Back to the old problem only worse

[mabcomp]

I just bought the PA5X and I expect it to have initial problems and bugs just like the ones previous and it happens just the same with new windows versions.
However I am still plagued with terrible quality piano sounds like I had with the PA4. If I use the PaAs soundbar its ok but any independent speakers sound awful on the pianos. However even using the soundbar on the PA5 is not as good as on the PA4 by the way.

I am using Top Quality QSC K10.2 Speakers which should be just fine but no. On the PA4X Ive had Bose L1 Model 11 Yamaha 1K yamaha HS5, Behringers and so on but always the same problem. Its very frustrating because I constantly see and hear great sounding pianos on Youtube PA5X Demos and wonder how they are getting the good sound. The comments below never mention the speakers they are using. Surely within reason the pianos should sound good straight out of the box. Can somebody save me please , I don't want to keep hanging the soundbar on, it never feels safe to me anyway.

[D575]

Where to start?...

Without seeing and hearing your system with all the permutations regarding individual EQ's, Master EQ and FX etc on your Pa5X and any possible EQ setting you may be running on your QSC, then this can get quite bogged down in detail to sort out, what I can say is, I have a pair of QSC K10.2 with a single EV sub and this works very well but you do have to work hard getting thing sounding right, if you think you can use all the same setting for EQ etc you use on the PAAS sound bar or your studio monitors and your QSC PA speakers, then this is going to be highly unlikely, so the first thing to do is separate all settings for your live and studio sound...

This may require tweaking of individual sounds with two versions of the same sound/styles acording to you live set's and studio set's and this should be repeated for your Master MAXXAUDIO settings also (Live and Studio)

I would also check your QSC are both set the same regarding EQ settings and this would be best to start in a flat position for now as theses EQ settings really should only be adjusted for different locations acording to venue acoustic.

P.s.
Worth saying as a side note from your piano sound issues, knock off all you FX (reverb) on your dum kits for you live sound as this helps the over-all final sound.

[QuiRobinez]

to me it sounds like your master EQ settings are set up in the wrong way.

press the settings knob and then menu and then the Waves section, there you can find the master EQ settings and the default preset page for connecting speakers.

See page 587 and further in the pa5x user manual.

[mabcomp]

Thanks my good friends for your help and yes it does look like the long haul for me as I am linking with a QSC Touchmix 30 Pro also which is supposed to correct all the matching up problems. So ive got relatively new Tech all round, I just need a new brain to go with it. Ideally I need to know of other PA5 owners in Lincolnshire that I could talk to and maybe make a paid invite to them to come and help with the problem. A & C Hamilton are very helpful but for me going to Preston is like going to the moon and a drivers nightmare.

Thanks folks, all help and ideas gratefully received

[D575]

Sounds like you could do with some help. Unfortunately, you are too far away for me in Dorset. Otherwise, I would be more than happy to come and help, So... perhaps you could find someone locally? I would look around at local bands, venues (live sound engineer) or maybe local recording studio for someone with the right experience.

[thomasteele]

do you have a damper pedal as this helps as on a real piano

[mabcomp]

Where to start?...

Without seeing and hearing your system with all the permutations regarding individual EQ's, Master EQ and FX etc on your Pa5X and any possible EQ setting you may be running on your QSC, then this can get quite bogged down in detail to sort out, what I can say is, I have a pair of QSC K10.2 with a single EV sub and this works very well but you do have to work hard getting thing sounding right, if you think you can use all the same setting for EQ etc you use on the PAAS sound bar or your studio monitors and your QSC PA speakers, then this is going to be highly unlikely, so the first thing to do is separate all settings for your live and studio sound...

This may require tweaking of individual sounds with two versions of the same sound/styles according to you live set's and studio set's and this should be repeated for your Master MAXXAUDIO settings also (Live and Studio)

I would also check your QSC are both set the same regarding EQ settings and this would be best to start in a flat position for now as theses EQ settings really should only be adjusted for different locations according to venue acoustic.

P.s.
Worth saying as a side note from your piano sound issues, knock off all you FX (reverb) on your drum kits for you live sound as this helps the over-all final sound.

Can I ask what made you choose the EV Sub as opposed to QSC's sub. also is there a noticeable difference in the sound quality with the sub. I know you'll have better bass but does it make the pianos sound any better.

[mabcomp]

do you have a damper pedal as this helps as on a real piano

I do have one but have never really used them on the PA's

[D575]

Where to start?...

Without seeing and hearing your system with all the permutations regarding individual EQ's, Master EQ and FX etc on your Pa5X and any possible EQ setting you may be running on your QSC, then this can get quite bogged down in detail to sort out, what I can say is, I have a pair of QSC K10.2 with a single EV sub and this works very well but you do have to work hard getting thing sounding right, if you think you can use all the same setting for EQ etc you use on the PAAS sound bar or your studio monitors and your QSC PA speakers, then this is going to be highly unlikely, so the first thing to do is separate all settings for your live and studio sound...

