Consider supporting the channel by using our affiliate links if you decide to purchase! Zzounds: VPC1: www.zzounds.com/a--3980668/item--KAWVPC1?siid=131087 A88: www.zzounds.com/a--3980668/item--ROLA88MK2?siid=275001 SL88: www.zzounds.com/a--3980668/item--STLSL88GRAND?siid=232646 Sweetwater: VPC1: imp.i114863.net/6bmE2m A88: imp.i114863.net/AobWB7 SL88: imp.i114863.net/5bVmP2 Amazon: VPC1: amzn.to/3VGS47D A88: amzn.to/3hhsp6e SL88: amzn.to/3VFIdyB Humble Hustle Hoodie: amzn.to/3fdod6P The Rhodes Im using is from Peculiar Sounds VST! Get It Here: gospelproducers.com/peculiar-sounds-by-doobie-powell-vst-au-plugin-for-macos-windows/ Join this channel to get access to special perks: ua-cam.com/channels/3ux5ejcBK9AOTArow2bgHw.htmljoin
Man I gotta say, for someone who is brand new to music and MIDI pianos/controllers, like literally last month I decided to get into this stuff all of a sudden, with zero prior music background. You have answered every single question I have had in my month old journey through your videos. Like literally any question I had about this topic I would UA-cam it and you had the perfect video every time! You have made an incredible channel with much useful information and to the point presentation. And I just wanted to congratulate you on that! You deserve many, many more views and subs than you have my man. For real. Anyway, I ended up buying the Arturia Keylab 32 because of the aftertouch and I really enjoy it, especially playing in the Vital synth. But I'm going to upgrade to the Studiologic SL88 Studio soon because I really want to play full on songs like Clair de Lune and such. I would love to get the VPC1 after the Studiologic, if I had the budget for it, €1300 with taxes here in Europe. Have you considered visiting? hehe ;) But I feel like it would need its own space to live in. As opposed to the SL88, which you can put on a large PC desk and put some other smaller controllers on top of it too. Which is how I'm planning to use it.
I own the SL88 Grand, I like it as a controller but I've had a ton of issues in the 8 years I've owned it. Firstly, when I got it, the key velocity seemed like it wasn't even calibrated, like they forgot that in the factory or something...playing with the same touch would be 65 on one key, 85 on the one next to it. Retailer didn't have any more to exchange, and Studiologic said they'd repair it but I would have to ship the keyboard to Europe, which would be insanely expensive so, no. SL88 comes with software that allows you to manually calibrate each key's velocity response, so I was able to get it playable but only with considerable effort. Secondly, the little LCD screen started to fade out after only a few years of light use. At this point I can barely read it. Not that big a deal because I pretty much leave it on one setting, but still. Finally, I bought the SL Magnetic Music Stand, but it wouldn't quite fit on my keyboard, like the plastic case was slightly warped or something. Maybe I had a 1/million lemon but I plan to steer clear of Studiologic in the future.
I just got my Roland A-88 yesterday $500 in mint condition. I bought the original one not the MKII. Hands down the best 88 midi controller I've owned as it has a much heavier action than the MKII given that the MKI A-88 uses the same keybed as the Juno DS88 called the Ivory Feel-G. I think the Fatom G8 uses the same keybed too. It just has that premium feel to it. My last 88 midi controller I had was 11 years ago called a Yamaha KX8. I only had it for a couple of years and sold it because it was jut too bulky. I pretty much stuck with Roland as you know it's going to last. I heard a lot of Quality Control issues with the newer StudioLogic boards esp the Fatar keys going bad after a few years. My A-88 has build quality is far superior to my Yamaha KX8 I had at the time that was mostly plastic. This Roland is solidly built of mostly metal.
@@eman0828 second this. I have a RD300nx bought in 2011 (videos in my channel) with the same Ivory Feel G keybed. Superb feel and never had a a single problem. I will never sell this keyboard.
