Topic by dklein

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  • dklein
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Topic: Why does the Yamaha YC5 on Stereo image quieter and more to the right?

Why does the Yamaha YC5 on Stereo image quieter and more to the right than all of the other acoustic pianos?  It appears to be an outlier in this. I now understand why setting up 'player' microphones in the center of the keyboard image to the right for grand pianos, as the piano lid reflects sound to the right, but this does not explain why the YC5 should sound this much different than the other grand pianos in the "Stereo" mode.  In "Stereo", the other pianos image centered and somewhat louder.

- David

Reply by jcfelice88keys

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Re: Why does the Yamaha YC5 on Stereo image quieter and more to the right?

I performed a cursory check of various Pianoteq pianos, regarding whether microphone level compensation was "on" or "off".  In this admittedly ad-hoc scan, the microphones' level compensation was OFF in the YC5, but was ON in most of the presets for Steinway D, B, Blüthner and K2 instruments.  In my informal survey, only one of the K2 presets ... and only one of the Steinway D presets had microphone level compensation turned "off".

This difference between YC5 and its brethren probably explains the differences in loudness you perceive. Check them out for yourself, if you have Standard or PRO versions.

Cheers,

Joe

Reply by dklein

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Re: Why does the Yamaha YC5 on Stereo image quieter and more to the right?

Thanks Joe, but I'm not sure that this is what is causing the issue.

When I set up similar microphone sets with the microphone level compensation "on", as you suggest, all is fine, and the YC5 has similar volume and similar imaging to the other pianos.  But when I switch the output to "Stereo" (which then only exhibits controls for 'Stereo Width" and "Sound Speed" as options, and these only obtainable by detaching the microphones window from Pianoteq prior to switching to Stereo output), the YC5 images to the right, as well as at lower volume.  Level compensation does not appear to apply any more.  These appear to be idiosyncratic difference in how the Stereo Imaging option works for the YC5 itself.

- David

Reply by jcfelice88keys

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Re: Why does the Yamaha YC5 on Stereo image quieter and more to the right?

dklein wrote:

Thanks Joe, but I'm not sure that this is what is causing the issue.

Hello Mr. Klein,

Sorry to hear that my response was not necessarily the cause of the issue.  When I read that a piano's volume is lower than expected, the first thing I think of is "loudness compensation" in the microphones.  Then, to find that most of the other pianos' loudness compensation is turned "on" -- but the YC5 sounds softer AND the loudness compensation is mostly turned "off", you can see why I replied in the manner that I did reply.

Cheers,

Joe