TonyC26JDW Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 Hi, first time poster here. Just got my Roland VR 730 and pretty happy with it except that the piano sounds (not so much the EPs), sound a bit "echoey" and flat coming out of my little Peavey 1 amp for practice in basement. The piano sounds output from headphones sound just fine, especially after messing with various effects. I tried adjusting the delay and tone dials as well as compression and even tried adding some distortion. Anyone have any suggestions? Organ sounds come out great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 The amplification is as big a part of your sound as your VR-730. Make plans to at some point replace. Many monitors have been discussed on the forum. If you can find something in your budget, two would be nice as well to monitor in stereo. https://www.keyboardmag.com/gear/amp-up-part-2-the-powered-stage-monitor-as-keyboard-amp Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC26JDW Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share Posted May 30, 2019 Thanks. It's funny , but my Yamaha 500ypg sounds great coming out of that little Peavey. I did mess with the channel eq and switched channels on the amp too, but getting that same issue compared to headphones which again sound real nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 Since you're not gigging and don't need to play over live drums - there's lots of small choices too that will sound better than your Peavey, which I am assuming is a guitar amp? In the meanwhile, are you using the L (mono) output from the VR-730? That's all you need to send to the Peavey, one 1/4" cable. Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC26JDW Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share Posted May 30, 2019 Peavey is a keyboard amp (monitor) 2 channels , 20 watts, eq knob for each channel, plus headphone input. My budget is limited especially now after buying the VR 730. I am using one cable 1/4" for the L (mono) although I did try switching to the stereo output just for the heck of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxcvbnm098 Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 Most "keyboard" amps are keyboard in name only, especially on the lower end of the price curve. Acoustic piano sounds are the hardest to properly reproduce, and as you have noticed, it can differ depending on the keyboard manufacturer how good or (usually) bad their piano samples might sound through your amp. But generally speaking, you need a full range speaker like a powered PA speaker to accurately get a good acoustic piano sound. There a very few branded keyboard amps that can compete with powered PA speakers, and they're much more expensive. Since you're not gigging, you can also look a pair of studio monitors that would not be that much more money than your Peavey, but would sound dramatically better. I know the Mackie CR4's are around that price for a pair, and you'd have stereo to boot.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC26JDW Posted May 30, 2019 Author Share Posted May 30, 2019 Thanks. I just checked out the mackie cr4s-- would I use one 1/4" output cable from the keyboard to each of the speakers ?- the vr730 has L( mono) and R. Also, I guess I could consider the 5 inch version but now we are talking $$$. Some reviews mention a subwoofer too, so now we are really talking budget issues. Great help on this forum though. Much appreciated and sorry I'm such a novice when it comes to powered speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxcvbnm098 Posted May 30, 2019 Share Posted May 30, 2019 Yes, you would run L to one speaker and R to the other. It will be a much more "headphone-like" experience in terms of sound quality. And yes, the 5" version would sound better, and a sub would be fun, but these should be fine if you're not cranking them But also, look around on Craigslist and other places, and check reviews elsewhere. Like this: https://musiccritic.com/equipment/speakers/best-budget-studio-monitors/ I see there's a 3" Mackie as well for cheaper. But you might find something used that is better and cheaper? Gotta look around...CL can be a bonanza depending on where you live. And no worries about being a novice; just be thankful you're a novice in the internet age with a forum like this! A wealth of knowledge is at your fingertips. If only I had these resources when I was just starting out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC26JDW Posted June 6, 2019 Author Share Posted June 6, 2019 Just got the 3 inch Mackie's and what a good choice. Piano sounds a lot better than the Peavey KB1. Wish I had the extra bucks to spring for the 4 inch or 5 inch Mackie's. Mackie's are master/Slave...so the master has the 1/4 inch inputs for L (Mono) and R. You can switch for which speaker you want for Right or Left, and set-up took about 4 minutes. Layered piano sounds are a lot better. The 3 inch speakers pack a nice punch for the basement where I practice but they probably are way too small especially if there's a drummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delaware Dave Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 the piano sounds (not so much the EPs), sound a bit "echoey" and flat coming out of my little Peavey 1 amp for practice in basement. Being flat sounding doesn't surprise me. This is why users have moved to PPA (powered speakers as monitors) as they sound much better. I'm not sure what you mean by echoey; I associated this on first reading as reverb. Then you mentioned adjusting the delay. Sounds to me as though you either have reverb on or delay on. Try turning off all effects, the echo should go away. Also, run either another keyboard or a different sound source (attach your phone, tape deck, tuner, etc.) to the speaker and see if it echoes. if it does then it is your