This may require tweaking of individual sounds with two versions of the same sound/styles according to you live set's and studio set's and this should be repeated for your Master MAXXAUDIO settings also (Live and Studio)

I would also check your QSC are both set the same regarding EQ settings and this would be best to start in a flat position for now as theses EQ settings really should only be adjusted for different locations according to venue acoustic.

P.s.
Worth saying as a side note from your piano sound issues, knock off all you FX (reverb) on your drum kits for you live sound as this helps the over-all final sound.

Can I ask what made you choose the EV Sub as opposed to QSC's sub. also is there a noticeable difference in the sound quality with the sub. I know you'll have better bass but does it make the pianos sound any better.

No other reason than Size, the EV only just fit's in my car with all the other gear...

As for piano and piano only, then the K10.2 are OK, but..I would think the answer is dependant on many things, where you are playing, how loud, with others musicians, and how low down you are playing, generally in a band you are cutting through the mix and mid's are more important, but a Sub with smaller PA speaker like the QSC 10's will make light work if a full range of frequency is required, for a full range sound then Arrangers by there nature are like DJ's with there cd's, they really require a full range decent sound system, but if you are playing say in a restaurant at lower volumes, I would think it might be overkill, perhaps? difficult to say without understanding how and where you intend to play...

But in the end I would not use the QSC K10.2 without my sub as the main PA system, but on there own without a Sub in a band with a large PA they are great and compact as wedged L/R monitors...

[mabcomp]

Where to start?...

Without seeing and hearing your system with all the permutations regarding individual EQ's, Master EQ and FX etc on your Pa5X and any possible EQ setting you may be running on your QSC, then this can get quite bogged down in detail to sort out, what I can say is, I have a pair of QSC K10.2 with a single EV sub and this works very well but you do have to work hard getting thing sounding right, if you think you can use all the same setting for EQ etc you use on the PAAS sound bar or your studio monitors and your QSC PA speakers, then this is going to be highly unlikely, so the first thing to do is separate all settings for your live and studio sound...

This may require tweaking of individual sounds with two versions of the same sound/styles according to you live set's and studio set's and this should be repeated for your Master MAXXAUDIO settings also (Live and Studio)

I would also check your QSC are both set the same regarding EQ settings and this would be best to start in a flat position for now as theses EQ settings really should only be adjusted for different locations according to venue acoustic.

P.s.
Worth saying as a side note from your piano sound issues, knock off all you FX (reverb) on your drum kits for you live sound as this helps the over-all final sound.

Can I ask what made you choose the EV Sub as opposed to QSC's sub. also is there a noticeable difference in the sound quality with the sub. I know you'll have better bass but does it make the pianos sound any better.

No other reason than Size, the EV only just fit's in my car with all the other gear...

As for piano and piano only, then the K10.2 are OK, but..I would think the answer is dependant on many things, where you are playing, how loud, with others musicians, and how low down you are playing, generally in a band you are cutting through the mix and mid's are more important, but a Sub with smaller PA speaker like the QSC 10's will make light work if a full range of frequency is required, for a full range sound then Arrangers by there nature are like DJ's with there cd's, they really require a full range decent sound system, but if you are playing say in a restaurant at lower volumes, I would think it might be overkill, perhaps? difficult to say without understanding how and where you intend to play...

But in the end I would not use the QSC K10.2 without my sub as the main PA system, but on there own without a Sub in a band with a large PA they are great and compact as wedged L/R monitors...

Thank you and by the way The individual speakers are great for bass playing, real sound quality, pity its not happening on the pianos

[Rob Sherratt]

Hi mabcomp

Can you please try disconnecting all your audio cables, and listen using headphones? What is the sound quality like, using headphones? If your Pa5x sounds perfect through headphones, then the problem you are having with powered audio is likely to be caused by one of the following

balanced / imbalanced cable mismatch
ground loop
unbalanced cables / mains noise pickup

I can describe my setup in case it helps ...

use only pa equipment that accepts balanced inputs
use TRS balanced cables everywhere
cut and insulate the Shield at one end of every cable

All cables you buy off the shelf will have shield connected both ends. This is a manufacturing mistake. Shield should only ever be grounded at one end.

In the case of my Pa4x I use a pair of Yamaha HS5 powered monitors that accept balanced inputs. My TRS balanced cable goes direct from R output to the R HS5, and the other TRS balanced cable goes direct from the L output to the L HS5. Shield is cut at the HS5 end of both cables.

Why use balanced cables everywhere? Noise pickup is cancelled out.

[Keymn]

The pa5x has excellent EQ built in as we all know. Yes, I thought a QSC touch mix would solve all my problems. Sold my speakers and touchmix.
Getting a good EQ on the Pa5x could be tedious, but rewarding once accomplished. Then just Add a good quality analog (not digital) mixer. I use Soundcraft Notepad-12FX Mixer with Effects and USB. Very little adjusting on mixer, once Korg is setup. I just use mixer for remote gain control to my now Bose L1 pro 16.