Great demonstration, watching how easy it is to use and get the ideal sounds in seconds without having to go through and master a huge learning-curve is just what I need, thankyou.
Thanks for your positive comment. :) Love this keyboard but it was brand new... literally a video having "owned" it a couple of days. I'm sure there's so much more to get from her.
@@lukejuby I wish they had put sympathetic string resonance on this model - as mainly a pianist it was what I was looking for more than anything. At least they have kept the weight down :)
Why I bought the CP88 (long-winded review/statement) For my history, I have previously owned a Roland A90 Piano/Midi controller and a Yamaha Clavinova PF-100 (circa 1994) and I got incredible amount of use from both but due to personal changes in my life I thought it was time to upgrade since I haven’t had anything new for almost 25 years. Just so everyone knows, I am not biased with any company whatsoever. Fast forward to Nov/2018 where I purchased a Nord Piano 4. Absolutely LOVED the sound however, there was a huge issue with the keybed as it was making more noise than it should. To the point upon release of the keys the noise would resonate through my mic and through my L1 compact. Not acceptable. After many views UA-cam comparison videos and personal demoing in my local music stores I was undecided between the Korg Grandstage, Korg Kronos, Roland RD 2000, Yamaha CP4, Korg Krome nd the Roland FA-08. All great pianos/workstations so it was a matter of sound, versatility and of course the keybed. So, back in April I my local store had a CP88 so I jumped on. They had it running through a small Fender amp and even with that I got soooo sooo excited ….just as I did my Nord. So, when that excitement hits, instinctively I go with it. Plus, the keybed/action was just so soooo amazing that the decision was made there and then. So, traded in my Nord Piano 4 it in for my new love, the CP88. Unfortunately they only had the floor model so they gave me their floor model as a loaner until the new one came in. So, as far as sound. I will admit I am not as happy with the piano sounds themselves compared to the Nord but with some tweaking with the EQ I have got 3 amazing piano sounds that I am very very happy with. The CFX has this sort of tinny sound to it and I will admit I thought the CFX on the CP4 was a bit better. However, the Imperial, S700 and the upright U1 are truly amazing. A little tweaking and you can basically get a great sound out of it. The CP80/70 sample is definitely comparable to the Nord (which I use quite a bit in my set) so apart from the bug that’s going to b fixed this coming September it sounds absolutely incredible. The Wurlitzer (especially with April’s update) totally blows the Nord away. I am just so so happy with it as it really helps with my Supertramp/10cc tunes that I use in my setlist. The keybed, Well, it truly came down to the CP4, the RD2000 and the CP88. The CP4 was great for sure as was the RD2000 but after a number of jumps between the CP88 and the RD 2000 I found the RD was a little heavier than the CP88 and the CP4 was a little lighter so the CP88 was the perfect balance between the two. As weird as it sounds (no pun) I feel my playing has actually improved on the CP88. Songs that I had a hard time playing before (Tony Banks’ Lamb intro and Firth Of Fifth plus some blues scales for example) are coming much more easier. Weird how that works. Yes, there are only 57 sounds with the CP88 as opposed to the NP4 and yes you can load samples into the NP4 but I had to be practical within myself. I use Logic Pro X for a trillion sounds that I can trigger so for home use/editing/sequencing for backing tracks the limitation of the sounds in the CP88 is not limiting to me at all. Plus, one has to ask themselves……or myself…how many sounds does one actually need? I mean seriously…these are stage pianos. I usually get between 3-5 gigs per month and I do not use more than 4-5 sounds within my 40 song setlist. So it’s basically, Acoustic Piano, CP80, Wurli, Rhodes and a AP with a combined Ample Acoustic Guitar (triggered through my laptop) /Piano sounds. The rest are just icing on the cake. Ok, the other pianos may give you way more sounds but in all honesty, many of them are just different variations of the same sample, Don't let 1000 sounds fool you into thinking you're getting 1000 samples because you're not. Now, that’s just me and I can’t speak for anyone else’s needs as everyone has different needs and requirements. I also love the fact that I do not have to use my M-Audio interface anymore as the CP88 has a USB audio interface built in so with that and my upcoming purchase of a Yamaha MG10XU mixer (USB audio interface) going through my Bose L1 Compact system will be the perfect match for me. So this whole notion that CP88 blows this out of the water…or The RD2000 feels better or the Nord Pianos sound so much better is total nonsense. It is ALL down to personal taste for personal needs. I will say for price, keybed, versatility (again depending on your needs), sound and weight (yes I can actually carry the piano in my gig bag with one hand) the CP88 is hard to beat….but that’s just me. Finally, I will say buying a piano is actually worse than buying a house or a car. Very stressful at times and we always want to make the "right" purchase. Yes, you can watch a trillion UA-cam videos, read all of their comments, jump on the forums, get a a thousand different opinions and yes it helps but many times it can actually confuse you even more and also cause ulcers...LOL. It’s best to think of your own needs and try not to let anyone’s opinions (comments) sway you but your own. Cost/price aside there will ALWAYS be pluses and minuses to any of these pianos and if I had to do it all over again I would have waited until April this year before purchasing the Nord and maybe taken more time to study as it’s been 9-10 months to land to where I am now. I hope my experience/review will resonate with anyone who is undecided in purchasing the CP88 or any other piano for that matter. Now get out there and get a CP88!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You won’t regret it….LOL!!!
