Topic by niteshapte

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Topic: Adult Beginner - Suggestion for Pianoteq version

Hi.

I want to learn piano. When I was going through what types of pianos are available, I came across something new called Midi Keyboard and DAW. I liked the concept of a device playing multiple instruments. After doing some research on key types, I came to know that it's better to start with a weighted keyboard if possible. So, I got myself a Roland A88 - MK2.

I work on Linux, so for DAW I installed Ardour and LMMS. After some hits and trials and going through the videos on YouTube, I managed to figure out how to use different sound plugins called VST, SF2 and SFZ. However, the sound plugins are from Google Soundfonts which are free. Also, to avoid switching to Jack Audio server, I got myself Bitwig Studio. Now, when I play, piano sound from Google Soundfonts or Bitwig's own Grand Piano, is not that good compared to what I saw on YouTube videos for paid sound plugins like Pianoteq. I am not sure if it's really not sounding good or if it is not sounding good because I actually don't know how to play decently because I am just a beginner (right now doing hand movement practice - play C, D, E.... notes only).

You all are experts here. So, can you guys tell if it is really the free sound plugins which are not sounding good and if I should go for a paid plugin like Pianoteq. If yes, which version of Pianoteq will be good for beginner to intermediate level?


Thanks and Regards

Reply by dv

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Re: Adult Beginner - Suggestion for Pianoteq version

Pianoteq offers a demo for Linux (btw I use Linux almost exclusively too). Download that and try playing it yourself and see how do you like it. Most people here (including myself) at least like it, many like it a lot or love it.

Pianoteq has a nice "blues demo" MIDI file that I think make it shine, so try that too, so you are not limited to what you can play. I think you can turn Pianoteq volume to zero and make the DAW send that MIDI instructions to other instruments you have -- and make the comparisons.

I recommend that you check out also https://luciphercode.wixsite.com/sofia-mz which are the best free available pianos. They were developed under Linux too!

Best of luck in your musical journey.

Where do I find a list of all posts I upvoted? :(

Reply by niteshapte

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Re: Adult Beginner - Suggestion for Pianoteq version

dv wrote:

Pianoteq offers a demo for Linux (btw I use Linux almost exclusively too). Download that and try playing it yourself and see how do you like it. Most people here (including myself) at least like it, many like it a lot or love it.

Pianoteq has a nice "blues demo" MIDI file that I think make it shine, so try that too, so you are not limited to what you can play. I think you can turn Pianoteq volume to zero and make the DAW send that MIDI instructions to other instruments you have -- and make the comparisons.

I recommend that you check out also https://luciphercode.wixsite.com/sofia-mz which are the best free available pianos. They were developed under Linux too!

Best of luck in your musical journey.


Hi. I tried the demo version. It indeed really sounds way better than the open source and Bitwig's piano.

I tried Sofia_mz soundfonts as well on Bitwig. But most of the keys are disabled in all the soundfonts. Not sure what's the issue is.

But after hearing the sound of Pianoteq, I think I should go ahead with it. Just one thing. Is there any difference in the piano sounds in different versions of Pianoteq (Stage, Standard and Pro) or just the different number of sounds and additional instruments?


Thanks and Regards

Reply by dv

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Re: Adult Beginner - Suggestion for Pianoteq version

niteshapte wrote:

Just one thing. Is there any difference in the piano sounds in different versions of Pianoteq (Stage, Standard and Pro) or just the different number of sounds and additional instruments?

The only difference is the way in which you can CHANGE the sounds compared to the default. No other difference. In fact you can buy additional sound/instruments for Stage and make it have the same number of instruments as Standard, Pro or even Studio (even though that's not cost-effective, buying the higher versions give you additional instruments *and* additional features to change the sounds).

Also, the update policy is quite generous you can start with Stage (if you are still unsure) and update later at the difference you'd have paid if you purchaseded the upper version upfront. Heck if you do that when version (say) 9 comes out, they even waive the 8->9 upgrade fee (which is small anyway....)

Where do I find a list of all posts I upvoted? :(

Reply by dv

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Re: Adult Beginner - Suggestion for Pianoteq version

niteshapte wrote:

I tried Sofia_mz soundfonts as well on Bitwig. But most of the keys are disabled in all the soundfonts. Not sure what's the issue is.

That's not a problem with Sofia_mz's stuff. Try it in another player instead of bitwig (e.g. fluidsynth which despite the name is a sample player) or Linuxsampler which I believe is what Sofie herself uses.

Where do I find a list of all posts I upvoted? :(

Reply by jacko

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Re: Adult Beginner - Suggestion for Pianoteq version

some of the free stuff out there (e.g. Dore Mark's pianos, Sofia's) are very good

but for you, if you are trying to learn the instrument, and then midi implementation, and then how to implement a vst, you are making things hard for yourself

going with a commercial vst like pianoteq has a lot to recommend for it

i would also suggest, once you get a vst, just stick with that one, find a default setting you think sounds ok, and just stick with that. ignore forums and tutorial videos and spend your time practicing your instrument

Reply by niteshapte

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Re: Adult Beginner - Suggestion for Pianoteq version

dv wrote:
niteshapte wrote:

Just one thing. Is there any difference in the piano sounds in different versions of Pianoteq (Stage, Standard and Pro) or just the different number of sounds and additional instruments?

The only difference is the way in which you can CHANGE the sounds compared to the default. No other difference. In fact you can buy additional sound/instruments for Stage and make it have the same number of instruments as Standard, Pro or even Studio (even though that's not cost-effective, buying the higher versions give you additional instruments *and* additional features to change the sounds).

Also, the update policy is quite generous you can start with Stage (if you are still unsure) and update later at the difference you'd have paid if you purchaseded the upper version upfront. Heck if you do that when version (say) 9 comes out, they even waive the 8->9 upgrade fee (which is small anyway....)


Hmm... Make sense. Thank you very much for the detailed clarification. Really appreciate.

Reply by niteshapte

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Re: Adult Beginner - Suggestion for Pianoteq version

dv wrote:
niteshapte wrote:

I tried Sofia_mz soundfonts as well on Bitwig. But most of the keys are disabled in all the soundfonts. Not sure what's the issue is.

That's not a problem with Sofia_mz's stuff. Try it in another player instead of bitwig (e.g. fluidsynth which despite the name is a sample player) or Linuxsampler which I believe is what Sofie herself uses.

Yes, it worked. Thank you very much.

Reply by niteshapte

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Re: Adult Beginner - Suggestion for Pianoteq version

jacko wrote:

some of the free stuff out there (e.g. Dore Mark's pianos, Sofia's) are very good

but for you, if you are trying to learn the instrument, and then midi implementation, and then how to implement a vst, you are making things hard for yourself

going with a commercial vst like pianoteq has a lot to recommend for it

i would also suggest, once you get a vst, just stick with that one, find a default setting you think sounds ok, and just stick with that. ignore forums and tutorial videos and spend your time practicing your instrument


You are absolutely right. I bought Bitwig 2 months back. Its piano sound okay but still not satisfied. I am researching since last 15 days on paid plugins. And for these last 15 days, I have hardly practised. But I guess, I don't need to continue searching for plugin. Got good feedbacks on Pianoteq, and it runs on Linux, so now going to get STAGE version.

Thanks for your valuable advice.

Thanks and Regards