FLKeys Lachnit MK23

porco_rosso · 2021-11-16T09:39:44+00:00

Hello, in the search for an upgrade for my Roland FP-30 I stumbled over the MIDI Controller Lachnit MK23 from FLKeys, Vienna. It's a small manufacturer founded and led by Friedrich Lachnit, a former Bösendorfer concert technician and after that the former head of their piano electronics department who led the CEUS Bösendorfer project. They use the Fatar TP/40Wood action as their base, refurbish the key surfaces and regulate it key for key according to concert grand guidelines and use a non-contact light sensor technology instead of rubber contacts resulting in a seemingly unparalleled MIDI accuracy, supporting also Hi-Res MIDI (up to 4096 steps). There a different knobs for changing the touch curves and dynamics without ever reducing the full MIDI range, the full range is always retained. In addition there is a three-way pedal that also uses continuous touchless light sensors. One can see perform the great Stefan Mendl on the Lachnit (probably the MK22 Imperial Version with the extra base keys) on this Video presenting the VSL Synchron Steinway: I find this very interesting as my main critic point to the Kawai VPC1 and Kawai MP11SE is not the feeling of the action itself - the GF1 especially feels very authentic for a digital piano action. It's the insufficient MIDI accuracy and reliability as well as range. As documented in various postings in german and english speaking forums the MP11(SE) does not send MIDI values under 25/30, which resulted in expressive restrictions in the < p range for me when using to virtual instruments like Pianoteq, which I could not really fix with velocity curve edits. It results in a more obvious feeling of playing a digital instruments that can not handle my input the way it was supposed to. Thats where my Roland FP30 is very good, especially regarding its price: It uses the whole MIDI velocity 0 - 127 range very reliably and I found it in that way more expressive allowing for more controlled nuances and color (closer to an good acoustic instrument) than the Kawai action. But the Roland action itself is not perfect, thats where the Kawais are better: The Roland is a bit sluggish and slow, not as smooth and it's more difficult to accelerate the hammers above the let-off (difficult to describe, bot on an acoustic piano you can "throw" the hammer using your acceleration before your finger reaches the ground if necessary - thats way better simulated in the GF1 for example). For example playing the black keys staccato in p/pp is too sluggish and difficult on the Roland compared to an acoustic piano action or the GF. So I think maybe the Lachnit MK23 would give me a faster, more responsive and direct superior playability compared to the FP-30 and an extremely accurate MIDI response vor very nuanced playing, especially combined with Pianoteq but also sample libraries with very many samples layers. But it's impossible to test the Lachnit and there is also not much information on the internet. There are some references (but some of them only in german) on their website in which people claim superiority to the VPC1 and even Yamaha GT/N1/2/3. But thats their website of course… There is also an interesting About and FAQ on their website. It's pretty costly. MK23 (3990€) + MIDI High Resolution CC#88 Dynamic resolution (198€) + pedal (264€) + transport to Germany (80 €) = at least 4532 €. But it's handcrafted in Austria with a seemingly high built quality and the components seem to be resourced in Austria and the EU only so the price seems justified, especially if the keyboard and MIDI is that good and works for, let's say, 20 years+. Does anybody of you has ever seen or played or heard anything additional of the Lachnit keyboards?

porco_rosso

Than the next question: Standard or Full Library for the 280VC / Blüthner (/Bösendorfer Upright)? So many decisions…

vagfilm

I am an absolute beginner, so my comments are more from a listener's perspective than from a player's. Garritan and Bluethner cost the same (the Bluethner slightly more because of the key and maybe computer upgrade, but the Garritan is not easy on resources also, particularly SSD). The Garritan records very well, and is safer to play; the VSL D274 is more lively and unforgiving: it forces me to get better at touch control, and I like that. I haven't used the Garritan in the last couple of weeks, and I don't think I will use it again other than for occasional rendering of midi files. But who knows?

