Modartt user forum - U4 Microphone placement

Re: U4 Microphone placement

null@example.com (Philippe Guillaume) — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 12:23:59 +0000

dklein wrote:

After some research, I learned that the buzziness is accentuated when the copper windings get loose from the steel core.

This is true.

That's the same kind of sound that I thought that I heard with reasonably firm key strikes on the Erard in the noted range, so I wondered if that characteristic was being emulated on this old modeled Erard.

This is indeed emulated via parameters that are not available in the UI, but I'm not sure it would remain faithful for completely loose copper, that might require a more detailed modelling.

Re: U4 Microphone placement

null@example.com (dklein) — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 09:33:42 +0000

Thanks for the explanation, Philippe. I remember that I had a piano teacher years ago with an old Apollo parlour grand with really buzzy bass notes. After some research, I learned that the buzziness is accentuated when the copper windings get loose from the steel core. That's the same kind of sound that I thought that I heard with reasonably firm key strikes on the Erard in the noted range, so I wondered if that characteristic was being emulated on this old modeled Erard.

Re: U4 Microphone placement

null@example.com (Philippe Guillaume) — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 06:53:43 +0000

Smilie wrote:

dklein wrote:
Just a question....
Is the 'buzziness' of the bass on the upright just a 'shorter bass string' function, or are we hearing a modeling of a copper-wrapped bass string that is delaminating and needs to be replaced?
Notes 36-24 (C1-F#1) are most notable with an mf-f keystrike.

Wow! That's an interesting question and will have to defer to Modartt to respond as I didn't touch the fundamental U4 Tall setting just the microphone placements !
As a thought, I would imagine that the modelling of materials is something that only Modartt have access to in their mathematical algorithm. It would certainly be exciting to be able to choose case, hammer, string materials and create some spectacular pianos... hint, hint !!!
[Along with an accurate mandolin rail - please for the pedals along with adjustable height]

The 'buzziness' is indeed due to copper-wrapped strings, and is more or less present in all pianos. It is mainly due to the longitudinal modes, which are more intensively excited via the longitudinal motion of the hammer when there is copper around the steel core.

Re: U4 Microphone placement

null@example.com (budo) — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 00:05:32 +0000

could a full preset get uploaded to FXP corner? it sounds great.

Re: U4 Microphone placement

null@example.com (Smilie) — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 20:12:25 +0000

dklein wrote:

Just a question....
Is the 'buzziness' of the bass on the upright just a 'shorter bass string' function, or are we hearing a modeling of a copper-wrapped bass string that is delaminating and needs to be replaced?
Notes 36-24 (C1-F#1) are most notable with an mf-f keystrike.

Wow! That's an interesting question and will have to defer to Modartt to respond as I didn't touch the fundamental U4 Tall setting just the microphone placements !

As a thought, I would imagine that the modelling of materials is something that only Modartt have access to in their mathematical algorithm. It would certainly be exciting to be able to choose case, hammer, string materials and create some spectacular pianos... hint, hint !!!

[Along with an accurate mandolin rail - please for the pedals along with adjustable height]

Re: U4 Microphone placement

null@example.com (Smilie) — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 20:01:09 +0000

dklein wrote:

Good job, Smilie!

Thank you dklein for your kind words !

hembreed wrote:

Good solid sound.

Thank you hembreed for your kind comment !

Re: U4 Microphone placement

null@example.com (dklein) — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 10:46:23 +0000

Just a question....Is the 'buzziness' of the bass on the upright just a 'shorter bass string' function, or are we hearing a modeling of a copper-wrapped bass string that is delaminating and needs to be replaced?

Notes 36-24 (C1-F#1) are most notable with an mf-f keystrike.

Re: U4 Microphone placement

null@example.com (hembreed) — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 06:28:25 +0000

Good solid sound. The little bit of reverb nails it.

Re: U4 Microphone placement

null@example.com (dklein) — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 04:30:10 +0000

Good job, Smilie! It's like a veil has been lifted off the U4 with that Player preset. Much more 'present' than the effect of the stock Player microphones. Interesting twist with your balancing technique.

U4 Microphone placement

null@example.com (Smilie) — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 13:40:45 +0000

By playing e' and f' and looking at the left-right balance in the exported audio file, it looks as though, sonically speaking, the middle of the U4 piano is about 0.761... By mirroring a pair of microphones around this point and adding a third to capture 'ambiance' the following fxpm was created:

U4 Tall (Stereo 001).mfxp

..and a short demo of what it sounds like with just a 'Dry Room' reverb applied (no other effect added).

U4 Tall (Stereo 001).mfxp DEMO