Kurzweil MicroPiano...please help.

[symmetry]

I'm in the market for a wonderfull sounding module, but my basic needs only require a bright grand piano and true sounding strings. That's it. I've read about this nice little piece of equipment time and time again, but I want some advice from someone who isn't trying to sell me anything. How would you rate this module and/or what else would you recommend for a superb grand piano and great strings? Thanks for your time.

 

[Shailat]

Kurz has come out with a new moudle for piano sounds and Much ! more.
It's an excellent keyboard !!.

Check out Rolands RD series also. Good stuff

 

[JimH]

I have a Kurzweil PC88 which has the MicroPiano sound in it (unless they've updated the MicroPiano recently).

It's a good all-around piano sound. There aren't any bad loops that I can hear. The low notes have some of that nice growl. It seems to be a piano sound that is more suited to playing in a band or on a non-solo recording than playing solo. The reason I say "seems" is because I haven't played in a band since I got the PC88. But I've read this same point in other places. Actually, the solo playing is OK, I do it all the time. But notes decay a little too quickly instead of carrying and ringing out. So I think it's not as good for playing, say, solo classical. For that I might take another look at the Yamaha pianos. I don't know that Yamaha makes a module version of it's pianos, but it might be worth checking into. But for playing in the context of a band the MicroPiano might end up being better---a more tight, controlled sound. Since I also have a K2000, I've kept an eye out for piano sounds that might be better for solo playing that I can load into it and control from the PC88. But so far I haven't bought any.

You might want to go to a music store and try out the Kurzweil PC2 or PC2X, the successors to the PC88. However, I think they have a new updated piano sound and so might not be an accurate gauge. Maybe the lower cost SP76 and SP88 have the MicroPiano sound. Anyway, the keyboards will be easier to check out than a MicroPiano, which might not set up anywhere.

I really like the string sounds. Very silky and spacious. "Touch Strings" is very nice. Although for true-sounding strings you'd be more interest in "Strings 1". I also like the harpsichord, too. I doodle around with Bach a little and so I appreciate it. Although, I thwacked a couple of notes on the new PC2X in a store once and it didn't seem to have as good a harpsichord sound as my PC88. Organ sounds? Well, they're OK considering they're throw-ins. But they're not going to rival the Hammond XK-2.


[This message has been edited by JimH (edited 06-15-2000).]

 

[Shailat]

The new Kurz moudle I meant was the new Successors to the PC88. They have a better sound and a better keyboard touch and built,

I think that it can read also CDrom samples so you'll have the option of getting good piano sounds.