First check these 3 documents, you will find a lot of answers there:
You are interested by an Onde or a Pyramid, but don't feel comfortable since you never had the oppotunity to try one ?
(english)
So you think the Onde or the Pyramide is the right one for you, but are a little scared to purchase one since you never had the oppotunity to try one ? no problem! We grant a 30-Days Money-Back Guarantee on any item you buy at La Voix du Luthier. No hassles, no questions, just send it back to us and you will be refunded.
If you’re not completely satisfied, please contact us, and we’ll arrange a return service (only the sipping back will remains at your cost). You will receive all necessary information for the return shipment. Please ensure that all products are returned in their original packaging, with all components and accessories and without signs of use.
These conditions apply for our Money-Back Guarantee. Conditions for the legal right of revocation as well as our warranty service can be found in our Terms and Conditions.
(français)
Vous pensez donc que l’Onde ou la Pyramid est faite pour vous, mais vous avez un peu peur d’en acheter une car vous n’avez jamais eu l’occasion d’en essayer une … aucun problème! Sur tous les articles que vous achetez à La Voix du Luthier, nous vous accordons une garantie 30 jours satisfait ou remboursé – sans discussion.
Si vous n’êtes pas satisfait à 100% d’un article acheté à La Voix du Luthier, contactez-nous et nous lancerons le processus de retour pour vous (seuls les frais de transport pour le retour restent à votre charge). Nous vous fournirons toutes les informations nécessaires pour le renvoyer. Veuillez vous assurer que l’Onde ou la Pyramide nous soit retournée dans l’emballage d’origine, avec tous les accessoires fournis et sans traces d’utilisation.
Ces conditions s’appliquent à la garantie 30 jours satisfait ou remboursé. Les conditions concernant le droit de rétractation et de garantie figurent dans nos conditions générales de vente (CGV).
Would love the Pyramid D to come with same connection options like the Pyramid A?
As for the Onde, additional connections will be done through adapters for the Class D Pyramid: they will be provided with an included set of such adapter (single 6.35 Mono to 3.5 stereo for example for guitars or mono-synth, 2*6.35 mono to 3.5 stereo which is the case of a lot or synth, and of course 3.5 stereo to 3.5 stereo for most portable devices). We will try to think about other possible options but this mean additional connectors, switching mechanism, etc. and there are obvious cost/size issues behind, but if the Kiskstarter gets sufficiently high, we may be able to consider it.
Is it still possible to bus-power electronic devices ?
Yes. The Onde have battery and 2 USB ports. So the Onde can powering two USB powered devices.
How can I take an internal resonator and connect it to another diffuser ?
Driving (and providing) external exciters is something we can discuss about, but outside of this Kickstarter project. For example it sounds possible to provide a drawer with the amplifier and 2 exciters without the Onde’s body.
How user servicable is this hardware?
The main electronic part (amp) can quite easily be service and replaced (drawer for the Onde, separated from the resonating body for the Pyramid). Changing the exciters is more tricky, however we already did some remote replacement for one of the prototypes we sent abroad. In worst case we will replace the full body. In any case, don’t worry, there will be an after-sales service, and if anything happens, we will be their to help.
What are the dimensions and weight of the Onde and the Pyramid ?
The Onde: 72 cm high, 57 cm width, 8 cm depth, 2.6 kg weight. The Pyramid have two parts (the Top and the Base) – Top: 115 cm high, 46 cm width, 46 cm depth, 6.2 kg weight Base: 52 cm high, 46 cm width, 46 cm depth, 9 kg with the class-D amplifier and 18 kg with the class-A amplifier.
What are the differences between the Onde and the Pyramid ?
The Pyramid has a wider frequency spectrum range and is also a bit louder. The Onde has been designed to be easily portable and used in a variety of different situations (several positions for feet attachments, or directly attached to an instrument, or on specific stands, etc.), whereas the Pyramid has one single standing position, most likely sitting directly on the floor. Their sound colours are also slightly different (more oriented to the warmth of sound for the Pyramid, and with a slightly stronger focus on brightness for the Onde). The Onde is provided with a Class-D amplifier, the Pyramid is provided with either a Class-D or an amazing very high end pure Class-A amplifier (custom designed by Luc Bourachot).
Is the class-A amplifier also available separatly and / or as DIY ?
No because the electronic of this unique class-A amplifier is specifically designed for the Pyramid. There is also a specific casing (the base of the Pyramid). This casing is dedicated to the Pyramid.
