Also see this I just posted: Ultimate Piano VST Comparison: Keyscape, Spitfire, NI, Logic, Musio with the StudioLogic SL88 Grand th-cam.com/video/oKNMJN-XG7o/w-d-xo.html
Since the late 90's, I've owned and played the Yamaha C5 grand piano in my living room. In mid-2021 I bought a Studiologic SL88Grand as the graded hammer-action keyboard controller for my basement home studio to complement my existing Native Instruments Kontrol S61Mk2 semi-weighted controller that came with a big sound library (now updated to NI's even-bigger Komplete14CE). I enjoy playing my SL88Grand as much as I love playing my acoustic Yamaha Grand -- sometimes even more given its versatility to sound like a Yamaha, Steinway, Bösendorfer, or a felt, honky-tonk upright, a Rhodes, or Wurli; the Fatar TP/40Wood keyboard action in the SL88Grand does not disappoint. IMHO, it's a better action than Fatar's TP/100LR in the SL88Studio model or Roland's PHA-50 in their FP90X or Kawai's RH3 action in their CN series and in the Nord Grand2. I haven't tried Kawai's newer GF2 or GF3 actions; those keysticks seem substantially longer so they're potentially even more like true acoustic grand actions (still, I'm happy with what I have). I'm only 3 years into its use, but Fatar's TP/40W keybed in the SL88Grand remains well-regulated, and the dynamic range produced by its triple-sensor is phenomenal whether I'm listening through DT990Pro headphones or my Kali IN-8 monitors. Does your sustain pedal support half-pedaling? The triple-pedal (SLP3D) does -- and the better piano VSTs all sample the sound of una corda (single-string) pedal effect as well as realistic sostenuto damping. It's a great accessory for your SL88Grand. I hope your Studiologic controller brings you years of enjoyment and continued musical creativity. Thanks for the video review.
I've had an SL88 Grand for about 4-5 years now, and quite enjoyed it except for one problem. After about a year, one of the keys made a noticeable "thump" when released and hit the end of its rebound. I presume that there is padding at the top of the return that had worn thin. At this point in time, a few of the other keys are suffering the same fate. The keyboard (TP/40Wood) is made by Fatar and I've seen comments by other people online complaining about the same problem with this keyboard. I contacted Tom Lee Music in Vancouver where I bought it and they said they had no one who could refurbish it. I tried other music repair places but no luck to date. I'm considering buying the Kawai VPC1 but it is heavier (about 65 pounds as opposed to the SL88 Grand's 45 pounds) which is a bit much as I need to move it quite regularly.
They aren't hard to fix it you feel like taking it on. Just remove the end caps and the screws in the recess on the back to remove the top lid. Then you can access the meconium. If I remember right it just felt pads on the hammer's.
@@b00ts4ndc4ts Thanks for the information. I was able to resolve the situation in a round about way. I bought some Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones which I plug into my RME Fireface UFX audio interface (which the SL88 Grand is connected to via MIDI) and turn on the full noise cancellation function of the headphones. I had some rather old Bose noise cancelling headphones that were mediocre in reducing the thumping noise from the keys, but the new Bose model is superb. I now don't hear any extraneous noise from the keys at all, and the sound quality of the headphones is great.
I have been anticipating your review video of the Studiologic SL88 Grand as I am in a similar situation with no good music stores in the area. Been using TH-cam to help my selection process of a piano style 88 note controller and feel that the majority of the TH-cam reviews are somewhat bias even when they say they are not. Was leaning on the Grand but considering the Studio and now i am sticking to my initial thoughts that the Grand is the best bang for the buck for a piano feel controller, SL88 Grand is on my wish list. Thanks for all you feedback on all the controllers you have tested.
Yes, I would say the grand is the better solution if you're looking for a real Piano touch. Where you can really feel the hammers, and it is not too spongy or too thunky. It seems that the TP 100Fatar (SL88Studio, NI S88, Arturia Keylab88) key bed pleases a lot of keyboard players wanting a heavier touch. But piano players seem to gravitate towards the TP, 400 wood that the SL88|Grand has.
I would add that I do not think this keyboard is great for programming, strings and synthesizer action type things. That is where something more semi weighted comes in. So I stand by my thought that this is for piano players.
@@Cre8ivKeyboardsHi im looking for a midi keyboard 88 keys that has piano feel, but I also need it for producing cinematic/trap music in ableton, im looking at the m audio hammer, this one and the arturia key 88 the expensive one. But im unsure. What can you recommend me?
