turn on suggestions Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.

About pogo97

Announcements

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Upcoming Changes to Harmony Central’s Online Community - Read the details here!

Activity Feed for pogo97
pogo97's Reviews
CME GPP3 GPP3
GPP3

‎04-26-2007 12:00 AM

Overall Rating: I think the variable damper is worth the hundred bucks (but only if you have a program that will use it) and the two extra pedals plus the three output options are a bonus. The weight is a wash. The lack of a computer interface is a b...
Overall Rating: I think the variable damper is worth the hundred bucks (but only if you have a program that will use it) and the two extra pedals plus the three output options are a bonus. The weight is a wash. The lack of a computer interface is a big bummer. Overall worth the money for me but if someone else made an equivalent, I'd look there first.
Features: Having three piano pedals can only be a good thing. I'm liking using una corda for in-the-mix and then taking it off when I want to cut; both the volume and timbre are affected. Pianoteq has a slider to determine how strong the una corda effect is. I've tested sostenuto and it works exactly as it should but I'll have to spend some time learning to use it well; I learned on an upright and they don't do sostenuto. One cool feature here is that, because Pt supports string resonance, you can play a bass CGC, set the sostenuto, and get ringing harmonics off those open strings throughout the piece; sort of a passive drone. Of course, you can use the three pedals for anything you want
Sound Quality: My big reason for wanting the GPP3 was to be able to half-pedal sustain. In brief, it's subtle but it certainly works and makes my sound both smoother and more organic. The sonic effect of half-pedalling in Pt is a bit different than on my piano, but my piano is nothing like the modern ideal so that's no surprise. Unlike on my piano, there's no tactile feedback from the dampers touching the strings, so it's a bit harder to find the sweet spots, but the ability to just briefly touch the strings to damp them slightly and let them ring on is there and that's a great bit of control to have. Something I didn't expect but really enjoy is that, because it's not straight on/off, the damping effect has a smoother onset.

Of course, how this works with other instruments is dependent on the instrument.
Reliability/Durability: Arrived not working. Had to reset it (weird) and then it worked for awhile. Then it started acting up--sending bad MIDI messages in short. After giving up on customer support, I cleaned all the internal connections and it's working again.

I don't have the sense at the moment that I can depend on it and I would very surely take my other (single on/off) pedal just in case.
Ease of Use: To my knowledge, the CME GPP3 is the only triple pedal with a graded sustain pedal (MIDI 0 to 127 and a trim knob on the rightmost pedal).

It has very flexible output options (USB/MIDI/direct phone plugs). It can take power from a wall wart (not included) or USB (cable included) and it will hold settings when it's unpowered. If I understand correctly, the phone plugs (2 mono and 1 trs) don't require power to work.

You can set the MIDI CC and channel values and pedal polarity, but the 'interface' is just weird. There is no computer interface for the pedal, you set things by holding down pedals and turning on the power switch in various fashions. For example, to reset it to factory values, you hold down all three pedals and switch on the power, then let the pedals up; the leds flash five times if it 'takes', which it rarely does first time. Given that the pedals are quite stiffly sprung and a fair distance apart, I wind up using my leg to hold down the pedals while I switch the unit on with one hand. I've had to reset it a couple of times, not sure what I did to upset it, but one time I had the pedal down when there was a brief power-out and when the power came back on the polarity of my sustain pedal was reversed. This would be a problem on stage.
Customer Support: My first email to support was answered with "I'll get back to you." That's the last I ever heard from them despite repeated emails. I managed to find and download a firmware update from their forum but basically, you're on your own.
Purchased From: Florida Music Company
Price: $100.00 USD
Modartt Pianoteq Pianoteq
Pianoteq

‎12-31-2006 12:00 AM

Overall Rating: I paid the big bucks for this because I really wanted an excellent and versatile piano sound without being tied to any specific hardware. I got that (not perfect but good enough to get excited about) and I also got a whole range of pi...
Overall Rating: I paid the big bucks for this because I really wanted an excellent and versatile piano sound without being tied to any specific hardware. I got that (not perfect but good enough to get excited about) and I also got a whole range of pianos plus a sort of struck-string toolkit that I expect to use a lot. I love its organicity and how far you can vary the various parameters. I'm disappointed by the clicking when you change a parameter and hope they'll fix that soon. It's pretty CPU intense (it seems to run at about 1/3 of capacity during my normal playing on a 2 gHz Core 2 Duo MacBook). It has never yet crashed on me. Their tech support, when I used it, was excellent--I was contacted by the programmer within an hour of emailing them and had the problem solved within another hour; this on a Saturday evening.

