Very smart to understand that most manufacturers are over charging for digital sounds that go out of date and buying the important hardware…the actual keys that don’t go out of date. People either understand this or they don’t.
This peaks my interests. For the exact same reasons you describe this keyboard and it's action is the same reasons I purchased the Kawai VPC-1 several years ago. It too has full length wood key sticks with synthetic textured ivory feel key tops, wood sharps, and grand piano graded hammer action with escapement. While I am ecstatic with my Kawai made in Japan, I am curious if there is much difference in comparison with this Studiologic SL88 made in Italy. I've heard through the grapevine that this keyboard is made by the Italian company Fatar which I've had bad experiences with in past keyboards for organ and piano because they used metal key sticks with a smooth plastic key tops and sharps which compares to an ice skating rink for the fingers in that you slide all over the keyboard especially when sweaty. These newer synthetic textured ivory feel key tops fixes that issue. But absolutely nothing compares to playing a keyboard with wooden key sticks because it feels and responds just like an acoustic. I play through several software piano sample sets from VI Labs and Synthogy Ivory2. It just works and doesn't require several tuning's a year and doesn't change pitch with the temp/humidity changes.
Excellent. I'm looking for a MIDI keyboard controller with a built-in autonomous piano. The only one I've seen with those features is the Key studio 49i from M Audio. Do you know another one similar to this one? Greetings!
I have the SL88 Studio and I am really happy with it. The dynamics and feel of it is excellent out of the box. You don't need to touch anything.... although you can adjust the feel to be lighter or heavier. I also bought the SL Mixface for controlling my software instruments. Great addition. No regrets. Not all software instruments respond the same way so you may want to make an adjustment to the velocity curve for a particular software instrument. I would do that in Ableton. Ableton as the ability to make adjusments per instrument. I don't adjust the SL's Velocity curve.
Right on! This one is excellent right out of the box too. I havnt had to adjust anything and have already tracked a few songs. Was such a pleasure and inspiring to play. Glad you are happy with the studio! 👌
I have the same set up but also have the three pedals and a volume pedal. The best thing I have put money into and don't feel the need to change now, this is my rig from now on.
An excellent keyboard design. Personally, I found it takes some time to adapt to the logic of this interface. I wish the display was larger and the editing was more streamlined. Great sounds and feel. I like it.
Yeah but the computer software takes care of that so if you just use your computer to input your settings it's easy just flick through to find the settings for each song etc. but it isn't that hard to get used to, a joy stick for selecting one button for going in and one for coming back out. Similar to a digital watch corporation really. I think if they where talking suggestion for up grades a touch screen would be great but then the price would go up but it's easy with a laptop.
I havnt changed any settings at all. I really hate digital interfaces on any instrument and so far out of the box I am happy I havnt been forced to make any changes. I am sure at some point I will explore it.
I had the Numa X Piano GT, and previously owned the SL88 Grand. Feel and action wise, the difference is pretty minimal. Fatar even says it’s basically the same action with better balance and escapement. I sent the Numa back and ordered a Grand!
Haha that makes me feel really good. I was pondering over the Numa for a long time and am glad with the decision I made. I really appreciate that comment. Have a great day.
I own the numa x piano GT and im really happy with the keybed action. I mainly use it as a midi controller and internal sounds are like a 6/10 in my opinion. But as a master controller is amazing.
I have a question that has been buzzing in my head for several months: why spend a considerable amount of money on a piano released in 2015? Isn't it a bit dated as an instrument? will they ever release an updated version perhaps with the tp-400 wood?
That is why you buy a controller without sounds. So your sounds are not dated. The piano has been around 100's of years and piano keys are not "dated". These keys are wood and the only benefit you get from tp400 is a mechanical simulation of double escapement. Several months is a long time to think about something so trivial.
Yes the KX88 is a beast! Rare for something digital to have a lasting impact like that. Yes the SL88 is quite a few steps beyond the KX88 both in terms of action and features.
@@dingodogrecords Thank you. I will go and play an SL88. My Yamaha KX88 is still in ok mechanical condition but at 65 lbs lbs it is not for taking to gigs.