I am a stubborn believer of "one piano fits all": I don't want to have one mellow piano for nocturnes, a D274 for Rachmaninov (Rach??? Who am I kidding???), a C7 for jazz (Jarrett??? Kidding again???)... I want a piano VST that can sound differently depending on touch alone (not even through presets) and I will have to learn how to extract different tones from it, just like I learnt to extract mellow, bright or aggressive tones from the same acoustic classical guitar.

If you particularly like the tone of the Bluethner (still not my cup of tea...), go for it. It sounds to me that it will give you a very good connection as a player more than as a listener: it does sound like a real piano is in front of you.

CyberGene

vagfilm I am a stubborn believer of "one piano fits all"

I also tend to seek such a piano and I think I've long ago found it in the Garritan CFX 🙂 I haven't compared it to many others. It just happened to be the second piano I tried (after Vintage D) and it worked perfectly.

vagfilm

CyberGene I also tend to seek such a piano and I think I've long ago found it in the Garritan CFX

I agree, and would be happy with the Garritan if there was nothing else. But the VSL pianos (and for me, the D274 uncontrallable beast that I need to tame) are great learning tools and a pleasure to listen to, and at this point I enjoy and need that extra challenge.

porco_rosso

Listening further to demos I really really like the VC 280 (so clear and clean and powerful, but not in that almost aggressive Steinway D sense, it's still more gentle), and as said the warm, lyrical Blüthner. I am not 100% sure about the Bösendorfer Upright - its almost to mellow, but for some pieces the highs are so amazing and delicate. And its so "cheap" for a VSL offering right now. 😅 The Modern U would offer another upright character.

I think I would prefer Garritan CFX to the VSL CFX/D/Imperial as the big hall concert grand.

porco_rosso

The sale is ending today and I haven't made up my mind… I have 2 questions, maybe you can help me:

If I buy it today, does the 14-day-return period starts today too? Or when I activate the product on my machine? Because I neither have the computer nor the Vienna Key right now.
Full Library of 280VC/Blüthner/BU for 785€ or Standard Library of all six pianos for 1035€…?

MHirsch

porco_rosso

Return policy is 14 days from the day of purchase
That, you’ll have to decide 😊 IMHO save money and time, invest the time into playing.

porco_rosso

Thanks! The 280VC, Blüthner and Bösendorfer Upright it is! The Refund policy is really great. I don't know if I would have invested so much in software pianos if it weren't for this.

vagfilm

During the 14 days, check if you really need the full mics. In my view, the only good advantage of the full mics is the ribbon close mic, but I am not willing to spend 200 euros for an additional close mic. The rest of the mics only add distance to the piano and bog down the computer: 1 close + 1 mid mic is the way to go for me.
If you are happy enough with condenser + decca, you can return the 3 full versions (or some of them) and get standard versions of some others.

porco_rosso

Thanks! Yes, the main reason for me to go for the full library vs. standard are the additional close tube mics as I prefer are more warm, intimate, full bodied sound for personal practicing and playing. I will check if it's worth the premium. 🙂

It seems that the HP 704 will arrive on Friday and the Vienna Key on Monday.

HZPiano

porco_rosso Vienna Key on Monday

I'm not sure until which day the VSL sale prices are available? (Those may end anytime (very) soon now?)

Are you?

Cheers and happy playing,

porco_rosso

The sale prices were available until yesterday and I bought the Vienna Key and the three beautiful pianos yesterday already, I just have to wait till Monday for the key to arrive here. 🙂

HZPiano

Ah, all is good then 🙂

Cheers and happy anticipation,

Mk4UmHa

This thread is pretty old, but I picked up the MK23 to use with Pianoteq back in 2020. Pianoteq VSL uses the CC#88 standard which is about 16000 MIDI levels. I do hear the differences from this VSL at 128 vs CC#88, It's amazing actually. The Fatar is totally reworked and feels more like a real concert grand keybed than it's original design.

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