I am trying to be very careful how I invest in musical instruments but don't mind paying for quality. I think Pianoteq is worth it.
Sound Quality: Pianoteq sounds great solo and even better in a band provided you choose the appropriate settings. The presets are very good, though you will doubtless want to tweak them to your own taste. As an imitation piano(s), the high treble is stunningly real and the low to mid bass is what we all wish our pianos sounded like. I'm unconvinced by the middle octave when played quietly but I'm not that skilled at tweaking yet. In this version (1.03), the programmers seem to be aiming at 'ideal' instruments, so there is no way I can accurately emulate my own upright with all its quirks. There are some drop-in pianoforte emulations that are quite good; I especially like the Graf Pianoforte and may well adopt it as my main 'piano' sound. Beyond the piano sounds, though, this is a synthesiser whose purpose is to emulate hammer-struck strings and even if you haul the parameters 'way far from anything realistic, it still retains a very attractive organic sound. The attack portions are wonderful and I've experimented with great joy combining pianoteq sounds with pads; it transforms my lovely clean synth pads into lovely organic notes that go on forever.

Details: it can be mono or stereo (including separate settings for speakers and headphones), can support up to 44k sampling and 256-note poly if your computer can handle it (it probably can't; mine's good up to 92-note which is good enough for me but if I take it beyond that (using my forearms on the keys) I start to get clicking.

I've mapped the parameters to my x-station which makes tweaking a cinch. I've even mapped the first eight partial levels to my sliders--rather like the drawbars in B4. Unfortunately, if you adjust a parameter while a note is sounding you get some clicking (proportional to how loud the note is) so making changes while you're playing isn't possible yet.
Ease of Use: The interface is simple and attractive with some nice touches like a 'random' button that sets all 30-or-so parameters to random values; very addictive. It's copy protected and I had some difficulties getting past that at one point but their programmer worked out the problem quickly. Assigning MIDI values to parameters is easy--right-click a control onscreen, choose a popup, and wiggle a knob on the controller. The online manual is short and clear and in good English. Given the complexity of this emulation they have done a remarkable job of keeping things simple.
Reviewer Background: 0;I've been playing piano for 45 years but just recently started electrifying. My main gear is a Novation X-Station, MacBook, NI B4 II, and GarageBand. I play a fairly wide range of old guy music for my own pleasure and also play with other musicians. I bought Pianoteq version 1.03 to be my piano sound; I've yet to hear a sampled piano that really got me excited (I've not tried Ivory or Akoustic because they are too huge to allow a trial version) and I really liked the concept of a modelled piano. I monitor with either headphones or stage monitors.
Purchased From: Modartt
Novation X Station 49 X-Station 49 MIDI Controller
X-Station

‎08-21-2006 12:00 AM

Overall Rating: If it were lost or stolen, I'd promptly replace my 49 with a 63. It isn't perfect--it couldn't be: I'd make the feel of the trackpad, aftertouch and joystick a little sweeter (less like plastic and more like sex). But then it would pr...
Overall Rating: If it were lost or stolen, I'd promptly replace my 49 with a 63.
It isn't perfect--it couldn't be:
I'd make the feel of the trackpad, aftertouch and joystick a little sweeter (less like plastic and more like sex). But then it would probably have to cost more money.
It goes 'thud' through it's outputs when you turn it on or off--I can't believe this is necessary
I'd like to know why one additional octave and absolutely nothing more adds about $170 to the cost--which is why I couldn't afford an x-station 63 in the first place. On a ReMote LE that identical octave costs about $50. So I'm dropping that rating to 8.
But it's still a great great deal.
Features: I won't describe the synth engine, you can read about it elsewhere. I quite like it but it's the only one I've ever used.

The keyboard action is quite acceptable. When I'm using it, the keyboard feels like it's contributing positively to the performance. It's certainly the best action I've used on an electric keyboard in a very long time.

Of course, the real point of the x-station is as a controller. I've used it for GarageBand (which lacks MIDI, so most of the x-station's talents are wasted on it) and for B4 where it is just great. But that's the great thing about the x-station is that it is infinitely expandable. You start with a worthy synth; then you add a computer; then you add anything; anything at all. It's kind of a musical Swiss Army Knife.
Sound Quality: This is a machine for changing gestures into music and it's very well-designed for the task. It has a nice semi-weighted keyboard and aftertouch, joystick, xy pad, and knobs knobs knobs and a bank of sliders. It is very well organised for a variety of roles: synth and organ both fit like a glove. With the exception of the actual keyboard action, which is excellent, and knobs, which are nice and luby, the 'feel' of the controls (aftertouch, xy, joystick, sliders) is probably a 'B'. I imagine this is about cost--you can't build a Rolls for the price of a Chevy--and I'm okay with than until I'm significantly richer.
Reliability/Durability: I don't abuse it but I can pound it pretty hard playing and no problems so far. I've had it for 6 months now and take it to jam with they guys most weeks. No physical problems so far. I'd certainly use it on a gig without a backup; no choice really since it's all I've got other than an old and very heavy upright.
Ease of Use: OS 2.3. Presets run from magical to the dental work. The presets all sound very 'professional'; some of the best are in the first ten, which makes sense. The electric organs are quite nice (I like to start from "Je T'Aime" and use the xy pad to evolve the sound) and there are some D7 things ["Fine Tines"] that sound lovely and serve as an intro to FM. It does not attempt to sound like any acoustic instruments beyond the usual synth brass, so don't waste any time looking for piano or guitar.