Just got one as well. Very solidly built. The dynamics you get on it is very wide. But, the escapement mechanism is so distracting and makes it not smooth
1:55 is it me or did the Roland (on the right) just sound snappier, chops-wise? It sounded crisp, I think your fingers like it the most. And thanks for this. How about comparing 61s or larger with Poly AT or MPE?
Love my StudioLogic SL88Grand. But another thing to think about is a digital keyboard that is great as the control center and that's the Roland RD-2000. Has a great wood key keybed and is excellent at controlling multiple sources both internal and external.
I recently got an A88 mk2 to use away from home using an old Roland JV 1010, amongst other things. At home I have a Roland RD-300GX,(with other stuff), but when playing classical piano the A88 has the better action.
I own the Kawai VPC1 (as well as a Yamaha C3 grand) and need a lighter midi controller for gigs. Which should I get, the Roland or the Studiologic? Both the same price here in Australia
should i bother checking out either the Arturia Keylab 88 or Native Instruments s88 mk3? Just want the closest feel to my VPC1 on gigs. Thanks for your speedy reply!@@Johnmike
Vpc for pianists absolutely, but its really heavy. If i was prepared to weight lift a vpc1 to a gig i would save up for the even better keybed (grand hammer action ii i think) on the mp11se cause its not much heavier and it has pitch bend and mod wheels. Interesting finding Nord grand piano took the vpc key action rebranded it as nord with kawai action. But they didnt go for the kawai mp11se full length gha ii action. Which is disappointing for such an expensive nord.
Agreed. I thought the Nord Grand would be my dream come true: Nord sounds (+ immediacy) paired with a Kawai key action. When I tried it in the stores a couple of years ago I was disappointed because of the action. Why? 1. Wobbly keys. That's due to the construction, sure, but if that's known then the construction must change. 2. Keybed noise. I heard the keybed noise through my closed back headphones which I brought to the store! Imagine hearing it every time you play. That's a no go. 3. The light feel of the action. Now this is a personal one. If in corner we have the super heavy action in the Yamaha P515 or the Korg RM3 then the Nord Grand sits in the opposite corner far away. The keys felt way too light to me and frankly nothing like a real piano. So after a couple of visits to the store I ended up buying the Kawai CA-78. It has one the best actions I have tried which were still somewhat affordable to me and with some totally usable sounds. (The Yamaha NU1 had a good action just like the Roland Kiyola, but they were out of my price range.) But the CA-78 is a bulky and heavy instrument which I eventually grew tired of, especially because of the piano sounds. I just went back to my Nord over and over again and hooked up the CA-78 via midi to play the Nord. Now that was a difference! So I sold the Kawai. I've had the Nord Electro 6D for years now and it has been my band workhorse, but I do miss having a proper 88 weighted action. I went back and forth between various different products but I end up thinking that nothing fits the bill. I did have the MP-11 (not the SE version) and while the action was splendid I did not like the user interface, the knobs, the sliders or the looks. And if you sit at an instrument more or less daily these things do matter. There's the Nord Piano 5, but its action doesn't come close to the Kawai's. So the next best thing would be to pair up a VPC-2 (if there ever was one!) with a Nord. The VPC-1 is good in its own right, but I would never pay $2400 for it. Thankfully here it still "only" costs about $1200, but even that is a lot. I badly wish for it to have a pitch and modwheel as well as a flat top surface. That would make it great! But as it stands it also does not fit my wishes. Guess I'm super picky. Thought about going with an old Yamaha P-155. I used to have one about ten years ago and it played just fine and sounded good too. By far not the best digital piano and hopelessly outdated compared to all the bells and whistles modern products come with, but it still had a decent action and decent sounds. And ultimately that's what I care about. Sigh. Guess I should stop overthinking stuff and get back to playing more, no matter what it is. We only have so much time!
