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Hi Everyone,
Is anyone using the Kawai Novus NV10S with the Synchron Piano's?
I'm currently using a Roland GP-9, this works quite well IMHO, but I was wondering if I could improve the overall experience with a digital piano with a real hybrid action like the NV10S.
Anyone using this combination?
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing.
Actually, I went to a piano store a few days ago with my laptop, RME interface and my trusted Meze 99 classics headphones. I tried the NV10-S first with the internal sound (headphones only), I found it very dissapointing, and I didn't like the keyboard and action at all. The guy in te shop was kind enough to let me connect my laptop to the piano to try it with the Synchron Piano's, but velocity was very strange, could not get it anywhere using the editor.
I currently use my Roland GP-9 as "controler" for my Synchron Piano's, which works really well for me without even touching the velocity curves at all, and although The GP-9 is not a hybrid, its action feels very close to that of an acoustic concert gand. I have played some really nice piano's lately, including a Steinway model B, a Yamaha CFX, and the amazing Fazioli's F212, F228 and F278, so I think I have some good references to compare. It's amazing BTW how close the experience of the VSL F308 is to the real F278 with my set-up.
As you may have understood, I'm considering investing in a good acoustic grand piano, but I absolutly want to keep my Syncron Piano's as well. I don't have enough space for both an acoustic grand and the GP-9, so I will need something more compact to replace the GP-9. I think both Yamaha N1X (very bad reviews) and Kawai NV10-S are not an option. I tried some other Roland actions as well, I own an FP90-X for when I'm on the road, the PHA-50 action is not too bad and also works well with the Synchron Piano's, just a bit heavy to my taste and the GP-9 seems to give me a bit finer control.
Any suggestions for a good controller?
Thanks!
Too bad that you didn't like the NV10S. This is what I would get at the moment, I don't think there's anything closer to a real grand action than the Kawai.
Next step down would be the Kawai VPC1 (that's what I have).
One other alternative is adding MIDI to an existing grand or upright. There are several systems available in the 1 to 2k range. I have no personal experience with these.
Just saw this. Not sure if you're still considering what to get but I thought I'd add my $0.02 from personal experience.
I have owned an NV10S since June of last year and play it every day. I exclusively use VSTs and have accumulated a huge selection of (approximately 200) VST licenses, starting about 10 years ago. This includes full licenses for all of the VSL pianos. I use Cantabile Performer and can view and select all my instruments and save all my custom settings.
I typically use headphones for classical practice, connected to my Motu 4 audio interface, but also blend the internal sound with a pair of Neumann 310a monitors and a Yamaha HS8s sub.
My feeling is that the NV10S is a superb, if somewhat expensive MIDI controller. I don't know what they sell for today, but I bought mine new on sale in 2023 for $10,000. I probably have nearly that amount of money invested in software licenses, so I certainly could have had a decent upright acoustic (no room for a grand at any price), but I really wanted to be able to have the versatility of MIDI and software instruments provided I could have an acoustic grand action. I've played a variety of acoustic grands and uprights over the years and the NV10S is very much a true acoustic action.
It's funny that I originally played the NV10 back in 2021 at a showroom and didn't care for it, both in action which I found sluggish and the sound which I found unrealistic. At the same time I tried the Yamaha N3 and had decided I would wait for an upgrade to the N2 When the sale came up last year, I was tired of waiting for an N2 upgrade and somewhat impulsively bought the NV10S. From the first time I played it in my livingroom I loved everything about it, except for the internal non-headphone sound which I still found lacking. I already had Yamaha HS7s from my old MIDI controller but I found them a bit piercing and decided to upgrade to the Neumans based on some research and that did the trick. Headphone sound is superb. I initially had some sensitivity issues with the damper pedal which I was able to resolve via a virtual technician software setting and some creaking which required lubrication of the damper pedal rod.
BTW- a big advantage of the Avantgrands is the internal audio interface. I have a P515 in my basement office and the MIDI hookup is quite a bit more flexible (though that keyboard is a toy compared to the NV10S). With the NV10S, I have to use a Roland MIDI to USB cable and then loop the sound back to the NV10S line-in to have it go through the piano's internal sound system. All this is unnecssary with Yamaha's internal audio interface. The Kawai approach ends up working ok but it's a of a pain to set up and adjust.
My NV10S is a joy to play. I live in a rural area and I have concerns with getting service for electronic issues, but that's a risk I was willing to take. Good luck and good hunting!
Thanks Jon, very interesting read. Maybe the NV10S needs a bit more time to play with to appreciate it. My plan is also to use this exclusively with VST's. Maybe I' ll buy it from a web store with a 14 day return window, so I could have a bit more time to play with it.
