BETTER THAN A STEINWAY? Demo of KAWAI MP11SE "G4 Big Piano Hall" Patch
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- This video will demo the 7-octave Kawai MP11SE, a grandiose digital stage piano with 88 wooden keys and a feel/action-ratio like a true grand piano. Many classical pianists actually use this model when rehearsing because of the near-perfectly weighted keys. It reminds me of my old renowned Kawai MP9500 model (2002) which was absolutely great. However, today's model comes with way more sounds, polyphony and functionality. I used the grand piano patch "G4 Big Piano Hall".
Video clips were recorded in 4K (60 fps) on a Panasonic Lumix GH5 and edited in Adobe Rush. Audio was recorded in 96 KHz 24 bit on a Solid State Logic SSL 2+ thunderbolt 3 interface straight into Propellerhead Reason 9. All audio output effects are default Kawai MP11SE FX.
I’ve just bought a Kawai mp11 se to learn to play the piano and I am in love with it ❤
Perfect, Danielle. You will be so happy with that model.
Bro said to learn lucky you💀
I've had mine for around two years now, and I'm still impressed with it every day. Thank you for your beautiful playing of such an awesome instrument.
I am pleased to hear that you enjoy the Kawai so much and thanks in a million for your positive comment. It means more than you can imagine. I still struggle with motivation after the unexpected loss of my wife in 2022 so that really encourages me to play more. ✨🙏✨
I'm sorry for your loss.@@microflat
Thank you so much. Bless you ✨🙏✨
You're welcome, and bless you too.@@microflat
Really superb playing, and an excellent choice for piano patch and effects as well. Enjoyed it!
Thanks so much, Bill. Merry Christmas!
I bought the MP5 Kawaii in about 2007 because of the many classical players liking the keybed. I had to mail order it because none existed in my little town or close by. My wife and I had access to our Universities 9 foot concert grands by Steinway and Baldwin. I know what a perfectly tuned and voiced Steinway sounds like and plays like. The Kawai was delivered and before I turned it on played the keys, not even close to an acoustic grand. The sound was more like a synthesizer than a piano. I was very disappointed and soon replaced it with a cheap bottom of the line Yamaha P95, I was very pleased with this and kept it for over 10 years and just replaced it with a vastly superior Yamaha DGX-670.
Thanks for your intersting comment. It gave me a lot to think about. I guess it boils down to a matter of one’s (or perhaps just my personal) keys/sounds-related taste/sensitivity/emotions mixed with a rational price/performance-ratio. 25 years ago, I played a USD 200,000 Steinway and I had never ever “felt” anything like that before. I was such in awe and almost couldn’t play it. Would I buy a Steinway concert grand if I had the money? And the space for it? Sure. But the Kawai is affordable to many people and takes up only little space. Several professional pianists actually do their home rehearsal/practice using Kawai’s digital stage piano high-end models, so I have read. Lucky you, having that concert grand access. 🤩✨🙏✨🤩
@@microflat We had a Kawai 7 foot grand at our church, fantastic piano, every bit as good as the top of the line Steinway and Baldwin. We lived close to Portland Oregon and the Steinway store; doesn't matter how great the piano is, if the technician isn't great too, you got nothing. Upstairs in that Steinway showroom was full of used pianos, all perfectly tuned and voiced, each one was glorious in sound and action. For digital sound quality you can control both at the keybed and by editing the sound, the Yamaha DGX-670 is the first digital piano I enjoy playing, all others for the last 35 years are not good and I would cringe playing them. Finally a digital sound (through headphones) that I can enjoy.
Big fan of Kawai pianos...had a kawai grand for many years.
Thanks for commenting, Steve. Much appreciated.
I'm not sure if the Kawai Mp 11 SE is better than a Steinway, but it doesn't cost that much. And the Kawai sounds also amazing! 😍👍
Thanks for commenting, much appreciated. I share your opinion. 🙏🎹
It needs good balanced amplifier and high end speakers
Thanks for commenting. Yes, that would be nice.
I think it's good enough....
Yes! 👍
Just wanted to praise you for your amazing piano work!!
