UK Piano Page Piano Forum

I need you to narrow down your needs from the instrument. Initially I thought you were looking into a digital piano and then towards the end you mentioned the Clavia Nord which is a synthesiser and then the Roland 300SX which is a stage piano.

The main differences between the stage piano and a sythesiser features are keyboard action and choice of onboard sounds. The Nord action is a balanced hammer action and not progressive or graded like the 300SX from Roland or even the Casio Privia. Is a progressive hammer action important? Do you want a variety of sounds? Do you want an instrument specialising in piano samples - ie a stage piano?

If you can tell me what you need from your instrument, then I could be more specific and provide more relevant ideas for you.

Mark,

Apologies for being so vague!

I want a nice variety of sounds, but nothing too daft like searing synth leads and sound effects, just a nice collection of grand piano, string, orchestral and organ sounds really, a basic variety of quality sounds.

Yes a stage piano is more what I'm after. As I said, the main problem I face now is the touch and response of the keys on the Casio Privia as they're very plastic and they don't snap back enough - obviously I wasn't expecting anything amazing as the Privia is hardly an industry leading product, but it got me off the ground.

Do you see built-in monitoring as essential? I know you don't really need it playing in bigger venues where the PA and floor monitors are plentiful, but in smaller louder venues I find it quite useful having such a nearby source sound of my own instrument.

I've asked a local music store to order in a 300gx for me to try out. I actually borrowed the 700gx briefly off a friend a while back and if the 300 is anything like that then it could be a winner. I've also played a variety of yamaha stage pianos that feel amazing too.

I've noticed this piano being used very often, and in this particular video it sounds very nice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGPQPc_-5T4

I think it's a Yamaha, and it also has it's own built-in monitors. It's quite deep size wise but the sound is spot on. Thrown a few things at you there, hope that's enough info!

Thanks,
Rob.

The Roland 300GX (not the redundant SX I mentioned in my last post) has a different keyboard action from the 700GX model so you may not be just as impressed.

Personally, I do like the built-in speakers because it gives a greater sense of interaction with the instrument. The sound output creates a small vibration or resonance in the keys like you would get in an acoustic which I also like.

The model you were looking it is either the (now redundant) P-200 or P-250 which has been replaced by the CP-300 I mentioned earlier. It is a great board, built in speakers and a GH hammer action keyboard. Down side is that it is 32kg! This would be the one I personally prefer.