Timpani?

Simultaneously with the above post, I e'd Modartt directly and received the following response, which I post for users' information:

"There is currently no plan to develop a timpani model, but I forward your request to the developers for their information."

If anyone else is interested in Modartt taking up this challenge, please reply to this post. If you don't, I'd be interested to know why.

Thanks all,

-Dave

I would be sceptical but after what they pulled off with pitched percussions (Marimba, Celeste, Vibraphone, Bells) I'd say why not. It's one of the most expressive and important section of the orchestra having undergone quite some changes from the past to the modern era. Having a nice Timpani set, maybe even a Baroque timpani set with different mallets and the possibility of modelling, simulating strikes on the membrane of the drum while it is still or moving, it would be quite an accomplishment which I don't think will pass unobserved if done well.

@Dave Spelvin

That they say they don't currently have plans to make a timpani model doesn't mean they won't make one. During 10 years in the forum I've seen so many unexpected happy surprises. Probably they are working on Pianoteq improvements or new models, brands and with the guitar and Organteq, have much to do right now. When it's quiet, it happens within Modartt. Just to wait. Therefore, I think they do it 

@dazric

…they might be hesitant about it after the mixed reception for the classical guitar!

My opinion, I don’t think so. But if that were the case, it's probably just a spur to work more with the guitar.

I think they are absolutely going to do it, timpani model.

Mixed reception?
I can’t play guitar much but because of the physically modelling it gives unlimited possibilities to change the sound and get the sound quality you’d like. Competition there is always, I love the guitar (have already 13 pieces in thread all in one place in recordings).
Sorry this was off the topic but had to say it.

All the best, everyone

Stig

Thanks, all, for replying. I do not know the classical guitar model. I know enough guitar to get what I need, so I may continue this the old-fashioned way: guitar and microphone. Apropos of very little, I got to meet Andres Segovia in the last year of his life when he gave masterclasses at the Manhattan School of Music. My boss was his road manager. We met in his hotel room, where he asked me, "Are you in the music?" I thought this odd formulation was a function of English being his second, third or fourth language. But my boss was sure he meant exactly what he said. Much older now, I see that one is in the music or not in the music. For those not in the music, they can dance to it, regard it as wallpaper, not even notice it make their film-going experience much better, and, of course, delight in the very best of hold music while waiting on the phone for the bank, insurance provider, airline, etc. As for those in the music, god help us.

But I digress. Thanks again for the positive feedback on timpani. Maybe we will all get to enjoy a surprise from Modartt in the next little while.

-DS

That's a wonderful story, Barbara. He remained a great artist until the end, but at 94, he had good days and bad, when his fingers refused to do what he asked of them. I'm glad you heard a good night.

Thanks for the tip, miiindbullets. Your suggestion will work for some, I hope. However, I'm a natural instruments guy, preferring that the listeners not be sure what they're hearing. This is why PianoTeq is perfect for me. Though modeled, no one can know that for sure in the context of a piece.

While your suggestion might be perfect for the person with the right synth tools, skill set and patience to come up with a more or less convincing timpani sound, I'm not that person because of my predilections. I don't recall ever spending more than 5 minutes dialing in a sound on a synth, and rarely even that long. I'm not particularly interested in this sort of engineering, preferring to spend my limited time making music with sounds that are closer to hand. Because of my temperament and lack of deep synth experience, I'm not especially good at it and it takes away from what little time I have to productively work on music.

[You see how subtly I apply the pressure to Modartt? Save me, Modartt! Save me.]

-DS