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#507498 - 01/25/23 03:40 PM
Best Possible Sound From Your Arrangers Speakers
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Member
Registered: 11/16/08
Posts: 636
Loc: Arbroath,Angus,Scotland
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Most of my time at home when playing my Arranger Keyboards is using Headphones, you spend a lot of time getting everything to sound great.
But when I go to nursing homes etc I use the Keyboards Speaker System, most of these venues are quite small, get in setup and play not alot of time for sound checks.
So how do you get the best sound from your internal speakers.
Most arrangers have some form of a Master / Global Eq system which will have some presets, but if you want to do things off your own back learning which frequencies do what and do you know when to boost or cut?
_________________________
Gem Wk4, Solton Ms60, Technics Kn5000, Korg Pa50sd, Yamaha Psr k1, Tyros 4, Korg Pa700
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#507502 - 01/26/23 10:09 AM
Re: Best Possible Sound From Your Arrangers Speakers
[Re: MusicalMemories]
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15576
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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Keep in mind that even in very small venues, living room parties, etc..., the best sounds to boost will be the highs and lows. Only a slight boost on the mid range sounds will be needed. Also, remember that most individuals in those facilities have some sort of hearing loss, for men they tend to lose the highs and women, tend to lose the lows, hence the emphasis on those frequencies. When I performed those very small venues, I still utilized my Bose L1 Compact, but it has no EQ system, therefore, I had to rely on the Keyboard's EQ settings to achieve the best overall sound. Additionally, because I was primarily a vocalist/entertainer, using the onboard speakers would have invited feedback, though not when I used my Crown CM-311A headset mic. It was incredible and never experienced any feedback at all, even with the onboard sound system. Good luck, Gary
Edited by travlin'easy (01/26/23 10:16 AM)
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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#507506 - 01/26/23 01:41 PM
Re: Best Possible Sound From Your Arrangers Speakers
[Re: MusicalMemories]
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Registered: 04/25/05
Posts: 14331
Loc: NW Florida
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I think you need a reality check on what you are going to get from a couple of (relatively) tiny speakers compared to a pair of (decent) headphones.
In my humble opinion, you are simply not going to get anywhere close, especially without a sub.
So, how to get the ‘best’ out of them is an exercise in accepting there is no way it sounds anything like the headphone sound. After that, you are looking at trying to recognize when the onboard EQ or compression is starting to introduce distortion into the sound. Yes, you CAN boost the bass and cut mids and highs, and compress the bejeezus out of the signal, but truth is that if you get close to the headphone sound balance, it will distort at quite low volumes. Or the compressor will start to seriously squash the sound in an unnatural way.
Whether this matters is strictly your decision, if the audience is okay with the sound as is, you’re gold. There are some simple ways you can improve the sound without going to a full PA. A cheap TV sub (under $100) run from the main outs and blended in subtly can make a huge difference in fullness, help out the bass and drums. They are quite lightweight…
TBH, if seeking to get that headphone sound without breaking the bank and seriously upping how much gear you carry, a small TV sub is the way I’d go…
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An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!
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#507515 - 01/27/23 11:17 AM
Re: Best Possible Sound From Your Arrangers Speakers
[Re: MusicalMemories]
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15576
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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Here's an inexpensive solution to your problem. Logitech sound systems A few years ago, there were a dozen performers on this site using Logitech Sound Systems for their small to mid size gigs. And, there was one individual, Scott Yee, who had one customized by another forum member, now deceased, and raved about the sound quality. I have also used them in the past, but eventually, switched to the high priced spread of Bose L1 systems. Good luck, Gary
Edited by travlin'easy (01/27/23 11:18 AM)
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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#507518 - 01/28/23 02:46 AM
Re: Best Possible Sound From Your Arrangers Speakers
[Re: travlin'easy]
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Senior Member
Registered: 09/21/02
Posts: 5521
Loc: Port Charlotte,FL,USA
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I was one that used the Logitech speakers for small gigs, and must say I was impressed, given the small size. The subwoofer really rounded out the sound with a tight bass. I still use them for my computer.
Edited by Bernie9 (01/28/23 02:47 AM)
_________________________
pa4X 76 ,SX900, Audya 76,Yamaha S970 , vArranger, Hammond SK1, Ketron SD40, Centerpoint Space Station, Bose compact
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#507572 - 02/11/23 09:53 AM
Re: Best Possible Sound From Your Arrangers Speakers
[Re: MusicalMemories]
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15576
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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Jim, when I eliminated a mixer from my system, I added a TC Helicon Harmony-M, which I fed directly into the Line In of my PSR-S950. The harmony-M had it's own effects, which in combination with the keyboard's mic effects, were just incredible - far better than when I was feeding the same mic directly through the mixer. And, as you have discovered, the Crown CM311A is probably among the best headset mics for live entertainers. A lot of folks have tried headset mics and went back to using their old, hand-held mics, but most that tried the Crown CM311A never looked back. Good luck, Gary
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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#507582 - 02/12/23 04:25 PM
Re: Best Possible Sound From Your Arrangers Speakers
[Re: MusicalMemories]
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15576
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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I have always been fortunate in that I never needed to work a mic to improve or enhance my vocals. And, there was only one song where I actually walked away from the keyboard and walked through the audience singing - "Fever". I didn't use a midi file, but instead, just used a finger snap and the "A" variation of the Pink Panther style, which was primarily the bass and a finger snap in place of the drum kit. It was a neat style, and lent itself to the song very well. I just fired up the keyboard, hit a short intro, then left it playing in Am while I walked through the audience singing to the ladies. Didn't have to hit the E7 for the word "Fever", no one caught on, the ladies loved it and they were the ones that tended to keep my tip jar filled. The freedom that a good headset mic offers provided me with the ability to play the keyboard and sing, while at the same time looking at audience members without worrying where the mic was positioned. The Crown CM-311A had a relatively small mic head, about the size of a quarter, and I sprayed the puff filter and boom of the mic skin tone color, which almost made it invisible to much of the audience. I employed a wireless transmitter that fit into the belt box and was black, and about the size and shape of a 12 gauge shotgun shell. The receiver, at the time, was the size of a pack of cigarettes and hidden inside my custom console. Unfortunately, they stopped making that Samson Airline system, once in a while you will see one for sale on Ebay. Now that I am fully retired from working in the musical entertainment field, I still find a few hours a week to play, which helps maintain what little sanity I still have. All the best, Gary
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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#507595 - 02/13/23 11:26 AM
Re: Best Possible Sound From Your Arrangers Speakers
[Re: MusicalMemories]
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15576
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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Diki, an accomplished, professional singer/vocalist can also produce the proximity effect effectively, with vocal control. And as far as stepping out in front of the keyboard and singing to the ladies, well, that's why it's called show biz. When I walked out on that stage and sat down at the keyboard, I often positioned myself and gear sideways so they could actually see me playing the keys. The headset mic made this much easier, again, because I was able to maintain eye contact with the entire audience without worrying where the hand-held mic was positioned. When I stepped away from the keyboard, and played "Fever" I snapped MY fingers in time with the music. I was putting on a show to entertain my audience, and that's why they were there - to be entertained. Additionally, prior to a performance, I often gave a short explanation about the keyboard's ability to produce the sounds of various instruments, piano, guitar, trumpet, brass, strings, etc..., and gave them a quick demonstration of how they sounded. It made a big difference when you provided the audience with an education about the instrument you were playing. Granted, some didn't comprehend the information, but the vast majority did. They knew there was not a full orchestra on that stage, and for the most part, they didn't care, as long as they were being entertained. Gary
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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