You'll just want speakers. Amplifiers (if you mean like a guitar amp etc. might colour the sound too much). Get powered ones so just a simple jack (or xlr) input and hey presto. The guys at Absolute have many to listen to.
Hi, did anyone notice how the master volume in the CP73/88 is extremely low and maybe knows how to change it? I've tried it with different headphones and speaker with essentially no difference
According to tradition, the organ and the harpsichord are not supposed to be touch sensitive or sustaining. But are they in this model? It is nice to know that, even though the primary function of the 88/73 is as a piano and not a synthesizer, the synthesizer sounds don’t sound as if they are just “extra baggage“.
Very good demo. But one thing that annoys me about some demo videos is recording the actual audio from the keyboard going through the PA or amp, and not through the direct record into the recording software... There is an audible and annoying delay (and room reverb) to the sound (not to mention annoying key and button noise), and it doesn't represent the actual instrument sound if we where demoing it ourselves through good headphones... How bloody hard is it to record the KBD direct line out and mix it with the rest of the demo audio...?? GEEZZZZ.....!
I was glad to hear what the output might sound like in an actual room. I've been watching every demo of the CP88 and have heard the direct sound over and over, but this is a useful comparison. I want to know how noisy the keys are, too. I actually wish more demos would do this in addition to direct sound. I doubt that is what they intended, but useful all the same.
Lovely keyboard. Tested it for about 3 hours. Really like control layout. What’s irritating to me is that the samples, pianos even the CFX ones, have a very short decay and sustain. Why Yamaha? Memory economics? The Kawai MP7’s and MP11’s have longer fuller decays and sustain, same with the Nord’s and even my Yamaha P-250. The sound have a great first strike initial sound but then just disappears rapidly. The tone is somewhat longer in the bass but super short from C3 or even lower. Own the MODX7 and as I said a P-250. So nothing against Yamaha per se. Liked the new Nord Grand Keybed (made by Kawai) and some of the sounds with all that extra sampledepth which you can modify. But don’t have 3000€ and think the CP has a better and more satisfying button layout and feel. But maybe the samples can be fixed in a future update. Have seen tons of reviews and none of the reviewers seem to hear this. It’s quite obvious though.
Does the Yamaha montage have these sounds already,? What about the Yamaha MODX or the Motif XF? Looks like a nice looking stage piano with a lot of cool features, but I wonder if these sounds can be founded on Montage, MODX or the classic Motif XF.
Hey Luke, the CFX sound on my CP73 sounds like it came out of a tin can when I use the stereo jack output but it sounds fine when I plug a headphone into the keyboard. Is that normal?
For my taste there are to much effects like reverb or overdrive there, espacially with the ep‘s. In such a video review i want to hear the raw samples that are not hidden behind a wall of reverb.
Every single promo for the CP88's Bosendorfer patch mentions that it's a $150k piano so don't try to pretend you just happened to think of it. -1 for saleswankermanship
I'm sorry this annoyed you so much Alan. It's sometimes hard to second guess what might trigger someone into writing a UA-cam comment although I am learning that it helps to forget most of the norms I have learned interacting with people in the real world. 😊 Few things to note. I said pounds, not dollars. Brexit hasn't devalued the pound that much as yet, but give us a month. We are trying our best. Also I did this in one take (💪🏼) so sometimes one has to try and remember things - I fully appreciate that this can be very annoying to those with perfect memories. You may also be surprised to hear that each person who reviewed this on the world wide web didn't get together in a big room beforehand and write a joint script. Unless of course there was a massive conspiracy and I was left off the invite list.... this may be worth some investigation on my part. Do you know where they met? Better not be the Caribbean. Do you think they had free buffets? This is getting slightly worrying. I was given nothing except the two lovely prototypes 🙄😢. But they really are lovely. Oh, also not a salesman. Doesn't mean I'm not a w***er though. That part is indeed open to interpretation. Your point has been taken onboard and I wish you every success in your future. Definitely go try one though! Don't know what the current price is but I could find out for you? P.S. I've given this comment a thumbs down so you don't have to. 😊
Music is subjective and this certainly isn't a performance, although I agree as reviewers go he's got a lot to learn - of which it's evident he is new at it. Be more encouraging and I am sure you'll see improvement. I am pro-Brexit, based in Japan and likely very different to him; but if we can find some accord, so can you. Elton John is awful. Don't ever use that as a counter to 'boring' again lol. Personal opinion but his work is utter rubbish. I'd actually prefer even this demo to that, as a 'performance'.
