At this level of quality, it really comes down to personal preference. They are both stellar in sound and capability. And live on stage, no one is going to notice the nuanced differences. Let's be honest.
I own the CP88 and a Nord Electro. One of the people below said it best - when you come to this level of stage piano it's more about how you play it. You can tweak the compression, and effects of both and get a great sound, then save it as your preferred piano performance. I do like the warmth and depth of the Yamaha in this video and think it is more realistic.
I’ve owned several digital pianos over the years and have owned the CP88 for a year now. I’m loving this piano it’s the best digital I’ve played on to date. When it comes to digital pianos they just keep getting better over time. I can’t comment on the Nord though I’ve never played one.
Nord sound are more natural and realistic, and warm. Yamaha is realistic as well and bright. As my preference, I'd use Nord for studio recording with an impressive acoustic sound, and Yamaha for live performances because it has a more expressive sound (typical of yamaha)
I just tried these two in a store and I though I thought the Yamaha sounded like it was in a carton box and the Nord Piano and Electro had more sparkle to the sounds. I think the EQ was off and turned the tone control on the Yamaha but it didn't help. I don't know why it was so different in person. The Nords still sounded a bit more full as expected but I thought the Yamaha would be the brighter one.
I had the pleasure to play both these fine instruments yesterday at a norwegian music store. I used the same monitoring for both instruments, and I have to say I'm quite surprised over what i discovered. Don't misunderstand me, both these instruments are very good, but there is just something about nord piano 4 which makes me want to play and play and play.... The action is good on both keyboards but I found it way easier too play very intricate stuff on NP4(which i played for the first time). It is in a matter of fact, the finest action I have played ever on a stage piano(I've played almost all of them)And the sound.... the Yamaha sounded very thin in comparison to NP4 which was very warm and realistic(this was really not what I was expecting). Some always say that the yamaha will cut better through the mix than the Nord. Well... I´dont agree, simply because its very easy to add more top end to the Nord pianos with the dedicated piano filters or EQ(which will make it cut through a dense mix), making it sound more like the Yamaha, but it´s impossible to take the thinner sounding yamaha and make it warm sounding like NP4. This is the reason I would pick the NP4 over CP88 every day in the week. I own the Nord stage 3, which i love, but when I played the NP4 I realized once more how important the action of a keyboard really is(the action on NS3 is vastly inferior to NP4). When the action is right, you play more dynamically, which will (believe it or not) actually make the piano sound better even if you're using the same sound/sample. Long story short... I'm going to buy a NP4 as well! (and keep the Nord stage 3 88)
Simon Madsen , Thanks so much for your comments! I was on the fence about the Yamaha CP88, but the Nord always sounds more buttery smooth. It’s just draws me in sound wise every single time. My question is, what would you choose in the Nord line currently, if you could have only one 73 or 88 keyboard? There are so many types of Nords, it’s a bit confusing. If u recommend one for piano only because of the Keybed, then one for synth lines, and organs, maybe an electro. Please feel free to advise. If you could have the ultimate 2 to cover this scenario, what would it be, if needed. I realize in all areas of products, new doesn’t always mean better. Sometimes the manufacturer will have a great product, then alter the ingredients. Your counsel would be highly appreciated.✨🎁💎✨
Thanks for this great comment! I also own NS3 and agree completely that its piano action, while definitely good, feels inferior to many other Stage pianos on the market, believe or not, including Kronos 2 (I play Kronos 2 at my church and its action is heavier than my NS3). That said, no one should get Nord Stage 3 if they just gonna play Acoustic Piano because its keybed is the way it is since it is also focused on Organ and Synth both requiring lighter touch and would fatigue you out over long time playing organ/synth riffs on full-hammer action keybed. (Korg LS 88 fits that niche) CP88 definitely sounds more out of the can full-on where NP4 sounds more intimate. I wish I could also get NP4 but no dinero for a while after buying the NS3, truly a monster of an instrument.
With all of the updates, the CP88 now has warmer piano options. Check out the Hamburg piano sound in update v1.5. And there's now also a very nice and warm felt piano. CP88 buyers are getting a lot of bonuses.
