Glenn NK wrote:

I think that if one has a good understanding of the physics of the piano and how it makes sound, it isn't too hard, but that's not widely common knowledge.

Well, you have got that right ! 

And even though I know it will probably be very frustrating, I am strongly considering getting the PRO version just because I like the idea of being able to tweak every aspect of the sound I am producing.

Theoretically, there should be no need to ever purchase any other piano software.   With this (again, theoretically) we do not have to depend upon someone else to build us a piano sound.  We can just build our own.

I think the truth known, many of the users of Pianoteq are closet "techies" and they (like myself) just like to tinker with things like this.

I do, however, hope the novelty wears off eventually and I just play the piano with the sound I have created and stop tinkering with it for long periods of time.

Don

Some of us are techies (not sure where I fall) but there are some really very good musicians here - you just have met a few so far.  But I could easily name a dozen whom I'm in awe of and for whom I have great respect.

Glenn

I think that if one has a good understanding of the physics of the piano and how it makes sound, it isn't too hard, but that's not widely common knowledge.

Well, you have got that right ! 

And even though I know it will probably be very frustrating, I am strongly considering getting the PRO version just because I like the idea of being able to tweak every aspect of the sound I am producing.

Theoretically, there should be no need to ever purchase any other piano software.   With this (again, theoretically) we do not have to depend upon someone else to build us a piano sound.  We can just build our own.

I think the truth known, many of the users of Pianoteq are closet "techies" and they (like myself) just like to tinker with things like this.

I do, however, hope the novelty wears off eventually and I just play the piano with the sound I have created and stop tinkering with it for long periods of time.

Don

With all of the tools Pianoteq provides us for tweaking our own piano sound, I am wondering if there are any formal opportunities for really learning how to use them ?

Training Videos, On-line classes, etc ....

It would seem to be in the best interest of Pianoteq to educate a number of users to help promote their product.

Without training, the average user is left to moving sliders back and forth and listening to see what happens.   Then when you add in the possibility that the same slider motion may not produce the same result depending upon the position of other sliders, it gets pretty wild.

Don

Don:

You make a good point - for those of us that have been at it for a few years, our experience gets us by without any guide, but for beginners I think this is a serious shortcoming.

I can imagine someone that has used samples sitting there, moving all the sliders, or hitting "randomize" a few times and wondering what the "H" that sound is.  By moving a few sliders, I can produce a fairly reasonable acoustic bass sound - not piano-like at all.

Then they may say; "Pianoteq doesn't sound as good a samples".  Well of course not - it's been screwed up.

The default settings are what I consider a good starting point - and this is the point - I'm adjusting to make it sound good to my ears as it comes from my system.  Your ears and your system don't produce the same effect - at least not likely.

I noticed in your fxp that you softened the hammers and lengthened the strings - I do too, but some users do the reverse, so what's right?

Most of the sliders have a very good explanation, but the "Direct Sound Duration" helper can be confusing:  (after modifying unison frequency or shaping hammers, you may need to also modify direct sound duration.  Adjust it to your own taste.)

I think that if one has a good understanding of the physics of the piano and how it makes sound, it isn't too hard, but that's not widely common knowledge.

Glenn

Training Videos, On-line classes, etc ....

It would seem to be in the best interest of Pianoteq to educate a number of users to help promote their product.

Without training, the average user is left to moving sliders back and forth and listening to see what happens.   Then when you add in the possibility that the same slider motion may not produce the same result depending upon the position of other sliders, it gets pretty wild.

Don