Thanks a lot, Andrew. Means the world to me. I have struggled to find the motivation to continue since my beautiful wife passed away last year. Your comment helps! 🌟🙏✨
Can anyone suggest an alternative to the MP11SE?
A keyboard with Similar action but costs less $$$.
Hi Perfectbeat, perhaps the Studiologic Numa X Piano GT?
Had a Kawai MP11se and sold to fund a hike on the PCT. Definitely regret selling. Found a VPC1 for $850 and will run it through Ravenscroft and Logic X instruments. I haven’t picked it up yet so I don’t know if the key action will compare but all I can say is Kawai knows what they are doing with the whole realistic key action thing!
Thanks for commenting, Stephen. Much appreciated. I follow you there completely. Key action realism is highly important. BR
I bought VPC1 a few years ago and sold in a year or so unfortunately. The key action was a bit heavy but it was ok, I tried different sound libraries and ended up with Imperfect Samples Ebony Concert Grand. Great library by the way. I used Yamaha HS7 speakers, also great sound. But still I was dissapointed about the whole setup and ended up selling it all for like half of what I bought it lol only a year later.. This was my first digital piano so I guess I would have sold any digital piano, so my experience basically applies to all digital pianos, although I have only tried VPC1 and a few others in a piano shop. The biggest problem in my experience - the sound is dead. The keys don't vibrate.. You can't feel those ever slight vibrations that goes from your finger tips throughout all body. I never new it was so important to me until I bought digital piano and that feeling was lost. So yeah, for me personally, I enjoy basic cheap upright piano more than the most fancy digital piano. Yeah the sound is good from good setup but if the sound feels dead to me, then its not worth it at all. Of course if you need portability and ability to plug in headphones then of course, you're stuck with digital haha. Have a nice day folks!
Thanks for commenting, This Is My Workshop. Much appreciated. I think you have a point here. I also miss my old Hornung & Möller grand piano which I sold 5 years ago. Recording-wise, it is of course way easier to set up a digital piano recording compared to miking up a physical piano. “Vibe” is critical though.
That sounds fantastic even on crappy laptop speaker! Tasty playing BTW,
Thanks a lot, TC. Much appreciated.
Sounds REALLY EXCELLENT but those flashing lights would drive me crazy! Or is that something from the vid?
Hi join.the.conversation - thanks for your comment. The flickering LEDs is due to inaccurate video recording settings. Sorry! :)
@@microflat Thanks for info! Impressive sound from that keyboard! Glad that the lights would NOT flicker while playing! BE WELL & SAFE!
The lights are multiplexed to reduce wiring and components, trusting to visual persistence to bridge the time gaps. The camera has no such forgiving quality and its frame rate is slightly different from the multiplexing rate, showing up as ripples.
@@earthlightsmusic2743 Thanks for your detailed explanation. I realize that I have neon lights in the ceiling that did no good for any of my previous videos either. I guess I am forced to install separate pro light sources.
Nice keyboard. I have one, but not as good as a real acoustic piano. A few voicing and individual key volume issues.
Piano patches only. Don't care about other sounds. The "Virtual Technician" page helps a little but not with voicing.
But the keybed action is superb. The action is like a real piano action.
Thanks for your comment. Much aporeciated. Overall, I agree. The action is unique and the reason why I really like Kawai’s MP series. I can easily live without all the other sounds as well. Seen from a “price/performance-ratio” point of view, customers get a marvellous and greatly equipped digital stage piano here.
Does this great sounding piano have string sounds or Rhodes type sounds or other orchestral instrument sounds? Thanks David K
Thanks for commenting, David. Much appreciated. It has strings, pads and plenty of Rhodes sounds, however, not specifically dedicated orchestral patches. I will try to make a couple of videos demonstrating a broader section of the sounds.
Hi David, this one is for you. 😀 Two more videos coming up. th-cam.com/video/l336mUxdPH0/w-d-xo.html
I’m a Yamaha guy. Always have; always will be. But some of these digital pianos they got coming out are amazingly good. This Kawai sounds so “grand” and pristine. I was looking @ the Casio Px-560 (I’m still blown by that board), the Viscount legend 70 piano, the Crumar 17, and now this Kawai. I think I found my living room piano! 😌🎶🎹❤️👍🏾
Thanks for your positive comment, etpslick100. Much aporeciated. I fully agree. When it comes to synthesizers I also like Yamaha very much. Enjoy your new Kawai when you eventually buy it! 🙏🤩
It not only sounds like a grandpiano, but the keys also feel like a grandpiano...
