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Philippe Spectral « It depends on what is expected ... »
Published on 11/16/10 at 12:2088-key keyboard, heavy touch, but graded action (or so; it's not obvious).
One input for the sustain pedal (included, but very cheap)
Two headphone outputs on the back (not very practical)
One MIDI OUT.
Ten sounds (piano 1 and 2, Rhodes, DX7, hammond, organ, clavinet, harpsichord, vibraphone, strings)
Chorus and reverb (on / off)
UTILIZATION
From the outset, be aware; I am not a pianist - I play a bit of everything that passes without a wholesale level anywhere. I bought this keyboard for myself to put a bit harder because the piano and feel "synth" bothered me for some uses.
Touch does not seem too bad. I think that to learn the piano or to work without disturbing the neighbors it may be suitable for a pianist, but realise it might seem a bit "plastic". I do not have much basis for comparison except for the few pianos on which I could play, but overall I think a piano has a sound that's more natural, to respond to differing attacks and nuances.
But, to compose, or arrange your work, or if only for relaxation, it's ample.
The manual is clear, but given the limited editing capabilities, it would have been difficult to get complicated. The only problem is that since the functions are accessible only by combination of keys (no buttons here, apart from on / off), it is better to have the manual at hand at the beginning.
MIDI-it's simple, it's just a MIDI OUT; no knobs, no dials.
SOUNDS
The sound is just like the rest, it helps out ...
The piano is good, not too characteristic, and neutral sounding.
The Piano 2 is too bright and tight, I do not use it (plus it is in mono).
The Rhodes is nice but has only 2 layers (saturated or not) the expressiveness of the coup is taking a beating.
The DX7 is not as badly made as the clavinet. The harpsichord is a bit like the artificial organ. As for Hammond it is very ... Charlie Oleg-like. The strings are a bit kitschy.
In short, this is not a digital piano that you will wnat record directly using embedded sounds. I think we need to see it as a master keyboard with hammer action sounds (including piano 1) which allows integrated work without having to plug it into a computer.
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for two months and so far it has not disappointed me. For the price, it does what I want:
- To play the piano without having to plug in my computer.
- To have a heavy touch, not necessarily high-end, but a more realistic semi-weighted MIDI controller.
- To have integrated speakers (not very powerful, but sufficient) for failing to connect speakers and more.
I think it will not compare to a real piano because the touch and sounds are not realistic and lacking in finesse.
Fans of synths and VST will bemoan the lack of knobs and dials.
Bad points for the headphone jacks on the rear and the sustain pedal is ugly and not practical (not too light and progressive).
My rating reflects my use and price. Of course, if I could afford it I would have taken a keyboard, but this suits me to start with.
One input for the sustain pedal (included, but very cheap)
Two headphone outputs on the back (not very practical)
One MIDI OUT.
Ten sounds (piano 1 and 2, Rhodes, DX7, hammond, organ, clavinet, harpsichord, vibraphone, strings)
Chorus and reverb (on / off)
UTILIZATION
From the outset, be aware; I am not a pianist - I play a bit of everything that passes without a wholesale level anywhere. I bought this keyboard for myself to put a bit harder because the piano and feel "synth" bothered me for some uses.
Touch does not seem too bad. I think that to learn the piano or to work without disturbing the neighbors it may be suitable for a pianist, but realise it might seem a bit "plastic". I do not have much basis for comparison except for the few pianos on which I could play, but overall I think a piano has a sound that's more natural, to respond to differing attacks and nuances.
But, to compose, or arrange your work, or if only for relaxation, it's ample.
The manual is clear, but given the limited editing capabilities, it would have been difficult to get complicated. The only problem is that since the functions are accessible only by combination of keys (no buttons here, apart from on / off), it is better to have the manual at hand at the beginning.
MIDI-it's simple, it's just a MIDI OUT; no knobs, no dials.
SOUNDS
The sound is just like the rest, it helps out ...
The piano is good, not too characteristic, and neutral sounding.
The Piano 2 is too bright and tight, I do not use it (plus it is in mono).
The Rhodes is nice but has only 2 layers (saturated or not) the expressiveness of the coup is taking a beating.
The DX7 is not as badly made as the clavinet. The harpsichord is a bit like the artificial organ. As for Hammond it is very ... Charlie Oleg-like. The strings are a bit kitschy.
In short, this is not a digital piano that you will wnat record directly using embedded sounds. I think we need to see it as a master keyboard with hammer action sounds (including piano 1) which allows integrated work without having to plug it into a computer.
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for two months and so far it has not disappointed me. For the price, it does what I want:
- To play the piano without having to plug in my computer.
- To have a heavy touch, not necessarily high-end, but a more realistic semi-weighted MIDI controller.
- To have integrated speakers (not very powerful, but sufficient) for failing to connect speakers and more.
I think it will not compare to a real piano because the touch and sounds are not realistic and lacking in finesse.
Fans of synths and VST will bemoan the lack of knobs and dials.
Bad points for the headphone jacks on the rear and the sustain pedal is ugly and not practical (not too light and progressive).
My rating reflects my use and price. Of course, if I could afford it I would have taken a keyboard, but this suits me to start with.