Pianos don't sound as good in the mix as solo

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:13 pm

That doesn't make sense...?

Fred S · Post by **Fred S** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:21 pm

ronnfigg wrote:RonF has a good point (as all Rons do), you need to find you place. If you think you're not cutting through the mix- play at the top of the keyboard. Most other instruments are no where near there. Get near middle C and you are in the guitar domain. GOOD LUCK! Go too low and you're gonna piss the bass player off! Everything has it's "place" in the "Mix".

Would this be Ronn from Sac? Got yourself a Kronos too, eh! Cool.

Fred.

aron · Post by **aron** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:12 pm

I put one of the exciters on my piano sound and it clearly cleans up some of the lower mid "murkiness". I'm going to try it like this for a while. I haven't been able to get the S90ES in the studio yet. That thing is just too big

ronnfigg · Post by **ronnfigg** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 5:07 am

Hey Fred. Had to do it. The Triton had seen its days. Also went witha 61 and drive it with an 88 note controller. My back feels better! I like having all my keyboard needs in one place- one stop shopping!

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 4:34 am

Having read most of this entire section it finally occurred to me what the problem was. Simply turn up! I've been paying on stage since 1969. Seriously! I've had to deal with the absolute worst possible scenarios one could imagine. Guitar players who don't understand one doesn't need to have their Marshall stacks on 11! I used to play using a Fender Rhodes Mark ! as my main piano in a LOUD rock band. It's freakin' simple. Turn up your treble 3db and crank your amp!

As for in the studio, you're on your own depending on your own ears. I've actually got away many time using an old Roland-U20. The piano sound was good enough to fool musicians with "ears"! Thought it was a Steinway!

Once you are live the whole piano subtlety thing doesn't matter. The audience can't hear it. All you can do is fit in. As it should be. Be one with the band.

Petekey · Post by **Petekey** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 5:51 am

Some great tips here guys. I'm finally starting to dial in some piano sounds that I'm digging more. I'm wondering if I need to make an amplification change to appreciate the Kronos more on the gig. I'm using a Traynor K4 amp which has a 12" woofer, 2 4.5" mids, and 2 2.5" highs so it's a decent amp. Just wondering if something else might be in order. I'm playing funk/jazz, new orleans, pop full band, sometimes trio.

I have been running mono pretty often to and I need to make a habit of going stereo when I can I know.

Starting to dig into the organ sounds too since I use those, seems some need some tweaking.

Thanks,
Pete

ronnfigg · Post by **ronnfigg** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:51 am

Check out the Simmons DA200S. It is tri-amped and the "sub" (12"- but you wouldn't know it!) has it's own level. The stereo direct outs have their level adjustment. It has a few othere bells and whistle, sa check it out on the web. The active 3 way system should help keep keyboards a lot cleaner. It only has one set of stereo inputs, but I am sure a mixer could be incorporated to add more channels. I bought on off Craig'slist today and I will keep you posted on the results.

PianoManChuck · Post by **PianoManChuck** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 4:12 pm

There's another solution that Sharp has:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=65572

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 8:54 pm

TonyGen wrote:I have always increased high EQ and reduced low EQ when playing piano sounds live. For me it's the only way to make them cut through the mix.

My favourite piano for live is the stock HD-1 Oasys Piano with EQ settings as above. It sounds great and you can hear every note.

I think more folks should boost EQ before messing around with external exciter boxes.

Boosting low, mid or high, or some combination depending on your amp, speakers, will have a nice effect on acoustic pianos.

aron · Post by **aron** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:20 pm

I think more folks should boost EQ before messing around with exciters.

Yes, I was fooling around with the EQ, but I just tried the exciter and was amazed that it did clear up some of the lower mid muddiness that I was hearing in a pleasant way. It's an easy thing to try. I haven't tried it live to hear how it affects the tone.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:24 pm

aron wrote:
I think more folks should boost EQ before messing around with exciters.
Yes, I was fooling around with the EQ, but I just tried the exciter and was amazed that it did clear up some of the lower mid muddiness that I was hearing in a pleasant way. It's an easy thing to try. I haven't tried it live to hear how it affects the tone.

oops, I should have clarified, I was referring to external exciter boxes.

Are you referring to the onboard exciter FX ?

aron · Post by **aron** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:27 pm

Oh, sorry. Yes. The onboard exciter. In fact there's one that alludes to a piano preset. I thought it worked well, but I wasn't trying very hard at the time.

shawnhar · Post by **shawnhar** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:35 pm

GregC wrote:I think more folks should boost EQ before messing around with external exciter boxes.

Agreed, except I would start by boosting overall volume, then cutting EQ in unwanted regions.

Either way can end in roughly the same place, but EQ cuts generally leave a more natural tone than boosts.