Hi, all,

I'm new to DPs but I have a Kawai MP8 on the way...hopefully here by the middle of week. Will I be able to use the speakers from my audio system, or must I use either an amp (pair?) or a monitor (pair?) to achieve the best sound? What is the difference among the three that make for the best approach to quality sound from a DP?

Thank you,

Lisztener

Hello Lisztener,


I've been trying all kinds of setups with my two Kawai DPs, a CA-X and an MP8. I tried my (very good) Hi-Fi system, various Roland dedicated keyboard amps, a Logitech Z-5300e 5.1 system, a pair of M-Audio BX8A studio monitors and also a pair of Behringer Truth B2031A powered studio monitors, 225 watts each.

Studio monitors are a must. I love the M-Audio (which I've kept) with everything... except the piano. That's why I came back to the Truths, they are just unbeatable with the Kawai samples and sound generator, considering their low price. Get 'em, you won't be sorry. See my setup on this forum, page 2 or 3, "bach's MP8 setup". The pics show you the arrangement with the M-Audios, but as I said, the Truths have now replaced them there with much better results as far as the piano samples go.

Good luck to you, enjoy that MP8, it's just awesome.

Claude

'The Best' is awfully subjective, and awfully wallet-centric.

What exactly are you looking to do, and what are you looking to spend? If you're looking to do 'just' piano playing, then any self powered pair of monitors should help you out nicely. Obviously a bigger woofer (8") will show its advantages in the lower registers....

If you're looking for higher degrees of accuracy, and want to mix your own stuff later on down the road, you may want to invest more.

Either way, in most cases, powered monitors are one less set of cables to deal with, and a better deal than passive monitors.

Behringer Truth B2031A i LOVE EM TOO!

Thanks, much, for the responses.

My only intended use at this time is for piano playing in the home. I'll have the MP8 close to a computer, but do not have plans for MIDI interface or mixing, etc. I just want a sound that will come close to that coming from headphones for $300.00 or less.

Why can't I use my stereo speakers by going through the receiver?

A couple of guys have recommended an amp. What's the problem with amps?

I appreciate all your help. I wish it were unnecessary to ask so many questions, but I ascribe to the adage, "If you don't know, ask."

Thank you all,

Lisztener

Lisztener,

I'm still looking into this myself, but here are a couple of other bits of feedback / input / additional questions that may help you.

Amps: Make sure the amp is designed for the frequency range of the piano. For example, as guitar amp is mostly optimized for the treble, while a bass amp is optimized for bass.

Monitor speakers: From what I have read you can find good monitor speakers that reproduce the range accurately. However, keep in mind that they are for monitoring sound. Ideally, you should form a triangle with you and the two speakers. Any other alignment is less than optimal. This means that (as I understand it) it will probably not sound as good for anyone else in the room, especialy if they are on the other side of the keyboard from you.

You want to look for something that will cover the range of the piano and be balanced over the whole range.

I don't want to sound like I am correcting here, but this is a bit misleading... guitar and bass amps are quite instrument-specific, and really aren't a good thing to use for this application... one of the reasons being mono input for most of them.

I think that people saying 'amp' in this situation are talking about power amplifiers, which are not instrument specific, and typically have nothing but gain or volume controls on them.

You can get by 'probably' by using something like the l and r outs of the Kawai, and using 1/4" to RCA conversions, then route them to a free input on the back of your stereo.

There are powered monitors out there for under 300, as well as keyboard specific amps around the same... but stereo monitors will give you a more pleasant listening experience IMO.

You may well be right, but I think a lot of folks talking about an amp for a stage piano might mean a keyboard amp, like the Roland KC series.

If that is what you're thinking, I strongly advise against it. If you're playing on stage and just trying to put your keyboard licks out there over the guitars and drums, then maybe. But for home use, particularly for acoustic piano samples, keyboard amps just sound awful IMHO.

Paul,

I have to agree fully with you here. First of all, keyboard amps such as the KCs are more often used alone, not in stereo pairs. And you DO need stereo to reproduce the piano samples, which were recorded as such. Roland KCs (any KC under 125 watts will distort with loud piano tones) and the like are meant for gigs, playing in public at loud volume, not for high fidelity sample reconstitution.

Home stereos are NOT what you need either, as such amplifiers hopelessly lack the headroom which is crucial to reproduce realistic, dynamic piano sound. They will invariably lack the dynamic range or will overload and distort pitifully when you start pounding that keyboard hard. Also, home stereo speakers are meant to reproduce MOST sounds correctly, not piano sounds particularly. Which leaves you with studio monitors placed at an angle, at ear level, forming an equilateral triangle with the pianist's head. The Behringers are perfect for that, considering they can be bought for 300 bucks or even less...

Regards,
Claude

If the Roland KC-350 isn't your cup of tea, might I suggest the M-Audio BX-5 monitors?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-BX5a-70-Watt-Active-Studio-Monitors?sku=603707

These are higher quality than anything Behringer makes and fit your budget perfectly. Besides, the cost of the Behringer model they are suggesting is closer to $350 than $300, see for yourself:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-TRUTH-B2031A-Active-Monitors-Pair?sku=600601

Hope this helps.

Thanks all,

bachmaniac - [/b]I like your explanation of why my stereo receiver/speakers are insufficient for the MP8.

I'll go with the Behringer Truth B2301A.

C7 Player who is the co-moderator of the Adult Beginner's Forum also uses the Behringers. He appears to be quite happy with the combination of his MP8 and the Truth B2301A monitors, just as you are, bachman.

Thank you one and all,

Lisztener