Kawai VPC1 Owner's Club

EB5AGV

Well, I began this topic on the other site and, right now, IMHO the VPC1 is still a premium controller, unique in several ways and which deserves its own thread.

This is my current setup using it:

Tyr

EB5AGV

Pressing one key:

Yotata

EB5AGV I found a guy, selling a vpc1, may I ask, is this action style (Rm3 grand) any good for solid piano workout? Or, let's say, one has a gig on an acoustic grand or upright the next day, would you recomend technical prepararion on a vpc1 Kawai?

Monoch

I admire your setup, although something I have always wondered about these type of setups: when I play the piano, I do so mostly for relaxation and taking my mind off other things. An elaborate setup like that, with all the bells & whistles and computers and screens would make me nervous and be a detriment to the reason why I play. That is why I would always prefer an “all in one piano device”, whether that be an acoustic or DP.

Obviously if you use your piano for music production or any sort of DAW processing a setup like this is required. So my question is mainly for people who use a similar setup solely for playing piano: why do you prefer such a setup over a single (digital) piano? It looks like the total cost of your setup could also easily buy a decent acoustic or hybrid piano.

And I know it’s off-topic for your thread, but thankfully I won’t be banned for that 😉

efrolich

Monoch I consider a setup just as a piano. I live in a tiny house so a good digital piano with this kind of action is not an option for me. The MP 11 has lots of not so needed extra's Ad cost double the money I think…

Del Vento

I like that setup if that is what someone needs/do. I personally don't need/do that kind of stuff though.

Monoch That is why I would always prefer an “all in one piano device”

In fact I personally agree.

David B

Cool setup. Looks like a nice space for creativity.

God Bless,
David

MacMacMac

Wow!
Double-decker monitors.
All your auxiliary equipment right up front where you can reach them easily.
And yet there's still room for a proper music desk.

Very nice.

mmatthew

I think you can leave the "IMHO" out of your first line. Within the DP world, I cannot think of any other product with virtually no competition.

Inspiring, disciplined setup Jose! I don't remember seeing this picture on PW before - thanks for sharing.

EB5AGV

Tyr I adore that film and that scene 🤩

HZPiano

Tyr Pressing one key:

Now that I have a few less subtle VSTi's than Modern U (which I created a four-channel six-speaker 'upright' audio system for) this is how I can now feel at my more expressive moments too…

😬 😁

Cheers and let's have a blast in 2022,

HZPiano

EB5AGV adore that scene

Same here 😂.

Great music just blows us away.

HZPiano

Yotata let's say, one has a gig on an acoustic grand or upright the next day, would you recomend technical prepararion on a vpc1 Kawai?

Hello,

David Lai seriously studies and plays piano, and does much of his practising on the VPC1:

https://youtu.be/lu07TyVnSrg

https://youtu.be/vqvO6j1-hxo

Cheers and happy decision making,

MrGr

Yotata I think it's good for general practice. You don't want the best keyboard for practice, generally speaking. If you mean preparation as in preparing to perform on a specific piano, it's unlikely a good replacement because nothing is. Every piano plays a bit differently…. personally, I don't like the VPC-1. It's a (expensive) cheap compromise with a key geometry similar to the worst keyboards. Just my opinion though. I prefer the MP11SE - acceptable price region, comparatively decent keyboard. However, both units share one issue: you better have other people + transporter around so you can carry it to a repairshop if needed. Also, those repairshops usually are electronics repair shops and don't have a clue about pianos, though that's probably not different for full form cabinet DPs with home service - unless you get the really expensive hybrid ones I guess. They also have contact rubbers, and I never have seen a single unit that had an overall good (ie consistent) velocity response using contact rubber. There ALWAYS were bumps/noticeable differences between keys.

Yotata

HZPiano thank you very much😊

Gamma1734

HZPiano Very interesting. Thanks for that

HZPiano

@EB5AGV

EB5AGV wrote
Hi Matt,

Perhaps you have already said it but, which VSTs do you use with the VPC1?. It really shines with some, as the VSL Synchron Pianos or the VI Labs Modern U, to give some examples.

Jose

Hey Jose,

I've been meaning to ask, but can't find if I actually did 🤦.

Could you please elaborate on VPC1+Modern U? How well do they shine together? What curve setting do you use on the VPC1 side, and what velocity and gain curves/settings within Modern U?

Particularly interesting because you play a real U3 👍 so are quite knowledgeable. (By the way last week I played a real U3H for the first time, and immediately was at home sound-wise. Great resemblance 🎶).

Cheers and Thanks,

EB5AGV

HZPiano Hey Jose,

I've been meaning to ask, but can't find if I actually did 🤦.

Could you please elaborate on VPC1+Modern U? How well do they shine together? What curve setting do you use on the VPC1 side, and what velocity and gain curves/settings within Modern U?

Particularly interesting because you play a real U3 👍 so are quite knowledgeable. (By the way last week I played a real U3H for the first time, and immediately was at home sound-wise. Great resemblance 🎶).

Cheers and Thanks,

HZ

Oops!. Someway I missed this. Well, there is no big secret: Modern U set in Default and VPC1 in Heavy. For me is good enough, because I tend to think on any VST as a different piano. That is very useful, as when I have had the chance to play any random acoustic piano or keyboard, I get used to it fastly. So I am not dependent of an exact setting which resembles my U3H nor any other piano.

Jose

HZPiano

EB5AGV Modern U set in Default and VPC1 in Heavy

Great, thanks! I'm curious what made you choose Heavy instead of linear (or whatever the most standard curve on the VPC1 is called).

I was/am eyeing a used VPC1 in good nick not too far from my home but probably won't get my budget to match it 😭.

Luckily my FP-10 still controls my Modern U nicely too, at the linear/default touch setting. Since this week and from my recent U3H experience, I've got the MIDI and gain curves in Modern U back to default as well, and my amplifiers a few percent louder. The whole playing experience is livelier this way 😋.

Cheers and 🎶,

H💤