@Luigi, i've had mine for 4 days. I'm still not sure about the piano samples. the cfx sounds really too bright *and* metallic (ie: fake), but then i've never played a real cfx grand before. the notes that really sound this way are the notes around the octave above tuning "A". its so annoys me, that im considering returning it. I've even recorded from the headphone output to a tascam dr-05. and i still notice the odd cfx samples. there is something not 'normal' about how it decays soon after the note is played. And then again, i've never played a nord 4, either. but the organic feel and key sensitivity on the cp88 is just stunning to me. the black 'textured' keys are truely.. life-like. there is a firmware update, im going to do that later this evening. Another thing ive noticed is that the headphone jack isn't very "hot" as some folks to describe it. for noobs like me, i have to turn the main volume all the way up, and then turn the piano section volume all the way up and its just enough for my deaf ears. I'm going to get another low(er)-impedance headphones after work today. i love the way the pads section has a separate attack/delay feature. that is brilliant!!!
I’ve always been a Yamaha piano fan. I’ve heard Nord for several years now via friends that have them. I’m still considering replacing my XF8 for a CP88 but still undecided - thanks for the video very helpful.
I cant decide either if I want to replace my Moxf8 with a cp88. Do they use the same piano presets? I want an upgraded piano sound from my moxf8 for studio
One of the things that makes it difficult to compare Nord pianos against others the vastness of the Nord Piano Library. There are 11 grand pianos, 12 upright pianos, 10 electric pianos and 3 electric grands to choose from. They all have different characters to them. To some degree, you can compare similar piano types, like the Bosendorfer in the CP88 to the Imperial Grand sample for the Nord. But Nord does not have a CFX sample in their library (yet) for a direct comparison to the CP88. There are S6, S4 and older C7 samples, but nothing in the CF range. Nord's Grand Upright (U3) can compare to the CP's U1 sample, but it sounded to me like this comparison used the Mellow Upright as the upright example, which is significantly different from a U1, and leads the listener to believe that the Nord uprights are dark. Nord's own U3 sample is every bit as cutting as the CP's U1. Also, not to be down on Yamaha, but their promise to update the instrument with additional content is a new thing for them. They did release an update with the S6 Grand right when the instrument was announced, but it remains to be seen what Yamaha will add in the future. They are rather beholden to their own portfolio (Yamaha, Bosendorfer) and have already included their "greatest hits" - CFX, Bodendorfer Imperial, S6, U1. Unless they move outside the Yamaha lineup, they're kind of done. Nord, on other hand, has a history of releasing new piano samples, with a new one appearing about once a year. In addition, their pianos span the spectrum of builders: Yamaha/Bosie, Kawai, Steinway, etc., and include some fringe pianos as well. This is not to knock Yamaha, but we'll have to wait and see how they support this instrument going forward. The new CP goes a long way to improving the UI, which gives it a similar immediacy to the Nord. I like that each of the three sections has its own dedicated effects section, as the Nord's effects are shared between the two sound engines.
Thank you for the kind words. For what it's worth, the Nord Piano has a much simpler interface than the Stage. There are essentially 3 sections: Piano, Sample Synth and effects. On both the Piano 3 and Piano 4 there are separate volume controls for the piano and synth sections, and you can activate each independently. You then can assign effects to either the piano or synth. The Stage is similar, but there is an organ section, while the synth section is more complicated. Until I bought a Stage, I thought it was confusing as well, but you get use to it pretty quickly.@@kunleodebode
To Rusty Mike: I could imagine you being a caller on a radio talk show with this gem, with the host listening respectfully. Then, at the conclusion, with little to say in rebuttal, he would utter: Thank you, we appreciate this information -- Good night! When this sails above our cranium, what else is there to say?
I was about to get a Piano 5 (which wasn't out when this video was released), but the sub-par action was a deal-breaker, so I went with the CP88. The NW-GH action on the CP88 is just PHENOMENAL, and I couldn't be happier with getting the Yamaha over the Nord. I get it, Nords have their place, but since I mostly play the piano, I need a really good piano sound AND a really good action, not just a good sound. I'd rather be playing something for three hours straight that has amazing action (like the CP88), rather than a Nord where the keys are, in all honesty, barely weighted. Also, I can clearly tell that's the CFX that's being used on the CP88, but what's the sound on the Nord? Is that White Grand? Doesn't sound like Royal Grand 3D...
