison.)
The extras are useful though...when the standard features get a little
stale.
Panther Man
tomr wrote:
>
> You could check out a Kawai CA640. Great action, great piano sound. Does
> have a Midi port & some extra bits, but not to excess.
Hmmmm.....I finally got the chance to play the above-mentioned model, and I thought it was the worst digital
I'd played since my church bought a Suzuki 4 1/2 years ago. I was not at all impressed with the action, and
that's supposed to be the strong point of the Kawai. The sound was very pathetic, especially when it is
compared to others in its price range.
Check out the Roland HP330 -- 8 sounds, great piano, best action I've played on a digital.
Good Luck!
PM
tomr
You could check out a Kawai CA640. Great action, great piano sound. Does
price but it should be in your price range. The Roland A90ex is probably a
little cheaper, but is more oriented to a Midi setup than a home piano
setting, and I don't think the action (or piano sound) is quite so good.
(but you may think its ginger peachy for your style)
cheers
tomr
Godfrey Degamo <go...@jimmy.harvard.edu> wrote in article
<5c4a8b$h...@netman-mel.dfci.harvard.edu>...
Toshiro K. Ohsumi
From my personal experience, I have found the Wersi CT-2 to be a very good
piano. Unfortunately, it does not have pedal resonance simulation. However,
the keyboard is excellent (made by Fatar, apparantly designed by Wersi) and
the sound system and samples (they sample the entire wave rather than repeat
a section and lower the volume) are excellent. Just my own opinions,
- Toshiro K. Ohsumi
-Chen,J.L.
>Check out the Roland HP330 -- 8 sounds, great piano, best action I've played on a digital.
>
>Good Luck!
>
>PM
I second that. I bought a HP330 last November. The sound/action is
pretty good to a digital piano. However, it is still light year
away from our acoustic grand. I love the freedom of able to play
a digital at any time of the day (ooh, night).
Also check the new Yamaha and Technics models.
Julian
Andreas Schmidt
On 22 Jan 1997 05:57:31 GMT, go...@jimmy.harvard.edu (Godfrey Degamo)
wrote:
>Hello. I want to buy a digital piano. I am willing to spend
>$3500-4000 for a good model. I have heard reviews of a Baldwin model
>RP2 (I'm not sure of the model's name, but I am sure of the
>manufacturer.)
>
>What I really want to buy is a grand piano, but I live in an
>apartment, and my neighbors would not like that. I also don't have
>the space for one.
>
>
>My problem with the baldwin, is that I don't need any of the special
>features. I would like a digital piano that mimics the piano as
>closely as possible, that's it! No midi, string intrumental sounds,
>percussion, blah blah... basically, things that jack the price up.
>(yes, I will spend money, but not on extra things, I still don't want
>to get ripped off.)
>
>Does anyone have suggestions?
>
>Thanks.
>
>-Godfrey Degamo,
> go...@jimmy.harvard.edu
Hello Godfrey,
I didn't get the grand the stairs up. But that's another story.
You should have a look to the Yamaha GranTouch GT1. It's looking like
a baby-grand, has no other features than beeing a piano, but it has
the action of an acoustic grand. It feels great! The sound is taken
from a concert grand by Yamaha, so it is very bright and hard. Maybe,
it costs more, I've paid about $6500 (in Germany, 1.50 DM/$).
Maybe this helps
Bye, Andreas
-------------------------------------------------
Andreas Schmidt
And...@schmidt.ha.eunet.de oder CIS 100341,1276
-------------------------------------------------
Panther Man
Andreas Schmidt wrote:
>
> You should have a look to the Yamaha GranTouch GT1. It's looking like
> a baby-grand, has no other features than beeing a piano, but it has
> the action of an acoustic grand. It feels great! The sound is taken
> from a concert grand by Yamaha, so it is very bright and hard. Maybe,
> it costs more, I've paid about $6500 (in Germany, 1.50 DM/$).
If I'm not mistaken, Yamaha just introduced this in an upright version.
I have no idea of the price on it, but I've heard some pretty good
things about it.
PM
Ivan Lietaert.
My personal favorite digital piano is the General Music RP1. It's European
(Italian) and costs about $2500. It might cost a bit more in the US, though
(shipment!). I think it has the most realistic keyboard, and the sound is
brilliant. For technical info go to this site: generalmusic.com
Ivan
Gary Waugh
Ivan Lietaert. <Ivan.L...@ping.be> wrote in article
<01bc0967$8de667a0$20054ac1@LietaertIvan>...
And also have a look at the RP2 which is vastly superior to the RP1...<g>
Robert Steinberg
Hi again,
When I purcahsed my last D Piano (Roland FP8), my choice was the Roland or the
Wersi.
