Yamaha P-95 as a master midi controller

[Domenico]

Hello everyone,

I am searching for a good 88key hammer action keyboard.
I am a Motif ES8 owner and, to be honest, I am having a hard time finding a keyboard with a feeling so good as this of the Motif.

I was thinking of the CME Classic 88 model but they have received such negative reviews that makes me hold back (of course if any of you have different experiences I would love to hear it).

The thing is that space is an issue as I will be moving for a year away from my studio, and there may be lack of space in my apartment.

So I was looking at the Yamaha P-95 Stage Piano. It is light (only 12kgs), and its dimensions are compact. Apart from that it has the Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) system on the keys which is said to emulate the piano keys feeling (and as a pianist I would really appreciate that).

The only problem is that it lacks of a pitch bend and modulation wheel, and I am so used in these controls being on the left of my keyboard, but I guess I could get away by having a Novation SLII25 nearby.

So what do you think ?

Will this be a good choice? I have a feeling that this stage piano may have the better feel than most 88 midi controllers in its price range, maybe similar to the Motif.

I would love to hear your feedback.

[christerholm]

I have a Yamaha CP300. Not very cheap, but superb feel, and it even has pitch bend and mod wheel. I don't regret getting one.

[Domenico]

Originally Posted by christerholm

I have a Yamaha CP300. Not very cheap, but superb feel, and it even has pitch bend and mod wheel. I don't regret getting one.

Thanks,

However, I will need something relatively light and not above the 500 pounds price range.

There are a lot of 88 key midi keyboards in this price but I thought of the P-95 because of the quality of Yamaha keys.

[Domenico]

So, anyone tried it?

[Domenico]

Bump!

[christerholm]

I have used a P85 for a while elsewhere, it has a nice touch, piano like feel. Yamaha does that very well. If that's what you are after, go for it, if you can have your wheels elsewhere.

[tayloran9]

I have the older Yamaha P80 which has lasted me around 9 years now. Very durable, a great feel and great piano sound, when it eventually dies (although it's not showing any signs of doing so) I would buy another Yamaha in an instant. The P95 is actually quite a bit lighter than the P80 which is 16kg, so perhaps they've redesigned the weighing system inside...

[Domenico]

Thank you very much for your replies guys!
I think that this will be a very good choice, only thing I would like to know is if the keyboard is capable of producing all the midi velocity values (1-127).
Is this possible or is there a quirk with this keyboard?