Topic by RAL1020

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Topic: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

I've owned PT Standard since version 6. Just upgraded to V9 from V8. Acoustic pianos, I have several add on packs, all sound great. I wasn't sure how they could top v8, but they do sound subtly better and are a joy to play.

I also have the Electrice piano pack. I mostly use the Rhodes Mk1 and Mk11. And have created several user patches that I prefer. With version 9, every patch sounds thin and has a subtle distortion when played. This happens inside either Cubase Pro or Studio One as well as with the standalone V9. I can go back to V8 (same patches) and the Electric pianos sound great. Clean and punchy as they always have.

I've tried disabling all effects so as to produce the bare sound. Still in V9, thin and slight distortion.

My DAW system is tweaked and used strictly for music: Windows 11 Pro 24H2 w/ RME Babyface Pro FS interface. Having no other issues with any other software.

Is anyone else experiencing this with V9 ?

Reply by sonata

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

RAL1020 wrote:

With version 9, every patch ... has a subtle distortion when played. This happens inside either Cubase Pro or Studio One as well as with the standalone V9. I can go back to V8 (same patches) and the Electric pianos sound great. Clean and punchy as they always have.

....

Is anyone else experiencing this with V9 ?

Yes, I have the same problems with v9.

Last edited by sonata (23-10-2025 09:54)

Reply by Philippe Guillaume

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

There is no reason the update that was done for V9 causes the issue you mention. Could you please contact the support? If you do, please provide and example illustrating the issue, consisting in a MIDI file (File > Save MIDI file) + an audio file exported from Pianoteq 9 standalone version (File > Export to audio file) + fpx of the preset that was used for the recording (File > Save preset). Thanks in advance for your help.

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Reply by sonata

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

I made two audio exports for the factory demo of the preset
Electric Pianos - MKII Sparc

This is, how it sounds in Pianoteq 8:
https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...arc_V8.mp3

This is, how it sounds in Pianoteq 9:
https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...ark_V9.mp3

In Pianoteq 8 it sounds nice and clear but in Pianoteq 9 it sounds crunchy and a bit unclear.

Last edited by sonata (23-10-2025 20:03)

Reply by Philippe Guillaume

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

Thank you sonata for the files. I understand now what you mean. Indeed the MKII is more gritty/rough at ff-fff in v9 than in v8. You can reduce this "grittiness" easily by reducing the Hammer Tine Noise in the Design Panel (have a first try with +5 dB instead of +10 dB).

Philippe Guillaume's Website

Reply by amitev

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

Philippe Guillaume wrote:

Thank you sonata for the files. I understand now what you mean. Indeed the MKII is more gritty/rough at ff-fff in v9 than in v8. You can reduce this "grittiness" easily by reducing the Hammer Tine Noise in the Design Panel (have a first try with +5 dB instead of +10 dB).

What is the reason behind this change in Pianoteq 9?

Reply by RAL1020

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

sonata wrote:

I made two audio exports for the factory demo of the preset
Electric Pianos - MKII Sparc.


Thank you Sonata for uploading those clips

Reply by Philippe Guillaume

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

amitev wrote:
Philippe Guillaume wrote:

Thank you sonata for the files. I understand now what you mean. Indeed the MKII is more gritty/rough at ff-fff in v9 than in v8. You can reduce this "grittiness" easily by reducing the Hammer Tine Noise in the Design Panel (have a first try with +5 dB instead of +10 dB).

What is the reason behind this change in Pianoteq 9?

The idea was to have a more authentic sound, with more character.

Philippe Guillaume's Website

Reply by EvilDragon

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

I like the grittier sound, it does sound more realistic. It's not bad at all, this is an insane claim IMO.

Last edited by EvilDragon (24-10-2025 11:49)
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Reply by RAL1020

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

EvilDragon wrote:

I like the grittier sound, it does sound more realistic. It's not bad at all, this is an insane claim IMO.

IMO, The V8 Rhodes sound clear, full, punchy and dynamic. I played professionaly for many years. Traveled with 2 Rhodes MKlls.

The V9 Rhodes sound flat, thin and distorted. They sound like crap

Reply by Coises

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

Philippe Guillaume wrote:

The idea was to have a more authentic sound, with more character.

If possible, it would nice if there were a way to dial down that authenticity.

Try the MK II Spark preset -- just give a few solid strikes, around velocity 100, to F an octave an a half above middle C. Try it on version 8 and on version 9.

