[sdiy] CP-70, was: piano reverb

[Ingo Debus]

Am Montag, 13.12.04 um 19:59 Uhr schrieb jhno:

> i forgot to mention another cp-70 trick. any piano can be converted 
> into a
> 'tack piano' by pressing thumbtacks into the tip of the hammers. this 
> sound
> is usually associated with old-school saloon-style country music. 
> however,
> if you apply tacks to the cp-70/80, and run the output through a lush
> phaser or chorus, you can get the most beautiful, shimmering,
> hammered-dulcimer sound. you can then  re-create much of brian eno's
> 'ambient 3: day of radience'.
>
> if you are jumpy about poking sharp pins into your hammers, note that 
> this
> is exactly what is done by piano technicians during the voicing 
> process. it
> makes the hammer more soft and pliable, giving a darker tone with more
> diffuse attack.
>

Quote from the CP-70B user's manual, page 11:
"Voicing
Do not attempt to use conventional means to voice the CP-70B's hammers 
(sanding, filing or inserting needles into the felt). These are not 
applicable since the CP-70B has specially designed hammers for long 
wear. The photograph illustrates the difference between the CP-70B's 
hammers (which are covered with a durable, synthetic buckskin-like 
material and have a hard rubber core) and the hammers on a conventional 
acoustic grand piano."

While we're at it, here's another quote, same page:
"The CP-70B disassembles into two compact, easy to carry pieces [...]"
;-)

>  i discovered that i can not tune a
> piano's way out of a paper bag, and had to have my technician bring it 
> back
> into equal temperament.
>
> he did it in about 15 minutes.

Wow. I need several hours. But I don't do it the conventional way. I'm 
using reference frequencies and a dual-trace scope. It's still tricky 
enough.

Ingo