Once you’ve reached this level of quality it really comes down to what you are playing and how you are playing it. They’re both clearly great instruments....now what are you gonna do with them??
thanks for the great demo. i have a Yamaha p-155 and a Nord Electro 6D and have been comparing the piano sounds lately. the Yamaha sounds full, rich and bright as the expense of sounding perhaps a bit too even / perfect, but great overall sound and very playable. the Nord sounds good in the high frequency range but sounds boxy, muddy, 'wrapped in plastic' in the low-mids. This seems accentuated when heard through monitors as opposed to listening thru headphones. I did some test recordings, added some compression and scooped about ~5-10db out in the 250 range which did improve the sound significantly. overall I believe the Yamaha piano sound is superior, especially out of the box. but the Nord looks so much cooler and has superior 'secondary' sounds (such as the sample synth section). tough call. interested to hear other's thoughts on this, cheers!
John, what you're telling us is that a Piano in the P series, (and not the best one in that particular Yamaha branch), which uses pure cf samples as its sound engine, that samples the CFIIIS grand which is discontinued, sounds better than some of the most well made piano libraries out-there. I don't yet have a digital piano but I'm about to buy an inexpensive one between Roland FP 10 and Yamaha P 125, which does more or less sound and operate in the same sound engine as the P-155. I absolutely understand personal sympathies and there's no doubt that Yamaha is a splendid brand, but when it comes to recreating piano sounds Nord is beyond current keyboards, comparable with some of the very best VST libraries which our large files ... -maybe you know this stuff much better than I do-. In addition, it depends a lot on the experience that one has with the acoustic instrument. Yes it is true that Royal Grand 3D sounds a little bit closed down low, creating the idea that it is imperfect. However, it is due to those slightly out of tune notes that Nord delivers splendid and incredibly realistic piano sounds. This CP 88 instead delivers very good piano sounds, but it's kinda difficult to compare it to the Nord pianos which don't recreate a CFX. And despite all that, Nord is a step ahead still. Again, I'm talking about authenticity, which is something we judge objectively. It's not that I'm a fan of a certain company ... as I told you I don't have a digital piano yet. These are just my opinions :) Wish you well!
Well the truth is, most piano and EPiano sample on Nord is based on YAMAHA Grand Piano/Keyboard. Royal Grand 3D = Yamaha S6 Studio Grand 2 = Yamaha C7 Bright Grand = Yamaha S4 Grand Imperial = Bösendorfer 290 (Which is owned by Yamaha) Grand Upright = Yamaha U3 EGrand 3 Amped = Yamaha CP80 DX7 Fulltines = Yamaha DX7
I like that the Nord has so many grand piano sounds, uprights, electric sounds... but when the Nord was being played in this video in comparison to the Yamaha, it sounded dull or muddy to me. I wish the CP88 had as many piano samples in the Grands, etc as the Nord. But I would probably say that I would choose the Yamaha for the wood keys, the ease of operation, the feel and it sounds so much better.... maybe Yamaha can give us more acoustic piano sounds in number like the Nord. That would be so much better.
For Country, Pop, and Rock the brightness of the Yamaha is what is really standing out to me. Obviously there are tweaks and adjustments, but not being a “piano first” musician I am really liking the Yamaha.
If you are a real piano player, you will love the touch the of CP88. But CP88’s sound not real enough. I may try nord grand. I think I will be the best.
Get a CP73 and a Moog Grandmother. Or Cp88 and a Roland JD-Xi or Korg Minilogue. Obviously there’s reason for the price difference with the Nord (Library, Triple pedal), but it’s difficult to discern much between them unless you really prefer the looks, touch and sound on the Nord. You get a great keyboard with either choice.
One of the gig I saw, they played Nord and Yamaha. Nord sounds too thick, and Yamaha sounds pleasing on Live. Nord keyboardist need to tweak a little bit to make sounds more realistic and not muddy.
The Yamaha piano samples are very recognizable but I think I would like the Nord here. And notice that you can download loads of different pianos from the Nord Library, so you will probably find something to your liking. And it's an ever expanding free library.
All this praising of Nord... the warm sound is given by the equalizer (low-pass filter) which is used as a trick to attenuate the high frequency asperities/artefacts present in the samples. Turn up the knob and you’ll hear ver clearly the loop of the samples. This filter does have indeed a “natural” frequency roll-off, but after a while I got sick of it, and instead of perceiving it as natural I rather hear it a mask on sound brilliance
As an NP5 owner & almost life long Yamaha piano sample zealot; i believe you can NEVER go wrong with Yamaha's pianos! The samples are intimate, upfront, clean, cutting, & consistent, but the Nord just has... life. I'm afraid for my NP5's battery because it spends more time in use than most keyboards I've owned in adulthood. The samples are addicting, but can suffer from ambient over kill or even too much mid frequency in some monitors (use the eq!). I hear people complaining about the keybed & if you haven't played it, the action is a bit heavier & more solid than a Roland RD-88 (though they have feel similarly), yet it's SLIGHTLY lighter and lest spongy than a P-250 or MOTIF XF8. I find it pleasant, responsive, & versatile for all of the instrument varieties represented onboard.
