Topic by jocar37

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Topic: Keyboard shortcuts?

I've been exploring the presets of the different Pianoteq instruments I own.  It's a lot of fun, but the Preset Manager is a bit cludgy.  It seems to require a lot of mouse manipulation to go from one instrument to another and then one preset to another.  It occurred to me how much easier and faster it would be if there were computer keyboard shortcuts using things like the CTRL and Shift keys or the F1-F10 keys (Windows).  I feel I could navigate around the Manager a lot more efficiently with something like that.  I also imagine there are other functions that could be easier to manipulate with other such keyboard shortcuts. 
But I really am only scratching the surface of what PIanoteq can do.  Do those kinds of shortcuts exist and I just don't know about them?

Reply by thiesdewaard

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Re: Keyboard shortcuts?

jocar37 wrote:

I feel I could navigate around the Manager a lot more efficiently with something like that.

In the preset manager you already can navigate both lists (presets and instruments) with the up and down arrow keys. It would be useful if the left and right arrow keys would allow us to switch between those two lists. (Instead these two arrow keys now take us one note back or forth in the sample midi file, I just found out!).

Reply by Groove On

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Re: Keyboard shortcuts?

jocar37 wrote:

But I really am only scratching the surface of what PIanoteq can do.  Do those kinds of shortcuts exist and I just don't know about them?

Here are the basics:

(N / P) - Next/Previous PRESET
(cmd+N / cmd+P) - Next/Previous INSTRUMENT MODEL
(L) - Open/Close preset manager

Notes:
- you can filter instruments in the preset manager, but I'm not sure if there's are key commands to select the filters/banks, so I mouse the filters/banks.
- there is a MIDI learn function directly in the Preset Manager
- or you can create MIDI mappings for specific presets in Preference > MIDI

Last edited by Groove On (20-04-2021 11:47)

Reply by YvesTh

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Re: Keyboard shortcuts?

The interface and the management of instruments and presets is for me the only little flaw of pianoteq. A real full screen interface (rectangular and not square) would allow to gain a lot of space to integrate a visual management of the favorite presets much more convivial. Clicking on the nice brand picture would be more pleasant than in a list. The "instrument packs  available" list in "options" dialogue is good but there is no links in pictures to load presets...

Reply by jocar37

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Re: Keyboard shortcuts?

thiesdewaard wrote:
jocar37 wrote:

I feel I could navigate around the Manager a lot more efficiently with something like that.

In the preset manager you already can navigate both lists (presets and instruments) with the up and down arrow keys. It would be useful if the left and right arrow keys would allow us to switch between those two lists. (Instead these two arrow keys now take us one note back or forth in the sample midi file, I just found out!).

I am aware of the arrow functions.  In fact, that is part of what I find cumbersome. You have to go line by freaking line.  But moreover, at least as I understand it, you also have to move the cursor between the preset and instrument lists.  There is no arrow function or other key stroke technique even just to switch between the preset and instrument columns. I find moving the cursor around imprecise, inefficient and so time consuming. And even if the right and left arrows allowed you to shift between instruments and presets as you suggest, you still have to arrow up and down line by line to get where you want to go.

Imagine this instead:  In the preset manager, there is one column of numbers next to the preset name and another column of numbers next to the instrument names.  CTRL plus a number flips you to the number of the instrument.  Shift plus a number takes you right to that preset in the instrument you chose.  You could go from one preset in one instrument to another preset in another instrument with precise key strokes, not imprecise mouse moves.

Reply by jocar37

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Re: Keyboard shortcuts?

Groove On wrote:
jocar37 wrote:

But I really am only scratching the surface of what PIanoteq can do.  Do those kinds of shortcuts exist and I just don't know about them?

Here are the basics:

(N / P) - Next/Previous PRESET
(cmd+N / cmd+P) - Next/Previous INSTRUMENT MODEL
(L) - Open/Close preset manager

Notes:
- you can filter instruments in the preset manager, but I'm not sure if there's are key commands to select the filters/banks, so I mouse the filters/banks.
- there is a MIDI learn function directly in the Preset Manager
- or you can create MIDI mappings for specific presets in Preference > MIDI

The "N/P" function still forces you to move one line at a time.  Why should we have to do that?

I don't understand your point about the midi filter, the midi learn function, or midi mappings.  How would these things allow me to navigate the instruments and presets?  Sorry for the dumb questions, but as I said, I'm just scratching the surface on this stuff.

Reply by jocar37

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Re: Keyboard shortcuts?

There's another aspect of preset navigation that demonstrates how unnecessarily limited instrument and preset navigation is.  While you can arrow up and down either the instrument or preset panels, as has been noted, not only is there no way to key stroke your way between them, but there is also no way I have found to key stroke from the manger window to Pianoteq's main window.  More unnecessary mouse manipulation.

Don't get me wrong, folks. I love playing with Pianoteq.  But it's my impression that all their R&D goes into adding new instruments and presets.  I may be wrong, but I don't think much has been spent on the actual interface for a while.  I would like to see some more efficient navigation tools added.

Reply by jocar37

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Re: Keyboard shortcuts?

Here's another navigation feature I think could be useful.  Say there's a handful of Instrument Presets from different instruments you want to play with.  Is it possible to create a folder and copy those presets, or shortcuts to those instruments, in that folder?  That way you just open the folder and pick which one you want first, instead of clicking and scrolling amongst various presets from various instruments.

Reply by Qexl

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Re: Keyboard shortcuts?

jocar37 wrote:

Is it possible to create a folder and copy those presets, or shortcuts to those instruments, in that folder?  That way you just open the folder and pick which one you want first, instead of clicking and scrolling amongst various presets from various instruments.

This is the way.

Gigging folders for example, just step through presets in sequence with a single click. Argue with the band if they go off track and skip songs in the set list

MIDI learn (in MIDI settings pane) can just allow you to set dpiano keys/knobs/sliders to step through the instruments/presets, instead of qwerty keyboard shortcuts.

Pianoteq cannot know what use-case you're intending, but it does allow a lot of ways to manage things in userland.

jocar37 wrote:

there is also no way I have found to key stroke from the manger window to Pianoteq's main window.

Just use the qwert keyboard shortcut "l" (lowercase L) - that both opens the preset manager, and returns you to main.

Cheers jocar37 - hope that helps get you up and running.

Pianoteq Studio Bundle (Pro plus all instruments)  - Kawai MP11 digital piano - Yamaha HS8 monitors