From tomasjones@mac.com Tue Jun 12 09:10:01 2001
Subject:Re: OT: Piano modules

on 6/11/01 4:11 PM, Dave Chesavage at ches@qualcomm.com wrote:

> Now that I've got my Hammond world in a happy state (V5/145), anyone got
> any recommendations on piano modules? I listened to the Kurzweil PC2R
> through headphones this weekend, and it seems OK, but I'm starting to come
> to the conclusion that the only real way to evaluate these things is to gig
> with one. And I don't know of a way to do that without buying one. (I
> thought the Korg SG-Rack sounded OK too until I started gigging with it...)
> The reviews on Harmony-Central were only a little helpful.

You are correct sir! The only way to truly know is to gig with it. That
which sounds great in the headphones will usually sound like crap on stage.
(There must be a derivitave of Murphy's Law here). I have used a Kurzweil
Piano Module, and it works fine; not supreme or great, but fine. Having EQ
helps. I carry a Rane twin 15 band EQ; one for organ, the other for piano.
The EQ and your ampflication make a big difference.

As to the person who will only play a grand piano - nice work, if you can
get it. I would like to be a crank like that, but economics will not allow
for it. I have to cover too many other sounds, although organ is 80% of my
work. That is worse than only playing a B3. That said, I have a Bob
Schleicher chopped B, and haul it most everywhere. Carry a V5 and an A30
f0r the other times. I hauled a Helpinsteel folding upright piano for years.
Not a grand, but pretty darn good. Too heavy though.

Cheers, Tomas Jones