You should have chosen a more similar piano on the Nord, plus, on Yamaha you have the reverb and on Nord you don't. This comparison is VERY misleading!
Albeit I get what you're saying, I'm juggling between these two keyboards and all I'm finding are direct comparisons, rather than just general comparisons. It's been difficult to find comparisons between keyboards that aren't the "equal competition"
Nice play and demo by the presenter. The Nord piano sound is warm and expressive. These ears always seem to gravitate towards that big, full, bright, Yamaha piano sound. Also would add that the Yamaha EP's are right up there with Nord, who I have long thought have the best EP's.
I've had both (Nord stage 2, Yamaha CP4), I kept the CP4. RE: EP's, to me the Yamaha is a notch above. especially the Clav (not good on the Nord). Piano was slightly better on Nord, but not enough to justify the much higher price tag
After listening on earphones I realized Yamaha has more interesting sound and responsive appeal. One can enjoy his performance non Yamaha while nord is a raw material like thing.
The Yamaha has a sound that seems more realistic. I heard the Nord make a funky transition from one note to the next in the demo. Almost like voice stealing. Also the Nord rings out unnaturally (sustain portion of the envelope is too long), but the Yamaha decays much more "gracefully". It's really subjective to be sure, but to these experienced ears there is something special about the Yamaha CP-88.
After watching lots of keyboard reviews on RU-vid of piano sounds comparisons , I feel that the quality of the piano sounds from the top end keyboards are all great. A (insert brand) keyboard may sound ‘better’ to some people than others and it quickly becomes a fanboy argument when someone disagrees with your opinion. Like all acoustic grand pianos, each one is slightly different in sound and character and each electronic keyboard manufacturer chooses a particular model/brand to emulate so it’s going to be different from others ... does anyone really know what the ultimate piano sound is anyway?! To me, they all have their pros and cons but in 2019, you have lots of brilliant piano sounds to choose from and you can tweak them to your personal taste.
I don't know why people keep saying the Yamaha is bright. I find it to be balanced. It is brighter than the newer acoustic pianos, CX, SX, CF, FWIW. But overall it is less dark in the bass and tenor than other pianos but less bright in the mid to upper treble than other pianos as well. The sound also is light to medium bodied. That doesn't mean thin, it means how full the sound is and a sense of clarity, in my opinion. The Nord and Yamaha are just two different personalities. But if you fiddle with them long enough, you can get their sounds to be closer to each other.
Interesting as I just purchased the CP88 as my learning instrument, they both sound good but I have a think for Yamaha instruments, I have guitars and drums from them as well so we will see. Either way wish me luck!
Well it was back and forth for me between the two but I read many online complaints that The Nord was muddier in person. They would always ask what it was being played through that made the dems sound so great and NOBODY ever answered that simple question. This was a major red flag. As a result I just came home 30 minutes ago with a new Yamaha CP88 at a 15% Labor Day discount. I read the action on The Nord 4 piano although improved was still heavy and dull and I loved the realistic action of the Yamaha CP88. Initially I didn't like the sound through the stores 10 inch speaker amp but when we switched to a QSC k12.2 speaker it sounded great. I have a Yamaha C7 concert grand at home and teach jazz piano full time so the realistic feel of the keys really matters to me. Will be playing this through a QSC K12.2 for solo piano gigs. My new K12.2 will arrive the day after tomorrow from Sweetwater also at a Labor Day sale price. The CP88 is only for live piano gigs as I already use my Roland V-Piano and Logic Steinway for recording.
Nord is brighter and compact full but more versatile for group or solo it's a winner no matter what. For me Yam. It is a complete full sound for heavy thinkers pianist that know when and how to apply big or delicate sound that maintains a notorious presence even if play 1/2 min. in a 5 min. song. Contemporaneous too , it's what matters and taste personal. Which one make you feel better and important even with the results for yourself first then the rest and others.