I literally just finished boxing up for return the NI S88 MK3 I recently purchased from Sweetwater; I had no problems with it working, but I thought the action was too sluggish and heavy for playing piano, and I thought the aftertouch was too sensitive and easy to push to MIDI values of 127. Also, when playing fortissimo it generated spurious AT messages. I have gone back to using my VAX77, but am waiting to see if Studiologic updates the SL88 Grand with polyphonic aftertouch (which is important to me). They haven't announced anything yet, but hope springs eternal...thank you for your review.
Thank you for the honest review. Great to hear that you found the holy grail! I recently played a Juno DS88 and feel in love. I would be curious to know how it compares to the SL88. Like you mentioned, without the ability to try multiple controllers ina retail/showroom, it’s a tough go. Cheers!
They're great studio workhorses that could serve well for many years. But so are the cheaper Studio SL S88, which are no slouches either. I think for cheap and light, most players would also want built-in sounds because it will be for live rehearsals and gigs, where VSTs might not be the first choice. There, I think a good cheap budget option is the Roland RD-08, with the PHA keyboard. I've seen these sell for about 700 euros here. And that's good value, given that you could pay that just for a controller. And the RD-08s sounds are pretty nice, especially if you spend time EQing them a little. And it's quite small and light.
I totally agree that the keybed feels great. Even better, I really appreciate that the keys actually feel premium. M-Audio and similar keyboards have really cheap, plastic feeling keys, even if the keybed is nice. Cheapens an otherwise nice keybed. I drove myself a bit crazy with the velocity sensitivity, going back and forth and unsure what felt best for me. But I may have just been driving myself unnecessarily crazy. Do you use the default velocity sensitivity or did you tweak it? The one thing that truly bothers me about this keyboard is the screen. It's hideous and bright and in your face. I will probably just put a piece of opaque tape or paper over it. Crazy that you can't turn it off or dim it.
So far I haven't changed the velocity. I'll try it and report. I have one more thing to show off about my new setup. Yeah the screen sucks and is ugly.
Sorry about that. I think I mentioned Keyscape, but it’s my piano of choice. The controllers on the left are odd sticks that are not very needed for me as I only use the keyboard for piano and electric piano. One is for pitch bend and snaps back into place, one is for mod and goes back and forth and the third is programmable. If this is your only keyboard or controller you may use them more than I would. Besides that, it’s somewhat programmable with zones and such, but again I don’t use them. But the screen is tiny and kind of ugly. But the touch is butta!
Are you still happy with the SL88 Grand? I watched your entire keyboard search video series, because I'm considering the Yamaha P525 as a replacement for my old Yamaha KX88, which is nearing the end of it's useful life. I mainly use VSTs like Ravenscroft 275 and Garritan CFX. I was curious about your experience with the Yamaha P515 as a controller. You said it wasn't very expressive or sensitive. Do you know why that is? On forums people with the P525 say they are getting a range of 1-126 velocity from the keyboard in piano VSTs. I have a midi control surface so the keyboard doesn't need DAW control, but after watching your series I wonder if the SL88 Grand would be a better choice for expressive playing with VSTs. I noticed that the TP40WOOD keybed doesn't have escapement, and the TP400WOOD with escapement appears to be available only on the higher end digital pianos. Do you miss escapement when playing softer pieces? I play with a large dynamic range.
Yes very happy. My search for the perfect touch on 88 keys is over. I had the 515 but it wasn’t a great MIDI Controller (not sensitive enough.) The 515 would be all red midi notes! But the Sl88grand is very sensitive, but not overly so.
I'm curious; Since you have had hands on many Keyboards at any point in your journey did you play any Roland Keyboards? I have a Roland FP-E50 which has the PHA-4 Keybed. I find the action quite heavy, and wonder how it compares with the action in the SL88. Enjoyed your review, and your playing!
I love this Roland keybeds but they feel less hammer like than this one. PHA-4 is great though. I enjoy the RD-88 but would want it as a gigging keyboard and not an accurate MIDI controller (sale with any Roman electric piano.) Part of this journey was to find an accurate MIDI controller and most digital pianos are meant to play the sounds on them.
