External sound cards

[knutmarius]

I have a Yamaha CLP-440 digital piano, and I am just starting to learn about how I can benefit from hooking my piano up to my computer via USB. I have to say I am really thrilled to realize all the possibilities you can get with the different kinds of software available. I have tested a demo of Pianoteq, in combination with Garageband. I also think about purchasing the Synthology Ivory II Italian Grand pack to get the best possible sound.

I started by purchasing a couple of monitors, to be able to get decent sound out of my computer. The guys at the local music shop recommended a couple of Adam A3X for my usage: https://www.adam-audio.com/en/pro-audio/products/a3x/description

Right now I have just connected these monitors into the headphone output of my Macbook Pro Retina 2013 model laptop, and I think the sound is quite decent. I am still figuring out the optimal positioning of the monitors, but right now they are just placed on top of the piano because I don't have a lot of space surrounding the piano. I am soon going to move into a new house, and hopefully I would be a bit more free in terms of placement of the monitors. Any good suggestions for this, by the way?

My main question is now whether you guys would recommend buying an external sound card in place of the built-in Macbook card. I do not know what kind of quality the built-in sound card has, but I imagine that it is not optimal for this purpose. Can someone describe to me what I would gain from buying a USB sound card? Is it primarily about the connectivity, or could I expect a noticeable difference in the actual sound quality with the monitors I have bought?

Can someone recommend a decent USB sound card that is not too expensive? I am thinking maybe in the price range of $150-250, if possible. Keep in mind that I am NOT a professional. I am doing this just to get the most enjoyment out of the instrument I have. Sound quality is definitely more important than having tons of different in-/output possibilities.

[timothy42b]

I use the M-Audio Fasttrack and it works okay, but I have a PC.

The soundcard on a Mac is supposed to be pretty good, you might not need anything better.

[hfmadopter]

To me the dream module to own is something like a  Peavey Musebox.  It can stand alone, use virtual software etc etc. There are others as well, this one was on the tip of my tongue though. I like arranging, sometimes with added instrumentation and do some composing, a tool like this may be a bit costly but its hardware and software driven and latency is supposed to be next to nothing which is not always the case with computers,and virtual software.

[chrisbutch]

Recent discussion on this subject on the Pianoteq users' forum https://www.forum-pianoteq.com/viewtopic.php?id=3201
I now have the Tascam US122 mentioned.

[schwartzer]

My friend uses his 5 years old laptop to play his P105 using Ivory's American Concert D samples.

Using the ASIO4ALL driver, he's able to play with 0.3ms latency with no dropouts or any weird noises. I'm sure your macbook has a better sound card.

Also, just from personal preference, the American Concert D or the  Ivory 2 German Concert D sound both better than the Italian grand, in my opinion. But overall I'd recommend the first one. It has 20 samples and it sounds amazing on his external speakers.

[hfmadopter]

My friend uses his 5 years old laptop to play his P105 using Ivory's American Concert D samples.

Using the ASIO4ALL driver, he's able to play with 0.3ms latency with no dropouts or any weird noises. I'm sure your macbook has a better sound card.

Also, just from personal preference, the American Concert D or the  Ivory 2 German Concert D sound both better than the Italian grand, in my opinion. But overall I'd recommend the first one. It has 20 samples and it sounds amazing on his external speakers.

Yes this is my understanding as well regarding the particular piano sounds you mention. In fact even the samples at the Ivory site to me say the same thing.

 If you don't mind, which external speakers is your friend using ? Is he including anything in his setup with deep bass response, like in the -30 hz range ( down into the 20's). I feel to recreate piano sounds accurately you need this range, where some others on the board may not agree, actually have not agreed. I would think it especially needed with a big model D Steinway sound.

Additionally, for the benefit of others on the forum ( I know that I would make it work), did you find the sound adequate from that P105 through the virtual piano and sound system of your friends ?

[schwartzer]

Yes, he uses a Sony SA-W2500 subwoofer with two Sony's SS-MFP1R speakers. I don't know the specs of either of these, but it creates a damn good sound. I have a Steinway A, and the Ivory's sound gets pretty close.

I don't quite get your last question. The sound is the same regardless of the MIDI controller you're using. However, I'm not a fan of Yamaha's Pure CF Sound Engine, neither I'm a fan of the GHS action, but since the CLP440 uses the GH3, it'd get pretty close to a real piano.

[hfmadopter]

Yes, he uses a Sony SA-W2500 subwoofer with two Sony's SS-MFP1R speakers. I don't know the specs of either of these, but it creates a damn good sound. I have a Steinway A, and the Ivory's sound gets pretty close.

I don't quite get your last question. The sound is the same regardless of the MIDI controller you're using. However, I'm not a fan of Yamaha's Pure CF Sound Engine, neither I'm a fan of the GHS action, but since the CLP440 uses the GH3, it'd get pretty close to a real piano.

Thank you, it's ok really these were "loaded " questions. I have to give a piano lesson now but can continue this later.

Edit:
To explain about the loaded question comment. Pianos sound down into the 20's hz range, so I figured if you were impressed with the sound your friends piano was delivering he must be registering deep bass tones through his external sound system. And the second question had more of a sure bet answer, it worked great ! As you say it doesn't matter much about the controller, midi out is midi out and the virtual piano is creating the sound not the keyboard..

[knutmarius]

Thanks for the feedback! I take it that there is no clear evidence that there will be a significant imporvement in sound quality if I replace my macbook soundcard with an external one, but I'll keep it in the back of my mind. Maybe I get the chance to borrow a sound card so I can test for myself. If someone is reading this that have experience with using Macbooks for virtual pianos, please feel free share your experience.