Hi ,no my friend Nord it's not brither it is more pleasant metallic than Yama but if you compare his bass it's smoother ,something that goes nice with sounds in between brite & warm , if you think that its warm check the mp11es that's smooth bass & warm ,now with Yama because his bass it's strong and notorious you has to go warm with a bosendorfer or brite with a c7 "extremos" according to his bass. But thanks for writing me I am primarily trumpeter & solo jazz piano very secondly, pardon my fault. 🤭
I had a Nord Piano 4 and I'm selling it, personally I don't like the keyboard and the sound of the pianos because they are too dark and unbalanced, I bought a Yamaha CP4 because I saw a lot of positive opinions and it is actually much better, listen to the difference that Yamaha cares about the equipment from 2013 was on par with 2018. It seems to me that this Nord fame is just a fame
Me too, I prefer the Nord, sounds is warmer and the keys feel amazing while playing 🙌🏾 Yamaha is doing a great job creating a direct competitor to the Nord Piano.
1970piano This is absolutely my conclusion as well. Tried both pianos side by side in the store, and IMO the NordPiano4 sounded much better than the Yamaha.(more organic)
To me, the Nords were always very good sample playback machines. VERY GOOD playback, but it sounds/feels like you're playing whichever instrument's sample has been perfected post-production. They're cool and vibey, but the Yamaha is more of actual raw instrument.
Thanks for the comparison! Is it the same pre-amps on both? Which pre-amps are they on? The Cp88 sounds great! My CP88 sounds brighter than this video - some other videos of the CP88 are brighter too.
I like the Nord. Sounds a little warmer Edit: I believe what sounds best is subjective. Is there a way to measure the sound of one piano vs another?
5 лет назад
Hi nice comparison. I have a small question regarding the type of monitors or speakers you recommanded for the Cp or the Nord ? For example on studio use or on small band gig ? Thank you for your help. 😀
Both instruments sounds lovely I guess with the Yamaha the keypad is probably better when you download it and sounds you’re able to keep the old sounds on the Yamaha the NordSounds more realistic but when you download new sounds You can’t keep the old ones you have to replace them then the price Yamaha is much cheaper it sounds just as good
Recently purchased and sent my CP88 back. There was very noticeable keybed noise on every note while playing all piano samplings (even though the piano sounds were excellent). And the Ab above the octave plinked in stead of resonating. Musicians Friend took it back right away but, all in all a bad experience. Yamaha's has developed a slap together factory mentality and to save money really low balled the Keybed. Cheap aluminum frame as well. There are many great features on it but the above mentioned issue's were a deal breaker.
I could always recognize the sound of Yamaha's digital pianos. It always had a "boxy" sound to it. I had the flagship Montage 7 for several years and not once did I use its Piano sounds. The samples were too short and the sound a little flat. Both Native Instruments and Keyscape did a much better job. Which is ironic, because Yamaha make pretty great acoustic pianos. They just can't sample/model them properly, it would seem.
I watched this demo CP88 vs Nord Piano 4 and CP88 vs Nord Piano 5 as well. I don't know what you guys are hearing but the Nord is just superior overall. I tried not to be biased by listening both with my eyes blindfolded and the Nord always comes out a winner. The Nordsounds relaxed, natural, transparent, a tag warmer and much more musically involved. The Yamaha just sounds clean, raw which I perceived as brightness and thin. There is a slight extended decay of each note that sounds just unnatural to my ear at 3:59 mark compared to the Nord.
Everything is going to sound the same with youtube audio bitrate and iPhone speakers...... lucky I'm on thx PC speakers lol. do these need to plugged into an amp, or they are just reliant on the in built stereo speakers?
Nord's highs get brittle and thin and start to sound cheap. Also missing from Nord is the woody thunk you get in the octave around middle C on the Yamaha.
Still pretty good for Hiromi and others.Not so ''golden'' ears;-))).How can Nord sound worse just because another piano has come up?Ok.It's a matter of personal taste at last.Saying ''this is better'' is nonsense.
the nord piano 4 at the top is bright at the top with a dap tap of a little sustain with medium polyphony higher pitch ends ...the CP 88 bottoms is good for( Dark Contrast) Resolving....I wonder if the cords connections and volume is on the same equal level....I should be a keyboard specialist
First time I got my hands on a Nord it felt like playing The optimal quality instrument. The Steinway sounds and the keyboard action are the perfect combination.
Nice play! Would be interesting for me personally how the Zarenbourg would be in comparison to these both specialists and the other ones from Korg, Kurzweill etc. too!
I have done my research on both the bird piano 4 and the Yamaha cp 88 stage and they’re both great keyboards. I just don’t know which one to get I’ve always played Yamaha’s and Nords are fabulous products too. Which one would you prefer?
