Hi everyone!

I have notice that there is a sometime a big difference between how demos sound on YouTube and the real sound at home no matter what keyboard. I have a P600 and BX5 monitors. What could I add to have my Korg sounding more like the demos? (Essential, limited budget)

Thanks for your help.

A lot of demos on YouTube use direct line-in audio recording from the instruments, which you can do with a Zoom Q1 recorder for example (filming video while the sound comes from stereo line-in, possibly with additional comments by microphone). You will never achieve this headphone-like sound quality with any monitor. Concerning the BX5, I only know more expensive monitors as alternatives, e.g. the Genelec 6010 or 8030, which I liked a lot. The Bose Sounddock 10 is also very good for this purpose (it just has a limited stereo field).

Thanks rosetree

I don't know much about electronic stuff, I have just read someone saying that having and audio card could help a lot, I already a sound card but audio cards are much better they say. Another guy suggest to buy a preamp. I would like to know what your are thinking about this.

The room you play in makes a large impact on the sound. How you set up the EQ on the speakers is important. How you set the arranger's built in EQ and compressor makes a big difference...

But honestly, the biggest difference between most pro demos and homemade ones is the player... Adjusting your touch to the sound, or adjusting the sound to your touch, being careful about not letting the RH swamp the backing, not letting the backing clash with your playing (mute out style piano parts if you are playing a piano sound, for instance), details like this can make a huge difference.

But, essentially, if your monitor system at home sounds great on CD's, it ought to sound great with your arranger. If it doesn't, try to think about what you need to do to make the room flatter (soft wall treatments, carpet, etc.) or try to pin down WHAT makes the demo sound better... You never really say what it is that makes it so.



Most all web demos, if done professionally, will have some compression and limiting on them to boost the volume, but as these are in most arrangers, you should be able to get that sound. In fact, TBH, most arrangers come with more of that on than I really like..!

There are many factors, as Diki said, the room acoustics and adapting styles etc. is important.
Concerning your questions regarding audio card and preamp, IMO those factors do not make sense in your case. What role should an audio card play? You use the sound processor of your keyboard, so that's it. A preamp doesn't help if you use active powered monitors like the M-Audio BX5 (or Genelec, or an active consumer sound system like the Bose Sounddock 10). The reviews on the BX5 at Thomann seem positive. I would try to adjust the keyboard equalizer; as one customer writes, the BX 5 could use enhanced high frequencies so try that.

A good set of headphones will usually provide the quality you wish. Give it a try and you'll be surprised at the difference.

Gary

Thanks guys for your great help.