@@dingodogrecords Yeah, I play with headphones in my place, but still it bothers me. Feeling of this keyboard is amazing, but this clicking noise are driving me nuts sometimes. I've read that many keyboards, different brands suffer from this issue, and this can be somehow "easily" fixed by applying a grease, there are some vids and stuff, but not doing that yet. It kinda helps knowing that this is pretty common issue with piano like keyboards, not something wrong with my unit. Eh...
@@medstone3409 I was just looking into this problem as well, as I'm deciding on what keyboard to buy. What I've found out is that certain action types are more prone to this, namely Roland's PHA-4 action. I tried out two PHA-4 keyboards: a 4-year-old FP-10, had a loud clacking when releasing the keys, esp the black ones. Then I tried a friend's RD-88, 1-year-old-ish, and it had the same issue, even on some white keys. It's not a dealbreaker, with headphones or loud volume it's not that noticeable, but I agree it's still annoying. now to hear it's very present on other brands is concerning. is your keyboard the SL-88 Grand? have you owned it for a long time?
@@a_soulspark Yes, I have SL-88 Grand. I've tested two units, one that started having some clicking noise after two months, and other one is mine current one - and it have clicking noise from the beginning, delicate plasticky click type of sound. I've send video to support and they said that it has been confirmed that the sound occurring is within manufacturing tolerance. After that I've read many posts and saw videos on the net about clicking issues on different keybeds, different brands. It can be fixed by applaying grease, but overall with more complex mechanisms noises are common and should be expected. Even acoustic pianos have some noises. After gathering so much info about noise being actually pretty normal thing, I finally rested and start to not over think it, and just enjoy playing. If someting have complex mechanism it can start to click, and there are ways to deal with it. But clicking should be somehow expected with keybeds with piano like mechanisms. Sorry for wall of text.
Typically you don't want graded hammer action keys for synth parts as synth is usually a semi weighted feel which can be played much faster. This keybed is designed to be used as a piano more so than a synth. But obviously it can have a great feel for certain synthetic instrument patches that arent piano, as well.
@@dingodogrecords Thanks for the reply. I pulled the trigger on this keyboard and love it. I play primarily piano samples along with orchestral and texture samples so playing fast lines it not part of my playing. The keys and key-bed are first-class.
Personally the 88 studio is the better buy, the only difference with the grand is a wooden veneer and that ivory feel is still just plastic and I don't think that it makes that much of a difference but saying I have played the grand but haven't played them side by side because I am so happy with my studio which for the price is the best value for money of any hammer action keyboard and I have never felt then need to replace it.
The studio 88 has tp100 action and the Grand 88 has TP400 action with wood keys. Much better action on the Grand 88. Glad you are happy with your instrument.
@@dingodogrecords when you say wooden keys what you really mean is a plastic key with a wood veneer. Fatar will the first to tell you that using wooden keys is a very bad idea because it has a tendency to warp. Back when they made accordions this was there biggest problem until the invention of plastic.
@@b00ts4ndc4ts I have not tried the tp100 but I was personally let down by the TP400, it just does not compare to a real piano. The dynamics are good but the "feel" just isn't there for me + it makes allot of mechanical noise when playing complex pieces. Question: from the 3 faders on the board, is the most right one supposed to be super "loose" ?
That looks like a beautiful board. This one is about half the price so I figure the VCP1 should have a bit of an edge. The SL88 has a few more options but the graded action of the VCP1 would be better. I would think.
@@dingodogrecords You got me interested in the SL88, so I looked for a comparison on TH-cam. You are right, the VCP1 has a better action, but the SL88 is fantastic for it's price range I think. The SL88 also has aftertouch, which I don't think the VCP1 has got.
Very cool, been looking for a really good MIDI controller. I love playing piano, but the feel of most MIDI controllers is just decent at best and often pretty darn awful. This might actually be it. Gonna se if my local store can take it in so I can try it out.
The big thing now is Polyphonic Aftertouch. I will not by any keyboard that does not have that because it's already obsolete. Once you try poly aftertouch you will never go back. Even the new Behringers like the Pro-800 and UB-Xa have it/ receive it.
