I would suggest that you start with the Pianoteq velocity curve normal (a straight line from 0,0 to 127,127) and experiment with your hardware key touch settings to try to find one where the softest you can play with control is near the bottom of the range and where the loudest you would ever play just barely reaches 127. Remember that you’ll never get over 127, no matter how hard you hit — so you don’t want to “top out” too soon — and no adjustments in software can get you more resolution than you’re getting out of the hardware. (That is, if there are 120 useful MIDI velocity values between the softest you can play and the loudest you can play, software can cause you have fewer than 120 useful gradations, but it can’t give you more.) I can’t get the useful, controllable low end lower than around 25 (which could say more about my technique than anything else).

Having optimized that, leave it alone and make other adjustments in Pianoteq. If you want less “pedal resonance” you might try reducing the sympathetic resonance. You also might want to try different instruments. For example, I’ve found the Steingraeber to have a clearer, cleaner individual note attack than most of the pianos, which won’t blur even with heavy pedaling; while the Shigeru has lovely tone, but it goes muddy if I don’t keep a light foot. (The Bechstein is another one that goes muddy easily. The Steinway B isn’t the most expansive or impressive sound in the bunch, but it has a really good balance and doesn’t go overboard in any direction.)

I’m using a Roland HP702 as a MIDI controller with Pianoteq.

I’ve been experimenting with the Roland Key Touch setting, but I’m having trouble finding the best balance.

Lower Key Touch values make the notes sound clearer, but the pedal resonance becomes more noticeable. Higher values seem to reduce that, but the notes sound less clear to my ears.

For those who record MIDI with Roland digital pianos and Pianoteq, what Key Touch value do you normally use?

I’m especially wondering which setting gives you clear note definition (even when listening on a phone speaker) while also avoiding excessive pedal resonance or a muddy overall sound.

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences and the Key Touch values you use.