For Mr Stompbox re: stereo keys

Stereo is for you and for those in the "aisle" between the speakers. In other words, stereo is not for many. It's certainly not for anyone on stage. Off to the side, you hear whichever of the two speakers you are closest to. If you are running a stereo rig and have any signal panned to the center, you have "dual mono", which means it sounds ok up the middle but more and more indistinct off to the sides. I'm not making this up. This is how stereo works over a large listening area, like at your show.

But a Leslie needs stereo, right? Wrong! A Hammond Organ thru a Leslie is heard clearly and uniquely in mono.

When you play with a band that uses this new system; where everyone plays in "single instrument" mode; you get what I call "a Cinemascope wide-screen spectacular" ensemble sound that will not fall apart as you get off-center, like any "stereo PA". Good bands produce a "CD quality" sonic banquet for their audiences in a live show. YOu must hear this to understand and appreciate.

So, playing in stereo will not be appreciated by your bandmates or much of the audience. And so, taking this a bit further, this begs the question: Are you playing for yourself only, or for everyone else? Are you just playing your instrument, or are you trying to make the tune as good as it can be? I think stereo is for the individual, and the living room (not at the gig). "Single source" is a fabulous concept. Especially with our system, "single source" means "everyone hears everything". Does this appeal to you, Mr Stompbox?

[This message was edited by Ken-at-Bose on Fri October 31 2003 at 06:40 AM.]

[This message was edited by Ken-at-Bose on Fri October 31 2003 at 06:42 AM.]

Replying to my own topic, what a dork

Anyway, stereo effects can be sent to the far outlde systems in a full Personalized Amplification System-equipped ensemble. Effects like stereo (ping pong) echo, reverb and the like. You don't want to do this for your keyboard (or any instrument) if you want the audience to hear the sound coming from where you are playing. If the whole band did this, you would totally negate the wide-screen spectacular. On the other hand, sends to a stereo reverb that is played on the far left and right systems has potential to take your band to the cathedral, or Grand Canyon. In general, any stereo effect will be heard by more of your listeners if it is separated to the extremeties of the play area. No one has done any of this yet, but bands are starting to experiment. We'll see what pops up.

>So, playing in stereo will not be appreciated by your bandmates or much of the audience.

Possibly, however anyone that has a modern keyboard knows that there is a significant problem with summed outputs on a lot of patches.

>And so, taking this a bit further, this begs the question: Are you playing for yourself only, or for everyone else?

I make it sound as good as it can be for myself first which then translates to a better performance for the audience.

>Are you just playing your instrument, or are you trying to make the tune as good as it can be? I think stereo is for the individual, and the living room (not at the gig).

As I said before, almost all modern keyboards have stereo effects in them, when they are summed mono, phase cancellations, phasing and other problems can be exhibited. In addition, ask anyone that has played through a stereo rig how their modern keyboard patches sounds through it vs. a mono system.


>Mono is a fabulous concept. Especially with our system, Mono means "everyone hears everything". Does this appeal to you, Mr Stompbox?

The "everyone hearing everything does appeal" to me.

I believe I understand the concept you are laying out to me. However, I have been playing professionally for many, many years. In addition, I have run through my share of mono vs. stereo systems and for me, I prefer a stero system despite having to carry 2 speakers. I feel it it worth having this for the improved sound that I get.

Yes, if I was playing my 1975 Rhodes or my mono DX7, I could get by with a mono system, but I haven't played a mono system by choice for many years now.

I agree with a large part of what this site is saying, but the truth is, for keyboard players, there's a lot to be said for a stereo rig.

Of course I just had a thought. Since the audience hears what I hear, then of course you need 2 of these if you routinely use stereo effects in your keyboard patches or guitar effects.

Now THEY will get to hear the fabulous sound of my stereo effects!

Greetings again, Mr. Stompbox

Yeah, I agree. Playing in stereo sounds fabulous, if you're in the center. Some keyboards sound so good over stereo phones, they make you want to never take the cans off. Your bandmates will love stereo and bathe in it if they're in the center. So will your audience, if they're in the center. This is the basic problem with stereo; you have to be in the center to make it work. So, for everyone to appreciate it, you would have to set your system at the far extremeties of the listening area for most people to appreciate it. (Our Cylindrical Radiator system has a much bigger sweet spot because of its slow rate of SPL decline, so it would be better). But then, you're not localizable. They won't be able to tell where your sound is coming from, unless they're in the center.

On the other hand, if you played in stereo and it everyone else basically heard your performance, even if it was not stereo, and if it really knocked you out, then you would simply play better and give them a better show. I can't argue with this. I mean, a really good-sounding instrument makes everyone play better. It draws you into it. The problem is that what you hear will not be what you are delivering to most other people. See what I mean?

IF you use "Stereo effects", and your band is fully-equipped with our system, you could pan the effects to the outermost systems. Then, your audience and bandmates could hear your sound come from where you are playing (this is a really important thing) and your effects (stereo delay, etc) would open up the spaciousness of your sound. Maybe. I don't think anyone has tried this yet, but it sort-of makes sense. You think?

I have been playing thru and listening to this system(for a long time) , where all the players are localizable from single-source systems on stages. You've got to hear this to appreciate it. It's not in your experience, not with amplified music anyway. It's really a treat.

One way for you to find out about this is get one (or two) and try it on our 90 day trial.

Best I can do right now. I hope this is a good answer for you.

Cheers