@@Cre8ivKeyboards Thanks! I'll have to hunt down a SL88 and check it out. I had a Yamaha P80 Keyboard I played for 20 years. I thought the key action was kind of light. Going to the Roland has been a shock. Arthritis in my thumb joints doesn't help. I love the Super Natural Piano Voice. I'm in the market now for a MIDI Controller, a 61Key that I can put on rails under my music room Desk maybe Nektar or M-Audio. Appreciate your quick response, and really enjoying your channel.
What piano vst are you using? Or was that built in sound? Jave you tried the sl88? How does it compare. I bought the sl73 and its pretty awful to be honest . Very sluggish
I am a Keyscape guy. See this video for more. th-cam.com/video/oKNMJN-XG7o/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wVi37EPk0qeg9o3R I’ve heard the SL88Grand is a little “lighter”actually, because it’s all wood and not plastic.
love your review.. I have been looking into both the Studiologic SL88 studio and the m-audio hammer 88. In my area we haveno good music stores. Would love your thoughts on both. also thought about buying both and returning one but think it would be a waste of $$. Still searching out reveiws. Cheers!!!
I appreciate the reviews and the time you spend testing these out, but the s88 mk3 is a far superior keyboard in most ways except the subjective ones. I really don’t see the small adjustment to the keyboard from an acoustic piano to be a problem at all. The sl88 is terrible at controlling midi plugins. If you are composing orchestral music the s88 mk3 serves that purpose well. At some point you are getting too picky with the feel. It’s silly to be honest. It’s a midi controller and sl is not a very good one.
I appreciate your opinion, which is also subjective. I agree that the control the s88 MK3 gives you with Komplete and Kontakt instruments is awesome, and the SL88 Grand basically is just a great keybed. But I was more concerned with a great keybed, and the SL88 is FAR superior (for me) as a true piano feel than the S88 Mk3.
@@Cre8ivKeyboards You are definitely not alone. It may be that through playing different keyboards and adjusting to the plastic lifelessness that comes with them, I’ve learned to just deal with it. That being said, it is awesome that they are making these more affordable ones with the better key beds. Btw I own both, and wish I could swap the key beds! It’s just not the right tool for my work flow.
Coming purely from a piano background, the NI Kontrol S88 MK3 was very disappointing to the point of being unplayable- sluggish, heavy, fatiguing, etc. I have other keyboards (with polyphonic aftertouch, knobby/slider controllers, etc.) that I can use to control VSTs and desktop hardware. But for playing intricate piano pieces (such as Fantaisie Impromptu, Claire de Lune, or even the opening piano solo in Firth of Fifth, etc.), there is really no such thing as "getting too picky." If you want to see picky check out my previous comments regarding the Kawai VPC-1 vs the MP11SE, but these differences are relatively enormous if you play piano with any sort of expertise. But it does require some compromise, unless you want your home studio setup to start looking like Rick Wakeman's stage rig. In Eric and my case piano feel is more important, in your case it's MIDI controller capability. Sometimes you just need two different keyboards...
@@marzzz1 Ive seen this argument before, the “maybe you aren’t good enough to know how bad it is argument.”I am a jazz pianist and a film composer. While those are great songs, I have had no issues playing far more demanding pieces and soloing to jazz/blues/neoclassical soul compositions. It is a little heavier on the action, but I think it’s being exaggerated quite a bit here. I wouldn’t take the s88 on stage for a performance but for composition it’s the right tool for the job. I also don’t use it to work out technique. I’ve played many keyboards and Steinway and yamaha etc grand pianos. Neither the sl88 or s88 come close. But the exaggeration between the two, which I own both, is silly. Maybe quality control is bad I can’t tell you.
@@jordob5791 My apologies, I thought you were a podiatrist or something. If you can adapt to what I personally consider large subjective differences in keyboard feel, more power to you. To me the differences between the S88 and the SL 88 are relatively important, and I guess also to Eric; silly me...
Midi keyboards are no longer relavent unless they are midi 2 compliant. It’s not simply about the action if they are midi keyboards. I wish it were not so because these keyboards are awesome and I want one..
Ehh... I disagree. The MIDI function works regardless. If you want a nice set of keys, MIDI 2 should be a secondary or third focus. The new MIDI protocol is what control surfaces are for. ;)
FWIW, I had the opportunity to play the VPC-1 and the MP11SE in rapid succession at the Kawai booth at NAMM. I thought the VPC-1, while a great piano action, felt a bit stiff compared to the MP11SE. Also, the MP11SE felt more comfortable/natural when playing close to the fallboard vs the VPC-1. BUT, like Eric above I want an 88-key controller that feels as much as possible like a real piano action, but also has controller capabilities for use in a studio. Unlike Eric, I very much want polyphonic aftertouch. If I was looking purely for a piano action, the MP11SE would win, hands down (pun intended?). Now that Fatar makes keybeds with polyphonic aftertouch, I am hoping they update the SL88 Grand in the near future.
