Studiologic SL88 Grand Feedback?

Hi!

I've tried the Studiologic SL88 Grand thoroughly at a shop, bringing my own Laptop with Pianoteq (5 at the time) and a Roland DP-10 for half-pedalling. I only needed to connect the Linux Laptop and the SL88 with an USB cable and it just worked. I like it a lot and hoping to save enough money soon to replace my 20 year old Doepfer LMK3 which also has a FATAR hammer keyboard.

The only reason I have some second thoughts is that there are some minor reports of problems with build quality and QA, so I will buy it directly at a shop and test the product, and also rely on the a 3 year guarantee.

But you definetly should try different manufacturers, as it really seems to be a personal subjective thing.

Best
erik

Roland  action is a bit lighter compared to the SL88 Grand. For me the feature that really made me pick the SL88 was the feeling of the ivory like keyoboard and the extensive editing features. Overall is impressive. I have adjusted the touch using the SL editor and I really cannot say I am unsatisfied with the product. Considering I also saved money because of a discount I can say it really is a bang for the buck. I would not suggest buying without trying any Studiologic product, not only for your personal likes but because their product still are hit or miss due to inefficient quality control.

Picked up the Roland and I really do not like it. Really sluggish and just cannot seem to get to grips with it at all.

No, the RD2000 was incredible. I am talking about the A-88. It is really sluggish and quite shallow, cannot get the expression out of it that I want at all.

The StudioLogic SL88 Grand is a reasonably priced MIDI keyboard controller, but it is not very well calibrated from the manufacturer (at least mine wasn’t), which means you may need to use the StudioLogic editor software (available for Windows or Mac, I couldn’t get it to work even under OS emulation in Linux) to make the touch/velocity response more even across the range of the keyboard.

I ended up selling my StudioLogic SL88 Grand and bought a Kawai VPC1 MIDI controller instead, which I am currently happy with.

I am considering to get one SL 88 Grand.

I would appreciate if any other recent users can share their feedback ?

Is anybody aware of any revision this keyboard may have had to address the issues reported ?

I commented on another thread that the Numa stage piano I'm using might be a good alternative to the SL88 and then found they have the same action. I haven't found any of the playability issues discussed here. I also have an older Kawai EP3 also with a Fatar keyboard. Other than the noisy black keys - and I just saw a video on how to fix that - it has been a productive instrument for me for some time. Another Kawai DP is in my life on a steady gig.

I can't compare to other brands but I'd buy one if I needed one.

Good luck.

It gets a little confusing with all the similarly named models with different specs, but actually the action in your Numa Stage is  the TP/100LR Premium Hammer Action, whereas the one in the SL88 Grand is the TP/40WOOD Graded Hammer Action. They are not identical - you are probably referring to the SL88 Studio (that one does have the same action as the Numa Stage).
http://www.fatar.com/Pages/TP100LR.html
http://www.fatar.com/Pages/TP_40WOOD.htm

It's a lighter action and one that I would definitely consider if you plan on moving the piano to different stages. It is very similar to Roland PHA2.

Congratulations on the new keyboard!  The SL Grand was an early candidate for me as well, but I needed onboard speakers.  Hence the choice of the FP-90...

Has anyone compared the Studiologic SL88 Grand to the Kawai VPC 1?

I've tested the VPC and liked it very much - but the weight is a problem for me. I don't need it much at home - I play Pianoteq with the silent system of my Bechstein Concert 8. But I will be prepared for some gigs, where I don't have a real piano.
I have a Kawai ES 110 too, but I'm not very happy with it. Not for Pianoteq and more sophisticated playing.

I friend of mine, who is a professional jazz piano player even recommended the old Yamaha P120. But I suppose that it can't compete with these (?)

Regards
Martin

I have an entry-level Casio digital. It has "graded" hammer action. For my extremely limited skills it's fine.

I have considered possibly getting an  SL88 Studio.
However the information on that keyboard only States hammer action not graded hammer action. Does it feel like that one is graded to you or are the keys all the same weight top to bottom?
IOW have they just missed off the word graded in their sales literature?

If it was me I would return the unit for a swap (if I was still impressed with it). If a 2nd unit also developed a problem then just get a refund.

Yes, the Grand.

It would be nice if there were a kind of CP33 MKII...

So... SL88 replaced yesterday to a new one. This time, all the keys are perfect!
I'm very happy.

Half pedaling with the Roland DP-10 wasn't working very well. And as the pedal was sticky, I had a good reason to return it.
The SLP3-D from StudioLogic works a lot better - I'd recommend it.

I tried a Roland RD2000 and a Nord Piano3 before pulling the trigger on my Kawai MP11SE. I found the RD2000's action to be disappointingly light and flimsy. And the RD2000 was my first choice. Personally, I think that the Roland FANTOM-8 has a more piano-like action. The Nord wasn't bad for an $800 digital piano. Unfortunately, it cost $3000+ at the time.