Modartt user forum - Developers: Now that Pianoteq has competition, what's next?

Re: Developers: Now that Pianoteq has competition, what's next?

null@example.com (glittle) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:30:04 +0000

More than anything, I'd like to see more complexity and "interest" in the piano tone. There is still a synthetic quality here and there. I don't necessarily mean "copy the tone of piano X more accurately" but given my brief playing of the Roland V-piano, I did notice there was a little more fogginess or woodiness or something in the sound. The pianoteq is in some ways more like the V-piano "pristine" or "silver" or whatever that was.

If there were some knobs or controls or switches to introduce various kinds of "wood" and organic qualities into the tone, even if pianoteq-specific, this would further the software toward becoming even more a true musical instrument. Actually, I don't even necessarily need much control over it. But I would like there to be more of a natural imperfection in the *tone* (please, not in the *tuning*!) And I don't mean note-to-note, but within the note. If that makes sense.

-glenn

Re: Developers: Now that Pianoteq has competition, what's next?

null@example.com (Ciel Rose) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:06:59 +0000

I agree that physical modelling is comming to the light, after some years. With the V-Piano companies have seen that commercially there is a market for this technology since we are all getting tired of terabytes of sampled libraries that still sound static and stiff, and unplayable.
My sugestion, if i can be this bold, is pianoteq launching a hardware standalone. It seems ridiculous, but i think most of us would spen easily 750 euros for this great pianos on the road without laptops.
If pianoteq did this, it would conquer a corner that still today no company can really prevail: realistic live pianos.
And let's see, it's not that complicated: Linux based software; fast solid disk (small one and cheap) or even usb pen! ; 1gb of dd3; balanced outputs.
I would RUN to the shop!...

Developers: Now that Pianoteq has competition, what's next?

null@example.com (moshuajusic) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:43:45 +0000

It's only a matter of time before Roland either offers V-Piano's technology as software or offers it in a more affordable package. I also expect other companies to catch up soon. So what's down the road for Pianoteq?

My meager suggestions (actually, I INSIST on these!):

Update the C and M pianos to give them the same dynamic/tonal range as the Rock pianos.

Allow users to adjust the velocity response on a per-note basis, or at least like a curve similar to the current global velocity response curve, but stretching across 88 keys. As it stands, we can only adjust how hard or soft ALL keys react. But as I've pointed out before, there can be unrealistic discrepancies between registers on some digital pianos. The 2 velocity response curves can easily coexist, and is essential to being able to adapt ANY digital piano's own action and MIDI data for the most playability in Pianoteq.

My advanced suggestions:

MIDI velocity is not enough. Yamaha is sort of on the right track with their GH3 action that has 2 sensors per key for faster repeats. But in order to really capture the nuance of an acoustic piano, the keys need to send 2 pieces of data: velocity, and position. You can get different tones at the same volume depending on where in the key's travel you start from and how deeply you press the key. Of course, there's really no point to offering these differences until DP manufacturers offer actions that can send this kind of data. Though it can't hurt to get a leg-up! Or perhaps even join forces with a DP manufacturer to implement it.

So, aside from my 2 urgent suggestions which are MUSTS as far as I'm concerned and should be implemented ASAP , what do you guys have planned?