Topic by rwhls

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  • rwhls
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Topic: Best model for mellow "liquid" sound character? (Japanese Piano Piece)

Hi everyone

A few months ago I bought Pianoteq Stage with the lovely SK-EX and Grotrian models. I’m still a beginner, but I’m happy with my progress learning the piece linked below. Its recording has a specific piano character I’m trying to achieve: A soft but punchy, almost “liquid” tinkle across the registers, with a warm, not-too-harsh bass.

Original track: http://youtu.be/fcC38syMCn4
Cover version without the Cello and Hall Reverb, also very similar to the tone I want: http://youtu.be/Jh_g5ve6uz0

My current models get somewhat close (especially with Felt), but not quite. I know the Standard Edition would give me more control over hammer delay and sympathetic resonance, but before upgrading I’d love to hear your recommendations. Which model, preset, or settings might best achieve this soft, fluid, mellow sound character? The original recording studio reportedly owns a Steinway D-274, but I don't know if they have others and the Pianoteq Steinway models sound a bit harsh to me.

Thanks so much for your input, and I hope I'm not asking something obvious that would resolve itself if I practiced more or chose a different model.

Last edited by rwhls (28-11-2025 14:39)

Reply by dikrek

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  • dikrek
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Re: Best model for mellow "liquid" sound character? (Japanese Piano Piece)

rwhls wrote:

Hi everyone

A few months ago I bought Pianoteq Stage with the lovely SK-EX and Grotrian models. I’m still a beginner, but I’m happy with my progress learning the piece linked below. Its recording has a specific piano character I’m trying to achieve: A soft but punchy, almost “liquid” tinkle across the registers, with a warm, not-too-harsh bass.

Original track: http://youtu.be/fcC38syMCn4
Cover version without the Cello and Hall Reverb, also very similar to the tone I want: http://youtu.be/Jh_g5ve6uz0

My current models get somewhat close (especially with Felt), but not quite. I know the Standard Edition would give me more control over hammer delay and sympathetic resonance, but before upgrading I’d love to hear your recommendations. Which model, preset, or settings might best achieve this soft, fluid, mellow sound character? The original recording studio reportedly owns a Steinway D-274, but I don't know if they have others and the Pianoteq Steinway models sound a bit harsh to me.

Thanks so much for your input, and I hope I'm not asking something obvious that would resolve itself if I practiced more or chose a different model.

You can demo the standard version anyway, and try the various models. The sombre presets are more mellow.

Reply by rwhls

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Re: Best model for mellow "liquid" sound character? (Japanese Piano Piece)

dikrek wrote:

You can demo the standard version anyway, and try the various models. The sombre presets are more mellow.

Thanks, I am doing that too but it's kind of a choice-paralysis situation where I can't decide if one sounds better than the other or not... The sustain and most importantly una chorda pedals are very important for the kind of sound I am after, too!