There have been multiple attempts to design a powered speaker for electronic instruments that makes the instrument sound like it’s “acoustic”, in that the sound is coming from a single point - where the instrument is located - and emanating in all directions from that point in the room, instead of coming out of PA speakers. It’s like the difference between hearing an unplugged acoustic guitar in a nice room, and the same guitar through a mic or pickup into a PA in the same room.
These two acoustic speakers - the Onde and the Pyramid - look pretty nice. They’re not as cheap as the low-end brand acoustic amps, but they’re also not as expensive as Acoustic Image or Henrikson amps either. At least not at the Kickstarter prices.
Octatrack/Digitakt/Digitone/etc through one of these could sound pretty cool. Especially in a room with a nice view and potted plants. Gotta have the potted plant.
I think its a cool idea, but it wont work (satisfying) with all types of sounds. I think in the right hands it will be very awesome. I doubt that it will enhance the average electronic musicican, only if they are avid key players.
There are videos featuring Buchla modular, Haken Continuum, etc. - not typical keyboard instruments. Cheap synths represented by Novation Mininova.
Scroll to the middle of the web page to see videos.
Keep in mind though that due to the nature of the Onde and Pyramid, no video can give us an accurate portrayal of how these speakers would sound in person, any more than a video of a Strad violin or a fine classical guitar can replace the experience of hearing the instrument in person, in the same room. As such, these speaker would be of most interest to people who like to play live, and of little to no interest to those who only work in the studio.
La Voix du Luthier has a new resonator “speaker”. It is called La Voile (the sail) and has two separate sound boards, and a battery powered amp, and optional pre-amp. They have simplified their design while still maintaining high sound quality, hence a lower price and a better price performance. They are utilizing “floating soundboards” in this design.
Would need to hear these, but i am expecting a precision in sound that would likely fit many applications. For instance as a guitar amp for a hollow body electric guitar. Or perhaps as a keyboard amp, for you digital piano, now with a real soundboard. Or perhaps in a stage performance to give a new presence with a synth, or modular. Looking forward to hearing these.
