SpaceStation

[jrsutt]

I use the Space Station along with this. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Milan18B
I set the Royal Grand with a little chorus and a very slight slap delay. I was setting the SS on the sub. Got a much better mix by placing the SS on the ground next the to the sub. With the sub taking care of the lower end, the SS has an easier time processing the uppers and mids. I couldn't be happier with this set-up.

[ogunter]

HI Chuck, one more question....when you are playing out do you just use the SS or do you use a Direct box or something else
to a PA? Thanks

[cphollis]

I play with two stereo Nords (Piano 2 and Electro 4D).

Those are run to a small personal mixer (Yamaha MG06 -- $99 list) to mix and provide a hotter signal. This way I can stage the gain nice and hot, as well as feed multiple outputs if needed. Some of my Nord patches can be on the quiet side, this helps compensate. I have more than enough gain to fully drive the SSv3, which ends up being painfully loud.

No effects needed on the mixer, the Nords have more than enough. I use a two pair of ordinary 1/4" instrument cables to the mixer.

The MG06 has two pairs of stereo outputs -- one TRS 1/4" pair to the SSv3, one XLR pair to the PA system if needed. I used to use a small sub (Behringer 1200-ProD) but found it wasn't worth the hassle for what I do. Less is more.

The only downside of my approach is that during bigger gigs, if I crank my volume, it's getting cranked to both my SSv3 as well as the FOH PA. On second thought, maybe that isn't entirely a bad thing

Best of luck.

[cphollis]

I use the Space Station along with this. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Milan18B
I set the Royal Grand with a little chorus and a very slight slap delay. I was setting the SS on the sub. Got a much better mix by placing the SS on the ground next the to the sub. With the sub taking care of the lower end, the SS has an easier time processing the uppers and mids. I couldn't be happier with this set-up.

Yikes. Spec sheet says 100+ lbs. You must be very, very strong

[jrsutt]

Oops. Wrong link. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Milan15B
it's the 15" at about 80lb. It is the heaviest piece of gear I have but it has the best wheels I have ever had on a piece of gear. Cranking the B3 sound through that sub has no equal.

[AlQuinn]

For the width adjustment I find that I need less width when in a reflective room (e.g., mostly hard surfaces like wood, brick, and/or tile) and more width in an absorbent room (e.g., with carpet and curtains).

[ogunter]

Good info. thanks. I checked out the yamaha mixer that Chuck referred to. I only use one Nord so have been going from Nord to DI box to PA and through to SS.
Seems to work well and sound seems better coming through PA than just SS for piano samples. But I don't always go through PA, and that is wet I have had most of the difficulties with getting a good sound from SS. I appreciate the tips on width and using the EQ, both on the Nord and the SS. I feel I can get a grip on getting a good sound.
Before the chain of info got going here, I did decide the buy the Behringer sub. Should arrive tomorrow. I'll give my 2 cents after I try it out.

[Gambold]

Spacestation is the flavor of the year. We all drank the kool-aid about powered speakers a while back, and started schlepping our own PA systems around for that great "stereo wash." Now the buzz is all about "sound fields." Oh to have the simpler problems of Ray Manzarek, back in the day...just turn up that Fender...

Problem with Spacestation (aside from its awful looks - did someone bring a dehumidifier on stage?) is the need to drag a subwoofer around too. So you aren't saving much calorie burn from the "old" pair of QSC's on poles.

Back to the Twin...just get it in on wheels...

[cbluff]

I have an SSv2 (i9t doesn't have any contour knobs).
No matter how I use the 5d's EQ, the Nord AP's just sound 'clangy' (more like a CP-70 than an acoustic).
I finally replaced the Silver piano with the Velvet, as that's about the most mellow of the APs.
It's less 'clangy", but still not very inspiring.
The thing that really bugs me is that the AP's sound fine through my Sony MDR-7506 headphones (especially the Royal 3D).
I was considering an SSv3, but it sounds like that's not the answer either.
Has anyone tried one of those Motion Sound stereo amps?

[cphollis]

I don't think that's the answer either. I used the Motion Sound KBR-3D for a while. Nice, but your can do better. Same general limitations in all products marketed as "keyboard amps".

Once you move beyond the SSv3 for stereo, you're into a pair of self-powered PA speakers. They start about $600 each and go up from there. Popular brands with acoustic piano types include EV, Yamaha and QSC to name but a few. The flatter the response curve, the better.