This is for a realistic piano feel, I don’t think poly after touch is super important on something like this. That said, my next midi controller will definitely have poly AT lol. Hoping the Arturia Keylab 88 Mk3 will come soon and have a nice fatar poly AT keybed, maybe with a lighter action than is on the Mk2
These instruments are very impressive and they mimic the sound and touch of a piano very well. However, there are a few caveats. If you are a professional pianist like myself playing classical repertoire then you are limited by how hard you can depress keys. It's OK for Bach and early classical composers like Mozart but it all falls apart from Beethoven and Liszt onwards. If you play forte passages especially with loud chords or arpeggios then instrument starts moving and shaking as you play. It is distracting at best. A traditional piano will remain fixed and solid due to its weight. There are more solid electronic pianos out there but they are very expensive. To recap, not good for serious musicians.
I don't think anybody should be playing classical piano on a digital instrument. To recap, just because people don't play classical piano doesn't mean they aren't serious musicians. Somebody has to write music can't play covers all day.
this Fatar keybed is very mediocre,i suggest you learn more on piano keybeds.Your mention of Casio as a lousy maker of keybeds is also way wrong and shows ignorance,Casio has produced some great keyboards and their latest hiend entries are way better than this.
![⭐ฮิตในTikTok!! ( มะมะมะหมูเด้ง MooDeng ) Ver. แดนซ์ ReMix BY [ ดีเจกิต รีมิกซ์ ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4noyAoMa7bQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Very smart to understand that most manufacturers are over charging for digital sounds that go out of date and buying the important hardware…the actual keys that don’t go out of date. People either understand this or they don’t.
I definitely like the idea of swapping out rack synths much better than keybeds. Just makes sense.
Killer quality 👌Stoked to hear this at work 😎
Yes, you need to play it as well. 👩🏫🎹
This peaks my interests. For the exact same reasons you describe this keyboard and it's action is the same reasons I purchased the Kawai VPC-1 several years ago. It too has full length wood key sticks with synthetic textured ivory feel key tops, wood sharps, and grand piano graded hammer action with escapement. While I am ecstatic with my Kawai made in Japan, I am curious if there is much difference in comparison with this Studiologic SL88 made in Italy. I've heard through the grapevine that this keyboard is made by the Italian company Fatar which I've had bad experiences with in past keyboards for organ and piano because they used metal key sticks with a smooth plastic key tops and sharps which compares to an ice skating rink for the fingers in that you slide all over the keyboard especially when sweaty. These newer synthetic textured ivory feel key tops fixes that issue. But absolutely nothing compares to playing a keyboard with wooden key sticks because it feels and responds just like an acoustic. I play through several software piano sample sets from VI Labs and Synthogy Ivory2. It just works and doesn't require several tuning's a year and doesn't change pitch with the temp/humidity changes.
Excellent. I'm looking for a MIDI keyboard controller with a built-in autonomous piano. The only one I've seen with those features is the Key studio 49i from M Audio. Do you know another one similar to this one? Greetings!
Sorry I don't have any suggestions for autonomous piano. I just use this board to practice piano and punch in some organ lines.
I have the SL88 Studio and I am really happy with it. The dynamics and feel of it is excellent out of the box. You don't need to touch anything.... although you can adjust the feel to be lighter or heavier.
I also bought the SL Mixface for controlling my software instruments. Great addition. No regrets.
Not all software instruments respond the same way so you may want to make an adjustment to the velocity curve for a particular software instrument. I would do that in Ableton. Ableton as the ability to make adjusments per instrument. I don't adjust the SL's Velocity curve.
Right on!
This one is excellent right out of the box too.
I havnt had to adjust anything and have already tracked a few songs.
Was such a pleasure and inspiring to play.
Glad you are happy with the studio! 👌
I have the same set up but also have the three pedals and a volume pedal. The best thing I have put money into and don't feel the need to change now, this is my rig from now on.
Thank you for this post. These particular midi controllers really interests me, but the 73 key version. The thing is that the retail price is so good.
Awesome!
Glad that it helped you.
An excellent keyboard design. Personally, I found it takes some time to adapt to the logic of this interface. I wish the display was larger and the editing was more streamlined. Great sounds and feel. I like it.
Yeah but the computer software takes care of that so if you just use your computer to input your settings it's easy just flick through to find the settings for each song etc. but it isn't that hard to get used to, a joy stick for selecting one button for going in and one for coming back out. Similar to a digital watch corporation really. I think if they where talking suggestion for up grades a touch screen would be great but then the price would go up but it's easy with a laptop.
