[pianotech] Piano too loud!

[William Monroe]

Gotta tell you, Matthew, I've not seen one system yet that can be turned
down to very low levels effectively - speaking to either QRS or Pianodisc.

However, first you really need to troubleshoot the system.  There are three
things NEED to be in order to be able to achieve the lowest piano volume
possible.  First: excellent regulation.  If the piano is not evenly and well
regulated, it will not be able to be turned down to very low levels
effectively.  So scrutinize the regulation and if it needs to be done, do
it.  This may not solve the problem, so don't promise the world, but it must
be done if you want any chance.

Second:  Voicing.  Can the piano be played soft enough with regular play to
allow conversation?  If no, then how would anyone expect it to be able to
with the player system.  So, if the dynamic range of the piano is shifted
too far to the loud end, you may want to discuss voicing options with the
client to bring the dynamic level down.  Once the voicing has been achieved
to satisfaction, then you'll move on to the system.

Third: system calibration.  Each player system (to my knowledge) is
calibrated after installation to set the power level on each solenoid to
achieve the softest pianissimo that piano/system is capable of.  If
regulation hadn't been done, the system will have been calibrated
incorrectly.  If you regulate the piano, you'll want to recalibrate as
well.  So call the player manufacturer and find out how to recalibrate the
system.  Then run through and calibrate the power levels of the system.  Now
check it.  Hopefully this solves the problem.

If the piano is still too loud, now, IMO is the time to begin looking at
sound abatement solutions.  Acoustic foam baffles inside the case/lid will
help.  A large rug underneath will help.  If it is a very hard floor, caster
cups with some cushion added to the bottom will help (check out Jurgen's
caster cups for this specific purpose (www.pianofortesupply.com).  Ideally
you'd be able to put acoustic foam under the piano too, but usually there's
too much player goo under there to allow for it, and the system gets so hot,
I'd rather not shove foam in there to insulate it and to prevent air from
circulating and helping cool the system.

Hope some of this helps.

William R. Monroe




On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 7:19 PM, Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks at att.net>wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have a client that has a Schimmel grand with a player disc system
> installed.  He is having an issue where he turns the volume all the way
> down, and the piano is still too loud.  He has business meetings, dinners,
> etc. where he uses the piano as background music.  And as he demonstrated
> while I was there, with the volume turned all the way down, it was difficult
> for him and I to carry on a conversation.  Let me also add that the
> acoustics in that room is horrible.
>
> Now, where the disc system is installed, there is already an undercover to
> conceal the components.  My thought would be to add a rug on the floor
> directly underneath the piano.  Then, I also had thought about using
> acoustical foam for the soundboard area.  That, coupled with closing the lid
> completely.
>
> Also, what would the effect of adjusting the let-off have in this
> situation?
>
> Have any of you been in a situation like this?  Or is it useless?
>
> Matthew
>
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