VPC1 costs 1350 and SL88 Grand costs 800 euros today, what should you go for if you need the best key bed for pianists to come and record at your studio using vsti like omnisphere or kontakt piano libraries?
interesting.. Current price in Europe on Thomann .. SL88 €689 VPC1 €1222 it feels to me like the Roland adn the studio logic are weighted midi controllers.. the Kawai is a digital piano..
I am looking for a 88 key weighted midi controller to go along with my baby grand piano. I have a Yamaha KX 76 which I really don't like anymore. (plastic keys, bad action) I really love the feel of the Nord stage 3 88key. Is there a keyboard that's comparable to this type of action for a midi keyboard controller? I don't wish to fork out $4000 for a nord stage 3
I need a plain 88 key midi controller (but I don't need any pads, knobs etc) just one with a quiet/silent keybed. I have an M-audio keystation88 and it's worse than the Yamaha keyboard I got for Christmas 40 years ago when I was a kid. Please Help!!!
Only the Kawai Vpc1 has real wooden keys. The Studiologic has only wooden veneer on both sides of the plastic keys, just cosmetic. A big difference....
@@Johnmike Keylab 88 MKII feels sponge-like in terms of keys to me, and it's the same Fatar keybed as on the Native Instruments MK2 S88, which I also don't care for in terms of feel. Roland is in another league, IMO. Pity about the lack of aftertouch, but I'm guessing anybody who wants a piano-like feel probably doesn't care.
@@tuneunleashed Like I said, if you're buying a Nord piano-like then you're probably not going to care about aftertouch, but mercifully not everybody is the same and thus has different requirements for their job.
@@Johnmike I think it would probably be smart to pay for the full version of something like Kontakt and get the DAW as well as the ability to download VSTs. Spitfire seems to have a few free ones and a lot of cheap ones. I was thinking about getting a plug-in device like a Dexibell SX8 or a V3 Sound module. It wouldn't be cheap, especially for the Dexibell, but you could be in business with just an amp and speakers. A smart phone and a USB hub would make setup a snap. I like the idea of the StudioLogic SL88 Grand, but if I'm going to blow that much, I'd probably go for the VPC1 or the Numa X GT.
I own the vpc1 and the ni s88. Vpc1 is so good that I don’t want to play anything else. It’s the best. Hands down. It’s just the bomb. It’s such a pleasure to play.
Consider supporting the channel by using our affiliate links if you decide to purchase!
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Man I gotta say, for someone who is brand new to music and MIDI pianos/controllers, like literally last month I decided to get into this stuff all of a sudden, with zero prior music background. You have answered every single question I have had in my month old journey through your videos. Like literally any question I had about this topic I would UA-cam it and you had the perfect video every time!
You have made an incredible channel with much useful information and to the point presentation. And I just wanted to congratulate you on that! You deserve many, many more views and subs than you have my man. For real.
Anyway, I ended up buying the Arturia Keylab 32 because of the aftertouch and I really enjoy it, especially playing in the Vital synth. But I'm going to upgrade to the Studiologic SL88 Studio soon because I really want to play full on songs like Clair de Lune and such.
I would love to get the VPC1 after the Studiologic, if I had the budget for it, €1300 with taxes here in Europe. Have you considered visiting? hehe ;) But I feel like it would need its own space to live in. As opposed to the SL88, which you can put on a large PC desk and put some other smaller controllers on top of it too. Which is how I'm planning to use it.
Glad that I could help!!! 🙏🏾
I’m brand new myself but I’m thinking about getting a Roland. Either the RD-88 or A-88
Have you ever played the Doepfer LMK4+ 88-key?
