Keyboard audio mixing resolution

[Jeff B]

With the introduction of new "flagship" keyboards, I have been disappointed and surprised by the failure of both Korg and Yamaha to upgrade file handling capabilities, and on-board audio mixing in particular, to at least a 96kHz/24-bit standard. I opted not to order a Korg Pa5x for this reason, and now, more than a year later, find that the Yamaha Genos2 is similarly limited to 16-bit audio resolution. Am I missing something here, does no one else care? Recognizing that, in live performance or for many file saving needs, 44.1kHz/16-bits is fine, and will remain so for years to come-- higher resolution capabilities are commonplace in other equipment, and confer real advantages (especially in mixing.)

To put my mind at ease, ending my hope/wait: is there a reason why a "professional" arranger keyboard with 24-bit signal handling may never exist? Perhaps I've already cited one significant issue, i.e.: no need in live performance. Thanks for any insight.

 

[happyrat1]

The guys who design these chips are usually 10 years out of date by the time of release.

Most of the chief engineers were trained in the 60's, 70's and 80's.

And the engineering is nowhere near the same moneymaker that an Intel chip designer earns.

Synths are built on analog oscillators or digital signal processors and A/D converters.

It looked great on paper 10 years ago but it's a long road to putting it in your living room.

 

[happyrat1]

And by the time you hear it on Youtube it's been resampled 15 times.

Can you actually hear a difference?

Most people really can't hear beyond 13 or 14 KHz to begin with and most people will probably hear it on crappy laptop speakers in the end with high distortion numbers and limited bandwidth.

Or do you just want to impress a beer soaked audience on the house sound system?

 

[Biggles]

I would suggest that there is little need for that degree of onboard recording in these Arrangers, WAV or MP3 being sufficient for most of their customers neeeds.

In one of my local Music Stores the vast and I mean nearly all buyers of the Genos are at or beyond retiring age, I certainly am and I have no need for such a degree of recording as you write about.

In a Pro environment the keyboard audio would go through the Mixing Desk operated by the Sound Tech and they would Record the session in whatever format and resolution was required.

Talking of Pro environments I have never seen a Korg Pa or Genos used in a concert environment, the local guys that do are limited in their audience ie retirement homes, ballroom dancing audio, or small clubs and pubs on a one man band basis.

Even a Semi Pro is likely to have their own Mixing Desk with its onboard Recording feature as per a Tascam Model 24.

There is always a Zoom H1n at c£60 that has line input and records 96k@24 Bit that you could connect up to your Arranger, if I had a need I would certainly go the standalone route.