If not for the weight and (ugly) road case it would have been my choice for a few
reasons. Primary being access to the tuning tables in the Wersi.
Roland's "stretch" is sharped than I prefer. This adds to listener fatigue during a solo
gig. Also the Roland is weak in the middle of the keyboard, the attack is unrealistic,
but convincing on either end. (ROLAND are you reading this???)
RS
Ivan Lietaert.
Hi Gary,
Do you have a General Music RP2?
I'm considering buying the RP1 (this is what my budget allows). I'm
impressed by its possibilities. I'm also thinking of the Yamaha CLP511. The
RP1, I think, is technically and acoustically more advanced, though.
I would really appreciate it if you let me know if you are satisfied with
its technical qualities of your instrument.
Greetings
Ivan
Rob Alexander
Godfrey Degamo wrote:
>
> Hello. I want to buy a digital piano. I am willing to spend
> $3500-4000 for a good model. I have heard reviews of a Baldwin model
> RP2 (I'm not sure of the model's name, but I am sure of the
> manufacturer.)
I can highly recommend the Technics SX-PX208 having just bought one
(after lots of research). The action is great and the grand piano sound
is without equal. Caruso Music can sell you one for well under your
budget.
There are digital PIANOS and digital ENSEMBLES. The pianos focus on the
piano sounds and have a few other sounds, but are pretty basic.
Examples are the Technics PX and Yamaha CLP lines. The ensembles are
the ones with lots of sounds, drum rhythms, and disk drives built in.
Examples are Yamaha CVP's and Technics PR's. The Baldwin you spoke of
most likely fits into the ensemble category. Either way you will get
the midi interface and a couple non-piano sounds, that is just standard
on all digitals.
The Technics SX-PX208 and Yamaha CLP-811 are the top models in their
respective lines and are both well within your budget (actually under
it).
Hope this helps!!!
Rob
PS Also try:
http://web.mit.edu/isako/www/rmmp-faq.html -- this is the FAQ locator
for this newsgroup and has links to FAQ's, price lists, and product
descriptions.
Geoff Castle
Godfrey Degamo wrote:
>
> Hello. I want to buy a digital piano. I am willing to spend
> $3500-4000 for a good model. I have heard reviews of a Baldwin model
> RP2 (I'm not sure of the model's name, but I am sure of the
> manufacturer.)
>
> apartment, and my neighbors would not like that. I also don't have
> the space for one.
>
> My problem with the baldwin, is that I don't need any of the special
> features. I would like a digital piano that mimics the piano as
> closely as possible, that's it! No midi, string intrumental sounds,
> percussion, blah blah... basically, things that jack the price up.
> (yes, I will spend money, but not on extra things, I still don't want
> to get ripped off.)
>
> Does anyone have suggestions?
>
> Thanks.
>
> -Godfrey Degamo,
> go...@jimmy.harvard.edu
I'm the proud owner of a new Kurzweil PC1 MMX keyboard which not only has superb piano and keyboard sounds but an excellent weighted action.
The only problem is it weighs a ton. (In the manual spec it says it weighs 55lbs....I think they meant kilos!) Anyhow in addition to
wonderful sounds and combinations it also doubles as a superb mother keyboard with many sophisticated assignable midi functions and controls.
It should be in your price range.
Good luck
Michael Boe
Hmm....I think you could be referring to the Generalmusic Real Piano RP2
model. Most of GeneralMusic's range is distributed (and rebadged) by
Baldwin in the USA. GeneralMusic itself is an Italian company. The
model is brand new (and perhaps not even orderable yet), so it appears
to be a bit tough to track down. GeneralMusic's web site is
http://generalmusic.com.
/msb
Sings4 God
Just my $.02 here -
My fiance just bought me a Yamaha CLP611 as an engagement present (we're
both pianists; we need a silent practice instrument more than I need a
diamond! )
I can't say enough great things about it. The sound is unbelieveable and
YES you probably WILL want MIDI capability somewhere down the road - if
you work with music on your PC you'll want to be able to use the "play and
display" capability (attach MIDI cable to your PC, open MIDI software,
play the keyboard, and the notes appear on the screen - you can arrange,
transpose, compose, etc. without having to go through the agonies of
"step" or PC keyboard input).
Anyway, for $3,000 we got a better digital than we'd seen at other places
for $7,000. And you just can't beat the Clavinova's sound (it has 120W in
amp power, comparable models by other manufacturers have 60W-80W. I'm not
a techie, but that might be the difference).
Happy hunting.
Carol
Alister Smith
>Hello. I want to buy a digital piano.
>
>What I really want to buy is a grand piano, but I live in an
>apartment, and my neighbors would not like that. I also don't have
>the space for one.
