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scual
Published on 02/17/07 at 02:20
- 7octaves.
- 30 sounds in 10 banks, so you have 3 sounds available for each bank. Possibility to mix two sounds. 2 effects: Chorus and Reverb, 3 settings for each effect. Touch function for the keyboard. The piano sounds are obviously the most interesting (I like especially three of them), which is what made me decide to go for the SP-200, considering my budget and the other pianos I tested.
- Mono/stereo audio outputs PLUS headphones, midi IN/OUT, sustain pedal (not the best...)
Considering what I was looking for, and at this price point, it has the perfect features.
UTILIZATION
- The keyboard is very nice, but that's something very subjective. I learned to play piano on my own, so I'm not very technical (not at all, actually!). Up to now I'd had a "real" entry-level acoustic piano and have had the opportunity to play synths and other digital pianos (Yamaha P-80 / P-90, Roland RD-150). I have never liked the keyboards on synths, so I was looking for a weighted keyboard. After having tested the Roland FP-2 and 2 Casios at the same price point, I preferred the keyboard of the SP-200.
- The overall configuration is very intuitive. I miss a digital display and the possibility to configure sounds banks (to be able to switch quickly between sounds, which ought to be possible via MIDI, but I haven't tested it yet).
- I haven't tested midi, so I'll let you know my thoughts once I do.
- The manual seems very clear, but I have barely looked at it because it's very easy to use.
SOUNDS
- I was looking for good piano sounds right from the start and that's what I found in the sp-200! I didn't think I'd be using the other sounds but have surprised myself playing electric pianos (including one with a very '60s sound) or mixing pads with piano sounds... I love it to play rock/pop-rock!!!
- In terms of realism, and compared to other pianos I tested, for me, this is the best one (below $1500).
- Good expressiveness. There's some sort of "damping" sometimes when you press the same note quickly, which is something I hadn't seen in a real piano. But I still need to confirm that it's not a problem of me not releasing the key enough, which reduces the velocity.
- I prefer the following sounds: Grand Piano 1, Bright Piano 2, Classic Piano, There's no single sound that I don't like, but it's true that I don't see myself using the Acoustic Guitar, for example. I would've liked a bass sound better.
OVERALL OPINION
- I've been using it for six days.
- There's nothing in particular that I like or dislike about this piano, I like it as a whole. I'm happy with my investment. I bought it new and think it will be my companion for years to come! What I regret a bit is the sustain pedal, which isn't worthy of this piano, and (something I think has been mentioned by other reviewers) the low level of the headphones output (very, very limited...). I plan to buy some active speakers to really profit from the sound of the piano.
- I didn't test too many products (3 Roland, 2 Casio, 2 Yamaha). My main reference was an acoustic piano, so I was looking for something that resembled it in terms of the keyboard feel and that, at the same time, had a good sound. The SP-200 was the best for me.
- I think it's an excellent value for money, compared to the other models I tested.
- After one week of use, I'm not ready to get rid of it! We'll see in a couple of months...
NB: Since I had no experience with digital pianos, I underestimated an element that has proved to be very important: A stand! I bought one for $40 online and as soon as I get a bit excited it starts rocking with me, in every sense of the word... It's all right for the time being, but I need to get a better stand in the future. Think about it when you buy a piano!!!
Update: I ended up making my own stand out of solid wood. I spent less than $50 and have a very solid stand that it took me a couple of hours to mount.
- 30 sounds in 10 banks, so you have 3 sounds available for each bank. Possibility to mix two sounds. 2 effects: Chorus and Reverb, 3 settings for each effect. Touch function for the keyboard. The piano sounds are obviously the most interesting (I like especially three of them), which is what made me decide to go for the SP-200, considering my budget and the other pianos I tested.
- Mono/stereo audio outputs PLUS headphones, midi IN/OUT, sustain pedal (not the best...)
Considering what I was looking for, and at this price point, it has the perfect features.
UTILIZATION
- The keyboard is very nice, but that's something very subjective. I learned to play piano on my own, so I'm not very technical (not at all, actually!). Up to now I'd had a "real" entry-level acoustic piano and have had the opportunity to play synths and other digital pianos (Yamaha P-80 / P-90, Roland RD-150). I have never liked the keyboards on synths, so I was looking for a weighted keyboard. After having tested the Roland FP-2 and 2 Casios at the same price point, I preferred the keyboard of the SP-200.
- The overall configuration is very intuitive. I miss a digital display and the possibility to configure sounds banks (to be able to switch quickly between sounds, which ought to be possible via MIDI, but I haven't tested it yet).
- I haven't tested midi, so I'll let you know my thoughts once I do.
- The manual seems very clear, but I have barely looked at it because it's very easy to use.
SOUNDS
- I was looking for good piano sounds right from the start and that's what I found in the sp-200! I didn't think I'd be using the other sounds but have surprised myself playing electric pianos (including one with a very '60s sound) or mixing pads with piano sounds... I love it to play rock/pop-rock!!!
- In terms of realism, and compared to other pianos I tested, for me, this is the best one (below $1500).
- Good expressiveness. There's some sort of "damping" sometimes when you press the same note quickly, which is something I hadn't seen in a real piano. But I still need to confirm that it's not a problem of me not releasing the key enough, which reduces the velocity.
- I prefer the following sounds: Grand Piano 1, Bright Piano 2, Classic Piano, There's no single sound that I don't like, but it's true that I don't see myself using the Acoustic Guitar, for example. I would've liked a bass sound better.
OVERALL OPINION
- I've been using it for six days.
- There's nothing in particular that I like or dislike about this piano, I like it as a whole. I'm happy with my investment. I bought it new and think it will be my companion for years to come! What I regret a bit is the sustain pedal, which isn't worthy of this piano, and (something I think has been mentioned by other reviewers) the low level of the headphones output (very, very limited...). I plan to buy some active speakers to really profit from the sound of the piano.
- I didn't test too many products (3 Roland, 2 Casio, 2 Yamaha). My main reference was an acoustic piano, so I was looking for something that resembled it in terms of the keyboard feel and that, at the same time, had a good sound. The SP-200 was the best for me.
- I think it's an excellent value for money, compared to the other models I tested.
- After one week of use, I'm not ready to get rid of it! We'll see in a couple of months...
NB: Since I had no experience with digital pianos, I underestimated an element that has proved to be very important: A stand! I bought one for $40 online and as soon as I get a bit excited it starts rocking with me, in every sense of the word... It's all right for the time being, but I need to get a better stand in the future. Think about it when you buy a piano!!!
Update: I ended up making my own stand out of solid wood. I spent less than $50 and have a very solid stand that it took me a couple of hours to mount.