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Also see this I just posted: Ultimate Piano VST Comparison: Keyscape, Spitfire, NI, Logic, Musio with the StudioLogic SL88 Grand
th-cam.com/video/oKNMJN-XG7o/w-d-xo.html
Since the late 90's, I've owned and played the Yamaha C5 grand piano in my living room. In mid-2021 I bought a Studiologic SL88Grand as the graded hammer-action keyboard controller for my basement home studio to complement my existing Native Instruments Kontrol S61Mk2 semi-weighted controller that came with a big sound library (now updated to NI's even-bigger Komplete14CE). I enjoy playing my SL88Grand as much as I love playing my acoustic Yamaha Grand -- sometimes even more given its versatility to sound like a Yamaha, Steinway, Bösendorfer, or a felt, honky-tonk upright, a Rhodes, or Wurli; the Fatar TP/40Wood keyboard action in the SL88Grand does not disappoint. IMHO, it's a better action than Fatar's TP/100LR in the SL88Studio model or Roland's PHA-50 in their FP90X or Kawai's RH3 action in their CN series and in the Nord Grand2. I haven't tried Kawai's newer GF2 or GF3 actions; those keysticks seem substantially longer so they're potentially even more like true acoustic grand actions (still, I'm happy with what I have). I'm only 3 years into its use, but Fatar's TP/40W keybed in the SL88Grand remains well-regulated, and the dynamic range produced by its triple-sensor is phenomenal whether I'm listening through DT990Pro headphones or my Kali IN-8 monitors. Does your sustain pedal support half-pedaling? The triple-pedal (SLP3D) does -- and the better piano VSTs all sample the sound of una corda (single-string) pedal effect as well as realistic sostenuto damping. It's a great accessory for your SL88Grand. I hope your Studiologic controller brings you years of enjoyment and continued musical creativity. Thanks for the video review.
No nonsense review for pianists who do care about hammer feel (as they should). Thanks!
I've had an SL88 Grand for about 4-5 years now, and quite enjoyed it except for one problem. After about a year, one of the keys made a noticeable "thump" when released and hit the end of its rebound. I presume that there is padding at the top of the return that had worn thin. At this point in time, a few of the other keys are suffering the same fate. The keyboard (TP/40Wood) is made by Fatar and I've seen comments by other people online complaining about the same problem with this keyboard. I contacted Tom Lee Music in Vancouver where I bought it and they said they had no one who could refurbish it. I tried other music repair places but no luck to date. I'm considering buying the Kawai VPC1 but it is heavier (about 65 pounds as opposed to the SL88 Grand's 45 pounds) which is a bit much as I need to move it quite regularly.
They aren't hard to fix it you feel like taking it on.
Just remove the end caps and the screws in the recess on the back to remove the top lid.
Then you can access the meconium. If I remember right it just felt pads on the hammer's.
@@b00ts4ndc4ts Thanks for the information. I was able to resolve the situation in a round about way. I bought some Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones which I plug into my RME Fireface UFX audio interface (which the SL88 Grand is connected to via MIDI) and turn on the full noise cancellation function of the headphones. I had some rather old Bose noise cancelling headphones that were mediocre in reducing the thumping noise from the keys, but the new Bose model is superb. I now don't hear any extraneous noise from the keys at all, and the sound quality of the headphones is great.
I have been anticipating your review video of the Studiologic SL88 Grand as I am in a similar situation with no good music stores in the area. Been using TH-cam to help my selection process of a piano style 88 note controller and feel that the majority of the TH-cam reviews are somewhat bias even when they say they are not. Was leaning on the Grand but considering the Studio and now i am sticking to my initial thoughts that the Grand is the best bang for the buck for a piano feel controller, SL88 Grand is on my wish list. Thanks for all you feedback on all the controllers you have tested.
Yes, I would say the grand is the better solution if you're looking for a real Piano touch. Where you can really feel the hammers, and it is not too spongy or too thunky. It seems that the TP 100Fatar (SL88Studio, NI S88, Arturia Keylab88) key bed pleases a lot of keyboard players wanting a heavier touch.
