Sound distortion in high velocity fast play..?

billbaker · Post by **billbaker** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 12:45 am

guys,

I've noticed that clipping distortion a few times and find that it's usually associated with the reverb settings. Try running it dry (no 'verb) or shortening the reverb time to about 1 second or less and see if the distortion you're hearing persists.

Part of the problem is that piano has such a dynamic attack compared to the rest of its sound (string sustain) - it is different than almost any other sound in the machine. Reverbs that are fine for brass, organ, strings, synths, etc., show their shortcomings when the piano goes through. I think that the peak is enough to trigger the distortion when the perception (from the sustained part of the note - string ring) is that the volume is still pretty low. So the other possible fix is to look at the amp section and roll back the attack level to something less than 99 - which is where all the factory pianos are set.

BB

iluvchiclets · Post by **iluvchiclets** » Wed Oct 19, 2011 3:09 pm

Hi,

I agree with billbaker...a lot of the time I get distortion is when I have added a lot of reverb.

I have yet to fool around with the reverb parameters to see if I can control this noise, but I hope to be able to conquer the problem one day.

adchiapin · Post by **adchiapin** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 3:05 am

korg has nothing to say? any solution?

billbaker · Post by **billbaker** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 4:47 pm

adchiapin,

Respectfully, do a bit of research on the clipping phenomenon, it has to do with gain structure and the ability of audio equipment (in this case the reverb part of the FX chain) to handle peak signal.

It is virtually impossible to build a system in which clipping cannot occur. Not just in Korg gear, but anyone's. That's a reality we just work within... water is wet, gravity sucks, audio gear clips on occasion.

All you can do is mitigate the circumstances that make it happen, namely reduce the gain of the signal, compress it to even out the peaks, choose a different (not-so-susceptible-to-clipping) effect, or reduce the parameters (reverb time, hi/low boost, and even EQ input) that contribute to clipping and even out those dynamic responses that might contribute to peak.

BB

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 8:24 pm

billbaker wrote:adchiapin,

Respectfully, do a bit of research on the clipping phenomenon, it has to do with gain structure and the ability of audio equipment (in this case the reverb part of the FX chain) to handle peak signal.

It is virtually impossible to build a system in which clipping cannot occur. Not just in Korg gear, but anyone's. That's a reality we just work within... water is wet, gravity sucks, audio gear clips on occasion.

All you can do is mitigate the circumstances that make it happen, namely reduce the gain of the signal, compress it to even out the peaks, choose a different (not-so-susceptible-to-clipping) effect, or reduce the parameters (reverb time, hi/low boost, and even EQ input) that contribute to clipping and even out those dynamic responses that might contribute to peak.

BB

I always decrease the volume of the combis I use for gigging for this reason and to be able to increase a bit if needed. And then you only have to turn up the speaker a bit more.

adchiapin · Post by **adchiapin** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 1:32 am

No, you don´t understand me. I lower the volume and and continuous saturation. Try it!, down the slider to the first mark " - " and play it! It still there. Is not a question of raising or lowering the slider, is a PCG problem, the guy that programed a M50 (Jack Hotop, Steve MCNally, Rich Formidoni, i don´t know...) was wrong! in others combis is the same. NOT ALL, a few.

adchiapin · Post by **adchiapin** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 2:53 am

Try the prog A022 Stereo Concert Piano. play very strong the first F# (low octave) and the saturation is there!!!!!!

m5005 · Post by **m5005** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 10:14 am

Ι've tried controlling the distortion through the effect and amp gain controllers and I've managed to reduce it up to a point that its tolerable.But I can't remove it.
It's really sad to see Korg not providing any firmware updates for almost two years.After all,M50 is supposed to be current - new instrument,in production and good seller.

Yesterday I've spent 3 hours testing thoroughly a Yamaha Mox 6 at a local store and didn't find even 1 minor bug,I pushed all the piano sounds using sustain pedal to squeeze even the slightest distortion out of it but Yamaha seems to have done perfect job with the preset sounds.After all when you buy a new synthesizer the least you expect from it is to use the preset sounds without any need of reprogramming and without any trouble.

M50 is not my first keyboard,I've owned M1, microkorg, ensoniq sq1, Yamaha sy77 and I currently have Korg r3,Roland Gaia and Waldorf blofeld.
Although they are all budget models, none of them (not even my previous keyboards) ever troubled me with their preset sounds.
Korg is giving away rebates to new buyers of M50 but I believe its not respecting the current owners by not showing any new firmware or feature.The good thing is that the Korg community is so big and strong and people like the previous posters are kind enough to lean on our problems.

P.S.I've contacted a year ago waldorf for a problem I had with multi sessions.They answered me within 16 hours and in the next firmware upgrade that they released 10 days later my fix was included.That's support.