Fabio Rubato
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
- Total Posts : 500
- Joined: 2006/09/01 21:51:29
- Location: Australia
- Status: offline
Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
Hi. Not sure this is the best place to post this question, so apologies if not. I'm looking for a keyboard that has a good piano feel with realistic voices and plays well with Sonar. I'm currently using a Roland A-800Pro and it's good for soft synth work but I want to compose on something that has a good piano feel - and 88 keys - which from my research has shown the CP4/40 does. The piano sounds are pretty good as well, but I also want to be able to use the keyboard in Sonar with other soft synths as well. I've really wrestled with this. I've considered just the midi-keyboards like Roland A-88, Nektar Impact LX88, and some other stage keyboards like the Korg Kross 88 Key Music Workstation Synthesizer...even Casio Priva Px -5s, etc. I keep coming back to either the A-88/LX88, or the Yamaha. Obviously the latter is more a stage piano with its own sounds but I guess I want the best of both worlds. The former midi-keyboards obviously don't have on-board sounds and are designed for DAW integration, but the feel of the keys - from what I've heard - although semi-weighted, are lacking in comparison to a 'real' piano - hammer action. As I don't have the opportunity to play these keyboards, I'm buying blindly so I'd be grateful to hear of anyone's experience using any of these keyboards in Sonar and especially comments on that 'natural piano' feel and piano sound. Thanks in advance.
Sonar: Platinum, (X3e) - x64 PC: Win10 Pro 64; Computer: Gigabyte Z68X-UD3R-B3; Intel i7, 2600k @ 4.2 (8 Cores); 16 GB Corsair Ram; Visual Card: Gigabyte GTX 580; Audio Interface: RME UFX; Monitors: Adam A77X, Sub8; Midi Controllers: Komplete Kontrol S88, Novation Bass Station 2; NI Maschine Mk 2; Other Hardware: Joe Meek Twin Q Dual Studio Channel; Mics: RODE NT2-A, ASTON Spirit Latest Song: Lay Down Before the War
|
tomixornot
Max Output Level: -58.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1674
- Joined: 2011/03/05 11:31:26
- Status: offline
Re: Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
2015/07/17 21:42:18
(permalink)
I'm not a piano player. I'm using a Kawai MP8ii as one of the keyboard controllers and for me that is a great keyboard with real wooden piano action keys but it's so heavy it'll never leave the house. The latest Kawai MP11 would have even better touch. The sound is ok, but now I'm mainly running it with soft synths. One comment about the Casio Priva, the lower end series. I've used one at one of the music school I taught at. When it's new, the touch is great but after a few years, the keys worn out and the touch felt lose and noisy.
Albert i7 2600K @ 3.40GHz / MB Intel DP67BG / 16GB Ram- ADATA 250GB SSD (Boot)- Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB HDD (Samples)Audio interface : Motu 828 MK ii i7 6700K @ 4.00GHz / MB Asrock Z170 / 16GB Ram- Samsung EVO 850 120GB / 500 GB SSD Audio interface : Roland Quad Capture Win 10 Pro / Sonar Platinum
|
Fabio Rubato
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
- Total Posts : 500
- Joined: 2006/09/01 21:51:29
- Location: Australia
- Status: offline
Re: Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
2015/07/17 23:46:02
(permalink)
Yes, the Kawai MP11 looks beautiful...but for $3,395 Au, it'll stay on my wishlist until I win the lotto! Lol! Every keyboard I've looked at has pros and cons which end up putting me off it. Even this guy had issues with the Kawai - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XATb-Xuiyw The Numa Nero looked good until someone posted about avoiding it like the plague - http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1454577/1.html I'm looking into the M-Audio Oxygen 88 USB MIDI Controller, the Akai MPK 88, and Roland A-88...blah blah. If I go for a midi-controller, I'm sort of leaning towards either the A-88, or Nektar LX88. Doesn't seem like the Oxygen 88 is available in Australia.