>
Then you MUST check out the new Yamaha GT1 GranTouch (as suggested by
others in here). I have recently played every single digital piano
available for sale in the UK and this one came out tops.
It looks like a small grand and has a real piano action inside. The
sample is 30Mb and it sounds so.
The upright version GT10 (also mentioned in this thread) is rather
small and has only a fraction of the sample memory. It sounds <not
quite so good> but is considerably cheaper.
In fact - I would have bought one of these GT1s myself last week
(following an in-store demo by an expert) except that I felt the GT1
is overpriced for the UK market at the moment. I think the price will
come down and when it reaches what I believe it is worth - then I will
go for it.
However, you need to check out local pricing which will very likely be
more competitive than in the UK, and this could make the GT1 just
right for you.
In my opinion the GT1 knocks spots off the rest. Only the rather high
UK price kept my check-book at bay.
Good luck.
Alister
PS Yamaha please note...........GT1 could also do with a set of
castors and (for the houseproud) a lid that can be raised (like the
Samick models).
Otherwise top marks. I want one!
Gary Waugh
Alister Smith wrote:
> In my opinion the GT1 knocks spots off the rest. Only the rather high
> UK price kept my check-book at bay.
Yeah, but it's only 32 note poly - hardly enough for a serious classical
pianist.
If you're going to play Debussy (as an example), you'll find that La
Cathedrale Engloutie requires _at least_ 64 note poly. I must confess
that I feel Yamaha has shot themselves squarely in the foot here.
Great sound and feel though.
--
Gary Waugh
<na...@dial.pipex.com>
Frederick Y Mah
If the Pro Piano wasn't mentioned, here's some info
http://www.generalmusic.com
Some comments from other groups.
"I mixed a General Music piano this summer for 3 months. It absolutely
blows away any and all competition, due to the physical modeling
capability. It even makes pedal noise! The unit we had was a prototype,
and we had no trouble with it in 2 months on the road."
"Has anyone out there tried the General Music Pro2 Real Piano.
I tried one the other day and thought it sounded better then
anything I have ever played (piano wise)."
--
Fred Mah --- fm...@ecn.purdue.edu
http://widget.ecn.purdue.edu/~fmah
Alan Gibson
In article <5dblur$b...@mozo.cc.purdue.edu>, Frederick Y Mah
<URL:mailto:fm...@widget.ecn.purdue.edu> wrote:
>
> If the Pro Piano wasn't mentioned, here's some info
> http://www.generalmusic.com
>
> Some comments from other groups.
>
> "I mixed a General Music piano this summer for 3 months. It absolutely
> blows away any and all competition, due to the physical modeling
> capability. It even makes pedal noise! The unit we had was a prototype,
> and we had no trouble with it in 2 months on the road."
>
>
> "Has anyone out there tried the General Music Pro2 Real Piano.
> I tried one the other day and thought it sounded better then
> anything I have ever played (piano wise)."
How does it compare to the Roland A-90EX?
Alan
--
__ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _
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| |_| / _ | L| | / _ | \_ \.| | | / _/ _ Y \ Fax: +44 1592 596102
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Acorn |__/ music specialists. http://www.cybervillage.co.uk/acorn/liquid/
Reuel Lubag
In article <5dblur$b...@mozo.cc.purdue.edu>,
fm...@widget.ecn.purdue.edu (Frederick Y Mah) wrote:
>If the Pro Piano wasn't mentioned, here's some info
>http://www.generalmusic.com
>
>Some comments from other groups.
>
>"I mixed a General Music piano this summer for 3 months. It absolutely
>blows away any and all competition, due to the physical modeling
>capability. It even makes pedal noise! The unit we had was a prototype,
>and we had no trouble with it in 2 months on the road."
>
>
>"Has anyone out there tried the General Music Pro2 Real Piano.
>I tried one the other day and thought it sounded better then
> anything I have ever played (piano wise)."
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>--
>Fred Mah --- fm...@ecn.purdue.edu
>http://widget.ecn.purdue.edu/~fmah
I've have a Yamaha PF80 for the last two years. I gig usually between 2-4
nights a week(jazz) and cart it around. I spent good money on a Calzone soft
case and have had great success. The action is weighted and has held up, and
the sound is adequate. I am a pianist so I use 1 sound maybe two. It only
has five sounds anyways. Try it out for yourself. You may be able to rent
one. The only disadvantage is it weighs about ?80# and has two mono outputs.
There are no stereo outs. But you run mono through a house system anyways.
There are two practice speakers that can be used for a gig in a small 30 X
30 coffee house. I would recommend a PA for best fidelity.
R. Lubag