Topic: Vladimir Horowitz's Piano
Long shot, but does any one know what settings I can tweak to make my Steinway D sound kinda like Horowitz's piano? The main characteristic of his piano would be the roaring bass that other Steinways didn't have
- joannchr
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Re: Vladimir Horowitz's Piano
Jonesbm6 wrote:
Long shot, but does any one know what settings I can tweak to make my Steinway D sound kinda like Horowitz's piano? The main characteristic of his piano would be the roaring bass that other Steinways didn't have
This is an interesting request , given the specifics of his tone , a bit nasal , with the lightest action in the industry during his time , I was told downweight on his piano was 41g way below the standard 52-55 g of standard Steinways . Many considered his piano , very difficult to control , but somehow he played incredibly well with it. Cannot advise you specifically on the settings , but in all case you will have to use a specific velocity curve ( possibly the slow keyboard in pianoteq) coupled with modified settings to approach it . Maybe an idea for presets in future versions , based on pianists who used special tuning and changed also action on their pianos . Martha Argerich adopt as well very personal settings / tuning for her Steinway.
- dv
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Re: Vladimir Horowitz's Piano
bani223 wrote:
Roaring bass sounds like you want more volume for just a certain range. I would work on the NY Steinway D volume note edit window. Of course there are probably other challenges here such as mic setup, reverb, and so on, including the more subtle changes.
I am not sure what the OP meant, but to me roaring is very different from higher volume. It's rather much more brilliant tone, which in my opinion most PTQ presets lack in the bass, and simply increasing the hammer hardness won't work, in that it "fixes" the bass, but "breaks" the midrange and treble (see my previous posts about that). So yes, note-by-note edit is necessary, but only with Pro for the hammer hardness.
Last edited by dv (13-05-2023 02:42)
Where do I find a list of all posts I upvoted? :(
- bani223
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Re: Vladimir Horowitz's Piano
I'd love to see what you're working on. Maybe you could share it, e.g. with notes, that way we could see more about what you're trying for? Also, what's your source recording? I noticed that if I look at the mic setup being used in a beautiful recording, then adjust the global volume and dynamics, toggle off the limiter, it gets me off to a good start.
MOTU M2 using native ASIO driver, Windows 11, weird tweaks needed to make it work, but seems fine now.
I have posted several times about tweaking Pianoteq
I have posted several times about tweaking Pianoteq
- bani223
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Re: Vladimir Horowitz's Piano
I am not sure what the OP meant, but to me roaring is very different from higher volume. It's rather much more brilliant tone, which in my opinion most PTQ presets lack in the bass, and simply increasing the hammer hardness won't work, in that it "fixes" the bass, but "breaks" the midrange and treble (see my previous posts about that). So yes, note-by-note edit is necessary, but only with Pro for the hammer hardness.
ah you might be right. Rereading, my original answer was a bit obvious.
Nice to meet another pianoteq tweaker, regardless. Hi
MOTU M2 using native ASIO driver, Windows 11, weird tweaks needed to make it work, but seems fine now.
I have posted several times about tweaking Pianoteq
I have posted several times about tweaking Pianoteq
- dv
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Re: Vladimir Horowitz's Piano
bani223 wrote:
I'd love to see what you're working on. Maybe you could share it, e.g. with notes, that way we could see more about what you're trying for? Also, what's your source recording? I noticed that if I look at the mic setup being used in a beautiful recording, then adjust the global volume and dynamics, toggle off the limiter, it gets me off to a good start.
ah you might be right. Rereading, my original answer was a bit obvious.
Nice to meet another pianoteq tweaker, regardless. Hi
Hi,
At the moment my keyboard does not work, so I'm spending more time on the internet rather than playing. As soon as I get it repaired and catch up with my practice, I plan to do those tweaks I mention and I will share them.
Nice to meet you too!
Where do I find a list of all posts I upvoted? :(
- Mark959
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Re: Vladimir Horowitz's Piano
dv wrote:
bani223 wrote:I'd love to see what you're working on. Maybe you could share it, e.g. with notes, that way we could see more about what you're trying for? Also, what's your source recording? I noticed that if I look at the mic setup being used in a beautiful recording, then adjust the global volume and dynamics, toggle off the limiter, it gets me off to a good start.
ah you might be right. Rereading, my original answer was a bit obvious.
Nice to meet another pianoteq tweaker, regardless. HiHi,
At the moment my keyboard does not work, so I'm spending more time on the internet rather than playing. As soon as I get it repaired and catch up with my practice, I plan to do those tweaks I mention and I will share them.
Nice to meet you too!
I've read that Horowitz's NY Steinway had a reduced blow-distance, to lighten the touch/effort required to play, but was compensated by much brighter/harder hammers to allow an effortless fortissimo - especially bearing in mind his unique flat-fingered touch.
My Pianoteq tweaking skills are, however, still at the novice level, so I'll refrain from guessing how you'd achieve that setup!
I recently learned Scriabin's D# minor etude - with Horowitz being the obvious source of interpretational inspiration.
Maybe I should record it on PT8 at some point............
Edit: I'm gonna give it a thrash right now actually........
Last edited by Mark959 (13-05-2023 18:12)
- Mark959
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Re: Vladimir Horowitz's Piano
Mark959 wrote:
dv wrote:bani223 wrote:I'd love to see what you're working on. Maybe you could share it, e.g. with notes, that way we could see more about what you're trying for? Also, what's your source recording? I noticed that if I look at the mic setup being used in a beautiful recording, then adjust the global volume and dynamics, toggle off the limiter, it gets me off to a good start.
ah you might be right. Rereading, my original answer was a bit obvious.
Nice to meet another pianoteq tweaker, regardless. HiHi,
At the moment my keyboard does not work, so I'm spending more time on the internet rather than playing. As soon as I get it repaired and catch up with my practice, I plan to do those tweaks I mention and I will share them.
Nice to meet you too!
I've read that Horowitz's NY Steinway had a reduced blow-distance, to lighten the touch/effort required to play, but was compensated by much brighter/harder hammers to allow an effortless fortissimo - especially bearing in mind his unique flat-fingered touch.
My Pianoteq tweaking skills are, however, still at the novice level, so I'll refrain from guessing how you'd achieve that setup!
I recently learned Scriabin's D# minor etude - with Horowitz being the obvious source of interpretational inspiration.
Maybe I should record it on PT8 at some point............Edit: I'm gonna give it a thrash right now actually........
If you want to laugh your ass off listening to my hilarious fail at both tweaking the NY Steinway and attempting the Scriabin, having neglected to practise, then copy the link!!
soundcloud.com/mark-warren-974005928/scriabin-ny-pt8-tweaking
Last edited by Mark959 (13-05-2023 19:12)