Hohner Pianet T: preamp? DI box? or...?

[johnny.gagliano]

Hi,
i've just found a Pianet T by Hohner
( http://www.performing-musician.com/pm/f ... anetst.htm )
and i woud like to make it useful on a modern stage.
Do i need a preamp or, maybe, a DI?

This instrument can't have a sustain pedal. Do you think i could create a similar effect with a reverb pedal, or similar?

Thanks a lot!
Giangiacomo

p.s.: sorry for my bad english...

[analoglsd]

A few years ago the Pianet was an integral part of my live rig.
At the time, I used an MXR Micro-Amp as the pre-amp.
Sustain is controlled by how long you press down on the key(s).

[madtheory]

http://www.hollowsun.com/vintage/pianet/

[pinksoir]

What I do is run it through some nice effects and then into a tube amp. Alternatively you could run it through a tube preamp and then into the desk, but it does sound best through an amp, then mic'd.

Though it all depends on what you want it to sound like. Effects really make it come alive. As per the link you posted, imagine it as an electric guitar. I like to run mine through a Leslie sim (I use a danelectro Rocky Road, not the best but does the job) to get a nice Supertramp wurlitzer type tone. Or through an overdrive for anything from slightly bitey right up to gnarly harshness (It's nice to have one that you can blend the clean with the overdriven signal, I use a Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive for that). I even run it through a Big Muff to get super saturated, almost 8 bit type tones. It really sounds great with anything - phaser, flanger, chorus, delay, reverb...

As analoglsd said, it'll sustain pretty long if you hold down the keys, besides that there's nothing you can do really.

[johnny.gagliano]

Ok. Thanks a lot!

[Automatic Gainsay]

I have used the Pianet T live EXTENSIVELY. I LOVE IT.
For Preamp, and more, I use:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... 1000000000
or, when international travel is involved:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... mic-preamp

The Bellari is noisy as h**l, and introduces ridiculous odd sounds now and then, but it allows me to create a very midrange EP sound that I like, with tube saturation.

:::slaps madtheory in the face::::

[madtheory]

:::slaps madtheory in the face::::

So you like the pianet? You're wrong. (just kidding!!!!!!)

But seriously. The OP asked about sustain pedal. If he likes pedal as much as I do he'll want to throw the pianet out the window and stamp on it repeatedly 'til it's dead. I really like the sampled pianet, because it gets that sound, but with decent dynamics and a pedal. Like a real keyboard instrument (dodges AG's slap).

If the OP wants a "real" keyboard with sustain pedal, the Wurlitzer 200 does a very very similar thing (dodges AG's slap again).

[Automatic Gainsay]

:::slaps madtheory in the face::::

So you like the pianet? You're wrong. (just kidding!!!!!!)

But seriously. The OP asked about sustain pedal. If he likes pedal as much as I do he'll want to throw the pianet out the window and stamp on it repeatedly 'til it's dead. I really like the sampled pianet, because it gets that sound, but with decent dynamics and a pedal. Like a real keyboard instrument (dodges AG's slap).

If the OP wants a "real" keyboard with sustain pedal, the Wurlitzer 200 does a very very similar thing (dodges AG's slap again).

Ahhhh... I didn't know your Hollow Sun suggestion was in regard to the sustain pedal aspect!
Yeah, sustain. Seriously, though... this is a bit like saying "I really love the harpsichord but wish it had a sustain pedal." The pianet doesn't have sustain... and that's why you have to learn to play it without sustain. If you want the benefit of the experience and sound of the device, you have to take on some different playing skills to earn that benefit. If you're comfortable emulating it, you might just as well move away from hardware at all, as all fantastic instruments have some setback that can be overcome with software (at the expense of the sound and physical experience).

As for all of the slapping... I can't slap you, mad ol' fellow. You're right. I can preach about sacrifice, but there are times in fast chord changes where I desperately wish I had sustain to rely on!

As for the 200... psh. Transistors.

[madtheory]

Ahhhh... I didn't know your Hollow Sun suggestion was in regard to the sustain pedal aspect!

Ya sorry, I wasn't clear.

this is a bit like saying "I really love the harpsichord but wish it had a sustain pedal."

Which is very close to what I have often said- I love the sound, but...! LOL! The other problem I have with a harpsichord is the way the keys drop after it's plucked. Absolutely hideous compared to a piano. Spent two semesters doing harpsichord, playing baroque music, because I was dead late when the courses were being doled out. Hated it. So... I use a sampled harpsichord- the old Emu EIIIx one is great. While I'm at it- I can't stand the "action" on a Hammond either.

there are times in fast chord changes where I desperately wish I had sustain to rely on!

I'm too slow so I need the pedal...

As for the 200... psh. Transistors.

Screw you, 140 owner.

[Automatic Gainsay]

I will gladly sacrifice sustain for the way the pianet feels.

[madtheory]

That's cool. I hope we've helped the OP!

[johnny.gagliano]

Yes, you did! (and i had quite a good time reading you debate)

At the end of it all, i think i won't need any sustain pedal: you're right, i should learn how to play the instrument as it comes from the manufacturer, if i want to really "get in touch" with it.

Thank you so much! I'm loving this forum!

[Cruel Hoax]

I always liked an Akai MFC42 for the Pianet (which I actually have owned and used thus, thank you!) Set the Filters to lowpass, moderate resonance, with a fairly fast LFO rate, and engage the Phaser. If your signal is low-low, you can engage the Distortion. Otherwise, best to grab a compressor or two (pedal or software)

Also, don't neglect the possibility of sending your Pianet signal to a small amp ()Smokey or whatever) and holding it over the tines. Feedback galore! Stick some modulation in that feedback path (and some treble ducking) for awesome s**t you never expected.

-Hoax