Thanks for recording this! Your set-up is very similar to mine. I've tried dozens of different piano VST's and the one I think is the best is the Ivory American D - the same one you use. I find it's just about perfect. For my digital keyboard, I used to use the Kawai MP11SE, but now I use the Casio GP-310. I used to think Casio's pianos were toy instruments, but the GP-310 made me a believer. It's a hybrid grand action, and while slightly heavier than the Kawai, it doesn't try to simulate the let-off like the VPC1 does, so I find it has a higher repetition rate.
Hello, thanks for your comment. Did you also try the CASIO Privia PX-S7000? Since 2007 I play my YAMAHA P140 Stage piano but now I'm about to update my piano.
Roland top series have a sensitive pedal. I can slowly phase out the sound. And you change the heaviness of the keyboard. Really great thing. You can plug it to a computer like you do but they have Piano designer to make the piano sound like you want in a room like you want. I love it.
I think the ease of recording that you comment on is a huge advantage. I have a Yamaha yus3, a Rode mic and Steinberg interface, so not rubbish, but it’s so difficult to get a good representation of the actual sound in your living room !
I would recommend the Ravenscroft 275 with the Kawaii VPC1. I've heard some say they find the tone a little too bright or metallic though it's personal preference. I came from using the Ivory 2 also and enjoy this one more. Though I've not yet tried the Ivory 3. Interestingly Ravenscroft also make customised VPC1s where they fine tune the action and adjust it perfectly for their Ravenscroft 275 VST though it comes at a very hefty price.
I have the same keyboard Kawai VPC1, since 2015 in combination with Pianoteq software (highly recommended) and studio monitors, and Presonus Audiobox. I sold my August Foerster 2.15 grand, great value for money, but I should never have bought a grand piano that gets out of tune relatively fast and takes too much space, and needs a bigger room for full potential. I don't find the VPC1 keyboard have a heavy action, but I had to get used that touching the keybed was more direct than on my grand. Anyway have a look at pianoteq software; each tone and interaction is physically calculated and is superior than a recorded tone. I never want a grand again as I have a collection of various instruments to choose from. Forgot to mention, even the harmonic pedal is modeled.
No worries, that’s coming up! I finished recording number five, but I still need to get a good take of number six-hopefully that’ll be coming up in the next week or two.
Cole, your videos always seem to speak to me. 1 year ago I sold my 46" acoustic upright that I've had for 40 years. It was like losing my baby. I was getting complaints from neighbors practicing. I hate to have people listen to me practice anyway. So I bought Kawaii CA 49. I had high hopes. After playing it for a year I am mostly happy. Practicing with headphones is a revelation! I am practicing much more now and enjoying the process. It has the grand feel compact action. It doesn't respond like an acoustic. It's ok but it takes getting used to. The responsiveness isn't as good. I'm probably being picky. I was wondering if you have played a Kawaii CA 49? If so any opinion? I get the impression that the action on your piano is just fine for the advanced pieces you are playing. Can you comment on your piano action compared to an acoustic for advanced pieces? Thanks.
I have not played the CA 49, so I am afraid I couldn’t comment on that. The action of the VPC1 is very slightly different in feel to an acoustic instrument, but I find that it sets me up marvelously for playing on an acoustic instrument. There are a certain things which are easier on an acoustic instrument. For instance, when you use the pedal on an acoustic piano the action becomes very slightly lighter. This of course does not occur when using an electric. So you don’t get that little extra edge which you might get in music with a lot of pedaling. But I actually like that because I feel that it strengthen my fingers in these sorts of passages and I actually have to do less no-pedal practice. The one thing that I always do have to adjust to when using an acoustic instrument is the greater degree of subtlety I get in the pedal. But as long as I’m playing on an acoustic instrument occasionally I don’t find that to be a huge drawback. Certainly if you are wanting to experiment with very detailed pedal effects, you would probably need to have an acoustic instrument for that kind of experimentation.
Thanks for this. I always wondered what kind of keyboard you used. Would you happen to have any recommendations for a high quality digital keyboard with real actions and a lighter touch? I have a Casio that I bought years ago when I moved away for college, but I hardly play it anymore because I believe I've grown out of it. Also, does your Kawai VPC need to have a computer connected to it at all times? Or just to upload audio packs and what-not?