But piano players seem to gravitate towards the TP, 400 wood that the SL88|Grand has.
I would add that I do not think this keyboard is great for programming, strings and synthesizer action type things. That is where something more semi weighted comes in. So I stand by my thought that this is for piano players.
@@Cre8ivKeyboardsHi im looking for a midi keyboard 88 keys that has piano feel, but I also need it for producing cinematic/trap music in ableton, im looking at the m audio hammer, this one and the arturia key 88 the expensive one. But im unsure. What can you recommend me?
I literally just finished boxing up for return the NI S88 MK3 I recently purchased from Sweetwater; I had no problems with it working, but I thought the action was too sluggish and heavy for playing piano, and I thought the aftertouch was too sensitive and easy to push to MIDI values of 127. Also, when playing fortissimo it generated spurious AT messages. I have gone back to using my VAX77, but am waiting to see if Studiologic updates the SL88 Grand with polyphonic aftertouch (which is important to me). They haven't announced anything yet, but hope springs eternal...thank you for your review.
I have no need for AT the way I use it but understand. I think I heard they are working on this.
Thank you for the honest review. Great to hear that you found the holy grail!
I recently played a Juno DS88 and feel in love. I would be curious to know how it compares to the SL88.
Like you mentioned, without the ability to try multiple controllers ina retail/showroom, it’s a tough go.
Cheers!
I actually like the DS88 feel, but it still wasn't what I was looking for. Cheers!
They're great studio workhorses that could serve well for many years. But so are the cheaper Studio SL S88, which are no slouches either. I think for cheap and light, most players would also want built-in sounds because it will be for live rehearsals and gigs, where VSTs might not be the first choice. There, I think a good cheap budget option is the Roland RD-08, with the PHA keyboard. I've seen these sell for about 700 euros here. And that's good value, given that you could pay that just for a controller. And the RD-08s sounds are pretty nice, especially if you spend time EQing them a little. And it's quite small and light.
I do like playing the RD-88. If I had to do gigs I might choose that!
My dream would be the newish TP400W keybed housed in a SL88 style midi controller! Basically, a controller only version of the Numa X GT.
Sounds Totally Awesome bro I'm Definitely Getting this 88 Keyboard Midi Controller👍👍
Nice! Did you get it yet? Sweetwater is where I got mine! sweetwater.sjv.io/y23YXb
@@Cre8ivKeyboards Sorry for the late response no i did not get it yet but i will be getting it from sweetwater
Great feedback thanks. I think I’ll pick up a used mp11 for the studio. I have a Nord stage 4 73 with aftertouch but want the 88 action of the mp11
I've heard nice things about the MP11.
Try the Garritan CFX or VSL FAZIOLI 308 or VSL-274. If you would like to get the dynamics right, meaning more sensitive and broader.
I totally agree that the keybed feels great. Even better, I really appreciate that the keys actually feel premium. M-Audio and similar keyboards have really cheap, plastic feeling keys, even if the keybed is nice. Cheapens an otherwise nice keybed.
I drove myself a bit crazy with the velocity sensitivity, going back and forth and unsure what felt best for me. But I may have just been driving myself unnecessarily crazy. Do you use the default velocity sensitivity or did you tweak it?
The one thing that truly bothers me about this keyboard is the screen. It's hideous and bright and in your face. I will probably just put a piece of opaque tape or paper over it. Crazy that you can't turn it off or dim it.
So far I haven't changed the velocity. I'll try it and report. I have one more thing to show off about my new setup.
Yeah the screen sucks and is ugly.
Thanks for the review, too bad though no mention of which VST you choose for the demo and no demo of the controllers on the left.
Sorry about that. I think I mentioned Keyscape, but it’s my piano of choice. The controllers on the left are odd sticks that are not very needed for me as I only use the keyboard for piano and electric piano. One is for pitch bend and snaps back into place, one is for mod and goes back and forth and the third is programmable. If this is your only keyboard or controller you may use them more than I would. Besides that, it’s somewhat programmable with zones and such, but again I don’t use them. But the screen is tiny and kind of ugly. But the touch is butta!
Nice ginger tabby.
He’s a big moose!
@@Cre8ivKeyboards Oh. Um, sorry. He looked like a cat to me. No offense.
@@Cre8ivKeyboards It's been four months since you put out this vid. How's the SL88 Grand treating you?