I own the SL88 Grand, I like it as a controller but I've had a ton of issues in the 8 years I've owned it. Firstly, when I got it, the key velocity seemed like it wasn't even calibrated, like they forgot that in the factory or something...playing with the same touch would be 65 on one key, 85 on the one next to it. Retailer didn't have any more to exchange, and Studiologic said they'd repair it but I would have to ship the keyboard to Europe, which would be insanely expensive so, no. SL88 comes with software that allows you to manually calibrate each key's velocity response, so I was able to get it playable but only with considerable effort. Secondly, the little LCD screen started to fade out after only a few years of light use. At this point I can barely read it. Not that big a deal because I pretty much leave it on one setting, but still. Finally, I bought the SL Magnetic Music Stand, but it wouldn't quite fit on my keyboard, like the plastic case was slightly warped or something. Maybe I had a 1/million lemon but I plan to steer clear of Studiologic in the future.
I just got my Roland A-88 yesterday $500 in mint condition. I bought the original one not the MKII. Hands down the best 88 midi controller I've owned as it has a much heavier action than the MKII given that the MKI A-88 uses the same keybed as the Juno DS88 called the Ivory Feel-G. I think the Fatom G8 uses the same keybed too. It just has that premium feel to it. My last 88 midi controller I had was 11 years ago called a Yamaha KX8. I only had it for a couple of years and sold it because it was jut too bulky. I pretty much stuck with Roland as you know it's going to last. I heard a lot of Quality Control issues with the newer StudioLogic boards esp the Fatar keys going bad after a few years. My A-88 has build quality is far superior to my Yamaha KX8 I had at the time that was mostly plastic. This Roland is solidly built of mostly metal.
@@eman0828 second this. I have a RD300nx bought in 2011 (videos in my channel) with the same Ivory Feel G keybed. Superb feel and never had a a single problem. I will never sell this keyboard.
Just got one as well. Very solidly built. The dynamics you get on it is very wide. But, the escapement mechanism is so distracting and makes it not smooth
I was really really really looking forward to this video, thank you so much my dear John Mike!!!
Absolutely! ✊🏾
1:55 is it me or did the Roland (on the right) just sound snappier, chops-wise? It sounded crisp, I think your fingers like it the most. And thanks for this. How about comparing 61s or larger with Poly AT or MPE?
Roland Def has a dope more dynamic response...But the VPC1 is def the most expressive realistic to Piano feel IMHO
Good review. I would say you should’ve included the Native Instrument S88 mk3 since it’s in the price range of these controllers
Between the Roland & Studiologic, which one would you pick for a more authentic piano feel?
I have a Kawai VCP1, I love it, I bought it for the key action. I just need to marry it with a good sound module.
Great review and channel !! Thank you brother.
Love my StudioLogic SL88Grand. But another thing to think about is a digital keyboard that is great as the control center and that's the Roland RD-2000. Has a great wood key keybed and is excellent at controlling multiple sources both internal and external.
Excellent point…might have to compare the RD-2000 to the VPC1
The Technics kn7000 is a superb MIDI controller as well
Just ordered the Kawai VPC1, thanks for your opinion, it really helped me deciding!
how much did you pay it ? thxs
Ima take the A88 just because its roland and I dont have to deal with the weight
I recently got an A88 mk2 to use away from home using an old Roland JV 1010, amongst other things.
At home I have a Roland RD-300GX,(with other stuff), but when playing classical piano the A88 has the better action.
Great video, John
Thanks! 🙏🏾
Take a look at the StudioLogic Numa X GT
These are entertaining to watch even though I know I won't be buying any of them in the near future :D
Lol
I own the Kawai VPC1 (as well as a Yamaha C3 grand) and need a lighter midi controller for gigs. Which should I get, the Roland or the Studiologic? Both the same price here in Australia
Roland between all those
Thanks!@@Johnmike
should i bother checking out either the Arturia Keylab 88 or Native Instruments s88 mk3? Just want the closest feel to my VPC1 on gigs. Thanks for your speedy reply!@@Johnmike
Wow that camera is high up. What are u using for that some kind of giraffe camera c stand? Would love to know what you use?
Yup a C-stand…
Hi John, out of the Roland and the SL88 Grand, based on the feel, which keybed did you like the best?