Yes, I played on a Roland before (in fact, I even made some recordings on it for this channel during one summer), and I found that I really liked that piano as far as the action goes. It was even nicer than the Yamahas that I tried. I can’t remember the exact model-I think it might’ve been in the FP series. But I think it’s hard to go wrong with Roland. They make really good instruments. Yes, to use the Kawai you do need to be connected to a computer using a USB cable. it is a drawback because I know that a lot of newer pianos have Bluetooth connections that you can use to connect to a computer-the Roland did. More standard electronic pianos have built in sound libraries as well, but they aren’t quite as nice as virtual instruments to my ear-but you can connect almost any electronic piano to your computer and go through a virtual instrument.
Thank you for this! I was wondering about vpc1, and your insights are convincing me to get one. Just a quick question (since technology isn't my thing at all..), in order to use headphones, do you need an audio interface that is connected to the computer? I'm guessing you can connect the keyboard directly to the computer through MIDI cable? Could we also connect a headphone directly to the computer?
Yes, it’s a good question, I didn’t talk about my digital audio workstation (DAW). You can use basically any DAW and you’ll be able to connect your headphones directly to your computer. You don’t need a separate audio interface. I use waveform (the free version), which does everything that I need, but there are others, of course. I think most virtual instruments also have a standalone program you can use as well- Ivory has that for sure. So it doesn’t actually require you to have a DAW just to practice, but you would need a DAW to record.
@@TheIndependentPianist Thank you so much! I cannot find a single video of someone setting up or explaining how to practice on vpc1, so this is very helpful. So I guess the only thing I need is a MIDI cord to hook up vpc1 to my computer and I'd be set!
Another advantage of a digital piano is that you can clean up any mistakes in your recordings in post editing, as well as layering in additional instrumentation (such as strings) to complement the piano.
@@TheIndependentPianist I suppose it depends on the goal of the recording. If the goal of the recording is to display the artist’s skill, that might be seen as “cheating”, but if the goal is to produce the best sounding performance for the listener, it seems permissible. As I understand it Gould’s famous second recordings of Goldberg Variations were considerably spliced. Being a perfectionist he recorded several takes of each piece and had his best performance in the various sections pieced together to produce the best overall sounding performance (and I suspect to edit out his vocalizations :) ).
Thanks for recording this! Your set-up is very similar to mine. I've tried dozens of different piano VST's and the one I think is the best is the Ivory American D - the same one you use. I find it's just about perfect. For my digital keyboard, I used to use the Kawai MP11SE, but now I use the Casio GP-310. I used to think Casio's pianos were toy instruments, but the GP-310 made me a believer. It's a hybrid grand action, and while slightly heavier than the Kawai, it doesn't try to simulate the let-off like the VPC1 does, so I find it has a higher repetition rate.
Hello, thanks for your comment. Did you also try the CASIO Privia PX-S7000? Since 2007 I play my YAMAHA P140 Stage piano but now I'm about to update my piano.
Roland top series have a sensitive pedal. I can slowly phase out the sound. And you change the heaviness of the keyboard. Really great thing. You can plug it to a computer like you do but they have Piano designer to make the piano sound like you want in a room like you want. I love it.
Very interesting! I really liked Roland when I got to play on one for a while. I’ll need to take a look at them again sometime.
I think the ease of recording that you comment on is a huge advantage.
I have a Yamaha yus3, a Rode mic and Steinberg interface, so not rubbish, but it’s so difficult to get a good representation of the actual sound in your living room !
That does sound like a good set up! But getting the space to sound just right can be very tricky, I know.
I would recommend the Ravenscroft 275 with the Kawaii VPC1. I've heard some say they find the tone a little too bright or metallic though it's personal preference. I came from using the Ivory 2 also and enjoy this one more. Though I've not yet tried the Ivory 3.
Interestingly Ravenscroft also make customised VPC1s where they fine tune the action and adjust it perfectly for their Ravenscroft 275 VST though it comes at a very hefty price.
I have the same keyboard Kawai VPC1, since 2015 in combination with Pianoteq software (highly recommended) and studio monitors, and Presonus Audiobox. I sold my August Foerster 2.15 grand, great value for money, but I should never have bought a grand piano that gets out of tune relatively fast and takes too much space, and needs a bigger room for full potential.
I don't find the VPC1 keyboard have a heavy action, but I had to get used that touching the keybed was more direct than on my grand. Anyway have a look at pianoteq software; each tone and interaction is physically calculated and is superior than a recorded tone. I never want a grand again as I have a collection of various instruments to choose from.
Forgot to mention, even the harmonic pedal is modeled.
is the Brahms intermezzo analysis on hold? I was looking forward to the analysis of op 118 no 5 and 6 (and perhaps 119 as well)
No worries, that’s coming up! I finished recording number five, but I still need to get a good take of number six-hopefully that’ll be coming up in the next week or two.
So do you recommend practicing on heavier keyboard pianos ?
