[leerobin]

Hi,

Though I'm not a keyboard player but I your expertise.

Our Church is using a Korg X3 and have a keyboard amplifier branded PRINCE (I wonder whether you heard of it before but anyway it is a budgeted amp)

Our problem is the Korg X3 giving dry sound. I don't know how to explain this. The sound - Piano 16' (if you play Korg X3 you would know the preset sound) doesn't give the sound as the real piano's sound. We guys would know better, piano sound grand but ours seem to be dead. We have try to get into X3 setting but none of the changes change the sound we wanted. We also try many setting from the amplifier by increasing and decreasing the low, mid, high and reverb but none of them give a satisfactory sound.

Is there anywhere we can make the sound more lively? or
it is because we have a cheap amplifier?

Since we are not expert in this, some of us are blaming on the Keyboard and some on the amplifier. To me I think the amplifier doesn't give a lively sound.

What would you guys think about this?
If you guys think it is the amplifier, then what amplifier would you recommend that will give a lively sound cost below US$400?
If it is the keyboard...............God bless us!!!

I really need your advise. Our keyboardists are complaining hard and we have been keep telling them to give thanks to the Lord in everything we have.

Thanks
Robin

[LWatford]

No keyboard will give the exact sound of a piano, but I would think the korg would give a reasonable copy. What is it about the sound that is "dry"? Do you have the manual for the Korg? What kind of room do you play in? Try setting the amp "flat," with the Eq in the middle position, reverb off, and volume at a resonable level.

[Nate]

My first thought would be the EQ setting..... or the amp.

Try boosting the mids and highs JUST A LITTLE BIT. Boost the highs a TAD more than the mids.

If that seems to be helping a little bit (don't expect a big difference).... you might want to consider getting an external EQ. You can use a guitar effects pedal and get fairly decent results. (That's what I'm doing).... you honestly won't believe how much 7 bands of EQ helps more than 3 bands.

Anyway, if changing the EQ doesn't seem to help.... my next guess would be that the amp is just junk. (sorry to be so harsh)
It may not be able to handle the broad range of frequencies that a piano sound produces. See if you can find a frequency response range in your amp's manual (if you can find it).... let us know if you can find such a thing.

Anyway, you might want to look into getting a new amp.... Roland makes a few nice ones around your price range. Check out the KC-100 and KC-300. Also, you might want to look into Barbetta... they're supposed to be one of the best keyboard amp makers.... and I think the value is supposed to be really good to. www.barbetta.com I'm not sure where to find a retailer that carries Barbetta though.


Of course, it may be the keyboard as well. I'm not familiar with the X3.... so I can't comment on that.

In any event... I suggest checking out these two sites... they have two of the most helpful keyboard forums I've ever found.

http://www.synthzone.com/cgi-bin/Ult...assCookie=true

http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/ultim...ubb=forum&f=18


Well... I hope some of this helps. Maybe you could give us a little more description of what "dry" means to you??

[leerobin]

Thanks for replying, you're very helpful!!!

Dry? [I hope I can explain this]
Well, piano's sounded rich. Whereas our X3 doesn't. Example, when play a song, the piece doesn't give rich melody or harmony. The song sounded dry like there is a vacuum. It doesn't boost, it sound dead. Let me give you an illustration -- When play a notes C or sound "DO". The sound should be "DO" with echo/vibration at the background [I'm sorry I don't know how to describe it] but our sound is like "DO" and then it dead. With pedal on, it sound "DOOOOOOO" with long sustain without rich "DO" like a piano. When playing few chords progression with pedal on - it doesn't sound rich as a piano. It's dead or dry.

BTW, the X3 default setting for effect is Chorus.

Manual?
Good question, unfortunately we have misplaced the manual . We have try to get an extra copy from our local dealer but they said they don't have any .

Room?
Our Church setting is a long shophouse with a capacity of 150 chairs. Cement wall. ceiling about 20' high.

Boosting the EQ?
Well, we have try everthing. We did off the reverb and put everything in the middle and still the sound doesn't boost. We try increasing the high slowly and still none of them satisfying.
Our amp has 2 inputs, volumn 1 & 2, low, mid, high and reverb. That's all.
I think you're right, perhaps the amp couldn't handle keyboard's frequencies. Korg, I think it still one of the hi-end keyboard/synth maker but I would say Roland still the best, no doubt.

I hope these give you little knowledge. If you need more information please ask.

Thanks

[Nate]

Ok, I've done a little bit of research to find out what exactly the X3 is and what other people think of it. It's a fairly old synth.... which means the sounds will naturally be out-dated. Acoustic sampling has become infinitely better in the past 10 years or so. Also, while reading some reviews of the X3 at www.harmonycentral.com I found out that most people dislike the piano sound. So.. you're not alone in that regard. There's a possibility that the X3 just may not be able to cut it as a stage piano. Korg is no doubt one of the best synth makers, but their acoustic piano sounds have always left something to be desired... even in their flagship Triton. Soo.... the problem may be the board after all.

For about $500, you could look into getting a Kurzweil SP-76 (I think www.musiciansfriend.com usually has some good deals on them under their "Scratch-n-Dents") The SP-76 would give you a pretty good piano sound along with quite a few good electric pianos..... you could supplement the other sounds with the X3. Of course, that all depends on what your budget is. Also, I would suggest before you BUY a new amp that you find some way to TRY one. Find somebody who has a good keyboard amp and have them come and hook it up.... if it doesn't help, you might just have to either deal with it or get a new board.

Anyway.... hope this helps.

[LWatford]

Is there a setting called Velocity or something similar? If the sound is the same no matter now hard you play, the velocity may be off, or set to high.

KeyboardFreak is right that the samples used in keyboards have come a long way from the X3, but you should still be able to get a passable piano sound for background parts. It will not replace a real piano (or a good sample) for very exposed parts, though.

If you do wind up getting something different, look at some dedicated piano sound modules. Alesis made one called the NanoPiano (avalible cheap used), Kurzweil makes (Made?) one (can't think of what it is called), and Roland made one (MKS- something).

Anyone think of anything else?

Lee

[Nate]

You could also try editing the "Decay" or "Release" setting on the X3. It could be that for some reason the patch is cutting off too soon.... try lengthening the release time. Just another thought.

[leerobin]

LWatford:
I have went through the setting, the Vel is at +3. Should I increase it. The max is +10. The max it goes the louder it sounds.

KeyboardFreak:
I couldn't find any Decay or Release. Is there any word for it?