I agree! 🌟🙏✨
Adorable...🎶🎹🎵
Thanks, it’s so kind of you, Deise!
Very good
Thank you so much, Loic. Much appreciated.
What is the settings of your instrument? I have Kawai MP7 SE
Hi Niezapominajka90, thanks for commenting. Much appreciated. Go to Banks, Section G and scroll to the G4 piano patch. Is it actually available on the MP7SE?
Does it have built in Rhythms? Like jazz, swing, rock, blues etc. Just looking for percussion choices.
Hi Spinoza, thanks for commenting. It has 100 drum rhythm patterns as you mention, but I haven’t tried them out yet. Good idea, highly relevant.
I've been using this keyboard since 2019 as my daily driver for practice and not once have I bothered going through the presets, lol. I never really knew they were there to begin with, I thought the setup section were just empty spaces for you to save any custom patches you make. Would you mind sharing where you found the G4 Big Piano Hall preset? Mine doesn't seem to have it and I wonder if my model was shipped out with a different preset lineup for the time.
Hi Existing Being, thanks for your comment. Go to Banks, select the G section, scroll down to the patch. Okay? I hope this helps you. Have a great day.
@@microflat I found it, thank you! Turns out the one keyboard I use the most is the one I know the least about.
@@existentbeing9678 You’re welcome! :o)
Why are the lights flashing?
Hi Richard, thanks for commenting. Just returned from summer holidays. Unfortunately, I am not that good at adjusting camera settings to match the keyboard knob lights. Some frequency stuff that I need to learn more about.
@@microflat Okay. I thought they were actually flashing 🤔
Very well executed!! nice! I have the MP7se with the RH3 action, in my opinion the best plastic action I've tried, I played fast on Thomman that MP11se just a few beats, it felt heavier and it is well known that concert Steinways are light for advanced repertoire classic fast, some weigh less than 50 grams in the C4, I think that in this you can be very dynamic because of the weight but do you think that it could be executed for example scarlatti K141, Monlitght, do you notice super fast passages without feeling fatigue after a while? Even with the MP7 I feel more fatigue than on a Grand Piano and the action of the MP7se is not so heavy but not light either.🙂
Thanks a lot for your positive comment, much appreciated. You do have a point since I find it easier/lighter to play long classical pieces on an acoustic Andreas Christensen grand piano (Danish manufacturer back in the day) , which was my go-to grand piano in my teens. To me, the MP11SE’s (isolated) price/performance ratio is very attractive. However, I might only use it for shorter pieces, warm-up sessions or for composing purposes. 🙏
What's the best speaker to use for this keyboard for the best sound?
Hi Ka Chow 95, thanks for commenting. Much appreciated. I use a pair of active Focal Twin Shape but I believe that smaller monitors than that will be sufficient.
But the old 9000 and 9500 has ebony keys that still look and work good over many years of use. My two mp11se's have soft shiny plastic blacks covered by a cosmetic non glare coating that wears of after 2 months of playing 2 hours a day! Eveerything else about the piano is great but one is left with uneven grimy feeling keys. Temporary solution get the finest grade manicure buffer and make every key the same. Such a pity. What a wonderful instrument with such a glaring achilles heel, but hey my old MP 11 had the same problem. So I guess Kawai's solution is live with it.
Hi Kent, Thanks for highlighting this. Much appreciated. I haven’t noticed any cosmetic changes yet but I guess I might if I practice as much as you do. Now I recall that my MP9500 was extremely heavy, perhaps due to the wooden keys? Have a great day and happy playing!
Thanks for educating me here, Kent. I will check out the Jazz patch. Are you teaching, composing, producing etc? Have a good one!
do you ever run it through monitors and if so which ones?
Thanks for commenting, Philip. Yes, I use a pair of active Focal Twin Shape monitors via a SSL 2+ audio interface.