Sonar: Platinum, (X3e) - x64 PC: Win10 Pro 64; Computer: Gigabyte Z68X-UD3R-B3; Intel i7, 2600k @ 4.2 (8 Cores); 16 GB Corsair Ram; Visual Card: Gigabyte GTX 580; Audio Interface: RME UFX; Monitors: Adam A77X, Sub8; Midi Controllers: Komplete Kontrol S88, Novation Bass Station 2; NI Maschine Mk 2; Other Hardware: Joe Meek Twin Q Dual Studio Channel; Mics: RODE NT2-A, ASTON Spirit Latest Song: Lay Down Before the War
|
Larry Jones
Max Output Level: -74 dBFS
- Total Posts : 834
- Joined: 2007/10/11 02:45:33
- Location: Southern California
- Status: offline
Re: Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
2015/07/18 03:06:47
(permalink)
I know a Sonar user who has one of these, and he says it's a beautiful instrument. He likes the touch and the sounds, and the way the internal sounds can be modified. But this is really a stage piano. If you're playing out, it's great. If not, it's overkill. One other note: I tried to find an instrument definition for this piano, and could not. I wouldn't know how to begin making one from scratch, but it looks quite tedious. So that might have a bearing on your decision if you're planning on using it as a controller for soft synths in Sonar.
SONAR Platinum 2017.10 • CbB • Win10 • i7/2600 • 16GB RAM • Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 • NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS
|
azslow3
Max Output Level: -42.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3297
- Joined: 2012/06/22 19:27:51
- Location: Germany
- Status: offline
Re: Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
2015/07/18 03:38:43
(permalink)
Fabio Rubato Yes, the Kawai MP11 looks beautiful...but for $3,395 Au, it'll stay on my wishlist until I win the lotto! Lol!
Since you are looking for MIDI controller, Kawai VPC-1 has comparable action and better price... Every keyboard I've looked at has pros and cons which end up putting me off it. Even this guy had issues with the Kawai - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XATb-Xuiyw
I had to update firmware on my CN. But Kawai release updates when required. There can be some "Monday" devices with problems out of the box. Any producers have them. There can also be amore general problems (search for Ivory Feel key top wear for example). The world is not perfect. If I go for a midi-controller, I'm sort of leaning towards either the A-88, or Nektar LX88. Doesn't seem like the Oxygen 88 is available in Australia.
LX88, A-88 and VPC1 represent 3 different families of devices: keyboard, piano like and piano. Even non professions piano player can immediately recognize the difference, without even attaching them to anything...
Sonar 8LE -> Platinum infinity, REAPER, Windows 10 pro GA-EP35-DS3L, E7500, 4GB, GTX 1050 Ti, 2x500GB RME Babyface Pro (M-Audio Audiophile Firewire/410, VS-20), Kawai CN43, TD-11, Roland A500S, Akai MPK Mini, Keystation Pro, etc. www.azslow.com - Control Surface Integration Platform for SONAR, ReaCWP, AOSC and other accessibility tools
|
Fabio Rubato
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
- Total Posts : 500
- Joined: 2006/09/01 21:51:29
- Location: Australia
- Status: offline
Re: Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
2015/07/18 22:46:52
(permalink)
I'm still leaning towards the A-88 which - apart from not have after touch - seems to fit the bill - pun intended. Yes the VPC1 looks far better but very costly at this point AND, not available in Australia.
Sonar: Platinum, (X3e) - x64 PC: Win10 Pro 64; Computer: Gigabyte Z68X-UD3R-B3; Intel i7, 2600k @ 4.2 (8 Cores); 16 GB Corsair Ram; Visual Card: Gigabyte GTX 580; Audio Interface: RME UFX; Monitors: Adam A77X, Sub8; Midi Controllers: Komplete Kontrol S88, Novation Bass Station 2; NI Maschine Mk 2; Other Hardware: Joe Meek Twin Q Dual Studio Channel; Mics: RODE NT2-A, ASTON Spirit Latest Song: Lay Down Before the War
|
tomixornot
Max Output Level: -58.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1674
- Joined: 2011/03/05 11:31:26
- Status: offline
Re: Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
2015/07/18 23:19:57
(permalink)
I also have the Alesis QS8.2 synth as midi controller too. At times, I do prefer the lighter keys of the Alesis at times. It's no longer in production, but I've check there is a current Alesis Q88 midi controller available for around USD 199/=. Do check the key action out if you can get hold of one at the store.
