I just got an SV1. It's been a while since I played a keyboard on a gig, and when I did in the past I didn't have super-high expectations about amplification sound quality. I just used whatever I could and decided that was the best that was going to happen.
With the high quality of the SV1's sound, and the type gigs I want to use it on (solo Jazz, accompanying Jazz singer duo, Jazz trio and possible small combos) I want to simulate a real acoustic piano sound as closely as possible.
Small amps sound horrible to me. Even small PAs with box speakers only really amplify in the direction they are pointed. Possibly the right small PA with the speakers mounted behind me might work.
Even better would be some kind of small subwoofer w/ satellite speakers mounted on either side behind me. However, most of those are for home use and not designed to be hauled around and doesn't use plugs and cables.
The bose PA type systems are nice, but not in stereo, and not cheap.
Roland makes a portable subwoofer with two speakers for keyboards that look interesting. The CM-110 or 220. It's built for live situations, but the construction of the cabinets and sub are not durable like an amp. If they were serious about having it be a live system I'd like to see handles, durable material, corner protection, etc. Some of the reviews are favorable as far as sound quality, and some aren't that great.
So it's kind of down to that. Something like the Roland CM-110, but better suited. Amplifying a keyboard with a complicated sound like a piano is frustrating when you have to plug it into an "amp" because they are not designed to reproduce sound like good quality studio reference speakers.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Thoughts on amplification
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Ignatius_Gerumpany
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Dec 16, 2013 4:38 pm
- Location: United States
Amplification
My attempt to get decent sound, especially of an acoustic piano, started when I was carrying around a Nord Electro 2. That was traded for the SV-1, as I am primarily a piano player. (Though I miss the B3 emulation of the Nord terribly, and will be knocking over 7-11s until I get the cash together to replace it - a topic for another post.)
Keyboard amplifiers, as you observe, are just not it, not for acoustic piano. The best I found was a gigantic Traynor. But it was enormously heavy, and still not quite it.
So I switched over to a Yamaha Stagepas 500 - a PA system. From time to time, it is great. But a great deal seems to depend on the room. I am making adjustments on the fly all the time. Sometimes I have to abandon an acoustic voice altogether - because it sounds muddy or tubby. But the same sound goes great in another room.
I love playing standards, so I understand what you are playing, but I mainly work in four piece bands. The sonic demands are not as stringent when you are PART of the mix, not the mix itself.
However, powered speakers and/or a small but good PA is the best way to go, in my opinion. The Stagepas has proved versatile and useful. With ten channels, I can support a whole quartet, vocals and all, for small venues. So look them over, LISTEN them over, I guess, and see if a PA approaches your requirements. I trust something will work out for you.
Keyboard amplifiers, as you observe, are just not it, not for acoustic piano. The best I found was a gigantic Traynor. But it was enormously heavy, and still not quite it.
So I switched over to a Yamaha Stagepas 500 - a PA system. From time to time, it is great. But a great deal seems to depend on the room. I am making adjustments on the fly all the time. Sometimes I have to abandon an acoustic voice altogether - because it sounds muddy or tubby. But the same sound goes great in another room.
I love playing standards, so I understand what you are playing, but I mainly work in four piece bands. The sonic demands are not as stringent when you are PART of the mix, not the mix itself.
However, powered speakers and/or a small but good PA is the best way to go, in my opinion. The Stagepas has proved versatile and useful. With ten channels, I can support a whole quartet, vocals and all, for small venues. So look them over, LISTEN them over, I guess, and see if a PA approaches your requirements. I trust something will work out for you.
You really haven't given any indication as to budget, other than suggesting that the Bose systems are "not cheap".
There are cheaper alternatives to the Bose column arrays.
The LD Maui 28 does a very similar job for half the price. Two of them would work great (I used to use one as a monitor/PA, but traded it in for something with more volume, but for small Jazz combos it would be ideal). LD also do a "Dave" series of Sub/Satellite PAs, but I've not heard them. LD is a German company, so may or may not be easy to find, depending on where you're based.
