Korg Forums

markran · Joined: 18 Mar 2010 Posts: 1

I have ordered my Sv-1 today. Please, can you tell me what are the best samples in new soundpack1 in your opinion?

Rodney · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:49 pm Post subject:

I've been using my SV-1 since November. I love all the sounds -- but I just can't get the acoustic pianos to behave well, and unless I can find a fix, I'll need to sell it.

When I'm playing with a group, and I've got the volume set appropriately for accompanying, it works fine until I want a solo or to bring out a particular line -- there's simply no headroom. I can pound on the keyboard, and it doesn't get noticeably louder. It's very frustrating. On the demos of the acoustic pianos, there are great spots where the player is able to bring out a spike for certain notes -- I can't get the keyboard to do that. When I play electric pianos it's very different -- spiking a note makes a great "bark," and it's easy and intuitive to play well on those samples. It's the acoustic samples that are lacking. I'm finding I'm going to my old Korg SP-200, where the keyboard feels weak and loose, but at least I have more control on the piano samples.

I've tried all the different keyboard sensitivity options, but I honestly hear no difference between settings 4 through 7. It behaves about the same. 2 and 3 are different -- even when I play lightly, the sound comes out loudly, which is the opposite of what I want.

So, my most desired feature would be a way to edit those velocity curves, preferably on a sample-by-sample basis -- maybe by dragging an on-screen bezier curve with at least two inflection points. I want some headroom at the top to play loud. My other feature request would be the ability to control the range of the reverb functions -- anything past two or three is so thick as to be musically useless, so there's really no point in having the knobs go up to 10.

But, great Rhodes sounds...
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Rodney Sauer
Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra
www.mont-alto.com

craigalan · Junior Member Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 56

I agree. Often when playing with a group, the piano does not cut through at all. Even after cranking up the volume, it still seems to be muffled or flat in dymanic/velocity range.

miket156 · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 37 Location: PA

Rodney:

What kind of system are you using to amplify your SV-1? I've listened to the demos of the SV-1 and there's some nice acoustic piano sounds. With a strong enough system with proper EQ, you should be able to cut through a mix. Unless you play with two guitar players, both with huge Marshal stacks. If that's the case, find another band.

Seriously, what are you playing it through?

Mike T.

Rodney · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:13 pm Post subject:

jerrythek · Platinum Member Joined: 28 Jan 2002 Posts: 2931

Hi Rodney:

Have you used the Editor at all? You can adjust the Touch Curve for each sound individually when you use it, and then rewrite them to the normal locations, or the Favorites.

Based on your commentary it sounds to me like you play pretty hard, because the difference in curves 4-7 is how the sound level changes from your lightest touch up to the hardest. Playing at a hard level they will all sound pretty much the same, because you've "topped out" already.

Based on this I wonder if you shouldn't leave the Master volume below full, so you could goose it a bit when you need to solo through the band...I'll talk to some of the programmers to get some others tips for you.

Regards,

Jerry

craigalan · Junior Member Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 56

Ok. Surprisingly, I just picked up a Yamaha Stagepas 500 and it has absolutely brought this board to life. The stereo out makes a huge difference. Prior I was using mono out with a stereo sample and was a little under-impressed. That is no longer the case, finally I am getting to hear this board. I will definitely recommend the SV-1 used with the Stagepas 500. Oh, and I had a traynor K4 side by side with the stagepas. In my opinion, no comparison.

miket156 · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 37 Location: PA

cragalan:

Years ago, the old joke was "If you aren't loud enough, buy a bigger amp. If your guitar player(s) buy a Marshall stack, buy TWO for your electric piano". Of course, guitar amps really aren't suited for modern KB's. We need to use full range speakers with a 15" woofer, and a horn. If you have a 3 way speaker system its even better. Then a powerful enough power amp, a good quality stereo 31 band EQ, and a quality mixer. You should be able to play at normal stage volume without your system even breathing hard. When its time to solo you will have enough reserve power to be heard when you want to be.

I'm happy to hear that your updated set up is more satisfactory than the previous setup. I hope your guitar players don't buy Marshall stacks and up the anti. Very Happy

Cheers,

Mike T.

The Pro · Joined: 05 Apr 2010 Posts: 28 Location: Atlanta, GA USA

I joined the SV-1 Owner's Society today and now have a 73 in my keyboard collection. I just wanted to put forth a request for a layered ep/choir and ep/strings sometime if possible, along the lines of Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are". Thanks !

keyboard komuso · Junior Member Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Posts: 63 Location: USA

SV 1 arrived yesterday. First impression...AWESOME! I had played one in the local music store for weeks, but getting it into the quiet studio really lets you get a feel for the instrument. The design is really beautiful, and it just feels good sitting behind such a substantial bit of kit. Layout is superb. I hear some folks mentioning hitting the lower buttons while playing, but I honestly don't see how that's an issue. Even when hitting plenty of pentatonics, my hands are nowhere near them. Soundwise, it's gorgeous, and yes, as said before, ESPECIALLY the Rhodes sounds. But honestly I think all the sounds are superb. I've read complaints about the "other" category being complete crap, but I disagree. The strings are rich and expressive. I also like the organ sounds. My one issue though is the amp simulator "hiss". As I read the forum I see I'm not alone. I realize amps by nature do have a certain amount of hiss present all the time. Especially with the gain cranked, but to my ears it is a CONSTANT hiss. The amp simulators on the SV 1 only have the hiss when you play a note, and it dies away with the note. That's the part that bugs me, and makes it sound completely unrealistic, and a bit distracting / annoying. If your gonna have hiss then make it a constant noise. I did lower the main volume and raise the drive as one post suggested. This minimizes the hiss, but gives you a low output with more drive then you may want. I'm going to try using the editor as some have suggested to solve this problem. but just curious as to why Korg designed it so the hiss completely fades away with the note?
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"Music is the space between the notes." - Claude Debussy

X-Trade · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 11:43 am Post subject: Re: amp simulator hiss

keyboard komuso · Junior Member Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Posts: 63 Location: USA

Hello, thanks for the reply. I don't think the hiss is in the samples, because when the amp simulator is off, the sound is clean. I don't think a new set of samples is triggered when the simulator is turned on. Rather the clean samples are being fed through the tube drive and simulator. That's where the hiss is introduced.
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"Music is the space between the notes." - Claude Debussy

X-Trade · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 12:37 pm Post subject:

keyboard komuso · Junior Member Joined: 20 Jun 2008 Posts: 63 Location: USA

Food for thought thanks. If it is a gated noise I would have preferred it not to be. Maybe Jerry from Korg will give some insight. As I mentioned, somewhere on this forum was described a way to reduce the hiss with the editing software. I'll hunt that post down and give it a shot. All in all though, very pleased with the SV 1. I think it's a keeper. I must admit though my Lounge Lizard soft synth is a bit warmer and fuller sounding, but the added pre and mod fx on the SV 1 just make it a joy to play and tweak. As much as I love the soft synths it's a pain to turn on the computer and MIDI. Sometimes you just want to unwind and play. The SV is perfect for that Very Happy

_________________
"Music is the space between the notes." - Claude Debussy

JonBooth · Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 4

Hi, I got my first ever korg (SV-1 88key) about a month and absolutely love it! My big gripe with it however is that you cant sustain a previous sound when you change sounds, it just cuts off. Just wondering if anybody has found a solution to this? Other than that, love it! Just starting to delve into the editor, should be fun!