OlivierW
OlivierW And the irony is that these high-priced hybrids from Kawai actually simulate worse MIDI behavior than their own cheaper conventional digitals. For instruments costing this much, that’s really hard to justify
CyberGene It’s subtle, not crucial unless you play seriously and want effects like finger legato or short accentuated staccato. However, paying a premium makes people expect all the nuances of a real piano.
You both hit the nail on the head with this. The price of these models are so sky high that one would expect top tier performance and capability in every aspect of their design, especially as regards their digital functions. For most people these models are a major investment and in my estimation they should be viable instruments for at least a couple of decades before having to consider upgrading. At this price point, a well maintained second-hand acoustic piano would of be a better long term investment, but only if your living conditions allow for that. After all perhaps the greatest advantage of a hybrid instrument is the ability to play with headphones while practicing on an action that is in most regards indistinguishable from an acoustic.
Now while I'm sure neither Yamaha nor Kawai prioritizes VST users with their hybrid models, preferring to design and market them for people looking for an all-in-one, just turn it on and play solution, the inclusion of USB audio and midi interfaces on these models would suggest that they are at least partially designed to be used as midi controllers. As such I don't understand why they would handicap the midi capabilities of their top end digital models. Yamaha definitely is better in this regard.
In my estimation the authenticity of tone and playability in the best piano VSTs far surpass anything the major digital piano manufacturers have come up with in recent years and unless these new models can match that experience I don't see the point of using their internal sound engines. I'm rather intrigued by the Vidal 88 key piano controller, but given it's relatively high price I would like to see some future proofing in the form of eventual midi 2.0 upgradability.
In the meantime I'll keep plugging along with the PHA-4 action on my $600 frp-Nuvola from Costco until something appealing comes along. It's a great, accurate controller but man does it get fatiguing after extended practice sessions. But that's why we have Physical Therapists right? Right????
