Topic by Valhalun

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Topic: Problem with "sticky" notes

Hello,
I have been trying out the free version of Pianoteq and I love it! I'm on the verge of buying but I've been having a problem with notes "sticking" as I play. For reference I am using a Casio PX-400R as a controller (plan on upgrading soon though) with Casio's midi drivers, ASIO4ALL, and running on Windows 7. The problem I'm having is that when I start playing notes, one or more of them stick and act as though the release never happened, even when using sustain. The weird part, however, is that pianoteq acts like I am also hitting that key along with every other key I hit. For example if C4 sticks then every note I hit afterwards C4 plays along with it as though sustained. I have played for long periods of time without this problem but it has worsened to being unplayable the last few days. I can not find any way to consistently replicate the problem as of yet either, seems to be pretty random. If the problem could be the Casio drivers or the keyboard itself (unlikely as it plays fine with its own sound) I don't really care that much as I plan on upgrading soon anyway. I'm just worried it might be some problem that will show up after I put in a considerable investment into getting this system to work. Thank you for any help.

Reply by kalessin

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Re: Problem with "sticky" notes

Maybe the controller drops the note-off events, or there is a problem with the connection. What does the MIDI-Log say? Would it be possible to switch to another interface (e.g., from USB to MIDI) for testing purposes?

Pianoteq 6 Standard (Steinway D&B, Grotrian, Petrof, Steingraeber, Bechstein, Blüthner, K2, YC5, U4, Kremsegg 1&2, Karsten, Electric, Hohner)

Reply by Valhalun

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Re: Problem with "sticky" notes

Here's an update on the problem. I was using an old printer cable to test with since thats the usb connection my keyboard uses so I thought that maybe that was the problem but after replacing with a brand new one, there is no change. I'm fairly new to using midi so I tested the midi information sent with a single key press (C5). And screenshot the midi results.
http://i.imgur.com/L1PYc2y.jpg
Not too familiar with midi but I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be seeing three different sets of on/off with just one key press right?

Last edited by Valhalun (10-11-2014 20:08)

Reply by GRB

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Re: Problem with "sticky" notes

Valhalun wrote:

Here's an update on the problem. I was using an old printer cable to test with since thats the usb connection my keyboard uses so I thought that maybe that was the problem but after replacing with a brand new one, there is no change. I'm fairly new to using midi so I tested the midi information sent with a single key press (C5). And screenshot the midi results.
http://i.imgur.com/L1PYc2y.jpg
Not too familiar with midi but I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be seeing three different sets of on/off with just one key press right?

It looks to me as though the controller is repeating itself.

If the key press begins at 38.918 and ends at 40.340, you have three events for the key down and then three for the key release (up).  Off is always a velocity of 64 which is 1/2 of 128 (maximum velocity).  Curiously you have two ons at 38.918 yet different velocities for assumably the same event.  At the off, you have two key releases followed by yet another on.  I feel the contact for the key is dirty or the digital output is totally scrambled.  My belief is that it's your keyboard.  Can you find someone with a different keyboard unit and see if the problem still exists?

Last edited by GRB (10-11-2014 21:00)
Pianoteq Pro 7.x - Kubuntu Linux 19.10 - Plasma Desktop - Hamburg Steinway

Reply by Valhalun

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Re: Problem with "sticky" notes

I'll see if I can get a friend to let me test with his board tonight or tomorrow. I'm not overly concerned with the problem being the keyboard as I plan on upgrading as soon as I have the money anyway its just annoying that I can't play how I would like.  I'm assuming the problem PROBABLY isn't dirty contacts as when I play the keyboard's sounds I don't have any significant problems but I think I'll try cleaning them anyway. If the problem is the output do you have any idea hoe I might be able to fix/work around that until I can upgrade?

Reply by mwinthrop

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Re: Problem with "sticky" notes

I looked up your keyboard and it appears to have a USB port and midi in/out ports.  This might be a long shot, but if you can borrow or purchase a midi to usb converter, you could plug your keyboard into the computer using the midi out port.  If you are lucky, maybe the behavior you are experiencing will be different (hopefully works correctly) using this port as compared to using the direct USB connection.  I quickly looked up midi to usb converters and found one example here:

http://www.amazon.com/MIDIMAN-MIDISPORT...B00006I5HD

There are other options for this kind of device you could look into, though, if it is helpful to know,  I have used the midisport interface successfully with different hardware than yours in the past.  Also note you probably have to install drivers into your Windows computer, which should be available with the device or on the internet.

Reply by GRB

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Re: Problem with "sticky" notes

Valhalun wrote:

I'll see if I can get a friend to let me test with his board tonight or tomorrow. I'm not overly concerned with the problem being the keyboard as I plan on upgrading as soon as I have the money anyway its just annoying that I can't play how I would like.  I'm assuming the problem PROBABLY isn't dirty contacts as when I play the keyboard's sounds I don't have any significant problems but I think I'll try cleaning them anyway. If the problem is the output do you have any idea hoe I might be able to fix/work around that until I can upgrade?

All I can say is your experience is why I'm waiting for a light-weight key-board like the Casio PX-150 with the Pianoteq voice built in.  I think the idea of trying the MIDI jacks in lieu of the USB is worth a try, but it seems that the CPU of the keyboard is sending out bogus signals, particularly if you change keyboards and the problem goes away.  If that doesn't work try the Pianoteq software on a different computer which may be converting the data it receives incorrectly.  Somehow I doubt it's a problem with the Pianoteq software, because if it was, many more people would be complaining.

Pianoteq Pro 7.x - Kubuntu Linux 19.10 - Plasma Desktop - Hamburg Steinway

Reply by Valhalun

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Re: Problem with "sticky" notes

Just a quick update, I'm 99% sure it's my keyboard since I have experienced the same problem with other programs now. Haven't been able to test with another board yet but it seems like it won't be necessary. Guess it's time to play the waiting game until I can upgrade. Thank everyone for all the help.