Last edited:
I got one yesterday. After years of using a Yamaha CP-33. I will say that I prefer the keybed on the Yamaha, but I find the NI keybed plenty usable. It was a valid trade off for the integration and control options for me. I am no great pianist, but the velocity curves are decent, and I don't have trouble getting what I intend into the DAW with this keybed. The other controls and wheels feel solid, the screens are useful, the DAW integration with Cubase 9.5 required no setup, it just works. My biggest issue was getting the old Yamaha FC3 sustain pedal working since it is a continuous control instead of just a switch, but even that is working perfectly now. While I would certainly pay more for a better keybed, it wasn't an option, and I find this a decent enough option that as a whole the controller is a massive upgrade. Walking into a store and feeling the keybed is one thing, but hooking it up to your system and seeing how it fits into your workflow is something else, perhaps others will find the tradeoff worth while as well.
That's awful.
I got one yesterday. After years of using a Yamaha CP-33. I will say that I prefer the keybed on the Yamaha, but I find the NI keybed plenty usable. It was a valid trade off for the integration and control options for me. I am no great pianist, but the velocity curves are decent, and I don't have trouble getting what I intend into the DAW with this keybed. The other controls and wheels feel solid, the screens are useful, the DAW integration with Cubase 9.5 required no setup, it just works. My biggest issue was getting the old Yamaha FC3 sustain pedal working since it is a continuous control instead of just a switch, but even that is working perfectly now. While I would certainly pay more for a better keybed, it wasn't an option, and I find this a decent enough option that as a whole the controller is a massive upgrade. Walking into a store and feeling the keybed is one thing, but hooking it up to your system and seeing how it fits into your workflow is something else, perhaps others will find the tradeoff worth while as well.
I got one yesterday. After years of using a Yamaha CP-33. I will say that I prefer the keybed on the Yamaha, but I find the NI keybed plenty usable. It was a valid trade off for the integration and control options for me. I am no great pianist, but the velocity curves are decent, and I don't have trouble getting what I intend into the DAW with this keybed. The other controls and wheels feel solid, the screens are useful, the DAW integration with Cubase 9.5 required no setup, it just works. My biggest issue was getting the old Yamaha FC3 sustain pedal working since it is a continuous control instead of just a switch, but even that is working perfectly now. While I would certainly pay more for a better keybed, it wasn't an option, and I find this a decent enough option that as a whole the controller is a massive upgrade. Walking into a store and feeling the keybed is one thing, but hooking it up to your system and seeing how it fits into your workflow is something else, perhaps others will find the tradeoff worth while as well.
Yeah -- I've read some other posts about this.
Do you find that entering in fast things like drums or synth parts is handled well by it? That's my biggest concern since it felt heavy and spongy when I tried it.
Was curious about the screen - did it seem gimmicky (i feel like i'd still be looking at my PC screen) or did it fit well in the workflow. Guess im wondering if this is worth looking at vs another controller/DP. the big thing here would be komplete integration, but i just don't know if it's worth the premium. I do appreciate that they improved DAW control though.
Do you find that entering in fast things like drums or synth parts is handled well by it? That's my biggest concern since it felt heavy and spongy when I tried it.
I don't think weighted piano keyboards are good for these things, in general.
If it's a good piano keybed, with triple sensors, it's absolutely not a problem to do drum stuff on them.
If it's a good piano keybed, with triple sensors, it's absolutely not a problem to do drum stuff on them.
There's a third sensor in between the usual two that are used for detecting velocity. That one allows redetecting velocity before the key is fully up, essentially emulating escapement of actual piano actions.
IIRC Doepfer doesn't have these (but you can special order most anything with them, including Fatar actions that do have triple sensor, like TP40WOOD). Various Rolands have this, VPC1 for sure, Casio PX5-S, etc...
I don't think weighted piano keyboards are good for these things, in general. Synth keyboards are much faster, and drum pads are always better for drumming. Playing one note with two fingers on a keyboard is always kind of awkward (even though there are people who have mastered it).
The actual advantage to the weight in a weighted keyboard is to better handle dynamics with velocity.
If only they weren't fuck ugly.
Might just get drunk and let the booze make the decision because choosing the right one has got exhausting.
Careful with that strategy Luke. I did that twice selling Cubase Pro, once I was convinced that Ableton Live was for me, another time to go to Reaper. I lost so much money on those transactions, drunkin dreams (saving right now to buy Cubase for the 3rd time!!!)...
IIRC Doepfer doesn't have these (but you can special order most anything with them, including Fatar actions that do have triple sensor, like TP40WOOD).