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Not to sure about having to spend 1000 bucks for monitors. My M Audio Bx8a already sound better then most cabinets, they are just too big and was thinking of buying Rokit 5" that run about $350.00 , then I would add a sub for another $399.00 (rokit 10"). I didn't calculate the sub into the equation because I was going to add one the the CA65 anyway. Now if I was mixing then I guess the extra cost for better monitors would make sense, but for just piano & keyboard sounds I think the less expensive monitors will be fine. Regarding the sound box I have Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6.

Messing around last night with my current set up and I placed my Bx8's in a couple different positions, on the floor tilted upward and just below keyboard level tilted up and I really like how the sound filled the area behind the keyboard. Only issue with the Bx8's is that the port is on the back and needs plenty of space to avoid thumping sounds but overall it is much nicer then having the speakers pointed directly at me. the VPC is looking good and with the front ported Rokits they may be the ticket, just need to make a would cabinet behind the keyboard to house them if I decide to tilt them up.

The F-30 has two plugs.

Kind regards,
James
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That sounds like good thought.
I should just face the fact that I'm a sound snob. I use my monitors for more than just my piano.



Sounds like you already have a pretty good idea what you're doing.
I think you'd be very happy with the VPC. Looks like it's made for you.

"The F-30 has two plugs"

Yes, and the ES7 two pedal inputs (damper, damper/soft). So either those inputs are incompatible, or the programmers find it too much coding to enable use of the F-30 with those inputs. Is it the first , then so be it. In the second case, there is still a little hope ;-)

It's the first - the connectors are incompatible.

Kind regards,
James
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Phono plugs, by any other name, continue to be phone plugs.
At first glance I didn't notice that one was "Stereo" the other "Mono".

If Kawai has wired them in some odd way in order to be "incompatible" we can expect many future threads to ask why this pedal set produces whatever results when plugged into something else, or doesn't produce any results.
Why "standard" pedals don't work when plugged into VPC, on and on...

The decision to lock themselves out of potential separate sales seems a little odd, but the proprietary vs open design question is a whole 'nother topic.

Does anyone KNOW what signal are available on the phono plugs ?
e.g. is the damper merely a 10K linear pot and the other two n/o switches ?

R_B, I don't believe there was a conscious decision made to prevent some products from functioning correctly, it's just that the F-30 (and F-20) uses a different system to the F-10H. Therefore, instruments that are designed to use the F-10H (e.g. MP5/MP6, ES7) are not compatible.

Kind regards,
James
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At second, third, fourth.....thought I'm seriously considering ordering the F-30 on the short term. There seems to be a VPC included in the package as an accessories ;-)

I'm only a bit worried that I'm an early adapter again in buying of the first batch, as I did with the MP6 and ES7 and potentially get a unit with small 'details' that have to be worked out. I know it's common wisdom to wait a little, but ....you know ;-)

James are you confident that the first production runs will be "glitch free" . Imagined reply: YES I AM.

OK - so let's do it. VPC on it's way...just hope I didn't shoot myself in the foot this time.

Fortunately there's not much that can be wrong. If the package service leaves the box in one piece, it'll be a review that will simply tell if it works, because speakers, sounds , options and controls are all out of the equation this time.

Fingers crossed.

Hi,

I ordered the ES7 but apparently it's out of stock in France (maybe in other countries over Europe too ?).
Any idea when the production will deliver smoothly again ? My fingers are getting itchy !
I wonder if could have received the VPC earlier... better not think about it.

Thanks

I guess these batches will be on the same boat :-)

It's just a guess of course...

Question to You James, just because You are the right person in the universe to be asked. You could have played probably both the RM3 Grand II and the GF keyboard enough (as no second one here in the forum) to build a subjective opinion how they compare.

My question: while the VPC is a very nice package with a nice design and maintaining some portability, could it offer even some playability advantages over the GF which has significantly longer keys (and therefore haevier too)? Or is GF as the flagship KAWAI action was just superior in every regards to playability.

(As a hint: theoretically could smaller keys bring some repetition benefits, could react agiler, more responsive, etc.)

??? - Thx.

I can help you here. The answer is "no!". Longer keys are better. They have to get pretty darn long before their inertia becomes a disadvantage. The advantage of longer keys is that the touch at different points along the key is more uniform. All things being equal, the GF is definitely better.

I suspect GF keys are not heavier. I'm sure the weights in RM3 are such that the rotational inertia is the same as it is in GF. At least, near the edge of the key. Near the back of the key there will be less mechanical advantage in RM3, making it relatively harder to press. That's the theory, at least. I can's say how the two compare when playing because I haven't been able to do the comparison.

Thank for Your answers, yes, it is what theory is saying.

But the behavior can be tuned very efficiently by placing sensors, the attached hammer mechanic, etc. And even the sensor arrangement and software tuning can result perhaps in a more playable configuration. (Like velocity curves can make a keyboard to feel heavier or lighter.)

So the ??? to James remains open:

Anyone else ordered the VPC ?? It seems to be coming sooner than I thought - perhaps next week already.

Question that perhaps has been answered already (but couldn't find it):

- apart from the third sensor , are there any other changes / improvements made to RM3-II vs original RM3 ?
- has anyone been able to seriously compare both GF and RM3-II actions back to back and an opinion on the differences in touch&feel ? Perhaps at NAMM

As was stated by James here on this thread, there's no change in RM3-II vs RM3 except for the added third sensor and slightly reinforced structure. Not sure if he used that exact word "reinforced" but I got the feeling this wasn't something which can affect the feel, so the basic feel is exactly the same. What could be expected is better repeat detection and possibly a slightly higher durability of the keyboard action.

CyberGene, you are correct. The 'feel' of the 'RM3 Grand II' action should be the same as that of the original 'RM3 Grand' action. However, responsiveness and repetition speed will be improved due to the third sensor.

Kind regards,
James
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Happy Birthday James!

Hip hip hooray ! And treat yourself with a nice new VPC (or have your Kawai colleagues buy you one as a birthday present ;-)

Cheers !

(Sorry missed the birthday cake icon the first time...)

Thanks guys!



Fixed.



+1

Well, fingers crossed this model will be introduced in Japan soon, and I can finally take advantage of my special employee discount.

Cheers,
James
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