Nord piano 5 piano sound muffled, don't know why

[joylin]

not sure if you guys can see my amplifier attachment?
My Amplifier brand - LTO UBER FX

As some of you suggested, I unplugged the pedals, but unfortunately the piano still sounds the same.
Oh, forgot to share one thing with you all, initially, I thought it might be my amp, but last week, the sound was the same when I connected to the church's audio system (I'm not sure how the church's audio connections work).

Unfortunately, most of the sound effects I currently use now are string instruments. The piano cannot be used because the sound quality is not ideal.

[cgrafx]

The Piano 5 is a stereo instrument. To use it in mono mode you will have to set it to mono (see below). This will have to be done every time you turn on the instrument. Alternatively you can get a 2nd matching amplifier and use the piano 5 in stereo (one amplifier each for L and Right)

However, before you by a 2nd Alto amp, keep in mind the Alto Uber Fx is not really a suitable amplifier for keyboards. It's way underpowered and the low frequency response is pretty limited.

Frequency Response: 60 Hz - 20 kHz

MONO
Press MONO (Shift + Transpose) to set the outputs of the Nord Piano 5 to mono. This is a global setting which affects all programs until it is deactivated or the Nord Piano 5 is turned off.

[maxpiano]

As cgrafx pointed out and as supposed, your amp is the problem: it's a portable speaker to sing over MP3s, it has a poor frequency response and it is mono, not exactly the quality and type needed to listen Nord stereo pianos well (if you try to listen to NP5 with some good headphones you will hear the difference and realize why we say the problem is not Nord Piano but the amp)

Check also the way you connect NP to amp (you didn't specify it clearly and the picture doesn't clarify): you should use a mono cable and connect to only one channel of Nord Piano, either L or R (and/or use the Mono function, but you can also keep it off if you use just one output) and ensure the amp input is set to Line; besides the EQ on the amp channel should be kept flat and most of all Effect Level to 0 (in your picture they are not)

PS: when playing in a church or in general in places with natural reverb, better use no Reverb FX both on NP5 (switch it off if activated in the Program) and any external device (FX or amp).

[cphollis]

not sure if you guys can see my amplifier attachment?
My Amplifier brand - LTO UBER FX

As some of you suggested, I unplugged the pedals, but unfortunately the piano still sounds the same.
Oh, forgot to share one thing with you all, initially, I thought it might be my amp, but last week, the sound was the same when I connected to the church's audio system (I'm not sure how the church's audio connections work).

Unfortunately, most of the sound effects I currently use now are string instruments. The piano cannot be used because the sound quality is not ideal.

I bet your pianos sound truly awful through that specific amplifier. It uses an inexpensive 8-inch mono speaker and is only rated at 100w. Not the right tool for the job.

Acoustic pianos are notoriously difficult amplify: wide freq ranges, hard transients, lots of dynamics, etc. Cheap gear won't do it well.

Expect to pay considerably more to get a decent piano sound from your speakers. Many of us will use a pair of self-powered PA speakers (QSC, EV, Yamaha, Alto, etc.).

If you can share more about how and where you play, we can make specific recommendations. But you won't be happy with that unit.

[joylin]

Thank you all, really appreciated for you guys knowledgeable advised. You are right, the root cause of the muffled sound was my inappropriate AMP
I also discovered that our church audio system is mono. Our team gave it a try this past Sunday service and it sounded much better than the first time. (Of course, still not ideal), but at least it made my piano part works well.
Also, do you have any suggestions on what brand of AMP is suitable for the Nord P5- (for me to use at home, not for the church), and what does the price range? (no need the fancy one, just need to sound correctly).

[FZiegler]

If you can share more about how and where you play, we can make specific recommendations.

[cphollis]

Also, do you have any suggestions on what brand of AMP is suitable for the Nord P5- (for me to use at home, not for the church), and what does the price range? (no need the fancy one, just need to sound correctly).

I normally play the P5 through a moderately priced pair of open-back headphones (Sennheiser), and perhaps put a small subwoofer in the room to bring out the left hand bass. It will give you an exceptional audio experience for less money than the ALTO amp you are using.

Although I have access to many types of amplification -- this is what I prefer at home, and on stage.

If you go with monitors or PA gear at home, expect to pay a lot more and get a lot less. If you are curious, go see how much a pair of Nord-branded monitors cost. If you are playing in a small space (near-field monitoring), many people like the iLoud system.

[vojtech-h]

I'll also mention ... Aspen Pittman Space Station V3 ... I've had good experience in a small room with it.

See ... viewtopic.php?p=131615#p131615, viewtopic.php?p=81827#p81827

Vojtech

[cphollis]

I'm on that thread, and would offer that the CPS SSv3 is not good at reproducing acoustic piano regardless of circumstances. That being said, it rocks at everything else: organ, synth, etc. I still have mine and will drag it out for rowdy pickup gigs in small spaces where no one really cares about the AP sounds

I would not use it in a very small room, nor if I cared about fidelity AP reproduction.