I havnt changed any settings at all. I really hate digital interfaces on any instrument and so far out of the box I am happy I havnt been forced to make any changes. I am sure at some point I will explore it.
th-cam.com/video/uG5j0owtDr0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=UhHqSVufQsa13o5w
This controller was used in the song and video link above.
I had the Numa X Piano GT, and previously owned the SL88 Grand. Feel and action wise, the difference is pretty minimal. Fatar even says it’s basically the same action with better balance and escapement. I sent the Numa back and ordered a Grand!
Haha that makes me feel really good. I was pondering over the Numa for a long time and am glad with the decision I made.
I really appreciate that comment.
Have a great day.
I own the numa x piano GT and im really happy with the keybed action. I mainly use it as a midi controller and internal sounds are like a 6/10 in my opinion. But as a master controller is amazing.
I have a question that has been buzzing in my head for several months: why spend a considerable amount of money on a piano released in 2015? Isn't it a bit dated as an instrument? will they ever release an updated version perhaps with the tp-400 wood?
That is why you buy a controller without sounds. So your sounds are not dated.
The piano has been around 100's of years and piano keys are not "dated".
These keys are wood and the only benefit you get from tp400 is a mechanical simulation of double escapement.
Several months is a long time to think about something so trivial.
Question. Is this action as good as a Yamaha KX88. I love my old KX88 [built 35 years ago].
Thanks
Yes the KX88 is a beast! Rare for something digital to have a lasting impact like that.
Yes the SL88 is quite a few steps beyond the KX88 both in terms of action and features.
@@dingodogrecords
Thank you. I will go and play an SL88. My Yamaha KX88 is still in ok mechanical condition but at 65 lbs lbs it is not for taking to gigs.
@@rockyhill9965Only 65lbs? A mere lightweight compared to my Roland MKB-1000 😊
Do you start to have some issues with click noise while pressing/releasing keys?
If I was doing live recordings with this unit or any controller, the sound of the keys clicking is definitely a nuisance.
@@dingodogrecords Yeah, I play with headphones in my place, but still it bothers me. Feeling of this keyboard is amazing, but this clicking noise are driving me nuts sometimes. I've read that many keyboards, different brands suffer from this issue, and this can be somehow "easily" fixed by applying a grease, there are some vids and stuff, but not doing that yet. It kinda helps knowing that this is pretty common issue with piano like keyboards, not something wrong with my unit. Eh...
@@medstone3409 I was just looking into this problem as well, as I'm deciding on what keyboard to buy. What I've found out is that certain action types are more prone to this, namely Roland's PHA-4 action.
I tried out two PHA-4 keyboards: a 4-year-old FP-10, had a loud clacking when releasing the keys, esp the black ones. Then I tried a friend's RD-88, 1-year-old-ish, and it had the same issue, even on some white keys. It's not a dealbreaker, with headphones or loud volume it's not that noticeable, but I agree it's still annoying.
now to hear it's very present on other brands is concerning. is your keyboard the SL-88 Grand? have you owned it for a long time?
@@a_soulspark Yes, I have SL-88 Grand. I've tested two units, one that started having some clicking noise after two months, and other one is mine current one - and it have clicking noise from the beginning, delicate plasticky click type of sound. I've send video to support and they said that it has been confirmed that the sound occurring is within manufacturing tolerance. After that I've read many posts and saw videos on the net about clicking issues on different keybeds, different brands. It can be fixed by applaying grease, but overall with more complex mechanisms noises are common and should be expected. Even acoustic pianos have some noises. After gathering so much info about noise being actually pretty normal thing, I finally rested and start to not over think it, and just enjoy playing. If someting have complex mechanism it can start to click, and there are ways to deal with it. But clicking should be somehow expected with keybeds with piano like mechanisms. Sorry for wall of text.
You just called at 6:20 the action 'clunky'. Is that an issue?
Typically you don't want graded hammer action keys for synth parts as synth is usually a semi weighted feel which can be played much faster. This keybed is designed to be used as a piano more so than a synth. But obviously it can have a great feel for certain synthetic instrument patches that arent piano, as well.
@@dingodogrecords Thanks for the reply. I pulled the trigger on this keyboard and love it. I play primarily piano samples along with orchestral and texture samples so playing fast lines it not part of my playing. The keys and key-bed are first-class.