peavey amp; if it doesn't echo then you might have something to do with the VR, although you did mention that it sounds fine through headphones, in which case a different sound source should produce the same echoey effect. I was thinking that although you are doing adjustments that some effect on the Peavey continues output even though you are turning it down. First thing I'd do is turn all the effects OFF, then troubleshoot from there. Quote 57 Hammond B3; 69 Hammond L100P; 68 Leslie 122; Kurzweil Forte7 & PC3; M-Audio Code 61; Voce V5+; Neo Vent; EV ELX112P; GSI Gemini & Burn Delaware Dave Exit93band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC26JDW Posted June 6, 2019 Author Share Posted June 6, 2019 Thanks for the suggestions Dave. I did try turning all effect off. I thought about reverb and delay as the initial culprits but still got that " dull echo like effect" which is best I can describe it. I ran my Yamaha YPG 535 through the Peavey KB1 amp and it always sounded fine for piano. The Peavey doesnt have effects- just a hi, lo "equalizer" on each channel, so I tired turning both knobs down all the way on the amp too. No amount of tweaking either on the keyboard or on the amp made the piano sounds any better. However, as I mentioned the powered little 3 inch Mackies seemed to do the trick. Not every EP sounds great, but the acoustic piano sound a lot better. I have one register set for 2 of the Grands layered with the lower -1 octave and the upper at 0 octave. Sounds pretty good. For someone like me who doesn't gig anymore, I think you are right, the powered speakers might be the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC26JDW Posted June 16, 2019 Author Share Posted June 16, 2019 Just a follow up- Had two friends over with guitars and amps, and the 3 inch speakers ran real hot after about an hour. Volume knob was almost at max- keyboard vol at about 50%. Called mackie just to see what they would say, and the answer was that although these are listed as monitors ( for studio), they are meant to be used alone without any additional instruments playing or other ambient noise. So while I think these work for solo practice- they do sound great- if playing with others is on the agenda I'll need a good powered speaker--eg..Yamaha BDR8, EV12, maybe MackieThump12- but now we are talking $550 each and even used is over $450. Would probably not need a pair though hopefully. Most do have XLR/TSR combo inputs so maybe someday will need to go with something like these. Any suggestions for good budget powered speakers that can work as a stage monitor or good for band practice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxcvbnm098 Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Yeah, those are NOT meant for anything but personal playing. Bring in anything else to accompany and you're in for trouble. Check out some of the Alto line of powered PA speakers. Some of the newer models I believe are pretty decent, and they're reasonably priced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC26JDW Posted June 17, 2019 Author Share Posted June 17, 2019 Thanks ZXCV . I saw the Alto TS310 for about $250. Sounds pretty good, but not sure the inputs are 1/4 " TRS. Yamaha seems to get good reviews, but pushing closer to $500. Wonder if anyone has any experience with the Behringer Euorlive. Seems to be tiny but reviews say it packs a great punch and has excellent range for hi- lo acoustic sounds. Wonder how it sounds with organs, as the Roland VR 730 has those rotary effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxcvbnm098 Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 I try to stay away from Behinrger, but that's just me. Best to try both Behringer and Alto out if you have a GC nearby? I think they carry both. They both (and most PPA speakers also) have the proper inputs to handle your keyboard/s. Also look for used, again depending where you live. Lots of good deals out there on CL if you're in the States.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC26JDW Posted June 24, 2019 Author Share Posted June 24, 2019 OK, I went with a jbl610 powered speaker that was a demo on Sweetwater. Only way to stay within my budget. So it's back to mono, but wonder if the sound would improve if I used the Left from the keyboard into channel one and the right from the keyboard into channel 2 of the speaker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Tony, if you connect both L+R to the same (mono) amp you'll sum the two channels coming out of the Roland. Probably won't sound great. Try using just L, or using just R, and see if you prefer it that way. Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC26JDW Posted June 25, 2019 Author Share Posted June 25, 2019 Thanks Mike...I thought the same thing...and tried it strictly for volume...but your'e right...I'll go left for mono. It actually sounded ok coming out of the eon610 powered speaker but no real improvement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyC26JDW Posted July 8, 2019 Author Share Posted July 8, 2019 OK...follow up again...connected L mono to peavey amp and R to JBL EON 610- sounds great and stereo-like sound with plenty of volume. Any other review for the VR 730....finding some of the EPs sound a bit muted but I can tweak with Tone and Compression controls and so far so good. Jammed with a few friends and using for practice and so far I love the keyboard. Organ sounds can really be customized to get some great B3/Leslie -like sounds. Playing around with draw bars and then saving to A registration once you are pleased with what you come up with is a lot of fun. Would love to hear others who might have some suggestions on how to play around with this keyboard - i.e. tips and best practices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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