Cole, your videos always seem to speak to me. 1 year ago I sold my 46" acoustic upright that I've had for 40 years. It was like losing my baby. I was getting complaints from neighbors practicing. I hate to have people listen to me practice anyway. So I bought Kawaii CA 49. I had high hopes. After playing it for a year I am mostly happy. Practicing with headphones is a revelation! I am practicing much more now and enjoying the process.
It has the grand feel compact action. It doesn't respond like an acoustic. It's ok but it takes getting used to. The responsiveness isn't as good. I'm probably being picky. I was wondering if you have played a Kawaii CA 49? If so any opinion?
I get the impression that the action on your piano is just fine for the advanced pieces you are playing. Can you comment on your piano action compared to an acoustic for advanced pieces? Thanks.
I have not played the CA 49, so I am afraid I couldn’t comment on that. The action of the VPC1 is very slightly different in feel to an acoustic instrument, but I find that it sets me up marvelously for playing on an acoustic instrument. There are a certain things which are easier on an acoustic instrument. For instance, when you use the pedal on an acoustic piano the action becomes very slightly lighter. This of course does not occur when using an electric. So you don’t get that little extra edge which you might get in music with a lot of pedaling. But I actually like that because I feel that it strengthen my fingers in these sorts of passages and I actually have to do less no-pedal practice. The one thing that I always do have to adjust to when using an acoustic instrument is the greater degree of subtlety I get in the pedal. But as long as I’m playing on an acoustic instrument occasionally I don’t find that to be a huge drawback. Certainly if you are wanting to experiment with very detailed pedal effects, you would probably need to have an acoustic instrument for that kind of experimentation.
@@TheIndependentPianist Thank You for responding!
Thanks for this. I always wondered what kind of keyboard you used. Would you happen to have any recommendations for a high quality digital keyboard with real actions and a lighter touch? I have a Casio that I bought years ago when I moved away for college, but I hardly play it anymore because I believe I've grown out of it.
Also, does your Kawai VPC need to have a computer connected to it at all times? Or just to upload audio packs and what-not?
Yes, I played on a Roland before (in fact, I even made some recordings on it for this channel during one summer), and I found that I really liked that piano as far as the action goes. It was even nicer than the Yamahas that I tried. I can’t remember the exact model-I think it might’ve been in the FP series. But I think it’s hard to go wrong with Roland. They make really good instruments. Yes, to use the Kawai you do need to be connected to a computer using a USB cable. it is a drawback because I know that a lot of newer pianos have Bluetooth connections that you can use to connect to a computer-the Roland did. More standard electronic pianos have built in sound libraries as well, but they aren’t quite as nice as virtual instruments to my ear-but you can connect almost any electronic piano to your computer and go through a virtual instrument.
Thank you for this! I was wondering about vpc1, and your insights are convincing me to get one. Just a quick question (since technology isn't my thing at all..), in order to use headphones, do you need an audio interface that is connected to the computer? I'm guessing you can connect the keyboard directly to the computer through MIDI cable? Could we also connect a headphone directly to the computer?
Yes, it’s a good question, I didn’t talk about my digital audio workstation (DAW). You can use basically any DAW and you’ll be able to connect your headphones directly to your computer. You don’t need a separate audio interface. I use waveform (the free version), which does everything that I need, but there are others, of course. I think most virtual instruments also have a standalone program you can use as well- Ivory has that for sure. So it doesn’t actually require you to have a DAW just to practice, but you would need a DAW to record.
@@TheIndependentPianist Thank you so much! I cannot find a single video of someone setting up or explaining how to practice on vpc1, so this is very helpful. So I guess the only thing I need is a MIDI cord to hook up vpc1 to my computer and I'd be set!
Another advantage of a digital piano is that you can clean up any mistakes in your recordings in post editing, as well as layering in additional instrumentation (such as strings) to complement the piano.
That’s quite right, although I avoid cleaning up mistakes for my video performances-it would be way too obvious apart from anything else!
@@TheIndependentPianist
I suppose it depends on the goal of the recording.
If the goal of the recording is to display the artist’s skill, that might be seen as “cheating”, but if the goal is to produce the best sounding performance for the listener, it seems permissible.
As I understand it Gould’s famous second recordings of Goldberg Variations were considerably spliced. Being a perfectionist he recorded several takes of each piece and had his best performance in the various sections pieced together to produce the best overall sounding performance (and I suspect to edit out his vocalizations :) ).
Unlike yours, Kawai hybrid pianos really duplicate the physical action of an acoustic piano. Everything except the string. Novus NV10 and NV5.