Better than the MP7Se that has more sounds, feeling wise ? This one has wooden keys obviously but I hear the RHIII is also very good, maybe lighter, faster.. wish I could try them,
Hi jazzrevolution, thanks for your comment. I haven’ tried the MP7Se, but I would expect the MP11SE’s feeling/action to be much better even though I understand that new key-related technology has been implemented in the MP7SE.
@@microflat hey thanks, we have to keep up with the Tech :)
Roger that. Agree. Been out of the loop for the last 3 months but will pick up!
Hello! I was wondering if the keys have the same feel of Steinway keys?
Hi JordanHeyne, thanks for your comment. Much appreciated. It’s been a while since I played a Steinway but the default answer from me will have to be “no”. In my opinion, if you are a pianist, there will always be a difficult-to-explain physical tactile “feedback” difference between the feel of real piano keys and the feel of digital piano keys. That said, the Kawai MP11SE keys come close.
I have had mine 3 months and it has just stopped powering up.....lights no characters and switches itself off after 2 seconds.....Its a beautiful instrument ....so I am Gutted...........!!!
Sorry to hear that, natollys.
@@microflat That is Lovely ....Thank you
Surely warranty covers that.
@@alicaramba7680 Engineer is coming early March.....He said they have been pretty good as far as repairs...
@@nowkentapplegate5315 Thank You very much...
Sounds beautiful, no doubt.
Why are those specific lights on multiple buttons constantly flashing like that?? That would be really annoying.
Jeff, thanks for your comment. Much appreciated. The flickering LEDs was due to inaccurate video recording settings. Sorry! :)
@@microflat ooohhhhhhh....I see. Ok. I couldn't imagine why that was happening. Thanks
@@JeffRyan_88keys You’re welcome. :)
This keyboard is the most beautiful stage keyboard ever, btw what song do you play in this video?
Thanks a lot for your positive comment? It is very good looking, I agree. I actually play my own composition. The final passage is my improvised take on an old Danish Traditional. 🙏🎹
What stand are you using? The piano is wobbling all over the place.
Hi Phil, thanks for commenting. I know. My only option at the time was to mount the camera on the keyboard stand. Not an ideal solution. Now I have a better setup with separated keyboard/camera stands.
My current stand is from Ultimate, the AX-48 Pro. If I should replace it, I would probably look for a more solid/sturdy model like a Roland KS-10Z.
Your first piece, 0:19 onward, reminds me of one tune of an episode from Batman or Superman The Animated series, right when a scene ends (maybe it is the one with Bruce wayne and Louis). By the way, you say "patch" but would it not be "preset"? maybe this is a patch I don't know.
Thank you for commenting, Carlos Jr. Much appreciated. Wow, I didn’t know that. Never seen (or listened to) those TV series. Will check that episode out. You are probably right about “preset”. I will use that term from now on. BR 🙏
Sounds exquisite, what kind of amp or sound system would you need to duplicate that at home?
Thanks for commenting, Chris. Much appreciated. I use a pair of active Focal Twin Shape monitors via a small SSL 2+ audio interface. It does not take up that much space.
what speaker system do you all use with the MP11SE
Hi John, I use a pair of active Focal Twin speakers via an SSL 2+ audio interface.
Hi, what does the interface do, im new to sounds on a speaker-less stage keyboard @@microflat
if sound is given by digital library, can't a $700 Electric Piano sound the same as KAWAI MP11SE?
Hi winterheat2, thanks for commenting. Good point. From a pianist’s point of view, the key “technology and physicality” is of significant importance. A midi-only keyboard with perfectt automatically balanced wooden keys (etc.) - capable of adjusting across all types of digital sound libraries - might not have been invented yet. Do you have a model in mind? To me the keys and the allround feeling of those matter when I play piano sounds.
@@microflat for example, can the Yamaha P125 reproduce the same sound as this one if it can use that particular digital library sound wave?
@@winterheat I don’t know , but I wouldn’t expect it to be capable of mirroring the Kawai’s sound (and feel).
I have room space.. am i silly to get this instead of a Grand?
Hi Jovan, if I had the room space (and the money) I would buy both. The MP11SE for allround recording sessions and practicing during odd hours without disturbing family or neighbours. The Grand for practicing in the day time and for aesthetic “furniture” purposes.
