Animisha The salesman had never heard about VPC-1 (I didn't know that that was even possible amongst piano salespersons)

I have found this actually to be the norm, versus the exception! I don’t recall any dealer I went to who knows about VPC1 (which is my current MIDI controller piano)

    Animisha But, this is of course nothing, compared to buying a whole new digital piano.

    It sounds like Animisha was looking at another digital piano, not an upright.

        iternabe Have you looked into pedal from other manufacturers that can plug into the computer via USB directly or with some kind of converter? Like discussed here.

        Yes, I did but I'm afraid to buy a MIDI Expression device (I don't even know what that is) and a Roland triple pedal only to find out that I can't get it to work smoothly.

        pianoloverus you have a digital piano and were testing acoustic pianos at the store -
        Nightowl

        No, I wanted to have a better digital piano. One of the pianos I played was the Yamaha CSP-295. I understand that there would be a period of adjustment, but there was nothing that felt like any improvement at all!

        twocats It sounds like Animisha was looking at another digital piano, not an upright.

        Exactly. I did play a very short time on an acoustic piano with a silent system, but it was so loud! I already have hearing aids and I don't want to further deteriorate my ears, nor torment my neighbours, with an acoustic piano.

        ShiroKuro From this comment, I’m assuming that what the salesman showed you were all digital pianos, is that correct?

        I did not even deign to cast a look at those slabs. 😃

        *
        ... feeling like the pianist on the Titanic ...

                    I also visited a piano shop last week with the intention of auditioning a Kawai CA901 digital and I have to say was very impressed. The action played almost identically to one of Kawai's GL grand pianos and the wooden soundboard attached at the rear contributed to some wonderful sounds. Played at reasonable volume vibrations could be felt from the lower keys.

                    If I decide to purchase this digital I will keep my acoustic upright piano.

                    As I exited the shop I couldn't resist having a little look at the acoustic grands with the inevitable result that I am now thinking over the option of trading the upright for a baby grand. Heart says acoustic baby grand, head says stick with the upright and have the additional digital which has a faster action and doesn't need tuning.

                      Animisha . I understand that there would be a period of adjustment, but there was nothing that felt like any improvement at all!

                      Even going from one digital to another there can be a period of adjustment so that trying a digital for only a few minutes may not be enough of a test. Was the instrument where you couldn't play very softly on it a digital or an acoustic?

                          I am sorry to hear about your experience. Sales person do not always have the depth of knowledge of the things they sell. And this is not limited to digital piano but many other things as well.

                          My own research led me to believe in slab form it's really hard to beat the wood action of Kawai in terms of overall feel and response. And people's search to improve one certain aspect (e.g. repeat speed) often leads to other actions with different compromise. Hybrid action is better but the price step up is a leap, too.

                          It's amazing your VPC1 is going strong for 4 years. Have you encountered any of the common problem that needs service? When I looked at the new-to-me GF action, I realized these things probably do need some maintenance to stay in top shape, and they are designed to be serviced more like acoustic actions. Maybe some simple cleaning of the capstan, verifying slip tapes remain in place, and maybe lubricating the key bushings is all you need to get the action to play faster or softer?

                          The ability to play pianissimo more easy and reliably is on my thoughts, too. VPC1 being a MIDI controller is supposed to be even better at that than my MP11SE. I know you must have experimented with the velocity curve in Pianoteq. If one has no concern about translating technique directly to acoustic piano, then I think tweaking velocity curve is probably a viable solution to make soft playing a little easier. On that note, I would like to hear from people who do play acoustic piano tell us about whether there is a "dead zone" in the soft touch where if one press the key with low enough velocity the hammer will not strike thus no sound is produced.

                            iternabe On that note, I would like to hear from people who do play acoustic piano tell us about whether there is a "dead zone" in the soft touch where if one press the key with low enough velocity the hammer will not strike thus no sound is produced.

                            Yes, on an acoustic piano pressing a key very slowly results in insufficient release velocity for the hammer to hit the strings. On a piano that is well regulated this effect is consistent across the keys which facilitates pianissimo playing.

                                keff auditioning a Kawai CA901 digital and I have to say was very impressed.

                                How nice! My shop was a Yamaha one - they had no Kawais at all - so I couldn't compare with more expensive Kawais.

                                pianoloverus Was the instrument where you couldn't play very softly on it a digital or an acoustic?

                                Digital. But of course, that would just have been a matter of getting used to it.

                                *
                                ... feeling like the pianist on the Titanic ...

                                    iternabe It's amazing your VPC1 is going strong for 4 years. Have you encountered any of the common problem that needs service?

                                    Is it? No, I have never needed any service. And that is very fortunate, because I would have no idea about who to call.

                                    iternabe tweaking velocity curve is probably a viable solution to make soft playing a little easier.

                                    I have actually increased output volume to make the action a bit lighter.

                                    iternabe On that note, I would like to hear from people who do play acoustic piano tell us about whether there is a "dead zone" in the soft touch where if one press the key with low enough velocity the hammer will not strike thus no sound is produced.

                                    Actually, I have always assumed that basically every piano, acoustic or digital, has this "dead zone" as you call it. Playing without making a sound was part of the standard exercises my previous piano teacher sometimes gave me, for instance when that note is routinely played too loudly.

                                    *
                                    ... feeling like the pianist on the Titanic ...

                                            iternabe I would like to hear from people who do play acoustic piano tell us about whether there is a "dead zone" in the soft touch where if one press the key with low enough velocity the hammer will not strike thus no sound is produced.

                                            If one presses the key too slowly on an acoustic, the hammer will not strike the string and no sound is produced. This is commonly called playing a ghost note. Avoiding ghost notes on an acoustic is not an elementary technical skill. There have been quite a few threads on piano world about the proper technique for playing very softly and some excellent youtube videos on the same topic. Even if one has the necessary technical skill, if a an acoustic is in poor regulation that can make the playing very softly difficult also.

                                                Animisha Is it? No, I have never needed any service. And that is very fortunate, because I would have no idea about who to call.

                                                I know the internet tend to amplify (sometimes rare) issues because people who are happy with what they have do not usually speak up. The infamous slip tape caused sticky key problem seem to be real to those unfortunate. Some even report the problem comes back after a couple of years or even less. Although unable to get accurate statistics on rate of occurrence, I do find that the widely discussed DIY repair procedures makes me less worried about getting the action.

                                                As you have problem seen in my other post, I have taken the cover off and looked at the action. The official recommendation, of course, would be to find a Kawai certified technician for service. However, my impression is a competent acoustic piano tuner should have no problem servicing the GF action, because the mechanical parts of the key stick are almost identical, while the hammer mechanism being much simpler. The electronics don't need service - should they fail you don't repair you replace. What would be helpful is to have a factory service manual on hand that has specifications on how to regulate the action.

                                                I myself have been watching piano tuner videos to learn the proper technique and material to lubricate the pins and bushings, and adjust key height and key dip. I also think if you can't find a piano tuner who is willing to work on it, then just someone who is handy, careful, and meticulous would be more than capable to do the service.