Between those two…I’d probably still go for the SL88
@@Johnmike
Thanks John, I was leaning towards the SL88, thanks for your input
Vpc for pianists absolutely, but its really heavy. If i was prepared to weight lift a vpc1 to a gig i would save up for the even better keybed (grand hammer action ii i think) on the mp11se cause its not much heavier and it has pitch bend and mod wheels. Interesting finding Nord grand piano took the vpc key action rebranded it as nord with kawai action. But they didnt go for the kawai mp11se full length gha ii action. Which is disappointing for such an expensive nord.
Agreed. I thought the Nord Grand would be my dream come true: Nord sounds (+ immediacy) paired with a Kawai key action. When I tried it in the stores a couple of years ago I was disappointed because of the action.
Why? 1. Wobbly keys. That's due to the construction, sure, but if that's known then the construction must change. 2. Keybed noise. I heard the keybed noise through my closed back headphones which I brought to the store! Imagine hearing it every time you play. That's a no go. 3. The light feel of the action. Now this is a personal one. If in corner we have the super heavy action in the Yamaha P515 or the Korg RM3 then the Nord Grand sits in the opposite corner far away. The keys felt way too light to me and frankly nothing like a real piano. So after a couple of visits to the store I ended up buying the Kawai CA-78. It has one the best actions I have tried which were still somewhat affordable to me and with some totally usable sounds. (The Yamaha NU1 had a good action just like the Roland Kiyola, but they were out of my price range.) But the CA-78 is a bulky and heavy instrument which I eventually grew tired of, especially because of the piano sounds. I just went back to my Nord over and over again and hooked up the CA-78 via midi to play the Nord. Now that was a difference! So I sold the Kawai. I've had the Nord Electro 6D for years now and it has been my band workhorse, but I do miss having a proper 88 weighted action.
I went back and forth between various different products but I end up thinking that nothing fits the bill. I did have the MP-11 (not the SE version) and while the action was splendid I did not like the user interface, the knobs, the sliders or the looks. And if you sit at an instrument more or less daily these things do matter. There's the Nord Piano 5, but its action doesn't come close to the Kawai's. So the next best thing would be to pair up a VPC-2 (if there ever was one!) with a Nord. The VPC-1 is good in its own right, but I would never pay $2400 for it. Thankfully here it still "only" costs about $1200, but even that is a lot. I badly wish for it to have a pitch and modwheel as well as a flat top surface. That would make it great! But as it stands it also does not fit my wishes. Guess I'm super picky. Thought about going with an old Yamaha P-155. I used to have one about ten years ago and it played just fine and sounded good too. By far not the best digital piano and hopelessly outdated compared to all the bells and whistles modern products come with, but it still had a decent action and decent sounds. And ultimately that's what I care about. Sigh. Guess I should stop overthinking stuff and get back to playing more, no matter what it is. We only have so much time!
Nice video dude! If you have to choose between the A88 and SL88 Studio? Which one do you prefer? I only care about the keys. Thanks!!
SL88 any day of the week…the only other board I’d put above it would be the Kawai like I said in this video
Can I use these with a akai mpc one?
Because they are 88 they staying at home!!! I’m no longer carry or buying any boards above 61 for stage!!! I’m team light!!!
VPC1 costs 1350 and SL88 Grand costs 800 euros today, what should you go for if you need the best key bed for pianists to come and record at your studio using vsti like omnisphere or kontakt piano libraries?
Hey does Kawai VPC 1 have better dynamic responsiveness compared to SL Studio 88?
Miles better
interesting.. Current price in Europe on Thomann .. SL88 €689 VPC1 €1222
it feels to me like the Roland adn the studio logic are weighted midi controllers.. the Kawai is a digital piano..
I am looking for a 88 key weighted midi controller to go along with my baby grand piano. I have a Yamaha KX 76 which I really don't like anymore. (plastic keys, bad action)
I really love the feel of the Nord stage 3 88key.
