Can I play without an amp, PA or headphones?

timtops · Post by **timtops** » Tue Apr 30, 2013 10:17 am

Excuse the ridiculously simple, beginners question - I'm kinda new to higher-end keyboards...

Does the 73 key SV1 have in-built, internal speakers so that I can just turn it on and play without headphones, a PA or an amp or plugging it into my Mac?

I haven't been able to get to the store to try it out yet and the technical specs baffle me...

Thanks in advance

keyboard komuso · Post by **keyboard komuso** » Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:24 am

You need an external speaker source of some kind for the SV-1. There are none built in. Have you considered the new SP-280? It has many similarities to the SV-1 sound wise, and has built in speakers. Kinda looks like the SV as well.

charleston · Post by **charleston** » Wed May 01, 2013 6:00 am

What about without headphones, a PA or an amp or plugging it into my Mac, or computer monitors?

javaj · Post by **javaj** » Thu May 02, 2013 4:50 pm

It's a stage piano. You want a home piano. Wrong category of gear.

charleston · Post by **charleston** » Thu May 02, 2013 11:31 pm

What about without headphones, a PA or an amp or plugging it into my Mac, or computer monitors, or studio monitors?

oy5t3h · Post by **oy5t3h** » Fri May 03, 2013 1:37 pm

There's no doubt about it. Humour is an unpredictable thing...

charleston · Post by **charleston** » Sat May 04, 2013 7:59 pm

What about without headphones, a PA or an amp or plugging it into my Mac, or computer monitors, or studio monitors, or home stereo?

johnroney · Post by **johnroney** » Mon May 06, 2013 2:12 am

what an amazing thread. how informative. i have learned alot about using an SV1 without headphones, a PA or an amp ... or plugging it into a Mac, or computer monitors, or studio monitors, or home stereo.

charleston · Post by **charleston** » Mon May 06, 2013 3:15 am

I know, but what about without headphones, a PA or an amp or plugging it into my Mac, or computer monitors, or studio monitors, or home stereo, or battery-powered portable mini-speakers that can sit on top with velcro?

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Mon May 06, 2013 5:23 pm

You could use it as a MIDI controller.

WayneReadhead · Post by **WayneReadhead** » Mon May 06, 2013 5:23 pm

I think your going to run into problems using Velcro due to the curvature of the body of the Sv1. There's just not going to be enough surface to surface velcro grip to ensure your mini speakers are not going to fall off due to to either the DHSV (Deep Sub Harmonic Vibration) when you growl out some low notes with the Bass EQ set a little to high...or, having a substantial enough sturdiness in your keyboard stand to avoid any rocking of the keyboard during your Stevie Wonder riffs. May I suggest some kind of rudimentary platforms modelled from Blu Tack as an alternative to ensure not only the continued safety of your mini speakers but also to leave no sticky marks on the top of your Sv1 when you realise Velcro just isn't the answer....what was the question?

oy5t3h · Post by **oy5t3h** » Tue May 07, 2013 6:02 pm

I notice that the OP has never returned to thank anyone for their answers (even - unbelievably - Charleston).

May I suggest that taking cheap shots at nervous newcomers is neither the best way to increase the popularity of this forum, nor to entertain what little regulars there are.

HonkTonk · Post by **HonkTonk** » Fri May 10, 2013 1:33 pm

keyboard komuso wrote:You need an external speaker source of some kind for the SV-1. There are none built in. Have you considered the new SP-280? It has many similarities to the SV-1 sound wise, and has built in speakers. Kinda looks like the SV as well.

Anyone who considers buying a Korg RH3-based keyboard (like the SV-1, the Kronos, the SP-250) should think again. And I just tried the SP-280, which is not based on the RH3, but on NH (I think), and it feels like toy keys.

I've been the RH3 note cut-off / double trigger issues (I had an SV-1, see http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... 145#542145 ), and I switched to Roland because of them.

For an example of what your gentle playing might turn into, have a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9RDZqiBfQM

If you really, really want to buy a RH3-based keyboard, say because the SV-1 looks so sexy, then only buy the exact instrument you tested, not an "identical" instrument that they ship from their warehouse. Because if you haven't tested it, you might run into the aformentioned issue I ran into and you'll regret it.

For some people, the repair by Korg seems to have worked. Not for me, and Korg said "this is all we can do, the keyboard is not defect, it's operating inside the bounds of the spec". But thanks to the generosity of my shop, I could exchange the Korg for something else, which I did.

keyboard komuso · Post by **keyboard komuso** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:18 pm

That's a disappointment, regarding the SP280 keybed. I've not tried it yet.
I too had numerous problems with the RH3 and after 3 SV1's finally gave up. Gotta admit though, I still got the SV fever!

I've tried other boards as an alternative, but nothing gives me the immediate inspiration like the SV and it's a blast for jamming with my mates. I've not had a chance to try the RH3 "made in Japan" keybed on some of the newer black SV's. I also had MIDI issues with the SV-1. Just hoping the SV2 will materialize with all the issues addressed, but I'm not holding my breath.

HonkTonk · Post by **HonkTonk** » Sat May 11, 2013 12:38 am

keyboard komuso wrote:That's a disappointment, regarding the SP280 keybed. I've not tried it yet.

I did only briefly, but it was so bad, I just didn't want to waste any more time. Maybe the RH3 issues don't show with that board, but it felt like a terrible spring action keyboard to me.

keyboard komuso wrote:I too had numerous problems with the RH3 and after 3 SV1's finally gave up. Gotta admit though, I still got the SV fever! I've tried other boards as an alternative, but nothing gives me the immediate inspiration like the SV and it's a blast for jamming with my mates.

I guess you are talking about the EPs here? The acoustic pianos aren't that good, imo. The Roland FP-7F, which will replace my SV-1, has a much better piano sound, and a much more realistic touch, with escapement, that feels really good. I didn't spend too much time on the EPs yet, but they didn't sound bad at all. Not sure though if they can match the SV-1.

keyboard komuso wrote: I've not had a chance to try the RH3 "made in Japan" keybed on some of the newer black SV's.

Well, mine was in fact a new RH3 "made in Japan", on a black SV1-88. I still have the sticker

Korg has the issues with the RH3 for years now, and they still can't fix it. These are not just personal preferences about how you like your keyboard, this is just killing the music. An absolute deal-breaker if you happen to have gotten one of the affected ones, however sexy otherwise.

keyboard komuso wrote: I also had MIDI issues with the SV-1. Just hoping the SV2 will materialize with all the issues addressed, but I'm not holding my breath.

I had MIDI issues, that other people described in this forum, too: Just play back some MIDI you recorded to your computer, and SV-1's "RX noise" effect (the key click) will be turned up to 100%, which is really annoying.

Korg will have to, and I believe they will, present a complete rework of the RH3, which, if I was responsible for their marketing, will get a completely different name so as to avoid any association with the RH3 double trigger / cut-off issues. Otherwise they can't be taken seriously in terms of hammer-action keyboards.

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Can I play without an amp, PA or headphones?

Can I play without an amp, PA or headphones?

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