Agreed on all counts Jim! (Haven't played an 8 though so I can't do an action comparison with the CP4. Don't see anything surpassing the CP4 strictly for piano at this time though.)

I have listened to solo jazz and ambient recordings I did on the CP4 and now the the same playing on the Montage. I hear noticeably more warmth and depth in the Montage. Hit one note and let it resonate and decay. It's amazing to my ears with no looping. Yes, the CP4 has a lovely action, but I find the responsiveness of my M8 to be somehow more connected to the sample, if that makes sense. It feels more like I am hearing the response of an actual instrument in front of me. The CP4 was awesome when I got it, but for me, it will now take 2nd place. It won't be lonely though, and will get to hang with all my old boards, of which there are too many to mention.

Here's a pic of the "Full Monty"

I just picked up the Montage and at first had difficulty performing single note trills using both hands and my index fingers. I play more contemporary jazz/rock/fusion and this is important to me. Before I could really give it a go, Irma hit and I have been without power here in Florida for a few days. Now that my power is back on I am able to perform single note trills BUT there are a few glitches.

So I thought about picking up the CP4 as well. Since most of everything I do is ITB with sample libs, to me the action is the most important. I'm currently producing several solo piano improvs using large sample libraries. I'm not performing out at this time but I also thought the CP4 would be easier to move around and I could always get a Montage 7 to sit on top and midi them together.

Any tips and thoughts?

Agreed, So deep and sounds so great. My thoughts are that the demos do not do the Montage justice although feature is awesome. As a musician, Ol Synth tweaker,.... I had to get under the sheets just to get a saddle on this bronco. Just scratching the surface but to really enjoy and maximize ... you just have to create your own performances and learn to work with the assignments, motions, effects. I am finding that my organically developing work flow is falling in line with just experimenting, tweaking and experimenting. Some things are alot easier than expected, and some alot harder.... but it may just be my aging brain cell. I have to keep a balance on the menu diving, and music playing.... but both are absolutely required. Which is just awesome for me, because I love to do both. Just loving this machine. Bought a used 61 from Guitar Center, and its the best bang for my music buck ever by far.

I've seen this video before - but I recently saw it again and remembered this thread concerning Montage+CP4.

The summary of the video is: Matt Johnson, Jamiroquai's keyboardist, plays Montage + CP4 together.

So this specific combination is "preferred" by one pro as demonstrated by what's demonstrated during a jam-session style clinic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKEqDVz7xxg