I would choose the nord, because I have an electro, and its awesome that you can download so many sounds from the libraries or forums. There are sounds for almost every song! :D
It's hard to compare an acoustic Steinway to an acoustic CFX grand as they are obviously different pianos with different characteristics. Both NORD and Yamaha have some of the best samples on the planet so it makes sense that the NORD Steinway sample will sound different from the Yamaha CFX sample for the same reason. If there is any difference it is in the electric pianos and for my ears, Yamaha has the edge over NORD. The Yamaha tine pianos have a clearer sound/tone with more bell characteristics like a real Rhodes. You can also lean into the Yamaha tine and reed pianos for that realistic dirty tone. Obviously the DX7 is tremendous on the Yamaha. I own both NORD and Yamaha pianos so I have the best of both worlds, but I always prefer the Yamaha pianos. I've ordered the new CP88 and looking forward to the UI for live performance.
while I've never played the Nord, I can say unequivocally that the CP88's action SUCKS. much worse than CP4, heck the P515 is far better, and it's $1000 cheaper (way less features I know, but still) no idea why anyone would buy one when you've got Roland RD2000 which has great action. it's like they copied Nord's layout, made the action much shittier and want you to pay $2500 for it... F that.
@@brianbernstein3826 Hi friend, please explain me a bit more, why CP88 action SUCKS..., and why P515 is a much better key action than CP88, if these keybeds are the same with only escapement feature added in NWX of P515?. Thanks!.
@@ferdearmas8732 went in and retried it. "SUCKS" was way too strong a word, I would say it's "okay." P515 feels superior, not sure why (I've done them side by side). CP88 hasn't wooden keys which is nice, but it just didn't "wow" me - I prefer Kawai ES8 and P515 or Roland RD2000 action, personally. I am just disappointed all around in the CP88... it's incredibly expensive, but you only get like 50 sounds on it, and action not really any better than P515 or ES8. and we can all I see they copied the hell out of Nord's design which I just don't respect personally. If you've got $3000 to spend on a keyboard, MP11, Montage8, RD2000, Kronos, are much much better buys, imho. Actually Casio's grand hybrid at $3000 beats all of the above, but you can't travel with it at all
@@brianbernstein3826 Thanks for your helpful answer, and which is your favorite preference order in key action and finger to sound connection between RD2K, P515 and ES8?, and what do you think about key actions in Casio PXS1000, Roland FP10 and Kawai ES110?. Which is your preference order and why?... Thanks again!.
@@ferdearmas8732 Happy to help - but just remember, I am just one person with a set of my own opinions. These things costs thousands - you absolutely must find a retailer and try these yourself. R2000, P515, ES8 are literally my 3 favorite keyboards, they are all honestly outstanding. It must be mentioned, however, that ES8s break. You will see tons of people online complaining about their ES8 breaking down within a single year. Even my local store's is broken. Unfortunate, as it's my favorite feel/action. I'd certainly prefer the P515 to the R2000, as it's almost $1,000 cheaper and the main difference is the R2000 has 1100 sounds. And I already have that EXACT list of sounds, in the $700 Juno DS 61 I bought (a synth action, but it weighs 10 pounds, is battery powered, and sounds as good as an RD2000!) I own a Kawai ES110, and am convinced it is the best keyboard for it's price or lower (about $700). The Roland FP models have a tinny, metallic crappy sound quality to them... they don't use samples, the sound is processed in real time which is actually a step ahead technologically, and yet for some reason it's a huge minus for most anyone you'll find. Even the RD2000 gets hate for it's piano sound, despite everything else on it sounding amazing. Roland's piano sounds are notoriously tinny, metallic, and not good. Best piano sounds are Nord, Grandstage, and Kronos - Grandstage has a terrible key feel I can't understand how anyone would buy it. The Nord key feels aren't much better (Fatar) - and Kronos takes 5 minute to boot up which will kill you on stage if it crashes, which does happen. As you can see, every single keyboard out there has issues, even the super pricey ones. Can't go wrong with a P515 or a Kawai ES110 though, those are both excellent. Casio Sp1000 is a good keyboard - it's like the ES110 only half the size, battery powered, but the tradeoff is the keysticks are shorter, meaning the black keys on the Casio start requiring way too much strength towards the middle of the keys - this is very bad for classical/technical. I prefer the ES110 anyday.