@@microflat Thanks for the suggestion. Nicely played.
@@nstarbaby You’re welcome.
I'm interested to this piano very much please tell me you had any thoughts or problems
Hi Kostas, thanks for commenting. Great Price/Performance/Feeling ratio. Lovely and inspiring sounds. I have had no technical issues. Go buy it. Thx. PS! I once tried a Steinway (DKK 1,000,000), and of course it was impressive to play in all of its grandiosity. But I was definitely “affected” by the brand itself while playing, in my evaluation of it as an instrument.
@@microflat thanks a lot
You’re welcome, Kostas. 🎹🤓
Every digital equipement eventually surpassed the original ones... they can evolve much faster and further .
Hi Richard, thanks for your comment. I agree. 🙏
I disagree with making these absurd comparisons. It's a very nice sound and has a very good keyboard for a digital keyboard. Weighs. All good things weigh. Then , we musicians of the 70s , are used to carrying weights. We have played for years and years with the musical instruments that have written the history of many musical genres. For me the best digital stage piano for those who want the real piano sound and the best action, remains the "V Piano Roland". Number 1.
Thank you so much for commenting, Marco. Basically, I agree with you. I have never tried out the V Piano from Roland myself but I do recall that it was very good looking and extremely pricey. Perhaps I can find one on eBay and make a demo. BR.
@@microflat you are a kind and polite person, which is very difficult to find today. I congratulate you for everything. As a musician and as a human being. I also really like the kawai plan. Surely a thousand times better than all those on the market now. For example, I don't like Nord piano at all. I don't know why became the Ferrari of stage pianos. I born in 1960. think that,
""a thousand years ago"""
I had the Yamaha CP 80 and """EP 308 Kawai"""
How nice to play in that era and with those instruments. I still remember when I bought my first fender rodhes from shop in Rome (with the help of my mom and dad that God benefits them).
When it was write "fender". Fender rodhes..... Difference? Like i phone Apple when Steve Jobs was alive.
among the many experiences I remember when I joined a musical group on cruise ships i usa I must have been 20 years old. I found this replacement to be done because the keyboard player had kicked him out for misbehavior on the ship. He practically fucked all girl around. Ha ha ha ...😃
In those days, cruise ships weren't what they are now.
ships made in the shape of a ship. Not container ships like today. On board they were truly 5 star superior hotels. All in full uniform. We musicians tuxedos and tails on certain occasions. With tips, they didn't touch the salary. Gorgeous women. An elegance. an education. What a beautiful repertoire they played. The ship was called Atlantic the company was the Home lines cruises.
Two orchestras, a pianist in the center in the afternoon, it was practically a living musical encyclopedia and then the musical group that I entered. To take that place by fax .... then there was nothing, I invented a lot of lies. When I got there the lies went straight to the rehearsal. they just said to me this: "you're good but you have no experience. You're unconscious. Look, let's do this. We'll give you a week. We'll talk to the pianist who plays piano bar in the middle of the ship in the afternoon and you will go to the theater with him every day. and you study "" The ship departed from Miami and went all over the Caribbean. Well !! I didn't see a single island casso for 10 days. He was about 70 years old. He was from the homeland of salsa music. A monster. Well !! With so much humility and patience help me not to be sent away. On the contrary, I overcome the difficulties well. Despite this, I continued to see only the night club at night and him in the theater during the day for more than two months. Then finally, when the ship docked in those dream islands I went to the sea with the others. Sorry if I wrote you a lot. I would like the V Piano, but it costs a lot even used and has ONLY acoustic piano sounds. zero more. But ...... What you play And what a keyboard Sincerely as a good acoustic piano Well !! Dear musician friend e kind to me these years of total work stoppage have ruined me. There are also those who ended up on the street. But nobody talks about us unknown musicians. I send you a dear greeting and a hug as a musician. you are good as a musician and you know how to live as a person. I wish you the best. In all. Hello.
@@marcopolistena1960 What a fantastic life story! Thank you so much for sharing and for the very kind words. I wish you all the best. 🙏🎹🎶
I think: the pianist (no keyboardist) ought to choose MP11SE and No Roland, Yamaha, casio etcc.
