sound reduction

[John M. Formsma]

The volume is down as far as it will go, and it's still too loud. This
Disklavier is at least a decade old, I'd guess. I haven't accumulated much
knowledge about Disklaviers so far, as most of my customers have the
traditional piano.

The regulation is decent on this piano. It could certainly be voiced down,
and I will try that next to see what effect it might have. I think most of
the problem comes from the hard surfaces in the house.

JF

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Greg Newell
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 10:06 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: sound reduction

John,
         The accoustic foam is easily replaced by 
4" upolstry foam cut with an electric carving 
knife. My question is why you need it in the 
first place? The newer Disklaviers are quite able 
to play very softly provided a decent regulation 
and voicing on the piano in question.

best,
Greg


At 12:27 PM 9/6/2006, you wrote:
>List,
>
>I’m needing to further reduce the volume of a 
>Yam G1 with a Disklavier. I’ve installed a top 
>foam pad and bottom acoustic foam baffles from 
>Edwards String Covers. The sound reduction has 
>been quite noticeable, but is not enough. The 
>owners want to be able to have the piano play 
>without drowning out dinner conversation in an 
>adjacent room. The piano is in a largish room 
>with hardwood floors throughout the house. The 
>room is central to the house and is open to the 
>second floor. Not much for absorbing any sound 
>in this location, but that’s what I’m working with.
>
>What I’m considering doing is adding more 
>acoustic foam to the bottom of the piano as that 
>seemed to be where most of the sound comes from, 
>or at least it’s more noticeable by reflecting 
>off the floor. There is room for another 4 
>inches of foam under the soundboard, and I 
>suppose I could stuff it full as necessary and 
>cover it with a Dampp Chaser undercover if that 
>would work. ???  The owners are not ready to put 
>a rug under the piano, but might consider that 
>if nothing else will work. I saw something 
>online (International Piano Supply, I think) 
>about neoprene caster cups. How much would that help, if any?
>
>I don’t have any previous experience with 
>acoustic foam and am learning as I go. Anyone 
>have experience with this kind of situation?  Any advice will be
appreciated.
>
>Is there a better place to purchase the acoustic 
>foam other than Edwards? The pre-cut pieces are 
>$110 wholesale, but it seems just as easy (and 
>much cheaper) to cut a piece that will fit into 
>the various sections divided by the beams. I’ve 
>looked online at a few places, and have found 
>sheets of foam for various prices according to 
>the sound reduction. Any good suppliers you know of?
>
>Thanks for any help.
>
>John Formsma
>Blue Mountain, MS
>PTG Associate
>Memphis Chapter
>

Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Forté
mailto:gnewell at ameritech.net
www.gregspianoforte.com