Nord User Forum

I know the stereo piano samples always sound better, but so many times the main PA is mono. In this situation does it make any difference if I do:
1. Use the Mono output button on the NS88
2. Run stereo to my 2 Roland KC-300s, output mono to 1 channel on the PA
3 Run stereo to my 2 Roland KC-300s, output stereo into 2 channels on the PA

So I guess my question is if both L+R channels are going to be mixed together at the FOH mixer, does it matter where in the signal path I mix it down to mono?

Hello,

The question has been asked on the forum and we agreed that solution 1 and 3 will sound the same, wherever the "mix" is done.

Are you happy with your two KC300 amps in principle? Sorry if my question is a little off topic. But I am asking because I also have a KC300 and I am thinking about getting a second one for stereo stage monitoring.

Yes. I originally had only one and using an Alesis QS8.1. The pianos were unimpressive. When I added the 2nd one and ran the stereo link, the pianos were great. I've been using that for ten years. When I got my NS88 last month I can't say that any of the Nord pianos sound as good, but maybe I'm just used to it. To take up less space on stage, I have both Rolands on their sides stacked one on top of the other and both stacked on top of a box that puts them at ear level. I have always run stereo into the Rolands and then output 2 channels to the main mixer. Since I've started recording our gigs with a Zoom H2 lately, I've noticed that my Roland VK-7 that I also use is noticeably louder than the pianos and brass patches on the Stage 2. But on stage, what I hear through the Rolands the 2 keyboards sound the same. I have determined that the sound guy has not been panning the two inputs so is in effect running them mono. So I'm guessing now that the phase cancellation in running mono may decrease the volume? I'm thinking now that I should just give up and run mono.

By reputation, the Roland KC series is not very natural sounding, and piano in particular is likely to suffer. You might want to try comparing it to a good quality PA speaker. I especially like the ElectroVoice ZXa1 for something inexpensive and lightweight (though not as loud as some others). I like what I've heard of the JBL PRX series as well. QSC K series and RCF 310/410 not as much.

anotherscott wrote:By reputation, the Roland KC series is not very natural sounding, and piano in particular is likely to suffer.

That's true yes and no. The KC300 sounds better than it's bigger sibling KC500. I replaced the cheap plastic horn with a higher quality tweeter which made a big difference for piano sounds. The included mixer, DI box and stereo link are convenient features of the KC series which most PA speakers are lacking. Alltogether I wouldn't use the KC300 as a studio monitor. But as a stage monitor it does the job surprisingly well, especially if it's put on a floor stand at ear level.

Do you recall what brand and model tweeter you used? That sounds like it may be worth a shot. If I run mono, does anyone have any suggestions on making mono patches sound better?

dcraftfrombr wrote:Do you recall what brand and model tweeter you used?

I used the Beyma CP16 compression tweeter. It needs very little rework of the KC300 baffle cutout and screw holes. It can be easily done with a little round file and a wood rasp.