Grand Feel Compact as MIDI controller -- Kawai CA49/CA59/CA48/CA58

HZPiano

Hello all,

I'm still on an intermittent quest to "up my action" for MIDI use with Modern U and perhaps a future VSTi or two.

During two recent store visits I found that I rather liked Grand Feel Compact -- which was a surprise because a few months ago I didn't like that action much at all. But, currently, I feel I may even prefer it over the VPC1 (RM3 Grand II).

Do any of us have actual experience with using a Kawai CA49/CA59/CA48/CA58 as a MIDI controller with one or more decent piano VSTis? What are your findings?

I'm quite curious to hear, so thanks!

Cheers and happy VSTi controlling,

PS The trigger for these recent store visit trips was an occasion MP11 that I wanted to check out. However it reconfirmed that Grand Feel (I) is not for me. I do like Grand Feel III (so I might like GFII as well?) but instruments featuring this action are out of my budget.

Del Vento

HZPiano PS The trigger for these recent store visit trips was an occasion MP11 that I wanted to check out. However it reconfirmed that Grand Feel (I) is not for me. I do like Grand Feel III (so I might like GFII as well?) but instruments featuring this action are out of my budget.

I owned a CA750 long ago that I liked at the time. I tried a CA63 (IIRC) at the store and I did not find it much better, so I stick with the CA750 until I got the NU1. I did not do virtual instruments back in the day. I mean, I wanted to (in fact I bought a MIDI-to-USB converter which I still have) but I never got to finalize all the setup before the instrument went. I did it with the NU1, but I digress….

Bottom line: some people might like the GFC as a MIDI controller, and some others might not. but only you trying (and trying and trying) can find what you think and if it's adequate for you.

HZPiano

Hello,

Del Vento only you trying (and trying and trying) can find what you think and if it's adequate for you.

Thanks for sharing. Utterly true! And yes indeed, I've been trying quite a bit lately and find choosing and decision making hard -- my not-so-easy personal situation making this even more complex.

Ralphiano distance from the player's end of the key to the pivot point is longer on the GFC than on the RM3 II action.

It is indeed, by about 2 cm. and that certainly is noticeable in playing -- contributing to a somewhat lighter/easier feel. Grand Feel I/II/III add another ~2 cm. and that is quite noticeable as well. It is indeed one of the aspects that I seem to like in GFC.

eddiepiano although I liked the feel (similar to the RM3G2 in the VPC1, a bit lighter and "fluffier".

Yes, the fluffiness is noticeable and an aspect that I am less fond about. Fluffiness is something that has been improved upon in Grand Feel III.

Thanks for linking that video. I have seen it before at some time, and although I am under the impression that the lady doesn't really comprehend the workings of some aspects of digital pianos -- rendering some of her remarks a tad silly -- I did notice the 'dead spots' on the several GFCs that I tried out. On the other hand, real acoustic pianos can be difficult to control in the low dynamics just like that.

I can confirm the consistency of velocity control in your/my PHA4 Standard action. It is really neat in that regard. Yet I think either the VPC1 (and I am aware of your unfortunate adventures there) or something like the Grand Feel Compact could be a welcome next step for me action-wise.

Cheers and happy thanks for everyone's responses,

Ralphiano

I do not have the personal experience with these models you ask for.

But I notice that the distance from the player's end of the key to the pivot point is longer on the GFC than on the RM3 II action. I concluded this by using Kawai's photos of the two actions, making the action images the same size, and then comparing. So, I would anticipate that the GFC might require the pianist to pass through fewer degrees of key travel around its pivot than does the RM3 II. I would see this as a positive attribute of the GFC.

eddiepiano

Hey @HZPiano! I also looked at these models at one point, and although I liked the feel (similar to the RM3G2 in the VPC1, a bit lighter and "fluffier". maybe to the slightly increased pivot length), I found them rather unsatisfactory as MIDI-Controller. They suffer from the same problems as the other wooden Kawai DP actions: inconsistency between the keys is too high compared to Yamaha/Roland DP or Kawai DP with plastic actions (or good acoustic pianos) and not consistent reproducable very low pp/ppp MIDI values. And while this can be fixed easily on an (quality) acoustic piano with voicing and regulation by any piano technician I want my DP to be consistent at least when I buy it.

This video might interest you too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqzgVHv_D7U

And someones comment below that agrees with these and my impressions:

I have found these dead spots to be prevalent in my new kawai ca78 too unfortunately (with grand feel 2 action). The minimum force required to produce sound in extremely inconsistent and makes playing/practising passages below mp in dynamics pretty much impossible as you will get many silent notes. Shame really, because at higher dynamics the action feels very close to a grand piano, but I'm currently considering either replacing this unit or getting a yamaha clp645 or casio gp300 instead.

IMO: Not worth the upgrade from the PHA-IV.