Thanks for commenting, Alessandro! I agree. 🙏
Nice video! How do you get the patch?
Hi Noah, thanks for commenting. If you go to the patch banks and look for the G section, then you should be able to scroll and locate the "Big Piano Hall" patch. Happy playing!
@@microflat Hey man! I have the MP11SE but I just can't find anything about patches in the manual. How do I activate the patch you are using here? I would appreciate it so much if you could help me out.
@@NimeuMusic Hi and thanks for your comment. Go to Banks, select the G section, scroll down to the patch. Okay? I hope this helps you. Have a great day.
Price
Hi Vine, thanks for commenting. Much appreciated. The price of a brand new Kawai MP11SE is around USD 2,000 here in DK. The price of a Steinway & Sons model A-188 from 1979 (just an example), and thus used, is around USD 50,000 here in DK. A brand new model D-274 SPIRIO costs around USD 300,000 here in DK. Not comparable items at all, when it comes to pricing, obviously.
pieces name please? they are awesome!
Thank you so much, nomsod. Very much appreciated! Piece #1 is my own composition. Piece #2 is my “jazzy” interpretation of a Danish so-called traditional song called “En Sømand Har Sin Enegang”. I curremtly don’t have any sheet music available on neither of them but will look into that at some point in the future. I will let you know. Best // Microflat
Speaking of lights on the keyboard ....HOW ABOUT A LIGHT THAT LIGHTS UP THE MUSIC STAND !!! Its seems REALLY WIERD to me that not one keyboard manufacturer has thought to put an led light on the piano to light the music stand provided with the keyboard ...I seem to be the only one ever to mention this ...frankly the think tanks at these companies is not realizing the needed of the common musicians... I bought a Yamaha DGX 660 two years ago by watching TH-cam vids on how cool the extra features were . They actually sound horrible like background from an old Thomas organ 👎 other features are also disfuncual
Really good idea, Mark! Thanks for your comment, much aporeciated.
these models have a lot of problems with keys mechanism system...a pitty
Hi CésarDPD, thanks for commenting. I hope that my model will not be affected. Until now, the keys have worked fine.
Where did you see that ?
Doesn't Not sound even close to a big Grand
Thanks for commenting, Redstag300wsm. Much appreciated.
Digitals requires a good external speaker system, than it's possible beat acoustics 👍👍👍
Roger that, Charles. Thanks for commenting. I use a pair of Focal Shape Twin. Most of the time I use my AKG K701 headphones though.
I'd have a seizure if I had to play a keyboard that had those fast flickering lights all the time.........
I'm kidding - I know it's a shutter thing caused by the frame rate of the camera, but come on!
Thanks so much for your funny comment. I know I know. I am just not that “technical” when it comes to the proper camera settings even though I definitely ought to educate myself on those topics. 🙏
Is very good. But same as steinway??? No
Thanks for commenting, Penn. Much appreciated. The Steinway brand is larger than life, no doubt.
Pretty good for a digital piano, but not close to a 120k concert grand. Those grands feel lighter in key action with a harder, less spongy downward keypress. Also, it lacks double escapment or at least a faster mechanism which allows playing single note repetitions.
Why is it so out of tune?
Hi P6, thanks for commenting. Much appreciated. Please explain, where is it out of tune?
@@microflat And thank you for your reply. How about those octaves around 1:34? And everything else really. There must be an effect on there or something, hopefully 😬
@@Pe6ek Hi again, I simply can’t hear it. Sure, the Kawai patch has FX on it. Perhaps you have perfect pitch? I once had a super skilled choir leader with that ability and she could her all kinds of disharmonics. Sorry!
@@microflat No perfect pitch here, not trying to sound smart. Good for you if it doesn't bother you, makes life easier 🎈
@@Pe6ek doesnt bother you, that maybe you could be wrong?
No. Not better than a Steinway.
Hi Pete, thanks for commenting. Much appreciated.
This shit nowhere near Steinway
Thanks for commenting, Ashish. Much appreciated. It is of course impossible to directly compare a USD $2000 Kawai with a USD $150,000 Steinway, however, the Kawai is a super bargain in my opinion. The price/performance ratio is massive.
Shit? Only thing shit is your reply