Not boring at all. I found his playing quite expressive and an excellent demo.
Great demonstration, watching how easy it is to use and get the ideal sounds in seconds without having to go through and master a huge learning-curve is just what I need, thankyou.
Best demo of the capabilities of the CP88 I've seen yet.
Thanks for your positive comment. :) Love this keyboard but it was brand new... literally a video having "owned" it a couple of days. I'm sure there's so much more to get from her.
@@lukejuby I wish they had put sympathetic string resonance on this model - as mainly a pianist it was what I was looking for more than anything. At least they have kept the weight down :)
That DX sound just takes me back to childhood.
Yup... 80's forever man... ;)
Best review of these wonderful instruments. Thanks!
Great demo brother, Very dynamic in terms of demoing the features. Only feedback I would give is the Keys making too much noise, cheers!
Why I bought the CP88 (long-winded review/statement)
For my history, I have previously owned a Roland A90 Piano/Midi controller and a Yamaha Clavinova PF-100 (circa 1994) and I got incredible amount of use from both but due to personal changes in my life I thought it was time to upgrade since I haven’t had anything new for almost 25 years.
Just so everyone knows, I am not biased with any company whatsoever.
Fast forward to Nov/2018 where I purchased a Nord Piano 4. Absolutely LOVED the sound however, there was a huge issue with the keybed as it was making more noise than it should. To the point upon release of the keys the noise would resonate through my mic and through my L1 compact. Not acceptable.
After many views UA-cam comparison videos and personal demoing in my local music stores I was undecided between the Korg Grandstage, Korg Kronos, Roland RD 2000, Yamaha CP4, Korg Krome nd the Roland FA-08.
All great pianos/workstations so it was a matter of sound, versatility and of course the keybed.
So, back in April I my local store had a CP88 so I jumped on. They had it running through a small Fender amp and even with that I got soooo sooo excited ….just as I did my Nord. So, when that excitement hits, instinctively I go with it. Plus, the keybed/action was just so soooo amazing that the decision was made there and then. So, traded in my Nord Piano 4 it in for my new love, the CP88. Unfortunately they only had the floor model so they gave me their floor model as a loaner until the new one came in.
So, as far as sound. I will admit I am not as happy with the piano sounds themselves compared to the Nord but with some tweaking with the EQ I have got 3 amazing piano sounds that I am very very happy with. The CFX has this sort of tinny sound to it and I will admit I thought the CFX on the CP4 was a bit better. However, the Imperial, S700 and the upright U1 are truly amazing. A little tweaking and you can basically get a great sound out of it.
The CP80/70 sample is definitely comparable to the Nord (which I use quite a bit in my set) so apart from the bug that’s going to b fixed this coming September it sounds absolutely incredible.
The Wurlitzer (especially with April’s update) totally blows the Nord away. I am just so so happy with it as it really helps with my Supertramp/10cc tunes that I use in my setlist.
The keybed, Well, it truly came down to the CP4, the RD2000 and the CP88. The CP4 was great for sure as was the RD2000 but after a number of jumps between the CP88 and the RD 2000 I found the RD was a little heavier than the CP88 and the CP4 was a little lighter so the CP88 was the perfect balance between the two. As weird as it sounds (no pun) I feel my playing has actually improved on the CP88. Songs that I had a hard time playing before (Tony Banks’ Lamb intro and Firth Of Fifth plus some blues scales for example) are coming much more easier. Weird how that works.
