My first exploration was to try the RANDOMIZING suggested by Glenn.

Truth ?    I really didn't notice anything with Randomizng in effect.   I suppose that is as it should be.   

Now, I would like to try to get the 2 lower octaves with less BOOM using the note edit.

That will have to wait until tomorrow.

EDIT:   Well, here it is tomorrow. 

Here is my updated preset with lows modified in note edit.    I modified Note Resonance, Volume, and Strike Point.

http://www.forum-pianoteq.com/uploads.php?id=1427

And a demo:  http://www.forum-pianoteq.com/7215e6220...244a8b960a

Again, suggestions are always welcome.

Thanks, Don

Don

Here is my fxp file: http://www.forum-pianoteq.com/uploads.php?id=1425

Here is a demo file: http://www.forum-pianoteq.com/60f4af9e7...206f9cc91e

I am at a point where everything sounds pretty good but if I knew what to do, I would try to reduce the BOOM effect that I hear starting at key F1 (second F from left) and below.   They could be just a little less boomy.   Not sure how to describe it any other way. 

Any thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.

EDIT:  Well, I have just upgraded to the PRO version.   So, now all options are available.
This will be interesting. 

Don

The only slider I can double click in the standard version is the volume slider. From there I can even get to Detune and randomize...

Sorry, I've only use Pianoteq Pro since it was released - don't recall what limitations are on other versions.

Glenn

dondascher wrote:

How do you randomize on selected parameters ?

When I click on randomize, it randomizes everything in TUNING, VOICING, and DESIGN.

The only way I can see to accomplish what you describe would be to FREEZE the other parameters.   Is that how you do it ?

Double click on a slider - for example Impedance.  A pop-up menu will appear.

The simplest is to click on "random".  Each click makes that parameter more random (or variable from the original).  If you don't like it, then "reset".

Clicking on "?" brings up a help screen, "X" closes the window.

At the left side of the pop-up, is the name of the parameter you are working on.  Select either the left or right arrow to move on to the next parameter.

Glenn

The only slider I can double click in the standard version is the volume slider. From there I can even get to Detune and randomize...

From what I understand from my first tweaking a year or two ago, the Spectrum Profile adjusts the relative intensity (or whatever the technical term is) of each of the overtones.. The manual is a little vague, but it does show that 1 is the fundamental, and I assume that 2 is the first overtone and so on. You might check out that tutorial in the manual (section 12.5 in my copy). It says that the adjustments are relative to the fundamental, so if you boost the fundamental, the volume of the rest of the overtones will be reduced.

I think the manual could use a bit better explanation on this.

Glenn

How do you randomize on selected parameters ?

When I click on randomize, it randomizes everything in TUNING, VOICING, and DESIGN.

The only way I can see to accomplish what you describe would be to FREEZE the other parameters.   Is that how you do it ?

Double click on a slider - for example Impedance.  A pop-up menu will appear.

The simplest is to click on "random".  Each click makes that parameter more random (or variable from the original).  If you don't like it, then "reset".

Clicking on "?" brings up a help screen, "X" closes the window.

At the left side of the pop-up, is the name of the parameter you are working on.  Select either the left or right arrow to move on to the next parameter.

Glenn

As an afterthought, I am wondering if someone could give an explanation of what the Spectrum Profile controls or indicate where I might find out about it.   Thanks.

From what I understand from my first tweaking a year or two ago, the Spectrum Profile adjusts the relative intensity (or whatever the technical term is) of each of the overtones.. The manual is a little vague, but it does show that 1 is the fundamental, and I assume that 2 is the first overtone and so on. You might check out that tutorial in the manual (section 12.5 in my copy). It says that the adjustments are relative to the fundamental, so if you boost the fundamental, the volume of the rest of the overtones will be reduced.

Don (assuming that's your name):

Almost forgot; if your version of Pianoteq will allow it, try randomizing a few settings.  A real acoustic piano is not a perfect creation - things like hammer hardness will vary from note to note.  It can add to reality.

I use a single click randomize on Hammer Hardness (piano, mezzo, and forte), Unison Width, and Impedance.  Some users also randomize damper position and effect, but I prefer a well regulated action done by an expert technician. 

Glenn

How do you randomize on selected parameters ?

When I click on randomize, it randomizes everything in TUNING, VOICING, and DESIGN.

The only way I can see to accomplish what you describe would be to FREEZE the other parameters.   Is that how you do it ?

Almost forgot; if your version of Pianoteq will allow it, try randomizing a few settings.  A real acoustic piano is not a perfect creation - things like hammer hardness will vary from note to note.  It can add to reality.

I use a single click randomize on Hammer Hardness (piano, mezzo, and forte), Unison Width, and Impedance.  Some users also randomize damper position and effect, but I prefer a well regulated action done by an expert technician. 