The alternative is a pair of decent modern, active PA speakers.
I use a pair of Yamaha DXR10s with my SV-1, and I'm happy with the quality of sound and volume achieved.
Check out some 10" and 12" active PA speakers from a decent manufacturer (Yamaha, QSC, Electrovoice, RCF) and see if any of them appeal to you.
There are cheaper alternatives to the Bose column arrays.
The LD Maui 28 does a very similar job for half the price. Two of them would work great (I used to use one as a monitor/PA, but traded it in for something with more volume, but for small Jazz combos it would be ideal). LD also do a "Dave" series of Sub/Satellite PAs, but I've not heard them. LD is a German company, so may or may not be easy to find, depending on where you're based.
The alternative is a pair of decent modern, active PA speakers.
I use a pair of Yamaha DXR10s with my SV-1, and I'm happy with the quality of sound and volume achieved.
Check out some 10" and 12" active PA speakers from a decent manufacturer (Yamaha, QSC, Electrovoice, RCF) and see if any of them appeal to you.
PaulR
Korg SV-1 88
Kurzweil PC361
Korg SV-1 88
Kurzweil PC361
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Wayne Peeters
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2014 7:26 pm
Re: Amplification
I too had an electro 3. The B3 emulation was great. Traded it for Sv1.
quote="Ignatius_Gerumpany"]My attempt to get decent sound, especially of an acoustic piano, started when I was carrying around a Nord Electro 2. That was traded for the SV-1, as I am primarily a piano player. (Though I miss the B3 emulation of the Nord terribly, and will be knocking over 7-11s until I get the cash together to replace it - a topic for another post.)
Keyboard amplifiers, as you observe, are just not it, not for acoustic piano. The best I found was a gigantic Traynor. But it was enormously heavy, and still not quite it.
So I switched over to a Yamaha Stagepas 500 - a PA system. From time to time, it is great. But a great deal seems to depend on the room. I am making adjustments on the fly all the time. Sometimes I have to abandon an acoustic voice altogether - because it sounds muddy or tubby. But the same sound goes great in another room.
I love playing standards, so I understand what you are playing, but I mainly work in four piece bands. The sonic demands are not as stringent when you are PART of the mix, not the mix itself.
However, powered speakers and/or a small but good PA is the best way to go, in my opinion. The Stagepas has proved versatile and useful. With ten channels, I can support a whole quartet, vocals and all, for small venues. So look them over, LISTEN them over, I guess, and see if a PA approaches your requirements. I trust something will work out for you.[/quote]
quote="Ignatius_Gerumpany"]My attempt to get decent sound, especially of an acoustic piano, started when I was carrying around a Nord Electro 2. That was traded for the SV-1, as I am primarily a piano player. (Though I miss the B3 emulation of the Nord terribly, and will be knocking over 7-11s until I get the cash together to replace it - a topic for another post.)
Keyboard amplifiers, as you observe, are just not it, not for acoustic piano. The best I found was a gigantic Traynor. But it was enormously heavy, and still not quite it.
So I switched over to a Yamaha Stagepas 500 - a PA system. From time to time, it is great. But a great deal seems to depend on the room. I am making adjustments on the fly all the time. Sometimes I have to abandon an acoustic voice altogether - because it sounds muddy or tubby. But the same sound goes great in another room.
I love playing standards, so I understand what you are playing, but I mainly work in four piece bands. The sonic demands are not as stringent when you are PART of the mix, not the mix itself.
However, powered speakers and/or a small but good PA is the best way to go, in my opinion. The Stagepas has proved versatile and useful. With ten channels, I can support a whole quartet, vocals and all, for small venues. So look them over, LISTEN them over, I guess, and see if a PA approaches your requirements. I trust something will work out for you.[/quote]