Polkahero

The Pf & Symphonic Strings library has been out already since January. Did they update it?

Okay, here's something I was thinking about that I don't think has been covered in this thread yet: For live use in a band, what about bleed-through into other stage mics? One advantage of using a PA speaker is the directional nature of the sound which prevents the stage volume from bleeding into vocal, drum, etc. microphones when it is placed correctly. With the SS and it's "enveloping" nature of its sound distribution pattern, wouldn't that cause some issues with other microphones picking up the keyboardists stage volume? I know my band has fought with these issues for a long time now, especially with drum mics picking up bass amp and the vocal mics picking up the guitar amp.

(1) Not sure yet as I haven't purchased one yet. At 800 watts and 126 max SPL you would think at least for a monitor. (2) I really like the Yamaha MG06 I just purchased, really small form factor and sounds great!

I'm revamping almost my entire keyboard rig this year. So far I've purchased: Quick-Lok Z726L double-tier Z-stand Onstage KT7800 Plus bench Kawai MP7 stage piano Yamaha MG06 mixer Next up is replacing my Yamaha Stagepas 300 speakers with either a pair of EV ZXA1-90's or a CPS Spacestation speaker.

Monitor looks okay and yes I've had it set to REV instead of NORM. I ended up adjusting the curve to 3 from 1 and I think it sounds smoother now. The volume doesn't seem to jump at the last bit of travel anymore. Thanks for the help, guys!

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere in this thread but. . . For you guys using a Yamaha FC7 as your expression pedal, what are your settings for the smoothest operation possible? Just wondering if adjusting the curve parameter in the SK1 has much effect as I was recently tweaking that parameter and not hearing much different from the 1 to the 3 setting. Any other tips for the best linear response possible? Mainly trying to avoid the "volume rush" that occurs near the end of the pedal travel. Thanks!

I've got a whole thread going here here on this very subject. Lots of good ideas on how to improve the situation, not the least of which, of course, being a switch to the SS. I actually have that same frustration as you, and had the same concern about my ZLX (that I maybe had blown the tweeter), coincidentally with the new CP4 and older MP6. But acoustic guitar still sounds crisp and clean through it, so I know the drivers are still intact and the problem is some other combination of circumstances. Some cabs just seem to have an issue with AP's that no amount of EQ can sufficiently resolve. I have another older Peavey keyboard amp that was the main sound source for my music room (no handles or outer protection, just black painted wood finish, so I think it was intended for studio use) which I thought sounded good when I first got it for general keys, but the first good stage piano I fed into it sounded like crap. That's what prompted the earlier and very fruitful search for decent studio monitors. It's obviously not a unique problem, and I'm frankly kind of surprised about that. It's looking more and more like I'm going to have to plunk down for a SS. (Yes, dear, I have to.) Yep, I've been following your thread. Sounds like we're in a similar boat (except you're using these for your whole PA system and covering bass). I'm still on the fence on the SpaceStation. . .thinking of going with a pair of EV ZXA1-90's as they tend to get favorable reviews for AP sounds. I don't need a ton of bottom end as I'm always playing with a bassist and have FOH support. Just need to find something with a flatter response.

Ahhh -- this is exactly the kind of first-hand impression I was looking for. Two questions regarding your CP4's AP -- did you use stereo or mono piano programs? And, you noted that the sound is 'warmer and woodier -- but does the brightness of the CFX manage to sparkle through? That's my biggest complaint using the ZLX -- no brightness at all, just dull notes, and trying to EQ it in makes it sound even more artificial. I've noted in another thread that I'm having much better luck with that through the pair of B210D's, but of course good enough is never good enough. I'm getting this "blanket over the speakers" problem right now also playing the CP4 (and my new Kawai MP7) through my Yamaha Stagepas speakers. I was thinking maybe I blew the horns at some point but the AP in my Hammond SK1 sounds plenty bright through these speakers. Both of these boards sounds so good through headphones it's frustrating to hear them sound so muffled through PA speakers.

What about those of us who are constantly fighting cramped stage situation and don't have the luxury of placing our keyboard amp 10 feet away for the sound to develop?

Definitely another viable option. Do you have to generally use a line mixer with the Spacestation like most powered PA speakers? Not sure if I read anything about that in that thread which is really becoming a novel to read!

Good to know, thanks! I think my Stagepas speakers weigh around 40 lbs. together so that would be a seamless transition. The Yamaha's are about an inch larger all around and weigh 4 lbs. more each. May still be an option but that's a subject for a different thread.

I'm hoping to keep my rolling case that came with my Stagepas speakers. It's great! Just have to make sure the new speaker dimensions are about the same and aren't much heavier.

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm currently using a small Soundcraft mixer between my SK1 and Yamaha Stagepas speakers but at only 300 watts total the Stagepas speakers are barely cutting it as an onstage monitor. After I settle on a new stage piano, this will be my next upgrade.

Can you get away with not using a mixer between your boards and a pair of powered PA speakers? I'm looking at the Yamaha DBR10 and it contains an "onboard mixer" with 10 dB of gain. Looks like the ZXA1 has only 6 dB of gain. Is the extra 4 dB enough to eliminate the need for a line mixer in the signal chain? I play through a KC combo at one of the churches I play at. It's really not that bad for extra sound support in addition to the internal speakers of the Clavinova I play. I'd never use it on its own though!

Anyone on here that's coming from a stereo powered PA speaker setup (QSC K series, Yamaha DXR/DBR series, etc.) care to comment how this amp compares?

Does "aggressive big band" (assuming no PA equipment to mic horns) equate to say a 7-piece cover band that is fully mic'd? I'm skeptical about the sound output from this amp but quite intrigued also. Can't wait to hear more gig reports from other guinea pigs members about this new amp!

No, I meant the tactical gun case from Cabelas.

Looking into getting this case but I see the internal length dimension is 42" while the SK-1 is 35" long. Does the Hammond move around inside the case?

My bandleader should get his in a couple of weeks according to his Sweetwater rep. Should be interesting how it compares to his CP1.

I've never played a VR-09 but I find the string sounds very usable on my SK1.

I vote for CP-3PO. This thread is cracking me up. I called my Sweetwater keyboard rep yesterday and they don't know anything about the CP4!

Any idea how the acoustic piano sound on this will compare to the CP1?

I do but my only other alternative is the piano sounds in my Alesis QS8 which isn't saying much! I think it's comparable to the Kurzweil PC2 I used to own. It's not fantastic but definitely usable. Definitely a Steinway-sounding sample.

I use an old office chair like RABid uses. It doesn't give me back support while playing but at least offers a backrest between songs.

Got it, thanks!