PianoMan51

The logarithmic nature of our hearing is always confusing. We think adding a second powered speaker on stage will double the volume. No, it adds 3dB of volume, which slightly increases volume, but gives us the opportunity to spread the volume over a wider expanse. I worked in telecommunications test firm for 20 years. Rather than pull out a calculator, I ended up just using a handful of useful short cuts. Here’s one… Ten times the power = two times the volume. Or, +10dB doubles perceived volume. An example is, If you want to double the volume of 10W amp, you need 100W. (All other things being equal.)

The measurement Bell (and the decibel dB) was invented by Bell Labs scientists who were studying the physical nature of sound with emphasis on making efficient telephone networks. Back in the 20s when they also invented the amplifier and electric microphone. And then researched vocoders, transistors, microwave background measurements, lasers, and on and on. It was they who explored the logarithmic nature of our hearing. The ‘+10dB equals a doubling of perceived sound volume’ was a convenient averaging of many test subjects. Move from 10dB to 1 Bell (it’s the same) and you realize that the whole measurement scheme was based around human hearing.

So many posts here refer to an “Al Quinn”. Is this Harley’s brother?

Maybe this isn’t in line with the discussion. But… I’m piano man because at the end of the day my internal musical spirit finds the acoustic piano the most simpatico. Still, I’ve played a s%%% load of synths over the years and always had a feeling of them being tools to create a certain sound to fit into a certain song. When I’m done creating the patch and practicing the riff, I’m done. Analog and digital. Didn’t hear much difference. Little personal attachment. The Moog Matriarch changed my attitude.

“the balls of your fingertips”… You have them there?

Cheap. Work. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RM6Q9XW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Theo, You are absolutely right! Having the right sounds can be inspirational. And then when you achieve that sound, going further into songs more complex than blues is really challenging. You have been sending us examples of your exploration in sounds for many years. I know for me I sometimes didn’t realize exactly what you were aiming at. But now I think I understand better. All of us here make our own jams. Some with sequenced tracks, and others just in our minds. Take care of yourself. Jack

Just one more song built on Rhythm Changes.

I’m playing in two big bands, so lots of 7 page charts. Scotch tape breaks after a few dozen uses. And destroys the paper if you try to remove it. This is my second order of art tape. Very flexible and can be removed. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BX36S6NJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Youtube has some instructions on how to use. Basically you alternate taping the front and back sides so that the sticky part of the tape between the pages always folds inwards. Otherwise that sticky edge will glue the pages together like an old Penthouse at summer camp.

Gigged briefly with Alicia’s Keys when it first came out. One thing I remember is that it was the only piano VST I had that perfectly summed to mono. Since it was designed for stage use, I assumed that this made it suitable for stereo and mono FOH. Maybe recorded in M/S or in mono with a stereo fx.

Noisy keys. Loose keys. Bought a used CP-4 years ago. Cheap. Had two black keys that had an amazingly sloppy sideways movement. I was pissed until after my first gig. When I realized that when I actually played, I didn’t even notice the two bad keys. The sideways motion was not apparent at all while playing the piano. Now, don’t get me started on the Fatar keybed on my mid-90s K2500!

Dave, If you ever come to doubt the work that you and the forum team do… Consider the amazing responses in the posts above. Jack

Me: “Doctor, I’ve had this strange ringing in my ears. Seems like it’s been years! And then yesterday, it changed…” Doctor: “Do you live near the ‘Church of Christ the Dadaist’?”

Let me guess, you’re working on a script for a movie called A Few Good Synthesists. “Synthesizers with balls? You can’t handle balls!”