Sound reinforcement
Which speakers or sound amplification should I choose?
There is a great deal that can be said about (added) amplification of a digital keyboard instrument. When it comes to added amplification, however, the most important question is: What would you like to use it for? Are you playing your keyboard or portable piano on your own in an auditorium filled with 500 people; do you play in a band and are you mainly looking to hear yourself better; would you like to get a bit more power from your starter keyboard; or are you planning to compose film music from home, using your PC? There are as many questions as there are answers.
Clavis Pianos’ catalogue includes three types of amplification. In terms of brands, we limit ourselves to Yamaha and Roland products. These three segments are the following:
- Studio monitors
If you're looking for amplification to use at home or in your home studio - Personal monitoring
If you're looking for an easy-to-transport, active monitor speaker. - Compact auditorium amplification
If you're looking for an easy-to-transport sound system for auditorium amplification
Can I use speakers for more than one purpose?
Within these three categories, a speaker's use is not necessarily limited to just one. A Roland keyboard amplifier, for instance, is ideal for home use with a microphone or electric guitar, but can be used just as well as a small monitor in a band, and it also holds up well if you’re playing before 10 to 20 people in a relatively small room. Similarly, there are plenty of musicians who use their Yamaha STAGEPAS sound system – which was mainly developed for use in small to medium-sized auditoriums – at home, simply because it has such a strong, solid sound. All in all, it's something to think about very carefully. As long as you don't ask too much of a speaker or sound set, some products can be used in a wide variety of ways.
Within these three categories, a speaker's use is not necessarily limited to just one. A Roland keyboard amplifier, for instance, is ideal for home use with a microphone or electric guitar, but can be used just as well as a small monitor in a band, and it also holds up well if you’re playing before 10 to 20 people in a relatively small room. Similarly, there are plenty of musicians who use their Yamaha STAGEPAS sound system – which was mainly developed for use in small to medium-sized auditoriums – at home, simply because it has such a strong, solid sound. All in all, it's something to think about very carefully. As long as you don't ask too much of a speaker or sound set, some products can be used in a wide variety of ways.
Can I use my 5.1 surround sound set with DTS and bass booster or my hyper design hi-fi set to add a little extra 'oomph' to my digital piano at home?
We generally advise people not to do this. Of course, with your amplifier and the right cable, you can give your Yamaha or Roland digital piano a little extra something, but it won’t take long before you notice that the sound is slightly distorted. The reason for this lies in the extremely high and low frequencies a digital piano can produce. When you listen to a CD or watch a DVD, they produce a fairly compact amount of sound, and the average hi-fi set is made so that it amplifies that compact range as well as possible. Using those kinds of sets to amplify the wide range of sounds created by digital pianos or keyboards, is actually improper use, and may therefore be detrimental to your speakers.
We generally advise people not to do this. Of course, with your amplifier and the right cable, you can give your Yamaha or Roland digital piano a little extra something, but it won’t take long before you notice that the sound is slightly distorted. The reason for this lies in the extremely high and low frequencies a digital piano can produce. When you listen to a CD or watch a DVD, they produce a fairly compact amount of sound, and the average hi-fi set is made so that it amplifies that compact range as well as possible. Using those kinds of sets to amplify the wide range of sounds created by digital pianos or keyboards, is actually improper use, and may therefore be detrimental to your speakers.
