New option for live performance with PT

Bump.

Does anyone else have experience with this? I've been considering trying it out as it really sounds too good to be true, but all the reviews seem to back it up.

The only criticism I could find about the Spacestation V.3 is:

1) As Tim alluded to, the frequency response supposedly isn't completely flat. Some EQ in Pianoteq may or may not fix that. This would be the most important issue in my opinion as fidelity is crucial.

2) The low end rolls off at about 100 Hz, possibly requiring a sub to be added for deeper bass or for power at higher volumes. Likely not a very big deal.

3) The stereo it creates apparently doesn't sound like true stereo with clear left/right distinction, but rather a very full/balanced, yet indefinite stereo spread. I don't think this would actually be much of a negative for me personally.

I assume its self-noise isn't noticeable?

Thanks Tim, I just might have to try one of these out.

Good point, which is likely at least part of the reason for the indefinite stereo sound I read about. Though that might not be a crucial issue for my needs, personally.

This seems to be the Orbitsound product you're refering to: https://shop.orbitsound.com/en/soundbas...undtm-base

I wonder how the fidelity of this is. Since it's designed to be a soundbar for a TV, I would assume it wouldn't be up to the task of working in a live performance situation. I'm looking for a system that would best replicate the full sonic characteristics of a concert grand (ideally with even a little bit more power) -- in terms of fidelity and dynamic range, but also something that could at least come close to radiating sound in a semi-omnidirectional way that a real instrument does.

A good pair of PA speakers might ultimately be the most practical solution, or perhaps even some higher output studio monitors. Then the question would be stereo vs. mono (or even some sort of array).

An instrument like the Avant-Grand takes an interesting approach using an actual soundboard... but this wouldn't be at all practical to move around, plus I question its power compared to a Steinway D... and then there is the problem of it likely not playing well with non-piano sounds.

Agree completely that the real test is how it sounds in a performance environment.

When this version 3 of the CPS amp was announced last year, the Keyboard Corner Forum started a discussion thread. The first several pages were skeptical and dismissive posts, from folks who had not tested it, some citing technical reasons it could not work as claimed. That forum is full of performing musicians. Since the CPS amps began to be tested by musicians at gigs, there have been nearly 150 pages of posts, sharing practical experience. Many of these describe it as an improvement, not a compromise, compared to stereo PA, for live performance spaces. If you're at home or in a studio, and can sit in the sweet spot for stereo monitors, that certainly can be better. For transporting to and playing in varied performance spaces, with varied acoustical properties and sizes, the CPS really works well.

About this being a concept originating in the 1930's, isn't M-S recording technology the precedent, or was there a M-S sound reproduction system also patented then?

Bose L1 or L1 Compact.

I've heard good things about the L1 model 2, despite being Bose. The only negatives seem to be possibly not quite enough power to fully replicate a concert grand at full force, and also that the high end has a bit of a "brittle" quality. Considering the price, these slight issues might not be worth the expense.

Now this would likely be ideal: http://atcloudspeakers.co.uk/profession...scm150asl/

But it it's a bit more than the Bose.

So I got an SS3 (Spacestation) and I'm glad I did. For the price it's really an impressive amp, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the best in its class. However it's definitely not perfect.

The self noise isn't excessive, but it is certainly not silent. It uses class D amplifiers so no surprise. This wouldn't be an issue in many performance settings, but for classical performances in very quite rooms, it could be noticeable (not what most keyboardists would be using it for).

Its audio fidelity is quite good for a little amp, or even for a PA system about twice the price. But it's not going to compete with some good studio monitors. Of course it would be crazy to expect that. Its power and throw far exceed what studio monitors can do -- two separate animals.

On its own it does amazingly well, but a sub really helps. The SS3 doesn't have a smooth roll-off at 100Hz. Instead it just drops off the map. A good sub goes a long way in enhancing and tightening up the bottom two octaves of the piano.

The stereo effect is very interesting. For piano and other keyboard sounds I've found it perfect for my needs. But like I had assumed, it doesn't produce much of a left/right image. If you pan hard right or left, the sound changes, but to my ears has more of a near/far effect rather than left/right. Still, not an issue for my purposes.

So anyone looking for a home/studio sound solution for Pianoteq should obviously steer clear of the SS3, or any other keyboard amp. But for anyone doing live performance, it is definitely worth checking out. Overall I'm very happy with it. It worked very nicely in an unusual performance setting where  I was in a very large/wide room, up against a wall, with about 300 people seated 180 degrees around me. It produced nice even sound pretty much everywhere. Try that with a two speaker PA. Also, just guessing here based on what I've read, but I don't think the Bose units would have been able to put out quite enough power.