Here's an ease of use story I'd like to see more often:

I've found myself drawn to organ sounds since getting the x-station. Then I found the Garage Band organs and they were a huge improvement; not so much the sound, but their authenticity as I imagine they were sampled and the sustain pedal triggered a very good Leslie. Then I discovered Native Instruments B4 II. This is an astounding Hammond emulation that I am just in love with. And here's the great part: the x-station has a template for B4 and it comes with a cardboard overlay precisely for the B4 with the x-station's sliders marked as the Hammond's drawbars. The x-station was clearly designed with B4 in mind and everything just fits; just like it does for the on-board synth and maybe for a bunch of programs I haven't tried.
Customer Support: Can't speak on repairs. The upgrades are easily available online and if I post a question to the yahoo x-station forum it is amost always promptly answered by an informed user or by a very informed Novation person.
Purchased From: Long & McQuaid
Price: 650.00 CAD
Yamaha PF-15 PF-15
PF-15

‎03-17-2006 12:00 AM

Overall Rating: It's not my keyboard, just the house piano at a place I go to jam. If I owned one it would collect dust--I have a real piano; why would I play this at home? And it's really too heavy to gig with. If someone offered me one for free I'd...
Overall Rating: It's not my keyboard, just the house piano at a place I go to jam. If I owned one it would collect dust--I have a real piano; why would I play this at home? And it's really too heavy to gig with. If someone offered me one for free I'd probably politely decline but if a bar had one set up, I'd be pleased enough to play it.
Features: I tested the polyphony by pushing down with my whole arm on the keyboard. My guess is that it's 88 notes. The keyboard feels quite good; a bit heavier than my at-home piano but really pretty fine. There's a stereo chorus button; strictly on or off. There are no expansion capabilities (but see elsewhere about the Kenton MIDI kit though I can't see that it's a very good deal for more than the piano's worth). Oh, and there's a plug for a sostenuto pedal (in addition to the sustain pedal), which is kind of neat but not something I use myself, being an upright piano kind of guy.
Sound Quality: If you play this through a good keyboard amp or PA, there are good sounds. The on-board speaker don't do it justice. I'm most pleased with the Rhodes/Vibes sound (hard to tell which it is) and there are a couple in there that are nice for bass. You can't split the keyboard, though, so if you choose a good bass sound you're stuck with the rest, too. Really, though, compared to a competent modern board it's barely adequate.
Reliability/Durability: This one has lived in a commercial woodworking shop for a billion years and seems to be perfectly happy despite the dust. I had some trouble with the sustain pedal a while ago but that seems to have fixed itself. It weighs a ton.
Ease of Use: Couldn't be much easier; switch it on, turn it up, it plays. As stated elsewhere, there are ten sounds and the hardest thing, for me, is remembering which ones sound good. There are a couple that are just awful and it's embarrassing to hit one of those in the middle of a song.
Yamaha PSR292 PSR292
PSR292

‎03-08-2006 12:00 AM

Overall Rating: I would never own this machine; a friend lent it to me. Whatever its potential, its "let's jam a whole bunch of features together" lack of focus, the sudden outbursts of unexpected drums and accompaniment, and inability to save any ed...
Overall Rating: I would never own this machine; a friend lent it to me. Whatever its potential, its "let's jam a whole bunch of features together" lack of focus, the sudden outbursts of unexpected drums and accompaniment, and inability to save any edits that would be useful to me drive me nuts whenever I try to actually get music out of it.
Features: This is a surprisingly powerful machine but it was clearly designed with someone other than me (a keyboard player) in mind; I just don't know who. The action is spongy--really not acceptable. It has tutorials, songs, all variety of extended rhythm and accompaniment styles, DJ sounds, a chord dictionary function(!), and about 600 voices but I really don't know who it's aimed at. Do people really want some sort of kareoke machine with a bunch of public domain songs built into it? How long can you play along with the various accompaniments before they start to bore you? This is a really competent machine (except the touch) with a whole bunch of added gimmicks that actually prevent it from being really useful.
Sound Quality: The instruments are really very good. If you can ignore the reverb (I can't). It would be horrible for classical music but fine for pretty much anything else. Tons of drum beats and accompaniment patterns though I don't think they can be edited. The presence of XGlite is an interesting bonus but since there's no editor for OSX it's really no great use to me. It's really a very high-quality toy.
Reliability/Durability: No problems yet. (Good thing, too, it's borrowed.)
Ease of Use: Easy enough to use but, unless you're careful it will suddenly break into some arbitrary accompaniment when you hit a bass key. Very embarassing. The presets sound quite good but with way too much reverb on absolutely all of them. You can edit lots of things about the sounds but there is no way to save the edits; all editing seems to be tied to 'styles' rather than sounds and since I'm not into the styles...
View All
Contact
Online Status
Offline
Date Last Visited
yesterday
Public Statistics
Date Registered ‎01-22-2006 10:34 AM
Date Last Visited yesterday
Total Messages Posted 6,848
Total Tags
Total Kudos Received 5
Recent Kudos to:
User Kudos Count
1
View All
Recent Kudos from:
User Kudos Count
2
1
1
1
View All