Yamaha Keyboard Headphone Out

[JamesR]

Dear All,

 

We have a Yamaha Keyboard NP-V60 and also a more basic based one. Both have speakers and headphone out. I was wondering which is a better method of miking up/taking a line out? Would it be better to use the headphone output via a DI-Box or just to put a microphone on one of the speakers?

 

Also would it be possible to use a stereo jack to a twin mono jack (i.e. Stereo from headphones to stereo channel in my desk?) would that work or would it be too distorted?

 

KR

James

[Jivemaster]

Try each method and LISTEN. Guitars are often miked at the speaker because the amp and speaker contribute a LOT to the sound, Keys usually don't rely on the speaker for sound and tone so a cable out should be fine. Distortion will happen if the levels are too high, so be prepared to build a lead with some attenuation inside the connectors. As ever the solution to your question depends on the style of playing that you wish to amplify, and where you need to send it to.

[timsabre]

Most di boxes have a pad switch to reduce the level and connecting the headphone jack is the way to go. I would not even consider putting a mic on the speakers, you will lose all the bass response and pick up the pianist muttering to themselves.

[mackerr]

Also would it be possible to use a stereo jack to a twin mono jack (i.e. Stereo from headphones to stereo channel in my desk?) would that work or would it be too distorted?

 

KR

James

 

Not only possible, but necessary. The stereo headphone out jack has 2 different, same polarity, signals on tip and ring, a mono balanced jack will have 2 equal signals with opposite polarity on tip and ring. You want to take the 2 separate signals from the headphone jack and split them to 2 DIs to send them to the console.

 

Mac

[david.elsbury]

An unbalanced insert cable will do fine for the output cable. Use the TRS end in the headphone jack and the two TS leads in the two DI boxes

[handyandi]

You may find that plugging in the headphone output will mute the on-board speakers, so you may need a monitor speaker fed from your DI box signal or PA for the player to hear the piano.

[Bobbsy]

Listen...but with keyboards I've always found the Headphone out/DI box (or boxes for stereo) my preferred route. The things that make miking a guitar cabinet the better way to do it seem to work against a keyboard where clean is good.

[JamesR]

Hello All,

 

Thank you for all your replies. Its been helpful... I will invest in a insert cable and see how I get on. I may also look at a DI-box depending what the signal is like that the desk.

 

James

[GaryNattrass]

Have a look at the ART AV Direct box or the DUAL RDB as they may be a better solution and offer some level control too: http://artproaudio.c...duct/av_direct/

 

http://artproaudio.com/artcessories/di_boxes/product/dual_rdb/

[JamesR]

Cheers,

 

I will have a look at them... I imagine I will probably need something like that.

 

KR

James

[sam.spoons]

Orchid Electronics do a very good dual DI for £46 here. SOS reviewed them here and they compared favourably with the much more expensive Radial J48. Orchid also do line level transformer isolators (essential for getting a clean signal from a laptop into a PA desk) and many other useful tools. Very good prices and service.