Albert i7 2600K @ 3.40GHz / MB Intel DP67BG / 16GB Ram- ADATA 250GB SSD (Boot)- Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB HDD (Samples)Audio interface : Motu 828 MK ii i7 6700K @ 4.00GHz / MB Asrock Z170 / 16GB Ram- Samsung EVO 850 120GB / 500 GB SSD Audio interface : Roland Quad Capture Win 10 Pro / Sonar Platinum
|
wizard71
Max Output Level: -74 dBFS
- Total Posts : 836
- Joined: 2012/02/12 05:45:05
- Location: UK
- Status: offline
Re: Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
2015/07/19 17:21:37
(permalink)
It's a good thing the oxygen 88 isn't available in Australia, it feels nothing like a piano, but then again it's very cheap so you wouldn't expect it to. Yammys are good, I've got a Kawai mp6 which does the job nicely
post edited by wizard71 - 2015/07/19 17:28:35
http://www.youtube.com/SpaceTimeAceshttps://soundcloud.com/space-time-acesSonar Platinum - Win 8.1 x64 - Haswell 4770k - ASrock Z87 pro3 - 32gb ram - Fractal design R4 case - 3x HDD 1 USB 2.0 external 1x cr M4 ssd for samples - Octa-capture - Sontronics Aria - Sontronics STC-1s - BX8 monitors - ARC 2 system - Kawai CA63 piano - Kawai MP6 Stage piano - Fender custom Telecaster FMT - Yamaha LL6 - Fender P bass
|
Fabio Rubato
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
- Total Posts : 500
- Joined: 2006/09/01 21:51:29
- Location: Australia
- Status: offline
Re: Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
2015/07/19 18:57:55
(permalink)
tomixornot I also have the Alesis QS8.2 synth as midi controller too. At times, I do prefer the lighter keys of the Alesis at times. It's no longer in production, but I've check there is a current Alesis Q88 midi controller available for around USD 199/=. Do check the key action out if you can get hold of one at the store.
Thanks...not here is Aussie land unfortunately.
Sonar: Platinum, (X3e) - x64 PC: Win10 Pro 64; Computer: Gigabyte Z68X-UD3R-B3; Intel i7, 2600k @ 4.2 (8 Cores); 16 GB Corsair Ram; Visual Card: Gigabyte GTX 580; Audio Interface: RME UFX; Monitors: Adam A77X, Sub8; Midi Controllers: Komplete Kontrol S88, Novation Bass Station 2; NI Maschine Mk 2; Other Hardware: Joe Meek Twin Q Dual Studio Channel; Mics: RODE NT2-A, ASTON Spirit Latest Song: Lay Down Before the War
|
Fabio Rubato
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
- Total Posts : 500
- Joined: 2006/09/01 21:51:29
- Location: Australia
- Status: offline
Re: Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
2015/07/19 19:02:29
(permalink)
wizard71 It's a good thing the oxygen 88 isn't available in Australia, it feels nothing like a piano, but then again it's very cheap so you wouldn't expect it to. Yammys are good, I've got a Kawai mp6 which does the job nicely
Funny you should mention Yammies...looking at a cheaper P115. Looks okay for the price and should be able to use it in Sonar...just basically want a good piano with good 'realistic piano' action/sound and can link it to midi and use it in Sonar as well. I don't mind the idea behind Akai's Advance keyboard but they don't have 71/88 weighted keys yet, but that might be cool if they go that way.
Sonar: Platinum, (X3e) - x64 PC: Win10 Pro 64; Computer: Gigabyte Z68X-UD3R-B3; Intel i7, 2600k @ 4.2 (8 Cores); 16 GB Corsair Ram; Visual Card: Gigabyte GTX 580; Audio Interface: RME UFX; Monitors: Adam A77X, Sub8; Midi Controllers: Komplete Kontrol S88, Novation Bass Station 2; NI Maschine Mk 2; Other Hardware: Joe Meek Twin Q Dual Studio Channel; Mics: RODE NT2-A, ASTON Spirit Latest Song: Lay Down Before the War
|
Fabio Rubato
Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
- Total Posts : 500
- Joined: 2006/09/01 21:51:29
- Location: Australia
- Status: offline
Re: Yamaha CP4/40 - anyone using in Sonar?
2015/07/23 07:54:55
(permalink)
Settled on the Yamie P115 AND the Nektar Impact LX88! Thanks for the feedback. :-)
Sonar: Platinum, (X3e) - x64 PC: Win10 Pro 64; Computer: Gigabyte Z68X-UD3R-B3; Intel i7, 2600k @ 4.2 (8 Cores); 16 GB Corsair Ram; Visual Card: Gigabyte GTX 580; Audio Interface: RME UFX; Monitors: Adam A77X, Sub8; Midi Controllers: Komplete Kontrol S88, Novation Bass Station 2; NI Maschine Mk 2; Other Hardware: Joe Meek Twin Q Dual Studio Channel; Mics: RODE NT2-A, ASTON Spirit Latest Song: Lay Down Before the War
|