At the 2009 Winter NAMM Show, Roland introduced the V-Piano – a dedicated piano synth that is designed to make physically modeled piano synthesis simple and playable.
The V-Piano lets you play a variety of preset keyboards, but also lets you edit details like Unison Tune, Hammer Hardness, Cross Resonance, Tone Color, String Resonance, Damper Resonance, Soundboard Resonance, Key off resonance, Damping Time and Damping Noise Level.
Features:
- Revolutionary “living” piano core based on modeling, rather than sampling.
- No velocity switching between samples, so the V-Piano offers a smoother and more natural sound.
- Wide range of sounds, from grand-piano classics to never-before-heard futuristic hybrids
- All pianos are customizable
- Newly developed 88-note PHA-III Ivory Feel keyboard with Escapement
- Analog (XLR and 1/4″) outputs, digital output (coaxial), USB Memory port and MIDI I/O
Ivory Feel keyboard
This advanced keyboard technology reproduces the real feel of ivory for the natural keys and ebony for the sharps, and provides a true grand-piano touch and response. Even the subtle click feel when the “hammer” is released from the key (escapement) is reproduced.
Roland has not announced pricing or availability yet.
The “Even the subtle click feel when the “hammer” is released from the key (escapement) is reproduced.” has been around a long time now, it’s not really news and I’m glad to hear Roland is catching up to, say, Pianoteq. I can’t judge as I haven’t heard the V-Piano’s sound, but goes to show how much slower some hardware devices are coming along compared to their software brethren.
The casing looks oddly bulky and more reminiscent of an electric piano. I wonder why?
Torley –
It has a sort of of a stage piano look to it. I’m assuming it’s because of the size of the mechanism for the keyboard.
As I understand the technology, V-Piano is basically implementing a high-end hardware version of Pianoteq.
Interesting. XLR outputs.
Somehow I do not think this thing will be very cheap.
Pretty Cool!!! But I’ll waiting Yamaha’s answer