Peavey DPM-C8 and Kurzweil PC88 keyboard feel.
Jidu Krishnamurti
on Peavey DPM-C8 and PC88 from Kurzweil. I know these two are different
in functionality but I would like something that feels as close to
piano as possible.
I would also appreciate any inputs on the actual piano sound of PC88 and
other sound modules.
BTW, if I could get info on the best PC88 and DPM-C8 price, it would be also
appreciated.
Michael R Preston
: I would like to hear opinions about the feel of piano action touch
From what I understand, both keyboards use a Fatar keybed, however,
since each manufacturer can modify the action, they are slightly
different. I found the Kurzweil a little mushy. The Peavey had a
more realistic feel, which means it has a bit more throw in the
bottom of the key stroke. If you don't like having to press down on
the keys harder, then the Kurzweil may be for you. Also, Peavey will
be bringing out the DPM-C8p in a month or so. It's basically the
same as the DPM-C8, but the controls have been rearranged and the wood
removed to make it a bit smaller and lighter (60 lbs. vs. 82). It's
also supposed to be cheaper than the original C8. Check the stores in
about a month.
As far as the sound, the piano sound in the PC88 is the same as in
the Kurzweil MicroPiano. My opinion is this module has the best
sounds of those in its price range (i.e. the Roland SC-88 and the Emu
Proformance), so if you're getting the PC88, you should be satisfied.
========================================
Mike Preston
Phone: (215)243-1399
E-mail: pres...@gradient.cis.upenn.edu
Jidu Krishnamurti
like to ask if the following price sounds reasonable.
Kurzweil PC88 --- $1800
Peavey DPM-C8 --- $1249
If you found a better price, could you let me know the price you
were quoted on or you purchased the product at and the name and
the phone number of the retailer? I would greatly appreciate it.
Michael R Preston
: In <391f07$9...@netnews.upenn.edu>, pres...@gradient.cis.upenn.edu (Michael R Preston) writes:
: >Jidu Krishnamurti (kri...@myhost.subdomain.domain) wrote:
: >: I would like to hear opinions about the feel of piano action touch
: >: on Peavey DPM-C8 and PC88 from Kurzweil. I know these two are different
: >
: >since each manufacturer can modify the action, they are slightly
: >different. I found the Kurzweil a little mushy. The Peavey had a
: >more realistic feel, which means it has a bit more throw in the
: >bottom of the key stroke. If you don't like having to press down on
: >the keys harder, then the Kurzweil may be for you. Also, Peavey will
: >be bringing out the DPM-C8p in a month or so. It's basically the
: >same as the DPM-C8, but the controls have been rearranged and the wood
: >removed to make it a bit smaller and lighter (60 lbs. vs. 82). It's
: >also supposed to be cheaper than the original C8. Check the stores in
: >about a month.
: > As far as the sound, the piano sound in the PC88 is the same as in
: >the Kurzweil MicroPiano. My opinion is this module has the best
: >sounds of those in its price range (i.e. the Roland SC-88 and the Emu
: >Proformance), so if you're getting the PC88, you should be satisfied.
: The C8 $1995 list ( $1595 ) and the C8p $1695 both have the same keyboard and
: a pretty good feel. If you want a killer piano-action keyboard you might try
: the Roland RD-500, though it has no controller features to speak of. Also,
: the Peavy uses a hammer-action on the inside of the C8/C8p whereas Kurzweil does
: not on the PC88, explaining the differenct between the keyboard feels.
: I originally tried the PC88 and loved it, until I played the RD-500. The RD-500 has a wonderful
: feel, very much like a real piano. I then noticed the mushy feel of the PC88, and to me it was unacceptable.
: Also, the PC88 has a relatively short lever throw, particulary on the black keys which I didn't like.
: All this I didn't notice until playing the RD-500 extensivly as I had only played the Ensoniq stuff.