Great video! Do you prefer the keybeds on this one compared to hammer 88 pro? Which one is more enjoyable to play at?
Absolutley prefer the SL88 Grand to the Hammer 88 Pro. That's why I sold the Hammer 88 Pro and finally arrived at the SL88 Grand.
Thanks for this! Have you tried the Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII? Extremely popular with pianists for its authentic piano feel.
I believe it uses the Fatar TP100 keyboard that the S88 uses, so I would not be interested in that.
Are you still happy with the SL88 Grand? I watched your entire keyboard search video series, because I'm considering the Yamaha P525 as a replacement for my old Yamaha KX88, which is nearing the end of it's useful life. I mainly use VSTs like Ravenscroft 275 and Garritan CFX. I was curious about your experience with the Yamaha P515 as a controller. You said it wasn't very expressive or sensitive. Do you know why that is? On forums people with the P525 say they are getting a range of 1-126 velocity from the keyboard in piano VSTs. I have a midi control surface so the keyboard doesn't need DAW control, but after watching your series I wonder if the SL88 Grand would be a better choice for expressive playing with VSTs. I noticed that the TP40WOOD keybed doesn't have escapement, and the TP400WOOD with escapement appears to be available only on the higher end digital pianos. Do you miss escapement when playing softer pieces? I play with a large dynamic range.
Yes very happy. My search for the perfect touch on 88 keys is over. I had the 515 but it wasn’t a great MIDI Controller (not sensitive enough.) The 515 would be all red midi notes! But the Sl88grand is very sensitive, but not overly so.
have you tried it with the roland fp10, i heard it has a pha4 action. would love to know what you think about it comapred to sl88 grand
I like the PHA4 but this is better.
I'm curious; Since you have had hands on many Keyboards at any point in your journey did you play any Roland Keyboards? I have a Roland FP-E50 which has the PHA-4 Keybed. I find the action quite heavy, and wonder how it compares with the action in the SL88. Enjoyed your review, and your playing!
I love this Roland keybeds but they feel less hammer like than this one. PHA-4 is great though. I enjoy the RD-88 but would want it as a gigging keyboard and not an accurate MIDI controller (sale with any Roman electric piano.) Part of this journey was to find an accurate MIDI controller and most digital pianos are meant to play the sounds on them.
@@Cre8ivKeyboards Thanks! I'll have to hunt down a SL88 and check it out. I had a Yamaha P80 Keyboard I played for 20 years. I thought the key action was kind of light. Going to the Roland has been a shock. Arthritis in my thumb joints doesn't help. I love the Super Natural Piano Voice. I'm in the market now for a MIDI Controller, a 61Key that I can put on rails under my music room Desk maybe Nektar or M-Audio. Appreciate your quick response, and really enjoying your channel.
I do like the PHA4 keybed. But they usually put them on Stage pianos which are not usually great focused MIDi controllers.
What piano vst are you using? Or was that built in sound?
Jave you tried the sl88? How does it compare. I bought the sl73 and its pretty awful to be honest . Very sluggish
I am a Keyscape guy. See this video for more. th-cam.com/video/oKNMJN-XG7o/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wVi37EPk0qeg9o3R
I’ve heard the SL88Grand is a little “lighter”actually, because it’s all wood and not plastic.
Hello! good video! Does it feel heavier or lighter in comparison with NI s88 mk3?
It is heavier, but not as spongy. To me it feels more like a real grand piano hammer action.
love your review.. I have been looking into both the Studiologic SL88 studio and the m-audio hammer 88. In my area we haveno good music stores. Would love your thoughts on both. also thought about buying both and returning one but think it would be a waste of $$. Still searching out reveiws. Cheers!!!
If you want more a real piano feel the SL88 is better. I don’t use the controllers so none of that stuff was important to me. Hammer was too thunky.
But it did have way more pads and sliders.
How's it going 4 months later. Any problems with the keyboard?
Nope love it. See this video and channel for more with it. th-cam.com/video/oKNMJN-XG7o/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wVi37EPk0qeg9o3R
Can the 3 mod sticks be removed? Unscrewed or twisted off?
I don’t think so.
dude why are you wearing a mask? Thanks for the review!
How's the action on this compared to the Yamaha P125? Thanks in advance.
Way better. It's closer to the P515 but midi control accurate!
