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In that case you will want to try it yourself, and not rely on the (different) opinions you get here.

John M., thank you for the update - I'm glad you eventually found the source of the problem.

Cheers,
James
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Joe, you make a strong point, however from the outset, the VPC concept was to keep the board as minimalistic as possible - no additional knobs, buttons, or faders. While there are certainly players who would have appreciated this additional functionality, we also believe the decision to market the VPC1 as 'purely piano' controller is also appreciated by the growing software piano community.

I agree that there is a market for a flexible MIDI master keyboard with an excellent action, so we'll see what the future holds.

Cheers,
James
x

The VPC1 is available from Kraft and Sweetwater.

Due to the nature of the product (i.e. requires a computer, software, monitors etc.), it's rather difficult for Kawai's more acoustic piano oriented dealers to have a demo model out on the shop floor. However, most stores will be happy to order the board if the customer expresses an interest.

Kind regards,
James
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"we also believe the decision to market the VPC1 as 'purely piano' controller is also appreciated."

Obviously, Kawai wants to eventually sell the software for its proprietary board as well. That is the fly in the ointment with this so-called "user chooses" business model. Really, in the end it becomes a laughably expensive solution for the user.

If a Piano is a Piano then what is the purpose of just selling a controller? Put high quality samples in the darn thing and be done with it. High performance computers and audio interfaces are not cheap.

Choice?

Also, what do you mean by "a Piano is a Piano"?

Are you seriously suggesting that all pianos sound and feel the same?

Not being able to find a VPC1 to demo the action shouldn't be a problem. It feels the same as an MP10, CA63, CA93, CA15, or CA13. Many Kawai dealers will have one of these available that you can get your fingers on.

Regarding the pitch and mod wheels, they are such useless additions to a digital piano intended for piano work. I would have been very annoyed indeed if Kawai had added them. That trash clutters the space on my MP8 reminding me that Kawai intended it for a particular type of stage performer, rather than a normal pianist. I have to think that people who do a lot of pitch and mod wheel work don't typically need a realistic piano action. For them any old controller, even with a synth action, works. I suppose we could ask Kawai to put pads on it too. That would make some people happy, I guess. Aren't there piano-like items out there with pads, wheels, aftertouch, keys that light up, rhythms for the background, and other non-piano features?

If you want all the blinking lights and gizmos and still want a piano-like action, the MP10 works well and isn't all that much more expensive. The point of the VPC1 was to give a good piano action with no extraneous garbage. With the VPC1 Kawai even did away with the power cable. My only bone is that I would have liked it cheaper. Well, that or the GF thing (probably couldn't have both).

I have a dream that one day StarvingLion will find his beloved acoustic piano...thus ending his tired (and annoying) diatribes against Digital Pianos, their manufacturer's, and their owner's.

And the dream goes something like this...

gvfarns, I'm inclined to agree with you.

The VPC1 focuses on the keyboard action, and nothing else - most people get it.

If we had included a pitchbend and modulation wheel, maybe some folks would have been happy, but then there would have been a group saying "OMG! Where are the zone faders!?", put those on, then another group would say "What about my transport controls?!", add those and another group would chip in with "Where are my pads?!"...it just becomes a never ending list.

Keep it simple - it's a piano controller, and nothing else.

James
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Strange, isn't it. I've never seen an acoustic piano with pitch bend (though John Cage might have wanted that). Nor a mod wheel. Nor zone faders. An instrument with any of those is simply not a piano.

Bless Kawai for leaving them out.

(And curse Kawai for not releasing the VPC five years sooner. I'd have preferred it to my Clavinova purchase.)

Thanks. This will be very helpful.

Any chance of your postings being consistent? From another thread:

I endorse the VPC1 for physical modeling software because that pathway deals with limitations that matter for classical music. Samples have been a dead end for ages -- better sample libraries add more realism to *simplistic* patterns of input from the keyboard. Would be nice to have a key bed like the Mp10 but my P-105 is perfectly up to the job for basic learning of notes too. You would think everyone here chasing software piano sample libraries are a bunch of Pollini's.

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On the surface your argument (regarding the cost of sliders/knobs/wheels) seems reasonable. But if you understand the economics of manufacturing and distribution ... it just doesn't fly.

A piano is not just 88 keys, pedals, cabinet, and electronics. It's also the marketing and the engineering and the supply chain activities and the distribution channels. It's supplier qualification and parts qualification. It's warranty service and parts depots. It's regulatory compliance and labor law compliance and intellectual property law. It's everything ... even the employee parking lot.

Things aren't as simple as they appear.

This.

The fact that it doesn't have all those controls tells me Kawai does a good job keeping scope creep in check.

Yup, controls add to cost. Look at the Physis K4 with its factory price of € 2195 (street price yet unknown ).

Not so much indeed. With Arduino and few other electronic stuff, you could make a full midi controller with 20 or 30 usd.