Products
What is NighTONE?
NighTONE is a brand name for the super sound reduction system for the piano.
NighTONE has the upright version (NighTONE UP) and grand version (NighTONE GP).
The upright version only had the multi-layered felt. Now the touch adjustment unit is available. We can offer the intergrated system that combines the multi-layered felt and touch adjustment unit of NighTONE.
Sound Reduction Effects
The result is about 20dB to 30dB reduction. The meter shows the change from 80dB to 60dB range.
The Multi-Layered Felt enables the Super Sound Reduction
International Patent Application: One Case
NighTONE satisfies those who cannot be satisfied wiwth electronic sounds. The sound of piano cannot be experienced with a set of headphone. It is the fine feeling of resonance of the wooden case and also from the keys themselves.
The imaage of the model show that the bass section has three layers, and treble section has two layers. The middle section has two layers with differnt thickness. The bass section for the grand piano has four layers.
One hammer hits one piece of the felt; the independent felt reduces the sound; therefore, the sound is clear.
The image below shows one-sheet type typically used. A hammer hits the sheet of felt; It may hit two or more sets of strings. The sheet type of felt cannot produce clear sounds.
The advangtage of the Multi-Layered Felt.
（The disadvantage of One-Layered Felt）
The felt is carved out to the triangle shape at the bass section where strings are placed diagonally.
We gauaged the noise level using a sound meter. The result is about 20dB to 30dB reduction. The meter shows the change from 80dB to 60dB range.
Sound Level
| 90dB | Dog barking (5 meter), Noisy factory |
|---|---|
| 80dB | Inside of a car of subway or railway, piano playing |
| 70dB | Audio listening (one meter from speakers, night time), noise of downtown |
| 60dB | Quiet car (inside), regular conversation, NighTONE |
| 50dB | Quiet office, air conditioner running |
| 40dB | Urban area night time, inside of a library, residential area daytime. |
| 30dB | Suburb night time, whispering |
Touch Adjustment Unit
International Patent Application: One Case
For detailed explanation, please watch the video
--Japanese subtitles are being prepared.
---The independent mult-layered felt without the touch adjustment unit is a casual option to use NighTONE. If this is the case, the let-off distance between the hammer and the string is set to one milimeter plus the thickness of the felt. The distance ranges from 3 mm to 8 mm from the bass to treble section. A silent unit generally requires 6 mm to 8 mm distance. NighTONE, without the touch adjustment unit, would not change the touch substantially to affect your play. ---
NighTONE, as default, is equipped with the touch adjustment unit. The key touch is kept as the original. For advanced players and professional, we recommend the complete system of NighTONE. The touch adjustment unit automatically moves as the muffler rail is operated as stepping onto the muffler pedal. No additional operation will be necessary. For casual players, the independent multi-layered felt may be sufficient.
The ball-bearing unit specially made enables smooth movement of the touch adjustment unit.
In order to keep the let-off distnace, a specially designed ribbon is inserted between the let-off button and jacktail. The quality, thickness and hardness, has been tested over and over to have the right thickness, softness and durability.
No Bolts, No Screws, No Scratch
"Sustaining the value of accoustic piano" is the basic development concept of NighTONE. You do not have to worry about holes of bolts possibily made in the case of digital sound unit installation.
The independent multi-layered felt is a unit that replaces the existing felt does not requrie any hole--no bolts, no screws, no scratch. If your piano does not have a muffler rail, the rail needs to be attached to your piano with minimum damage to your piano.
Everything is "Custom Made"
If a model or maker of the piano is different, internal design and measuremnets are different. There are models that have two sections for upper and lower sounds; there are models that have three sections for bass, middle, and treble. Even identical models have different gaps between hammers. An analogue musical instrument is so sensitive that the independent multi-layered felt cannot be mass produced. It requires craftmanship to adjust exact positions and angles of the independent multi-layered felt.
