Topic by TheodorN

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  • TheodorN
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Topic: Adding microphones, and CPU load. Stereo or mono?

Hello everyone,

I'll introduce myself briefly, first. From Iceland, been living in Sweden for the past nine and a half years. Got interested in piano playing about twelve years ago, but haven't really practised at all for many years, due to other things occupying my time, and attention. I've been a member of Piano World since 2010 if I recall correctly, and Piano Clack when that one came about.

I've been on the fence regarding Pianoteq for many years, the nasal sound I heard, and some sort of hollowness, kept me from pulling the trigger, but now at long last, I took the plunge, and got Pianoteq Standard 8.   I got the Blüthner, Steingraeber, and the Steinway D (not identical) twins. What I'm hearing, I like it a lot, think Pianoteq's level of authenticity, has increased considerably.

Mind you, I really didn't give Pianoteq 7 and onwards, much attention, since I was more or less absent from all piano playing, when those versions were the current ones. The last version I played with to some degree, was Pianoteq 6. So I don't have much comparison with older versions, but to my ears, Pianoteq 8 has improved quite a lot what authenticity is concerned, at least since versions 5 and 6.

Now, after this long (not Steinway D) prelude, a couple of questions. If I add more microphones, does it increase CPU load? I understand it does not increase RAM usage, since there are no samples to load. Maybe some temporary files are created, somebody correct me on this if I'm wrong.

Also, are the microphones shown in the interface, stereo or mono? That is, if the microphones are numbered 1, and 2, for example, do we have two pairs, or simply two mono microphones?

Reply by Key Fumbler

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  • Key Fumbler
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Re: Adding microphones, and CPU load. Stereo or mono?

Hi Theodor,
The microphones are mono. They are based on real-world microphones so you can Google them for more information.

There are various types in omnidirectional, dipole and cardioid patterns.

More microphones equals more CPU usage.

Reply by dklein

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  • dklein
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Re: Adding microphones, and CPU load. Stereo or mono?

Welcome to Pianoteq!

More microphones do increase CPU load (which can be viewed as a graph under "Options"-"Perf").

Each microphone is monophonic, but its output can be assigned via the sliders in the microphone control area to either the left channel, the right channel, or both channels.  Additionally, you can have five total separate channels of output, if you want to use them separately mixed in a digital audio workstation.  I just use channel 1 for Left and channel 2 for Right (the defaults) going out to my Steinberg UR-22 mkII external audio card, which then goes to my monitor speakers.

- David

Reply by TheodorN

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Re: Adding microphones, and CPU load. Stereo or mono?

Thanks for the replies. Good to know, that more microphones mean more CPU usage. I have tried adding more mics, and my system seems to handle it all right. More microphones do not necessarily equal better sound, but it's fun to experiment, and add a pair of room microphones, to see if it adds a new dimension or more depth to the sound.

Last edited by TheodorN (22-11-2022 13:16)