Glenn

reduce the Impedance a bit, say to 0.80, and raise the Q factor to about 1.10.

Well, I did exactly that and I believe it did help.    Thanks to Glenn for taking the time to analyze my FXP and make that suggestion.

I like the middle range and even the upper range of keys at this point.   I do not think much more is needed in those areas.

The lower ranges sound a little boomy, yet.   It is evident that the sound is being produced by an electric device.   If I can reduce that a bit, I think I would have a very nice full sound up and down the keyboard.

I am thinking that the EQ would be where I should look for this.   However, I have read other ideas in this forum that suggest that the Spectrum profile is a better choice.

Again, any help is appreciated.

EDIT:  As an afterthought, I am wondering if someone could give an explanation of what the Spectrum Profile controls or indicate where I might find out about it.   Thanks.

EDIT: Also, I just discovered the PERF options.   The first thing I did was to increase the polyphony from 48 to 64 and then to 96 and then to auto (optimistic).   I have a real fast computer (quad cpu's) so I thought more is better.   I found that as I increased the polyphony the sound got somewhat brighter and louder, or so it seemed.  When I went to auto (optimistic) the sound settled back to closer to what I had with 48. 

Any thoughts on this ?

I think you've discovered one of the great things about Pianoteq. It can be different for everyone that uses it. The lack of coordinated effort in producing universal presets just means that finding the "best" sound is a very personal process.

. . . .

Hello Jerry,

I completely agree with your assessment about finding the "best" Pianoteq sound being a very personal process.  Unless personally asked, I do not post my fxps.  Why not?  Because they probably will sound weak, or muddy, or just "not right" when played under someone else's touch. 

A few years ago, I attended a NAMM show in Anaheim, California, USA wherein most of the world's greatest piano builders (as well as guitar and drum makers, orchestral instrument makers, synth vendors, etc.) presented their finest wares to NAMM members, a non-public event.  I definitely recall sitting at a 9' Bechstein, playing very quietly, and taking in the sound of this piano's subtle overtones, when .... KA-BLAMMM!!!! the Bechstein right next to me began being literally pounded (i.e., abused by deliberate banging)!   I do not recall what that person was playing, but suffice to say, my musical enjoyment was shattered by this person's noise.

The point of the above is this:  Even a real concert prepared Bechstein sounds (shall I say) different, depending on who is playing it.

Please note, I am not condemning anyone in this forum for their playing style -- far from it.  All I am doing is adding an anecdote to support your opening statement that finding the best sound is a personal process. [EDIT:  In retrospect, perhaps the raucous sound generated by the other player of the Bechstein WAS his "best" sound!!]

Cheers,

Joe

JerryKnight wrote:

From that sample, I think your preset accomplishes your goal. It's definitely a sound I'd expect to hear in a cocktail bar.

Well, like I said ... It is a start.    I hear too much "ringing" (resonance, I guess) but getting rid of that is not easy.   I have tried various things with little success.

Considering what you said about the lid, I will try to include that more often in my tweaking.

I want things to be more quiet when I am not actually playing something.   That constant ringing is annoying to me.

I reduce the Impedance a bit, say to 0.80, and raise the Q factor to about 1.10.  These are starting points and may help.

Softer hammers may also help - but I see you've already done a bit of that.

Glenn

From that sample, I think your preset accomplishes your goal. It's definitely a sound I'd expect to hear in a cocktail bar.

Well, like I said ... It is a start.    I hear too much "ringing" (resonance, I guess) but getting rid of that is not easy.   I have tried various things with little success.

Considering what you said about the lid, I will try to include that more often in my tweaking.

I want things to be more quiet when I am not actually playing something.   That constant ringing is annoying to me.

That said, I think that documenting the process (ie. I want this sound, so I changed this setting, etc.) can be very helpful for others. Those are the kinds of posts I enjoy reading. Guided experimentation is usually better than random fiddling. :-)

My own adventures in PT tweaking have always come full circle back to something very close to one of the presets. I'm a classical player, and the default C3 presets are fantastic for this style. I tweak the arrangement of mics and dynamic range to fit my speaker setup, but the piano model itself is very close to stock. I do play with the hammer hardnesses and the hammer noise to make it sound closer (ie. right in front of my hands) but that's about it.

EDIT: From that sample, I think your preset accomplishes your goal. It's definitely a sound I'd expect to hear in a cocktail bar.

EDIT #2: Forgot to add. One setting that I'm constantly changing is the lid position. I actually have one of the sliders on my Korg nanoKontrol set to lid position so that I can change it very easily. I've tried mapping a bunch of settings to all the other sliders, but I rarely end up changing them.

Here is the preset:   http://www.forum-pianoteq.com/uploads.php?id=1423

And a little demo: http://www.forum-pianoteq.com/c634cbd91...f8ecbe6fba

Don