: Finally I found a C8 and absolutely loved it. The hammer action board is much like the RD-500, though still
: not quite as good, but a close second. And I'll give a few inches in keyboard feel for a mile of features, as the C8 has them.
: I'm getting a C8 and a Kurzweil MicroPiano. Oh, and in this day of black plastic keyboards, you gotta love
: the C8, with it's bright red wood finish ... it has character.
: -Rip.
I will also be getting the Peavey DPM-C8 with a Kurzweil MicroPiano.
Is the C8p out yet?
Unknown
>: I would like to hear opinions about the feel of piano action touch
>: on Peavey DPM-C8 and PC88 from Kurzweil. I know these two are different
>
>since each manufacturer can modify the action, they are slightly
>different. I found the Kurzweil a little mushy. The Peavey had a
>more realistic feel, which means it has a bit more throw in the
>bottom of the key stroke. If you don't like having to press down on
>the keys harder, then the Kurzweil may be for you. Also, Peavey will
>be bringing out the DPM-C8p in a month or so. It's basically the
>same as the DPM-C8, but the controls have been rearranged and the wood
>removed to make it a bit smaller and lighter (60 lbs. vs. 82). It's
>also supposed to be cheaper than the original C8. Check the stores in
>about a month.
> As far as the sound, the piano sound in the PC88 is the same as in
>the Kurzweil MicroPiano. My opinion is this module has the best
>sounds of those in its price range (i.e. the Roland SC-88 and the Emu
>Proformance), so if you're getting the PC88, you should be satisfied.
The C8 $1995 list ( $1595 ) and the C8p $1695 both have the same keyboard and
Jidu Krishnamurti
digital piano or portable digital piano or controllers) for about a
month and have managed to try about everything but Kurzweil PC88.
The following is my opinion and the price I was quoted.
Ensonique KT88 - Somewhere around $2400 and the keyboard feels cheap.
It has a PCMCIA slot for storing the data. (It's a
definite plus feature as floppies can carry so much
data.)
Technics PX103,106,107
- These guys have excellent keyboard. The closest to
real grand piano feel and touch. The sound is nice
except it has somewhat mediocre high pitch sounds.
The price lists for 3195 on PX103 but you can have it
for $2400. PX107 for $2800. PX106 and above has 64 voice
polyphony.
Technics PR305 - The same key touch as the above but has MIDI built in
with about 160 sounds. This features split zones for
different instruments. This runs for $3500.
Yamaha Clavinova CLP123
- It has a pretty decent touch on the keyboard but
like all other Yamahas, it suffers the distortion
in the lowest key sounds. Runs for 2900 dollars.
Roland HP2800 - This one has rather cheap keystroke feel and somewhat
cheap electronic piano sound. Major disappointment.
Kurzweil Mark5 - This one has rather mushy keyboard feel with superb piano
sound. It runs for $2800. You can split it into two zones.
Roland RD500 - RD500 has a very nice piano touch. Also, the sound of grand
piano is very nice. This runs for 1950 and if it has
more controller type function and if it can be more portable,
my heart goes out to this one.
Peavey DPM-C8/C8p
- It's got everything a controller has to have and more.
The key action is rather on the hard side and it made my
fingers tired after extensive playing. Not quite like piano.
C8 is slightly longer due to modulation wheels and disk drive
but C8p loses the disk drive and modulation wheel are on the
console. List Price for C8 1995 but you can get one brand new
for 1250 and C8p is listed at 1695 but will be about 1200.
If it has more piano like touch, this is the winner.
Kurzweil PC88/MX
- I will be trying this one this weekend but from what
I hear from others this has not as good a keyboard touch.
It has very good sounds. PC88 can be had for 1700 and MX for
1850.
Kurzweil 2000S - It is just about the ultimate a controller function can have
as I hear but the keys are china style plastic with very
toy like feel. I was quoted for 2000 on this one.
This is about all that I have gone through and hope this helps others as well.
Obviously the feel is subjective and I do not claim any authority but my
experience with many different pianos for the past 12 years.