MODX8+ Piano Voices - Hmmm

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I own a Yamaha MODX8+ and have been disappointed with the key velocity and sensitivity of the piano voices... while playing, it feels dull, muted and non-vibrant. Does anyone know of a library or source for a piano voice that matches the feel and sound of the grand piano on the Yamaha P-125 and the DGX-670?
 
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Ask at a different forum, get the same answer:

-Montage/Modx (my cusomter who purchased the Montage M8x insists is the best piano he's ever tried... and he's owned CVP and Modus Clavinovas, but unfortuantely we *still* can't get enough stock for me to have a spare one on display, so I've yet to try it)
-Roland RD88 (miles ahead of all the other portable Rolands; fp10,30x,e50,60x, 90x aren't even close)
-Nord (piano3/piano5 (I weirdly didn't like the 4 as much)) but don't love the fatar keys
-Korg Nautilus
-Pa5x (Yes the Genos 2 has a couple of pianos that match these, but not better them)
-Yamaha CP1 (no longer made but I loved it)
-cp88 (with Steinway upgrade)

So again, I have to ask if you're playing through headphones, or a muddy keyboard amp?
I will agree that if the velocity curve doesn't feel right to you, it's very hard to enjoy the piano.

The p125 and DGX670 pianos are quite a bit worse than the Mod8 piano, btw.
Mark
 
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Hi Mark,

Thanks for your reply. I have played the P-125 for the past 7 years and have had the DGX-670 for 6 weeks and I like the feel and sound of the grand piano and grand piano + strings voices of them both. The MODX8+ CFX and CFX + FM Piano voices/keyboard feel just seems to be so different than the P-125 and DGX-670. I play them through a keyboard amp, the Peavey KB3 which has good fidelity. I also use ElectroVoice ZLX12BTs for gigs. I like so many other aspects of the MODX8+ that I'll probably keep it, but surely I will need to change the velocity curve to suit my taste.

Just curious, does the Roland RD88 have piano voices and keyboard feel that compares with Yamaha?
 
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The keys are a little bit... soggier? But the sound is spectacular. But only the piano (and 80s synths, and the rhodes ep's); the Modx blows it away in every way, as far as I'm concerned, *except* not having built in speakers really hurts it. All keyboard amps I've tried are too muddy (including the Peavey's); I would instead ask you to listen on headphones, but if you need speakers use PA speakers instead. The QSC K10's and K12's (mark 1, not mark 2), or QSC CP8's. Or if you *have* to get something like a keyboard amp, the clearest i've heard are Roland PM100/PM200.

Did you notice that the DGX670 speakers crackle if you play piano only at full volume? THe p125 piano is a wide, solid sound, but with barely any dynamics, Through equally clear speakers, the Modx8/Montage blow them away... but most people don't realize just how clear built in speakers are. Keyboard amps (every one I've tried... Roland, Peavey, Yorkville, etc) are all way too muddy to me and kill the clarity and dynamics of the sound, *and* you lose a *lot* in mono.

Heck, even an inexpensive pair of studio monitors like HS7's ,or even ones that aren't as clear like KRK Rp7's or the Mackie MR624's would be *miles* better sounding than the KB3.

I mean, if you can? you should take the audio out from the Modx and put it into the aux in of the DGX670 and despite the buzz that comes from a 1/8" input, you should be able to hear how clear the MOdx8 piano actually is (yes Modx8/8+ are the same exact sound library)

Or try both with headphones to see what I mean :)

Mark

www.youtube.com/MarkWilburnTLM/Videos
DX7, CLP300, PSR60, Roland E20 + MT32, CVP309, PSRS970, Fender Std Strat, Squier RB3 Midi Strat, Ibanez SA262, Yamaha CG131, Fujiyama FC390, TUC-Kitty
 
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Thanks for pushing me to try the stereo feature. I play mostly in my studio room, but also do several gigs a year. At least when I'm playing at home I could enjoy the rich stereo sound from the MODX8+. Even while using the KB3 amp, I can certainly tell the difference between the instruments and synth sounds - much better with the MODX8+ over the 670. The main reason I use the KB3 is because I sing and play and want to hear the balance of vocal and keyboard mixed while performing.
 
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Ah, that makes sense, but (as you can tell from from youtube) I also sing and play, and its' incredibly hard to balance in Stereo and even harder in mono. The DGX *is* a good choice there, but the Yamaha PS500 is just so much better (except you can't load/create styles... yet)

Mark
 
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Have you adjusted the velocity curves? Thats what most owners seem to do. That and use the extensive EQ.
 

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