Topic by ddascher

  • Avatar
  • ddascher
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 31-08-2012
  • Posts: 146

Topic: Going All In

In an effort to get the best sound I can with Pianoteq (and other software sounds) I have decided to go after a whle new level of equipment.


Scarlett 2i2 - Portable USB Audio Interface

Mackie 402-VLZ3 Compact Audio Mixer

(2) Electro-Voice ZXA1 Powered Speakers

Sennheiser HD 380 Pro Collapsible High-End Headphones  (These have been eliminated, see below)

If anyone sees anything which I might be disappointed with, feel free to inform.

Thanks

Last edited by ddascher (25-09-2012 18:56)

Reply by bebop603

  • Avatar
  • bebop603
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 15-05-2010
  • Posts: 38

Re: Going All In

ddascher wrote:

In an effort to get the best sound I can with Pianoteq (and other software sounds) I have decided to go after a whle new level of equipment.


Scarlett 2i2 - Portable USB Audio Interface

Mackie 402-VLZ3 Compact Audio Mixer

(2) Electro-Voice ZXA1 Powered Speakers

Sennheiser HD 380 Pro Collapsible High-End Headphones

If anyone sees anything which I might be disappointed with, feel free to inform.

Thanks


Personally I would go for the Sennheiser HD600 or Beyerdynamic DT 880 rather than a closed headphone like an HD380. Open headphones have an "airier" sound that matches well to the dynamics of a piano.

Here's a review of the HD380:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/566584/review-...iser-hd380

I haven't tried them myself, but they might be considered more "analytical" headphones for mixing etc.
rather than into audiophile territory like the HD600.

The HD380 are probably easier to drive than the HD600, but a Mackie mixer should be OK for the HD600.

Pianoteq 5, Dell Studio 14 (core i3 2.26 ghz), M-Audio Uno midi connector, Echo Indigo Djx (expresscard), Little Dot MK V Headphone Amp, Senn 580 Headphones, Kawai MP9000 digital piano

Reply by ddascher

  • Avatar
  • ddascher
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 31-08-2012
  • Posts: 146

Re: Going All In

Bebop:

Thank you for catching that.

I was not aware that these were closed.   I also would prefer open phones.

I made a quick check on the others you mentioned ....

The HD600 are too expensive for me.


I found these ...

beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Headphones (250 ohms)

that I could deal with.

I notice the 250 ohms as opposed to the 600 ohms on the other one you suggested.

Is that a problem ?

Any opinion on the the ones above ?


EDIT:

Well, I just researched these a little more and found that they really need a headphone amp.

So,  they are out.

I think I will cool it on headphones for the time being.

I already have Yamaha RH1OMS and they will be fine for the time being.

DONE

Last edited by ddascher (25-09-2012 18:55)

Reply by LTECpiano

  • Avatar
  • LTECpiano
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Columbia, SC
  • Registered: 05-05-2011
  • Posts: 697

Re: Going All In

ddascher wrote:

In an effort to get the best sound I can with Pianoteq (and other software sounds) I have decided to go after a whle new level of equipment.


Scarlett 2i2 - Portable USB Audio Interface

Mackie 402-VLZ3 Compact Audio Mixer

(2) Electro-Voice ZXA1 Powered Speakers

Sennheiser HD 380 Pro Collapsible High-End Headphones  (These have been eliminated, see below)

If anyone sees anything which I might be disappointed with, feel free to inform.

Thanks


Hello ddascher . . I have taken advantage of the five output channels in the "recording" window of Pianoteq.  I have an old M-Audio 410 but it has enough "outs" so that I can keep those five PTQ channels separated . . never mixed  ( unless I use my trusty BeyerDynamic 880s ).  You will find some new but very low cost class T (D) digital switching audio amplifiers at:    www.parts-express.com  They are unbelievably quite . . run cool . .  and are physically tiny by comparison to "cabinet log amplifiers".  Buy two or three of the stereo amps . .  that would give you four or six independent channels.  Then get four or six medium priced speakers . . nothing that special.  KEEP everything separated.  I try to forget thinking about "stereo" . .   pianos are not stereo .   they are MULTI-MUlti-Multi-mulit channel.  Try the speakers around you on the floor . . put some under the bench . . put some to your side facing up on the floor . . but keep them close to the piano.  I know the Scarlet 2i2 costs less than the 6i8.  However you would not have needed the fancy powered dual speakers and the Mackie mixer.