What means "acoustic speaker" ?
The Onde and the Pyramid are two speakers without speaker cones. These are powered resonators where the sound directly emanates from 2 wooden soundboards, similar to guitar soundboard, designed and tuned by a master luthier (stringed instrument maker). These resonators, designed in collaboration with Haken Audio, give the sound of a luthier’s expertise in acoustics to any electronic musical instrument. Like a traditional acoustic instrument, the vibrations of the wood produce the sound.
How is the sound, compared to traditional speakers ?
The Onde and the Pyramid generate a 3D auditory space, just like a traditional acoustic instrument (as opposite to traditional speakers being very directive). They are not sonically « neutral », but it’s not meant to be: they offer a colored sound carefully tuned by the luthier. They offer a highly dynamic sound: all the transients, like the attack off sounds, mechanical noises, will have a much better rendering than on traditional speakers. They enhance any electronic signal, imparting a carefully balanced acoustical environment into the source, immersive like an acoustic instrument. They have two fine wooden soundboards with oppositional placement that are complementary sounding, further enhancing the 3D experience. Each soundboard has a separate volume control allowing to craft your own sound.
Use separate volume controls for each soundboard allows the user to balance the acoustical spectrum.
They are design to be able to transmit vibrations to your instrument, and offer a high number of possible mounting options to be attached to electronic instruments. This means that electronic musicians now eventually can feel the vibration of the sound they produce while playing… like any acoustic instrument player. Like acoustic instruments, they are deeply interacting with their environment, allowing to fully take advantage of the specific sound of a venue.
Is it mono or stereo ?
These acoustic speakers have stereo audio input. The left signal and the right signal are treated separately by the two soundboards. An Onde or a Pyramid give you a very immersive and spatialized 3D sound. It is be different from traditional stereo. So you don’t need 2 acoustic speakers for acoustic sounds. An acoustic guitar or a violin are not stereo. It’s the same for the Onde and the Pyramid. However, you can use 2 of them for more a traditional stereo sound.
Where these products are made ?
The Onde and the Pyramid are designed and made in France by our Luthier. Wood (the trees) come for Europe. The class-A amplifier is also designed and assembled in France.
Where does the sound comes from ?
The sound directly come from the vibration of the 2 soundboards. There are no speaker cone inside, only exciter transmitting the vibration to the wood. It is the same principle as for a guitar: the strings themselves make very little sound, but they are transmitting their vibration to the soundboard through the bridge, and what you hear is the soundboard. In our case the exciter is acting as the bridge and transmits the electric vibrations to the wood.
Can it sit on your lap, like a guitar ?
The body of the Onde (made of wood like a real acoustic guitar) makes the sound, so it’s better to play without touching the speaker. For the Onde we plan to provide 2 different sizes of wood boards to be able to put instruments on it : 72 * 6 cm (the small one) and 72*16 cm (the large one). This options will be available on the Kickstarter. For example, the size of a Yamaha Reface is almost 53 * 17 cm so it’s perfect.
With what instrument can it be used ?
Any electronic instrument, synthesizers, modular set-up, portable devices, iPhone/iPad, etc… and any electro-acoustic instrument such as guitar, violin, or any instrument having an analog audio out.
Can I use it to listen to any music ?
Of course, yes. The sound you will get will be slightly different from the one you are used to. It is mainly a matter of taste, but usually recognized that they magnify a light and clear mix, and will be less interesting for heavy and very compressed mix.
Is it fragile ?
Not more than a guitar. The more fragile is the front soundboard, once again exactly as for a guitar. So don’t do things you won’t do on a guitar and everything will be Ok. Also remember that the Onde is provided with a soft case (or with an optional wooden hard case) that will allow to easily carry them.
Does it need a stand ?
The Pyramid have two part: The top (the pyramid) and the base (with the class-A amplifier inside). It does not need anything else. About the Onde, you have plenty of possibilities. Two possible vertical standing: the Onde can stand on both of its flat sides thanks to the 2 provided tripod feet. Onde flat: the Onde can stand horizontal thanks to 3 provided wooden feet. Remember that nothing should touch the soundboard: it would harm the sound and possibly be noisy. Attached to a synth: strongly attached to you synth (we are providing a whole set of mounting options), it will transmit the sound vibration to your fingers. On stands with a synth (or anything else): one of the mounting options uses necks that you can easily attach to the tubes of an X-stand are nearly any traditional stand.