What a silent system is
A silent system is a retrofit kit installed inside an acoustic piano. When silent mode is on, a rail stops the hammers just before they reach the strings, so the piano makes almost no sound. Sensors under the keys and pedals read what you play, and a small sound module sends a sampled piano sound to your headphones.
You keep the real keyboard and the real touch. When silent mode is off, the piano plays normally, as an ordinary acoustic instrument. The AdSilent module also connects to a computer or tablet over USB or Bluetooth MIDI, which is handy for learning apps and recording.
Who it suits
- Apartments and terraced houses. Practise without worrying about the neighbours.
- Late or early practice. Play when the house is asleep, at any hour.
- Families. Children can do their daily practice while the rest of the house watches television or works from home.
- Players who love their piano. Keep the instrument you have rather than switching to a digital piano.
Prices, supplied and fitted
Upright piano
€2,800
Baby grand or grand piano
€3,500
Most uprights and grands can take a silent system, but every piano is different. I will look at yours, or ask you for a few photos and the make and model, and confirm it is suitable before anything is ordered.