Yes, there are only 57 sounds with the CP88 as opposed to the NP4 and yes you can load samples into the NP4 but I had to be practical within myself. I use Logic Pro X for a trillion sounds that I can trigger so for home use/editing/sequencing for backing tracks the limitation of the sounds in the CP88 is not limiting to me at all. Plus, one has to ask themselves……or myself…how many sounds does one actually need? I mean seriously…these are stage pianos. I usually get between 3-5 gigs per month and I do not use more than 4-5 sounds within my 40 song setlist. So it’s basically, Acoustic Piano, CP80, Wurli, Rhodes and a AP with a combined Ample Acoustic Guitar (triggered through my laptop) /Piano sounds. The rest are just icing on the cake.
Ok, the other pianos may give you way more sounds but in all honesty, many of them are just different variations of the same sample, Don't let 1000 sounds fool you into thinking you're getting 1000 samples because you're not.
Now, that’s just me and I can’t speak for anyone else’s needs as everyone has different needs and requirements.
I also love the fact that I do not have to use my M-Audio interface anymore as the CP88 has a USB audio interface built in so with that and my upcoming purchase of a Yamaha MG10XU mixer (USB audio interface) going through my Bose L1 Compact system will be the perfect match for me.
So this whole notion that CP88 blows this out of the water…or The RD2000 feels better or the Nord Pianos sound so much better is total nonsense. It is ALL down to personal taste for personal needs.
I will say for price, keybed, versatility (again depending on your needs), sound and weight (yes I can actually carry the piano in my gig bag with one hand) the CP88 is hard to beat….but that’s just me.
Finally, I will say buying a piano is actually worse than buying a house or a car. Very stressful at times and we always want to make the "right" purchase. Yes, you can watch a trillion UA-cam videos, read all of their comments, jump on the forums, get a a thousand different opinions and yes it helps but many times it can actually confuse you even more and also cause ulcers...LOL.
It’s best to think of your own needs and try not to let anyone’s opinions (comments) sway you but your own.
Cost/price aside there will ALWAYS be pluses and minuses to any of these pianos and if I had to do it all over again I would have waited until April this year before purchasing the Nord and maybe taken more time to study as it’s been 9-10 months to land to where I am now.
I hope my experience/review will resonate with anyone who is undecided in purchasing the CP88 or any other piano for that matter.
Now get out there and get a CP88!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You won’t regret it….LOL!!!
Outstanding demonstration of this new piano. Would you please recommend an appropriate amplifier for use in small room or home?
You'll just want speakers. Amplifiers (if you mean like a guitar amp etc. might colour the sound too much). Get powered ones so just a simple jack (or xlr) input and hey presto. The guys at Absolute have many to listen to.
Oh. And thank you!
Tat moment when he turned on the reverb and chorus @11:41 I'm sold
Samuel Immanuel that.
Hi, did anyone notice how the master volume in the CP73/88 is extremely low and maybe knows how to change it? I've tried it with different headphones and speaker with essentially no difference
According to tradition, the organ and the harpsichord are not supposed to be touch sensitive or sustaining. But are they in this model?
It is nice to know that, even though the primary function of the 88/73 is as a piano and not a synthesizer, the synthesizer sounds don’t sound as if they are just “extra baggage“.
Very good demo.
But one thing that annoys me about some demo videos is recording the actual audio from the keyboard going through the PA or amp, and not through the direct record into the recording software... There is an audible and annoying delay (and room reverb) to the sound (not to mention annoying key and button noise), and it doesn't represent the actual instrument sound if we where demoing it ourselves through good headphones...
How bloody hard is it to record the KBD direct line out and mix it with the rest of the demo audio...?? GEEZZZZ.....!
I was glad to hear what the output might sound like in an actual room. I've been watching every demo of the CP88 and have heard the direct sound over and over, but this is a useful comparison. I want to know how noisy the keys are, too. I actually wish more demos would do this in addition to direct sound. I doubt that is what they intended, but useful all the same.
Lovely keyboard. Tested it for about 3 hours. Really like control layout. What’s irritating to me is that the samples, pianos even the CFX ones, have a very short decay and sustain. Why Yamaha? Memory economics? The Kawai MP7’s and MP11’s have longer fuller decays and sustain, same with the Nord’s and even my Yamaha P-250. The sound have a great first strike initial sound but then just disappears rapidly. The tone is somewhat longer in the bass but super short from C3 or even lower. Own the MODX7 and as I said a P-250. So nothing against Yamaha per se. Liked the new Nord Grand Keybed (made by Kawai) and some of the sounds with all that extra sampledepth which you can modify. But don’t have 3000€ and think the CP has a better and more satisfying button layout and feel. But maybe the samples can be fixed in a future update. Have seen tons of reviews and none of the reviewers seem to hear this. It’s quite obvious though.
