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View Full Version : CVP309-GP received!


dbjorck
09-08-2004, 10:28 AM
Hi!

Last week I received my CVP309-GP (I live in Denmark), and I'm very happy with it.

Some comments (having had a CVP208):
*) Having the panel on the inside of the lid works very well, and certainly contributes to the Grand Piano look, although it is not perfect as it is still mostly flat (actually convex rather than concave as on the real thing) and with a big ugly hinge running through the middle of it.
*) The lid seems very sturdy (and is quite heavy). All the connections are in a large cavity just inside the lid (2 flat cables, and 2 round). I see no larger risk of failures than with the 200 series, as all the cables are running free and without stresses on them.
*) The lid slowly slides closed in an extremely sexy fashion (like the boot on a luxury car), indicating the quality and care that has gone into the design of it.
*) There is a new very handy Part Selection section on the Panel.
*) There are new shortcut buttons for Score and Song Select on the Panel.
*) There's a new Performance Assistant function which automatically adjusts the pitch of the notes you play to the chords in the piece. It really makes it possible for anyone to jam to a jazz piece!
*) The new Mega voices are awsome, however it is hardly possible to play them on the keyboard, they have to be programmed in. They are also few, and only for guitar and bass.
* I once saw a question about the size of box that the CVP900 came in. The CVP309 was approx. 130x160x50 cm, weighing 150 kg (seemed huge to me).

Some things I miss;
*) I would have expected wheels on it like on a real grand piano, as it almost weighs as much as one.
*) It would have been nice if the unit automatically turned itself off when you closed the lid, conversely on when you opened it.
*) My favorite choir voices are missing; the ones where you got a "Dao" sound when you played hard, and had a very realistic "do-doom-doom-doom" sound in the lower register.
*) The instructions on the Internet connection is deplorable, and I have yet to make it work (although that could be due to some problems I currently have with the Proxy server). It is just one page listing SOME options for connecting to the Internet, but no definitive list and absolutely no instructions on how to go about any of them. The listed options all require buying extra equipment, but at the same time it indicates loosely in the text that you can just use the existing connection through the PC, which is what I'm currently trying without luck. It doesn't on the other hand explicitely say that it is an option, it is all EXTREMELY wishy-washy.

I've attached a couple of photos of it with the lid open and closed (excuse the poor quality, it had to be heavily compressed in order to fit the 50k limit on attachments). If you have any questions about it, let me know.

Brgds

Danny

wally
09-08-2004, 05:34 PM
SWEEEEEEET! Thanks for the overview and photos.

ClavinovaGuy
09-08-2004, 05:38 PM
I must never look at those pictures again.

:D

jcwright
09-08-2004, 11:20 PM
I had trouble connecting to my computer until I found out that I had to select "USB" on the selector switch on the output panel of the Clavinova.

Good luck

Chuck Olson
09-09-2004, 02:35 AM
Hi, Danny

Thanks for posting the very interesting information. Over here, we're waiting to see the product, but I purchased the CVP209 due to the reduced price and my own impatience.

I have a small question. On my 209, I find it won't remember the half-pedal setting (if I change it from the default zero value) after the instrument is turned off and then back on (or any reassignments of other pedals). Is that still the case with the CVP309? As you know, the half pedal point can result in loss of sustain if the pedal isn't all the way down, and my foot sometimes fails to press hard enough, so I like a setting of -2. which puts the threshold higher up in its action.

Thanks

Chuck

dbjorck
09-09-2004, 04:50 AM
Originally posted by jcwright
I had trouble connecting to my computer until I found out that I had to select "USB" on the selector switch on the output panel of the Clavinova.

Good luck

I don't know which model you have, but there is no selector switch on this one. However, I managed to get it to work by reconnecting the USB cable - apparently it wasn't in properly; I had to push it really hard. However the Internet connection still doesn't work, and having read on their site about it, it seems that it is not possible to go through the PC. I'm giving up on that anyway, the content on the IDC site is deplorable; out-of-date, and really poor quality in the few MIDI files there are. I couldn't even register the instrument, it doesn't recognise the 309 as a valid model.

Brgds

Danny

dbjorck
09-09-2004, 05:00 AM
Originally posted by Chuck Olson
Hi, Danny

Thanks for posting the very interesting information. Over here, we're waiting to see the product, but I purchased the CVP209 due to the reduced price and my own impatience.

I have a small question. On my 209, I find it won't remember the half-pedal setting (if I change it from the default zero value) after the instrument is turned off and then back on (or any reassignments of other pedals). Is that still the case with the CVP309? As you know, the half pedal point can result in loss of sustain if the pedal isn't all the way down, and my foot sometimes fails to press hard enough, so I like a setting of -2. which puts the threshold higher up in its action.

Thanks

Chuck

Indeed, it does not save that setting. I remember seeing that in other posts as well, and believe it to be a "feature" of both the 200 and 300 series. In the case of pedal assigments it makes sense, as you would possibly want different for different voices. And since the use of the pedals would depend on the assignment, that's probably why it's not saved, although it is a hassle. According to the posts I've seen before, and if I remember correctly the manual suggests it as well; store your settings as a registration so you can call it up quickly and easily when you start it up. It would have been nice though if you could specify a "boot up registration".

Brgds

Danny

Chuck Olson
09-09-2004, 04:34 PM
Thanks, Danny, I'll look into the registration thing - - just one of many that I still need to dig into on my new 209.

Chuck

danilo72h501
09-29-2004, 05:38 AM
Hello dbjork, you have some news?, some new impression or comment on your new one piano?

dbjorck
09-29-2004, 07:10 AM
Hi!

Unfortunately a few weeks ago I sliced off the tip of my right middle finger in a kitchen accident. So I haven't been able to play as much as I wanted to... I'm now typing with my left hand and right index finger. It has forced me to take out those left handed pieces I've been avoiding for so long though! :-)

However, I have meanwhile gotten further on the IDC issue. It seems extra equipment is required for it, and I don't want to spend the money on that without knowing what I get. What I thought was IDC previously, was actually MusicSoft, and it was their MIDI files I was complaining about. Since I haven't been able to connect to IDC I do not know what the quality of the files there are there. On the other hand after 4 weeks I still haven't been able to register IDC anyway, in spite of loads of emails to Yamaha.

Brgds

Danny

danilo72h501
09-29-2004, 08:59 AM
In order to be connected it is necessary only this accessory http://www.corega-international.com/default.asp?SCREEN=product§ion=105&productID=311

danilo72h501
09-29-2004, 09:01 AM
http://www.corega-international.com/default.asp?SCREEN=product&section=105&productID=311

kobalt05
10-06-2004, 08:17 PM
I can't find the CVP-309GP on Yamaha's website. Is it only available in Europe?

danilo72h501
10-07-2004, 03:59 AM
http://music.yamaha.com/productProduct.html?hierarchyId=1&groupId=18&productId=4