KVR Audio

vinayk · Post by **vinayk** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:54 am

Hi guys...

I'm looking at getting myself a digital piano - and was looking at the Yamaha CP33 (about $1500 in Australia). It has a 64 note polyphony..

However I was wondering if a cheaper controller - say the yamaha P70 - which has the same weighted keys, and I assume lower quality piano samples would work as well as the CP33 if I buy something like Akoustic Piano/Pianoteq or similar.

I.e when sending MIDI information is there a problem with polyphony? Or is MIDI data transferred differently and the polyphony only affects the sounds on the keyboard itself.

If they would both work just as well, then I figure that i'd be much better buying the cheaper piano and buying a VST piano as well.. it'd work out cheaper, and record much more nicely... i'm never going to play live with this so its not a big deal.

Does anyone know if thats the case?

Thanks,
Vinay

jeffb01 · Post by **jeffb01** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:07 am

I don't know the answer to that exact question, but I do know the answer - and that is that I don't believe you would ever transmit over 32 notes (which is the polyphony of the p70) at one time. Once the midi data is recorded to the sequencer, it doesn't use the midi controller.

vinayk · Post by **vinayk** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:10 am

My - albeit shaky - understanding was that when triggering samples on the keyboard itself, when using stere samples, you are effectively reducing your polyphony... i'm wondering if that transfers to midi...

I don't think the P70 has aftertouch... while the CP33 does.. but its not that big a deal.. I have a smaller controller with aftertouch in any case...

jeffb01 · Post by **jeffb01** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:15 am

the stereo sample thing only applies to sounds within the keyboard. The keyboard that transmit midi data doesn't know if the sound you are triggering is mono, stereo, or surround.

Cygnus X-1 · Post by **Cygnus X-1** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:27 am

Polyphony on the controller keyboard (in case it's a digital piano, synthesizer, workstation...etc.) does not matter at all when used to control an external module/softsynth. To make you feel bad for asking

, what is the polyphony on any dedicated midi-controller, say the Novation Remote? Well, zero is the answer

I myself am using Casio Privia PX_110 (32-polyphony) to play any thing on my PC, no polyphony issues whatsoever except if it's due to the limitation from the soft synth I'm controlling..

vinayk · Post by **vinayk** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:43 am

Excellent! So in that case.. i really just need to look at which controller has the nicest feeling keyboard, and possibly aftertouch... and then I just need "reasonable" sounds for when I don't want to turn on my computer...

Saving money is a great thing! i should still save money AND be able to pick up a nice piano VST...

I assume USB vs normal midicable interface doesnt matter too much?

Cygnus X-1 · Post by **Cygnus X-1** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 4:13 am

Some controllers have terrible USB drivers, the old (black)CME UF series for example, so in this case MIDI is king.

vinayk · Post by **vinayk** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 5:26 am

Excellent.. now I just gotta decide whether or not I'll ever need a line out cable if i'm going to use piano VSTs... probably not... so i can happily save away!

Thanks for the help guys.

Does polyphony matter on a midi controller?