Extremely important info for the sound of piano samples!

[Dave Ferris]

Even though the Nord pianos are probably the best sounding pianos in mono, they sound the most flattering in stereo. But yes, the speakers and preamp stage are critical...probably more so then with any other keyboard/digital type piano that I've owned.

I know most people don't want to hear this- especially after spending a ton of dough on a Stage or Nord Piano- but I have about $3500 into 2 speakers and a di/preamp. Can you get a good sound for less money ? Of course. I'm picky though.

A pair of Yamaha DXR8 or 10s, or EV ZXA1s, or even some of the ever popular QSC K10s. The latter is not a favorite of mine with regards to piano sounds and jazz. You might try some of the entry levels of the RCF-the 310/410As.

Since your keyboard is very portable, I would audition these speakers first hand with your Stage before deciding. All the aforementioned speakers have line inputs where yon can go direct without a mixer. I prefer a preamp stage, as to my ears, it softens the digital sound of the piano and makes it less harsh.

Bottom line-allot as much $$$ as you can for quality speakers. Money well spent. You invest once and there's no upgrading to the "newest model" 3 years down the road.

[pablomastodon]

Hi All,

I'll second Dave's opinion there. I was introduced to Bag End in 1990 and have used nothing else since. My current set is 10 years old, I've probably got $2.5k into it between two 18" subs, two 2-way 12" tops, the Bag End processor and a pair of QSC PLX2 (only 13lbs!) to drive it all. I use the whole system when running PA and just carry half when it's only for kbd monitors.

If the sound quality doesn't make you smile, what's the point? I smile every time...

Bless,

Pablo

[Dave Ferris]

Hey Pablo

Yeah Bag End user here from a long time ago. I think all through the '90s I used the TA-12s, TA-12 Jrs. and maybe even the TA-15s at one point. I remember they sounded good, but I left the passive speaker scene in the early 2000's simply because I didn't want to have to mess with an amp & mixer together..it usually meant carrying a fairly heavy rack. The active speakers are so much more convenient these days. LA soundbroker/contractor Joe Hesse used to be my Bag End connect. He let me demo quite a few of the cabinets. I noticed Bag End has quite a bunch of new stuff in their line.

Overall though, I'm pretty happy with the RCF TT speakers.

[denniswage]

This thread is so right on. NEVER EVER combine left and right, always hard left and right. This goes for real miced up stereo instruments too.

It always bugs me when mixing engineers want the piano slightly left or right and use the panners.. this is just so wrong. Always pan the piano right or left simply by turning down the other side.

Also when playing live and getting your piano sound back in your monitor (if you only have one) tell them "right side only" in the monitor. I can't tell you how much better is sounds.

DW

[Mauro]

I read, that if you use the R side out of the piano your mono sound will at least be strong to the right of the middle C.
I have an situation where we only have one channel to place the piano so I tried coupling LR out of piano with a stereo Y adapter plugged into the single powered speaker input. I've yet to try that with the mono button selected however.
Still quality issues but with selective ( upright ) patches and cutting reverb I can live with it.

[login]

I read, that if you use the R side out of the piano your mono sound will at least be strong to the right of the middle C.
I have an situation where we only have one channel to place the piano so I tried coupling LR out of piano with a stereo Y adapter plugged into the single powered speaker input. I've yet to try that with the mono button selected however.
Still quality issues but with selective ( upright ) patches and cutting reverb I can live with it.

It's better to use a single mono output that to try to mix them with a Y adapater, those are designed for spliting signals not for mixing them.

[pablomastodon]

using a Y cable to combine ("mix") L and R signals is a COLOSSALLY BAD IDEA! As has been discussed in numerous posts in this forum, this will almost certainly produce undesireable phase cancellation effects. If you "only have one channel to place the piano" then use only one channel from the instrument. Your ears will thank you afterward.

Pablo