Personally the 88 studio is the better buy, the only difference with the grand is a wooden veneer and that ivory feel is still just plastic and I don't think that it makes that much of a difference but saying I have played the grand but haven't played them side by side because I am so happy with my studio which for the price is the best value for money of any hammer action keyboard and I have never felt then need to replace it.
The studio 88 has tp100 action and the Grand 88 has TP400 action with wood keys. Much better action on the Grand 88. Glad you are happy with your instrument.
@@dingodogrecords when you say wooden keys what you really mean is a plastic key with a wood veneer.
Fatar will the first to tell you that using wooden keys is a very bad idea because it has a tendency to warp. Back when they made accordions this was there biggest problem until the invention of plastic.
@@b00ts4ndc4ts I have not tried the tp100 but I was personally let down by the TP400, it just does not compare to a real piano. The dynamics are good but the "feel" just isn't there for me + it makes allot of mechanical noise when playing complex pieces. Question: from the 3 faders on the board, is the most right one supposed to be super "loose" ?
TP40 > TP100 so I’m going with the Grand
@@tuneunleashed if it makes you happy and you will play it who am I to judge?
I have a Kawai VCP1 piano controller. I would be interesting in a comparison if you can get access to a Kawai VCP1.
That looks like a beautiful board. This one is about half the price so I figure the VCP1 should have a bit of an edge. The SL88 has a few more options but the graded action of the VCP1 would be better. I would think.
@@dingodogrecords You got me interested in the SL88, so I looked for a comparison on TH-cam. You are right, the VCP1 has a better action, but the SL88 is fantastic for it's price range I think. The SL88 also has aftertouch, which I don't think the VCP1 has got.
We can’t get a VPC1 in Canada sucks
@@tuneunleashed Wow, really. Surely you can get one shipped to you from over seas.
Very cool, been looking for a really good MIDI controller. I love playing piano, but the feel of most MIDI controllers is just decent at best and often pretty darn awful. This might actually be it. Gonna se if my local store can take it in so I can try it out.
Ya this is a huge improvement to the tech. This one does it for me, for sure. Good luck !
Nice
Damn that contoller is thic 😍
👌😎
It’s actually small…smaller than a full weighted Nord Stage 4 just by a bit though
The big thing now is Polyphonic Aftertouch. I will not by any keyboard that does not have that because it's already obsolete. Once you try poly aftertouch you will never go back. Even the new Behringers like the Pro-800 and UB-Xa have it/ receive it.
Comparing a Behringer to the Sl88 is funny.
This is for a realistic piano feel, I don’t think poly after touch is super important on something like this. That said, my next midi controller will definitely have poly AT lol. Hoping the Arturia Keylab 88 Mk3 will come soon and have a nice fatar poly AT keybed, maybe with a lighter action than is on the Mk2
@@Orangebritches Forgot about Arturia. Hmn...
I am hoping to see an updated SL88 Grand with poly aftertouch. The NI S88 MK3 has it, Studiologic is sure to follow.
These instruments are very impressive and they mimic the sound and touch of a piano very well. However, there are a few caveats. If you are a professional pianist like myself playing classical repertoire then you are limited by how hard you can depress keys. It's OK for Bach and early classical composers like Mozart but it all falls apart from Beethoven and Liszt onwards. If you play forte passages especially with loud chords or arpeggios then instrument starts moving and shaking as you play. It is distracting at best. A traditional piano will remain fixed and solid due to its weight. There are more solid electronic pianos out there but they are very expensive. To recap, not good for serious musicians.
I don't think anybody should be playing classical piano on a digital instrument.
To recap, just because people don't play classical piano doesn't mean they aren't serious musicians.
Somebody has to write music can't play covers all day.
Lmao, I dealt with arrogant ppl like this every day in University. Go impress your professor.
@@barijazzychicI think he has gotta be doing some sort of satire. That is a pretty good comment. 😂
this Fatar keybed is very mediocre,i suggest you learn more on piano keybeds.Your mention of Casio as a lousy maker of keybeds is also way wrong and shows ignorance,Casio has produced some great keyboards and their latest hiend entries are way better than this.
People who can't afford a BMW will always tell you why their Volkswagen is better.
@@dingodogrecords the CASIO is way more expensive than this unfortunately.Dude,its obvious you dont know the piano market.