What are your thoughts on the slightly narrowed fsx keys? The vertical action is incredibly smooth & quiet. I believe I’ve read they’ve got a longer than average key length, which contributes to this. For rhythmic control and fast repeated notes I find the fsx action supreme. I find that my hand is that much more relaxed when playing. My issue is before I was aware of the ever so subtle more narrow width, I found myself hitting a little more flubs than usual. But, being mindful of this, the benefits begin overcoming the slight negative. Even without looking at the keys.

Here is a photo that I made for both the full size keys XF8 vs the FSX smaller keys size XF7.

The white vertical lines are aligned to the octaves at the Cs on the full keys XF8.

I aligned both keyboards at the middle C and I believe both are to the same scale as I used the screen and the dial as my guide for that.

This is to give you a visual idea as of how much smaller the FSX keys are.

When I used to play the XF6 I really did not notice a difference. But not many piano parts were played on that as I had a full 88 keys board along with it. I hope this is helpful.

Click thumbnail to see full-size image

As a XF7 owner since Dec. 2011 I’ve never been able to get used to its FSX keyboard. Always used weighted keyboard since 1991, began with a Korg T1 then moved to S90 in 2003 and to S90ES in 2005 (still in my homestudio) and CP4 this year.
You’re right that changing the dynamics curve can help a lot, but this is just when you can do anything but playing FSX. This kind of keyboard action is optimal to play pads, strings, basses, leads… everything but piano Voices. Thus, when I can, I play XF7 piano voices through S90ES or CP4.

I aligned both keyboards at the middle C and I believe both are to the same scale as I used the screen and the dial as my guide for that.

Okay and so why are the screens, Ribbon, and every thing different sizes?… How silly… The pictures were taken from different heights.

Really, how dumb is this comparison, really?
Are you offering these pictures as “proof” you own both.
:-)

Really, the size of keys varies on acoustic pianos as well. There is no set key width. Using the pictures shown above is just not reality. Someone please Google “Yamaha” read the history. Learn about pianos, learn about how much key width varies on the real instrument, then get over it. Anyone out there with 114 years of building pianos… .? Nothing says you have to like any action, it is all personal taste… But that said:

best solution for hitting keys accurately… Is the same solution that can get you to Carnegie Hall

....practice. (For those who don’t know my sense of humor)

And just FYI:  the Motif XF is not a piano… Clue: it’s a synthesizer (shhhh! Don’t tell anyone..

Hahaha....
I was so surprised when I first noticed that the keys on my dgx505 are smaller than the keys on my ap.
And unhappy about it too.
I thought that it meant that it was cheap.
And it definitely was a motivating factor in my search and ultimate acquisition of my awesome Motif XF8.
(Hmmmmm, motivated to get a Motif........and ends up on the motifator forum........I think I could write a song with clever lyrics about this.)
Moving right along, I changed my mind about the dgx505 key action now though.
I like it. It’s different. Thats for sure. But not bad different. Super light action.
Hey Phil, the XF8 keys are all plastic, right?
I am thinking yes, as I am positive that if they were wood inside, it would be hugely emphasized in the marketing for it.

I’ve never had an issue playing the slightly narrower keys of a yamaha non-hammer-action board. The only thing that bothers me a little is, when I use the unweighted board over an 88, I like to have all the keys line up, and you can’t quite do that.

Bad_Mister - 27 February 2014 05:33 AM

I aligned both keyboards at the middle C and I believe both are to the same scale as I used the screen and the dial as my guide for that.

Okay and so why are the screens, Ribbon, and every thing different sizes?… How silly… The pictures were taken from different heights.

Really, how dumb is this comparison, really?
Are you offering these pictures as “proof” you own both.
:-)

Really, the size of keys varies on acoustic pianos as well. There is no set key width. Using the pictures shown above is just not reality. Someone please Google “Yamaha” read the history. Learn about pianos, learn about how much key width varies on the real instrument, then get over it. Anyone out there with 114 years of building pianos… .? Nothing says you have to like any action, it is all personal taste… But that said:

best solution for hitting keys accurately… Is the same solution that can get you to Carnegie Hall

....practice. (For those who don’t know my sense of humor)

And just FYI:  the Motif XF is not a piano… Clue: it’s a synthesizer (shhhh! Don’t tell anyone..

Phil, is this why they call you Badmister? Excuse me sir, you are calling my comparison dumb? FYI, pics found online. I own neither. I know acoustic pianos have different size keys. Everyone knows FXS keys are a bit smaller. The screens and dial in both aligned images are the same sizes and that is how they got to be on the same scale. The alignment is just at the middle C so you just get a visual feel of how keys sizes are different. I said XF6 was fine. I know it ain’t for pianists. You don’t have really to resort to your sarcasm. I guess you know better than that. That was uncalled for from someone who represents such a big company with 114 years of legacy not to mention someone as smart as you are. I don’t think my post had anything negative about your products so why the disrespect? Disappointed in your reply sir.

Thanks fellas. And, yeah, mindful practicing/jamming on it helps. And, it seems that when I go back to piano or other standard width keys, the transition is seamless.

Dan, you might surprise yourself regarding muscle memory. I’ve been playing accordion (MUCH smaller keys) and piano for forty years now, and I’ve found that going back and forth between the two is only difficult at first if I devote long stretches of time to one instrument vs the other. When I play them both equally, I have no problem going back and forth.

My Motif XF8 and my Bechstein have identical octave spacings, so I never have a problem there, especially since I adjusted the velocity sensitivity curve on the XF8 to be close to the Bechstein’s action.

Practice practice practice! :-)

Bad_Mister - 27 February 2014 05:33 AM

I aligned both keyboards at the middle C and I believe both are to the same scale as I used the screen and the dial as my guide for that.

Okay and so why are the screens, Ribbon, and every thing different sizes?… How silly… The pictures were taken from different heights.

Really, how dumb is this comparison, really?
Are you offering these pictures as “proof” you own both.
:-)

Really, the size of keys varies on acoustic pianos as well. There is no set key width. Using the pictures shown above is just not reality. Someone please Google “Yamaha” read the history. Learn about pianos, learn about how much key width varies on the real instrument, then get over it. Anyone out there with 114 years of building pianos… .? Nothing says you have to like any action, it is all personal taste… But that said:

best solution for hitting keys accurately… Is the same solution that can get you to Carnegie Hall

....practice. (For those who don’t know my sense of humor)

And just FYI:  the Motif XF is not a piano… Clue: it’s a synthesizer (shhhh! Don’t tell anyone..

I think you may have edited your comment a bit. I know two things about you. One, you have a great sense of humor. Two, no one else on planet earth can talk about Yamaha products or MIDI technology in general like you. Reflecting deep knowledge and enthusiasm plus very skillful playing and demonstration. I think to Yamaha you are like Steve Jobs to Apple.

But, I learned a third thing about you also, you can attack someone for no obvious reason. I am quoted here above so I assume your reply is for me. I fail to see any comparison I made between motifs and acoustic pianos. I even said I liked the XF6 action. I suggest you reach for your glasses sir and take a good look at the photo as the landmarks you used are all actually the same size. My ‘dumb’ point is, we know key sizes differ from XF8, now, we have a visual sense of that. I believe the image scale and alignment is precise to a great extent. Simple thing I liked to do in photoshop. Not the best idea. Not the best approach. Just used photos I found.

You don’t find that interesting or even dumb. That is fine, but, forgive my English as it is not my first language, don’t you have a better way of making your point? It ain’t even funny.