Kawai VPC1 "Successor"

Pete14 Thanks for the answers. Why so secretive? I'd like to know what instrument is better for that price, I'm certainly going to check it out. You probably mean some Yamaha…

HZPiano It is, I'm quite happy with it, rarely do I find it hard to interpret things the way it should be. Only repetitions are kind of bad, other than that it works like a charm. And yes, I have to agree with Pete that Id really like to play on speakers from time to time, not always headphones.

Gamma1734

I’m not one to push products selfishly like some ‘round here tend to do; however, since you insist, I will humbly suggest that you check out the P-515, and if the action feels “too heavy” for you, I’d suggest the P-525!

The P-515 is going for $1,400 and the P-525 for $1,600, and whilst I was not happy with Yamaha for keeping the same cabinet, I’m over that now, and the truth is that Roland has been using the same cabinet for the FP-90/X for ages, so there’s that.

Keep in mind that the P-515/525 is also a great controller; I used it to blend my P-515’s CFX with a Pianoteq Steingraeber, and it worked great.

Pianoteq solo also sounded/played great through the on-board speakers via one cable to/from computer (audio interface).

Something I’ve been curious about the VPC-1 is how Kawai never updated their so-called dedicated “Pianoteq velocity curve” to adapt to new(er) Pianoteq versions; surely, these ‘curves’ could benefit from a little factory tweaking to better “connect” with Pianoteq 8, and even the upcoming 9!

Pete14 Pianoteq solo also sounded/played great through the on-board speakers via one cable to/from computer (audio interface).

You've just lost whatever credibility you had left. 😂

In the US at least, I would agree that the VPC1 is outrageously overpriced. MSRP is $2,399.00 at US-based online stores (up from $1,899 a year or two ago), while in the EU you can get them for closer to $1,500.

I have no idea what justifies the absurd price discrepancy.

I was considering one before the recent price increase, but have started looking elsewhere. Current top contender is the Roland FP-90X which I've found to have a really nice action (very solid and robust with great key feel) and also works very well as a midi controller (good thing too, b/c the onboard sounds are frankly terrible).

It's also about $400-$500 less than the VPC1, depending on where you get it from.

There's also the Studiologic Numa X GT, which I've heard very good things about, but haven't had a chance to try myself.

Gamma1734 Is there really no better midi controller option in the 1-2k range, or say up to 3k; has no one competed against the vpc1 for ten years??

The bummer is that a pure midi controller market doesn't exist. I wish there were more options. I really don't want onboard speakers, piano sounds, and everything that comes with portable, digital slab. If I could afford it I'd consider the Casio GP 3/510. Even though their action is not an acoustic action, I think it might be one of the best digital actions available. It would be great if they offered it in a slab format.

God Bless,
David

jdg78 Current top contender is the Roland FP-90X which I've found to have a really nice action (very solid and robust with great key feel) and also works very well as a midi controller (good thing too, b/c the onboard sounds are frankly terrible).

I upgraded from a Kawai MP-10 (with a similar action to the VPC-1) to a Roland FP90 and never looked back.

Thanks again for the answers.

Okay, so I tried the 515 in a store a long time ago and I actually have very good memories of it, it felt pretty good, but I only played one or two pieces on it, i.e., not representable for normal musical situations. Didn't realize that 525 is out, sounds interesting, yeah.

About velocity curves, I just change them in my DAW, it's very easy.

Studiologic I bought some years ago but had to send back, think it was sl88. Maybe I just had a bad day but I remember being disappointed with the way the action behaved. Should tried everything with the curves, maybe I decided too quickly, don't know.

I bought my vpc1 few years ago for about 1.3k€ (new). For 2.2k$ I think I wouldn't have bought. I understand some context now! For me vpc1 was always like the best option for about 1k. But if it's 2k or even more, everything changes.

Again, I'm really pleased with the vpc1+Garritan combination, and I couldn't even think of how an improvement would look like, because I'm so used to it, but will check the Roland and Yamaha out.

jdg78 Current top contender is the Roland FP-90X which I've found to have a really nice action (very solid and robust with great key feel) and also works very well as a midi controller (good thing too, b/c the onboard sounds are frankly terrible).

My experience exactly. Great controller with terrible onboard sounds. As a controller it's better than any Yamaha I've owed even the N1X. I'm simply referring to the ability to reach all velocity levels and control dynamics. Of course this is based on my crude and undeveloped ability, but the ability to reach the full spectrum and "easily" control the lower velocities is more objective than subjective.

God Bless,
David

I just checked, here in Austria the p525 is over 2.1k$ (converted). Yikes!

David B That sounds really good. Thanks for your view on this!

David B

So rude, you are!😒

I see an offer for the fp90, 1k and almost new. Is that good?

Gamma1734 I see an offer for the fp90, 1k and almost new. Is that good?

It’s the same design and action as the FP90x. However, it lacks USB-audio and when using it as a controller that’s a neat feature to have.

Gamma1734 Didn't realize that 525 is out, sounds interesting, yeah.

Somebody said a few things about the P-525 here --- LINK

Hello,

@Gamma1734 ,

I do understand curiosity -- it gets to me all the time.

However a significant question arises: If you're so All Ok piano-wise as it is already, then: why change the winning team?

Cheers and happy curiosity,

HZ

PS In any case thanks for opening an interesting thread!

HZPiano Ah, would of course try out and see if I notice considerable improvements first, that is clear. Also having speakers at all would be already quite an improvement for me at this point. I just wanna jam and sit down sometimes, not open everything up and have something on my head.

Having been the owner of VPC-1 for several years now, I can tell you that before purchasing this device looked very attractive due to its wooden keys and minimalist design. Even now I like the lack of annoying extra keys, extra holes, etc. But in practice, it turned out that when playing for a long time, the mechanism of the instrument causes your hands to get tired. Also, after playing the VPC-1, you will lose the lightness, flight and tenderness of the touch if you have to play on a live instrument. After VPC-1 on a live keyboard, you will roughly hit the keys. But if you only play on VPC, you can get used to it. But still, a fast, easy and flying game is not about this instrument. And there is a possibility of getting hand disease.

johanibraaten It’s the same design and action as the FP90x. However, it lacks USB-audio and when using it as a controller that’s a neat feature to have.

Yeah, the FP-90X includes an onboard USB audio interface, which is a huge plus if you plan to use it as a MIDI controller, and another one of its primary selling points for me.

The older FP-90 doesn't include USB audio, so I would definitely go for the updated version if you can.