I appreciate the reviews and the time you spend testing these out, but the s88 mk3 is a far superior keyboard in most ways except the subjective ones. I really don’t see the small adjustment to the keyboard from an acoustic piano to be a problem at all. The sl88 is terrible at controlling midi plugins. If you are composing orchestral music the s88 mk3 serves that purpose well. At some point you are getting too picky with the feel. It’s silly to be honest. It’s a midi controller and sl is not a very good one.
I appreciate your opinion, which is also subjective. I agree that the control the s88 MK3 gives you with Komplete and Kontakt instruments is awesome, and the SL88 Grand basically is just a great keybed. But I was more concerned with a great keybed, and the SL88 is FAR superior (for me) as a true piano feel than the S88 Mk3.
@@Cre8ivKeyboards You are definitely not alone. It may be that through playing different keyboards and adjusting to the plastic lifelessness that comes with them, I’ve learned to just deal with it. That being said, it is awesome that they are making these more affordable ones with the better key beds. Btw I own both, and wish I could swap the key beds! It’s just not the right tool for my work flow.
Coming purely from a piano background, the NI Kontrol S88 MK3 was very disappointing to the point of being unplayable- sluggish, heavy, fatiguing, etc. I have other keyboards (with polyphonic aftertouch, knobby/slider controllers, etc.) that I can use to control VSTs and desktop hardware. But for playing intricate piano pieces (such as Fantaisie Impromptu, Claire de Lune, or even the opening piano solo in Firth of Fifth, etc.), there is really no such thing as "getting too picky." If you want to see picky check out my previous comments regarding the Kawai VPC-1 vs the MP11SE, but these differences are relatively enormous if you play piano with any sort of expertise. But it does require some compromise, unless you want your home studio setup to start looking like Rick Wakeman's stage rig. In Eric and my case piano feel is more important, in your case it's MIDI controller capability. Sometimes you just need two different keyboards...
@@marzzz1 Ive seen this argument before, the “maybe you aren’t good enough to know how bad it is argument.”I am a jazz pianist and a film composer. While those are great songs, I have had no issues playing far more demanding pieces and soloing to jazz/blues/neoclassical soul compositions. It is a little heavier on the action, but I think it’s being exaggerated quite a bit here. I wouldn’t take the s88 on stage for a performance but for composition it’s the right tool for the job. I also don’t use it to work out technique. I’ve played many keyboards and Steinway and yamaha etc grand pianos. Neither the sl88 or s88 come close. But the exaggeration between the two, which I own both, is silly. Maybe quality control is bad I can’t tell you.
@@jordob5791 My apologies, I thought you were a podiatrist or something. If you can adapt to what I personally consider large subjective differences in keyboard feel, more power to you. To me the differences between the S88 and the SL 88 are relatively important, and I guess also to Eric; silly me...
Midi keyboards are no longer relavent unless they are midi 2 compliant. It’s not simply about the action if they are midi keyboards. I wish it were not so because these keyboards are awesome and I want one..
Ehh... I disagree. The MIDI function works regardless. If you want a nice set of keys, MIDI 2 should be a secondary or third focus. The new MIDI protocol is what control surfaces are for. ;)
@@incogneat you are entitled to your opinion and also to be wrong. Congrats on your opinion.
@@KandMe1 just throwing out facts. Lol
@@incogneat ignoring facts.
@@KandMe1 that's totally fine, buddy. It's your right to do so.
Did you ever try the Kawai Vpc1? Or a Kawai mp11?
FWIW, I had the opportunity to play the VPC-1 and the MP11SE in rapid succession at the Kawai booth at NAMM. I thought the VPC-1, while a great piano action, felt a bit stiff compared to the MP11SE. Also, the MP11SE felt more comfortable/natural when playing close to the fallboard vs the VPC-1. BUT, like Eric above I want an 88-key controller that feels as much as possible like a real piano action, but also has controller capabilities for use in a studio. Unlike Eric, I very much want polyphonic aftertouch. If I was looking purely for a piano action, the MP11SE would win, hands down (pun intended?). Now that Fatar makes keybeds with polyphonic aftertouch, I am hoping they update the SL88 Grand in the near future.
I have heard great things about both Kawai instruments but have never seen them in a store or played them.
you appear to be on your own. why the mask?
Was trying not to get my family sick
why do you have a mask on?
At the time I was trying to stop the spread of COVID in my home, AND I had just had chin surgery. Not pretty.
You unboxed it, but didn't say how you connected it - so not so helpful for this beginner. All the best.
Nothing much to say. You just plug in a USB cable.