Is there a keyboard that's comparable to this type of action for a midi keyboard controller? I don't wish to fork out $4000 for a nord stage 3
Best feel is gonna be the Kawai VPC1
@@Johnmike thank you John, when I go to the music store I'll see if they got one in stock to try it out
with is more heavy action VPC or SL 88 ?
SL
Have you ever seen a seaboard rise 2? They look amazing.
I will be reviewing one soon…
Love your vids! Do you recommend the studiologic or the roland?
Between those 2 I’d take the studiologic
Hey 😂 as soon as you started playing on the SL88 Grand I knew I liked the Keyboard*er*.
I‘d humbly like to hear you play some sweety more 😂❤
How about Yamaha N1X midi function~
I need a plain 88 key midi controller (but I don't need any pads, knobs etc) just one with a quiet/silent keybed.
I have an M-audio keystation88 and it's worse than the Yamaha keyboard I got for Christmas 40 years ago when I was a kid. Please Help!!!
Check out the m-Audio hammer 88
@@Johnmike Thanks. I looked at your 6 months post review but it's the noise of the keys bouncing up that's the problem.
Why don't you have the SL88 Studio anymore? was it because the keybed let you down? Good vid btw :)
I still have it…still use it…just was comparing the most expensive ones against each other
Only the Kawai Vpc1 has real wooden keys. The Studiologic has only wooden veneer on both sides of the plastic keys, just cosmetic. A big difference....
Get the studio logic without the wooden keys and its half the cost😊
The VPC is too damn chunky n heavy....would be a pain in the a.. to gig around with...am good with my SL88 Studio & my Arturia Keylab.
Можете сделать обзор на миди клавиатуру swissonic easykey 49/61?
Well. Wouldnt that make keylab mkii 88 the best value.response dont make up for 1200 additional dollars
I'd put the keylab in the same class with these...maybe closer with SL88...but these are more minimalist
@@Johnmike Keylab 88 MKII feels sponge-like in terms of keys to me, and it's the same Fatar keybed as on the Native Instruments MK2 S88, which I also don't care for in terms of feel. Roland is in another league, IMO. Pity about the lack of aftertouch, but I'm guessing anybody who wants a piano-like feel probably doesn't care.
@@HammyHavoc Eggsactly
@@tuneunleashed Like I said, if you're buying a Nord piano-like then you're probably not going to care about aftertouch, but mercifully not everybody is the same and thus has different requirements for their job.
The VPC-1 is great, until you play the Kawai MP11SE...
What about plugins and presets? I thought SL stuff all came with a license to download voices. What about polyphony? Great ninja video. Liked.
I think the SL comes with their Numa player…like a 4 sound library…nothing worth writing home about…but it’s a pretty cool little app
@@Johnmike I think it would probably be smart to pay for the full version of something like Kontakt and get the DAW as well as the ability to download VSTs. Spitfire seems to have a few free ones and a lot of cheap ones. I was thinking about getting a plug-in device like a Dexibell SX8 or a V3 Sound module. It wouldn't be cheap, especially for the Dexibell, but you could be in business with just an amp and speakers. A smart phone and a USB hub would make setup a snap. I like the idea of the StudioLogic SL88 Grand, but if I'm going to blow that much, I'd probably go for the VPC1 or the Numa X GT.
@@thomaspaul311 Eggsactly…I agree which is why the VPC is my pick
0091 Tamara Circles
Please research the sticky key issue before considering the VPC1
I own the vpc1 and the ni s88. Vpc1 is so good that I don’t want to play anything else. It’s the best. Hands down. It’s just the bomb. It’s such a pleasure to play.
Totally agree! I feel the same way!
Wybacz ale to jedna z gorszych recenzji jakie widziałem.
The VPC1 is "only" around 1350EUR in Europe, that translates to roughly 1500USD, is it really 2400 in the US?
Yup it is