I’ve never played a real Rhodes, so I don’t know which one is more realistic. But I like 8 better.

Reply by Philippe Guillaume

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

At the end it is a matter of taste. For those who prefer V8, did you try my suggestion reducing the hammer tine noise? I am pretty sure it should work for you.

Philippe Guillaume's Website

Reply by Coises

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

Philippe Guillaume wrote:

At the end it is a matter of taste. For those who prefer V8, did you try my suggestion reducing the hammer tine noise? I am pretty sure it should work for you.

Confirmed. I failed to note your previous remark about that. It seems to do exactly what I wanted.

Reply by sonata

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

Thank you for clarifying that. However, I would have found it more useful if the “Hammer Tine Noise” parameter had a default value of 0 dB and the sound of the old presets sounded the same as before. When I load an old project in Cubase and remix it now, the sound is different when it accesses a Rhodes preset, which now sounds different. To demonstrate the new “Hammer Tine Noise” parameter, it would have been better to offer a few additional presets.

It may be that a value of 5 dB or 10 dB for the “Hammer Tine Noise” parameter actually makes the sound closer to the original instrument, but nevertheless, the comments here show that the majority prefer the sound of Pianoteq 8. That's actually a great compliment to modartt, because sometimes your sound is better than the original, so to speak. So I would appreciate an update where the “Hammer Tine Noise” parameter is reset (back) to 0 dB for the old presets. :-)

Last edited by sonata (25-10-2025 11:39)

Reply by daniel_r328

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

I disagree: Even though I prefer the v8 sound, I believe authenticity is more important. If the v9 sound is closer to the real instrument (which I never played), then that's a step forward... Especially if I can redesign the settings to be more to my liking.

The pianoteq models are advertised as simulations of specific instruments, and editorialising their sound would take them further away from that promise

Reply by Chopin87

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

The all point of the new version 9 are the newly revoiced pianos and EPs, if they have to sound exactly like version 8, what is the point of upgrading the version?
I really do like a lot the work patiently done on the MKII, it avoids all the clinical cleanliness of previous versions going for a more hot rod sound just like the W2 over the W1 in previous versions. De gustibus.

Last edited by Chopin87 (25-10-2025 12:55)
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Reply by RAL1020

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

sonata wrote:

Thank you for clarifying that. However, I would have found it more useful if the “Hammer Tine Noise” parameter had a default value of 0 dB and the sound of the old presets sounded the same as before. When I load an old project in Cubase and remix it now, the sound is different when it accesses a Rhodes preset, which now sounds different. To demonstrate the new “Hammer Tine Noise” parameter, it would have been better to offer a few additional presets.

It may be that a value of 5 dB or 10 dB for the “Hammer Tine Noise” parameter actually makes the sound closer to the original instrument, but nevertheless, the comments here show that the majority prefer the sound of Pianoteq 8. That's actually a great compliment to modartt, because sometimes your sound is better than the original, so to speak. So I would appreciate an update where the “Hammer Tine Noise” parameter is reset (back) to 0 dB for the old presets. :-)

Yes: This. I agree with sonata's assessment and recommendation

What shook me was that my carefully tweaked Rhodes user presets sounded awful in V9. And PT has been my go-to for everything Piano
since V7.

That said: Thank you PT for making such a great product

Reply by rjeff2011

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Re: Pianoteq 9 Standard .. Electric pianos sound bad

I have a similar concern on the discussion here. I’ve been using the IOS v8 demo for a number of weeks while trying to decide on my two instrument choices for my v8 Stage purchase. Finally deciding on the Bechstein to go with the Electrics-Rhodes/Wurlies that I immediately knew I wanted.

Last week I noticed the announcement of v9, and the delay in the IOS release, so I decided to wait for the IOS release before making the purchase.

Now reading this thread,(and another about the Steinberg revoicing) I’m not sure what I should do. I love the Electrics in v8 and don’t
want to loose them when upgraded to v9 when the IOS version becomes available. It appears the only way to edit out the new voice parameters are only available in Pianoteq STANDARD, which I can’t afford to upgrade to at this point.

Is it possible the v8 Electrics will available for download separately as the Steinberg currently is?
I also read somewhere here that having one license covering both v8 and 9 is possible. What are my options to solve this? Thanks

Last edited by rjeff2011 (Today 12:56)