Modartt user forum - Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (Luc Henrion) — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 09:31:04 +0000

Probably a problem of impedance matching. Just a guess.

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 09:30:19 +0000

lovelovemale wrote:

Also I have to turn up the Studio Monitors to level 8-9 to have a good volume, around 3-4 almost no sound comes out :S

Headphone output is NOT line level, which is what speakers expect. This is why you need to bump up the volume so much. With an audio interface, you won't need to.

Again, headphone output can drive (obviously) headphones, and some smaller computer speaker sets (like those 2.1 systems), but NOT professional studio monitors like those JBLs. You're doing yourself a disservice by not using a proper audio interface.

And yes, good audio interfaces usually don't have a problem with latency - it's what they're actually used for, to bring down the latency even more.

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (lovelovemale) — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 08:37:13 +0000

I understand, thanks!
But Pianoteq sounds actually pretty amazing playing live on a Sennheiser HD 202 Headphone or a cheap 2.1 Speaker system ($30).
How come it sound so good live with cheap speakers and headphones and so bad with the studio monitors?
Also I have to turn up the Studio Monitors to level 8-9 to have a good volume, around 3-4 almost no sound comes out :S
Thanks!

Luc Henrion wrote:

This is just the difference with "live" music (= Pianoteq) and "recorded" music = mastered, EQ'ed, comp'ed, heavily processed to make it sound good on any system, even a very poor one.

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (Luc Henrion) — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 08:30:44 +0000

This is just the difference with "live" music (= Pianoteq) and "recorded" music = mastered, EQ'ed, comp'ed, heavily processed to make it sound good on any system, even a very poor one.

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (lovelovemale) — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 04:35:12 +0000

thanks, it's not a velocity problem. That works actually very very nice on the VPC1.
Struggling with the speakers. Youtube also sounds bad on them, however MP3s dont. Pianoteq is just a disaster soundwise... but the playability is great. But whats great play with bad sound :S :S
I'll try to see if an interface will solve my problem ... Thanks!

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (scherbakov.al) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 23:15:13 +0000

For the VPC1 do not forget to use the VPCEditor ( http://www.kawaivpc.com/en/downloads/ ), where you need to select the "Pianoteq" speed curve. And in Pianoteq itself, do not forget to include the Note-OFF curve. And check in Pianoteq whether you use the full range of dynamics when playing. From PP to FFF. On the green stripes on the left below. If the records you sound good, and the synthesized game is not very, then maybe this will help you a little.
2.7ms is very fine)

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (lovelovemale) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 21:21:29 +0000

Ok I'm gonna try them with an interface then. Just so weird that regular MP3s work :S

Also I hope my latency doesn't get worse with an actual interface. I assume 2.7ms is pretty good for the real piano playing feel.

Thank you for your help so far!

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (Analyst) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 18:57:17 +0000

lovelovemale wrote:

So you’re also using an audio interface and not the MacBook output jack directly right?
Which audio interface?
Can anybody comment if I should get the Scarlett or the Steinberg?
Thx!!

I'm just using a cheap PreSonus interface and it's worked great for me.

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (EvilDragon) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 18:48:45 +0000

Either of those two audio interfaces should do just fine.

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (lovelovemale) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 18:35:57 +0000

So you’re also using an audio interface and not the MacBook output jack directly right?
Which audio interface?

Can anybody comment if I should get the Scarlett or the Steinberg?

Thx!!

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (Analyst) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 18:24:57 +0000

lovelovemale wrote:

How? You just have connected it to your Macbook output?
Why does my sound is so crappy? totally robotic, not rich, just sounds so bad
Analyst wrote:
EvilDragon wrote:
Yes, using a headphone output with such speakers can result in things you're hearing. Headphone output is NOT a proper line level output that JBLs inputs expect. Use a proper audio interface!
^This^
I use these exact monitors and they sound incredible with Pianoteq!

I'm using balanced trs cables out from the usb audio interface.

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (lovelovemale) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 17:13:59 +0000

How? You just have connected it to your Macbook output?
Why does my sound is so crappy? totally robotic, not rich, just sounds so bad

Analyst wrote:

EvilDragon wrote:
Yes, using a headphone output with such speakers can result in things you're hearing. Headphone output is NOT a proper line level output that JBLs inputs expect. Use a proper audio interface!
^This^
I use these exact monitors and they sound incredible with Pianoteq!

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (Analyst) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 17:06:25 +0000

EvilDragon wrote:

Yes, using a headphone output with such speakers can result in things you're hearing. Headphone output is NOT a proper line level output that JBLs inputs expect. Use a proper audio interface!

^This^

I use these exact monitors and they sound incredible with Pianoteq!

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (lovelovemale) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 15:57:15 +0000

Thanks for your replies! I “guessed” that it could be that! Only I don’t understand why I can play my mp3s which sound incredible on the JBLs?! Can somebody explain to me why those sound amazing and the piano libraries don’t?

Lastly, I’m debating between a Scarlett solo or a Steinberg UR22. Which one are you recommending? My only purpose is that my studio monitors come to life for playing piano, I never want to record or connect external instruments!
Also will any of those audio interfaces increase my latency? Right now my MacBook is managing without pops and clicks a solid 2.9 ms and about 3.5ms in Kontakt!

Thanks again so much!

Re: Studio Monitors sound horrible with Pianoteq

null@example.com (Jake Johnson) — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 14:38:35 +0000

I'll third that. An external interface is needed. And it's best to get a good, modern one that registers 24\96 or better.