I also will ask you a question intended to get you thinking about the "stereo Piano" sound a lot of other folks get hung up on:  If you play a low bass note . .  which in itself will generate a wide frequency spectrum including a plethora of upper harmonics . . do you want the sound to come out of the "left" speaker or the "right" speaker?

Have fun with Pianoteq . .  Lanny

LTECpiano's Website

Reply by bebop603

  • Avatar
  • bebop603
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 15-05-2010
  • Posts: 38

Re: Going All In

ddascher wrote:

Bebop:

Thank you for catching that.

I was not aware that these were closed.   I also would prefer open phones.

I made a quick check on the others you mentioned ....

The HD600 are too expensive for me.


I found these ...

beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium Headphones (250 ohms)

that I could deal with.

I notice the 250 ohms as opposed to the 600 ohms on the other one you suggested.

Is that a problem ?

Any opinion on the the ones above ?


EDIT:

Well, I just researched these a little more and found that they really need a headphone amp.

So,  they are out.

I think I will cool it on headphones for the time being.

I already have Yamaha RH1OMS and they will be fine for the time being.

DONE

The Sennheiser HD580 are virtually identical to the HD600 (same driver) and you can find them used on EBAY <=$200 like:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SENNHEISER-HD58...27cb493baa

I'm happy with the Senn HD580 for pianoteq.  Mine are well amped, but you might want to check if the Mackie mixer could drive them or the Beyerdynamics (which are also excellent). The big Mackie Mixers apparently do well with the HD600.

Pianoteq 5, Dell Studio 14 (core i3 2.26 ghz), M-Audio Uno midi connector, Echo Indigo Djx (expresscard), Little Dot MK V Headphone Amp, Senn 580 Headphones, Kawai MP9000 digital piano

Reply by ddascher

  • Avatar
  • ddascher
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 31-08-2012
  • Posts: 146

Re: Going All In

Lanny:

I appreciate the detailed response and insight into a better sound from Pianoteq.

However, that level of sophistication / complication is outside of my wheelhouse.

If I am not satisfied with this hardware update, then it might be time for something along the lines of what you suggest.

Thanks

Don

Reply by LTECpiano

  • Avatar
  • LTECpiano
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Columbia, SC
  • Registered: 05-05-2011
  • Posts: 697

Re: Going All In

ddascher wrote:

Lanny:

I appreciate the detailed response and insight into a better sound from Pianoteq.

However, that level of sophistication / complication is outside of my wheelhouse.

If I am not satisfied with this hardware update, then it might be time for something along the lines of what you suggest.

Thanks

Don


Hi Don . .   that is funny . . wheelhouse . .  I will use that many times because so many things are out of my wheelhouse!

Lanny
South Carolina

LTECpiano's Website

Reply by ddascher

  • Avatar
  • ddascher
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 31-08-2012
  • Posts: 146

Re: Going All In

LTECpiano wrote:
ddascher wrote:

Lanny:

I appreciate the detailed response and insight into a better sound from Pianoteq.

However, that level of sophistication / complication is outside of my wheelhouse.

If I am not satisfied with this hardware update, then it might be time for something along the lines of what you suggest.

Thanks

Don


Hi Don . .   that is funny . . wheelhouse . .  I will use that many times because so many things are out of my wheelhouse!

Lanny
South Carolina


I guess I have watched too many baseball games on television.   LOL ...

That is a common expression with baseball announcers.

Reply by ddascher

  • Avatar
  • ddascher
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 31-08-2012
  • Posts: 146

Re: Going All In

I thought I would update the results of all of this in case someone else is trying to make decisions about this stuff.

I found the Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface to be worthwhile over my Behringer UCA202. Things are more clear and quiet between notes.

The Mackie mixer is not appreciably better than the Behringer 502 but I am keeping it because it might be just a tiny bit cleaner sound mixer and everyone tells me it is better.

The (2) Electro-Voice ZXA1 Powered Speakers were certainly advertised as much better than my Yamaha Powered Monitors but I did not find that to be the case. They transmitted a softer sound but I did not find that to be desirable for piano playing ... lost some of the bite in the sound. So those went back.

I decided against the Phones because they turned out to be closed and I do not believe I want closed phones.

I finally settled on ... Sennheiser HD555 Professional Headphones with Sound Channeling

Thanks to all for the help with this.

Don




_______________________