Mack In The Sky put your foot on the pedal 🙄
thanks, Luke, drop around anytime there is always beer in the fridge
Now that sounds like an offer!
And an amazing magic fridge.
Luke Juby we are in Bulgaria, you’re welcome
Played Sofia a few times. Beautiful place and had a great night in a pub watching boxing. Ha. In fact we played with Sting. That was pretty amazing.
Hope someone comes out with something like a CP73 that starts on C. It would be well worth losing the top 4 notes.
Does the Yamaha montage have these sounds already,?
What about the Yamaha MODX or the Motif XF?
Looks like a nice looking stage piano with a lot of cool features, but I wonder if these sounds can be founded on Montage, MODX or the classic Motif XF.
Your close voice mic should be switched off when playing. It's picking get up the keyboard noise.
Not only that but he is recording the sound of the keyboard coming through a PA or amp in the room, and not the direct line out of the KBD itself...
Needs a gate on the mic.
Something’s that’s a good thing, it lets you know that’s normal when you already have the instrument.
Great review! I’m wondering if you have used the CP4. I currently have one but am getting the inch to upgrade to this. How would you compare the two?
Hey Luke, the CFX sound on my CP73 sounds like it came out of a tin can when I use the stereo jack output but it sounds fine when I plug a headphone into the keyboard. Is that normal?
Are you using a mono jack? If so you'll only get a mono signal. 99% of headphones are stereo. Try using two jacks.👍🏼
Any ideas on a suitable stand for the cp73......preferably one that has the vintage style/look like the one that goes with the korg sv1??!?!
For my taste there are to much effects like reverb or overdrive there, espacially with the ep‘s. In such a video review i want to hear the raw samples that are not hidden behind a wall of reverb.
Tats right. But I feel tats what you need handy when you are playing in live on stage
Particularly this keyboard suits well for church environments
Is it me or do the keys sound noisy??
I'm wearing a mic. The keys sound will not be sent to the outputs. That's a promise.
@@lukejuby I think it’s a good thing actually, it lets the purchaser know what to expect.
This dude loves lots of reverb! Too much!!!
D in DC it's because his mic is picking up the sound of the speakers in the room. It's blended with the direct sound and makes it sound like reverb.
@@officialWWM Were you present at the studio during the recording of this video?
Great demo 👍
How about the key feeling?
Sounds like the mod wheel is on the basses!? Lol
Dude sounds a little nervous, lol.
Turn that bloody reverb OFF!
Dukerbud 88 it's his mic picking up the speakers in the room, blended with the direct sound :/
Every single promo for the CP88's Bosendorfer patch mentions that it's a $150k piano so don't try to pretend you just happened to think of it. -1 for saleswankermanship
-1 for being rude. ;-P
I'm sorry this annoyed you so much Alan.
It's sometimes hard to second guess what might trigger someone into writing a UA-cam comment although I am learning that it helps to forget most of the norms I have learned interacting with people in the real world. 😊
Few things to note. I said pounds, not dollars. Brexit hasn't devalued the pound that much as yet, but give us a month. We are trying our best. Also I did this in one take (💪🏼) so sometimes one has to try and remember things - I fully appreciate that this can be very annoying to those with perfect memories.
You may also be surprised to hear that each person who reviewed this on the world wide web didn't get together in a big room beforehand and write a joint script. Unless of course there was a massive conspiracy and I was left off the invite list.... this may be worth some investigation on my part. Do you know where they met? Better not be the Caribbean. Do you think they had free buffets? This is getting slightly worrying.
I was given nothing except the two lovely prototypes 🙄😢. But they really are lovely.
Oh, also not a salesman. Doesn't mean I'm not a w***er though. That part is indeed open to interpretation.
Your point has been taken onboard and I wish you every success in your future. Definitely go try one though! Don't know what the current price is but I could find out for you?
P.S. I've given this comment a thumbs down so you don't have to. 😊
boring playing
It's a demo of a stage piano not a performance. I'm sure there's plenty of Elton John clips on UA-cam to wet your appetite though. ;-)
LOL hahahahahaha
Music is subjective and this certainly isn't a performance, although I agree as reviewers go he's got a lot to learn - of which it's evident he is new at it. Be more encouraging and I am sure you'll see improvement. I am pro-Brexit, based in Japan and likely very different to him; but if we can find some accord, so can you.
Elton John is awful. Don't ever use that as a counter to 'boring' again lol. Personal opinion but his work is utter rubbish. I'd actually prefer even this demo to that, as a 'performance'.