Topic by cat

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Topic: New member.

New member on the forum, and very new to Pianoteq.  I have not even tried the thing yet. I usually spend at least a month researching before I buy anything related to keyboards, but this time I am totally convinced after two days. Fantastic sounds, affordable prices, and very good info.
The only problem I have now is to find a good USB audio interface, without spending money on things I dont need. The perfect box would just have the bare essentials, and the sound quality needed to to get the best result from Pianotec. Suggestions would be much appreciated.
I intend to download the trial version, and would like to know if it is possible to play things with the computer keyboard. If that works, it might be the first time in history that anyone plays a Grimaldi harpsichord on a computer keyboard. I also play jazz.
cat

Reply by olepro

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Re: New member.

If you can play a Jazz tune on the computer keyboard i take my hat of !
:-)

olepro's Website

Reply by doobya

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Re: New member.

cat wrote:

I intend to download the trial version, and would like to know if it is possible to play things with the computer keyboard. If that works, it might be the first time in history that anyone plays a Grimaldi harpsichord on a computer keyboard. I also play jazz.
cat

If you're on Mac, Garage Band has an option to play with the computer keyboard.  Far from great; works in a pinch though.  There are probably options on Windows and Linux, too.

You can also use the mouse to play the on-screen keyboard in PTQ...  At least you'll have access to the full 88 keys and even velocity that way

Last edited by doobya (14-10-2010 17:39)

Reply by Michael H

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Re: New member.

cat,

If your computer has an HD audio output, that along with an Asio4All driver for low latency is pretty good actually.

For a USB audio solution, the M-Audio Fast Track Pro is excellent and relatively inexpensive, and it also supplies a midi interface, a headphone amplifier, insert points, and mic inputs with phantom power, whether or not you need them.

Reply by cat

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Re: New member.

Thanks for interest and info all of you. I think I can forget about playing the PC keyboard. The M-Audio Fast Track Pro seems to be a good solution, and at a very nice price. I have found out where to buy it, and can have it delivered in one-two weeks. What I especially like about it, are the several output options.
Will be interesting to hear what the keyboard makers of the last three hundred years have been up to. I have heard most of it, but playing the instruments is something else. The Pianoteq versions sounds very good, even on my PC speakers.
cat

Reply by tb303

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Re: New member.

Please do your research before buying the M-Audio Fast Track Pro. Go on to the M-Audio support forum and read what people are saying. For example, the M-Audio fast track pro is NOT compatible with XP service pack 3. I went back and forward with M-Audio of driver issues and basically they held there hands up and admitted could not resolve so I ditched it. Basically, I could get the M-Audio to work with pianoteq but at the expense of all other windows sound (So had to rely on internal soundcard for youtube etc). My local music shop stopped selling this box because there were so many being returned. Maybe if you are using Mac osx this may work but not sure (Also hear XP SP2 is better). Be careful and research before you buy. I went for a Tascam US-122mk2 and works great (Latency around 2.5 Miliseconds using xpsp3. Just my experience...

Reply by cat

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Re: New member.

tb303. You are absolutely right about the M-Audio.
I have already done my research, and anything M-Audio is out. I use a laptop with Vista now, and will buy one with Windows 7. I have found two alternatives to M-Audio at about the same price: Focusrite Saffire 6, and Emu 0404. No info about drivers for Vista or W7. The Motu Microbook costs a bit more, but definitely has drivers for Vista and W7. More features than the others, and probably better sound, but no controls on the box.
More info and suggestions would be helpful.
cat

Reply by cat

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Re: New member.

Correction to my last post. The Motu Microbook does NOT have MIDI, and should therefore be useless with Pianoteq. Most of the Audio interfaces seems to be mainly for recording. Emu 0404 has MIDI, and drivers for Vista. It can work with Windows 7, but drivers for it are coming.
cat

Last edited by cat (15-10-2010 13:02)

Reply by tb303

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Re: New member.

Check out the "Novation Nio" which maybe what you are looking for and also the "Alsesis IO2". My research though on the Alesis  IO2 showed that alot of users were experiencing latency issues with this device. The Novation Nio I heard from a reliable source is a good choice but I would research that also. I would be leaning more towards the Novation but check it out....

Reply by tb303

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Re: New member.

Just reading up more on the Novation you might want to check it out..

Reply by cat

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Re: New member.

Have checked the Novation Nio. Looks good, except that it does not support 64-bit in Windows 7. There might be an update on that.
Now I am going to try using Pianoteq with only MIDI to USB cable. If it works at all, the quality of the sound will probably not be good. But I am going to take my time finding a good audio interface.
cat

Reply by Michael H

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Re: New member.

I would only ever recommend gear based on my own personal experience, and my M-Audio Fast Track Pro has been working fine with XP SP3 for over three years.
But everyone's experiences and priorities are different. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Reply by sigasa

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Re: New member.

http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/

I have the Saffire PRO 24

It is crystal clear and runs with 1.3ms latency in Pianoteq (64 Audio Buffer at 48000/48000 Sample rates)

Vista and W7 Drivers

I find the E-MU 0202, which I also have, much more muddy than my Saffire Pro 24 which, as I said, is clear as crystal

Last edited by sigasa (15-10-2010 20:25)

Reply by cat

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Re: New member.

The Saffire seems to be a good alternative. A bit more expensive than the Emu, but I dont mind spending money on anything than can get the best out of Pianotec. I have four different amp/speaker alternatives, and hope one of them will do the job. I have downloaded the trial version, and dont even have the connecting cable from keyboard to PC yet. But Pianotec works with the PC soundcard, good external speakers and the mouse. It cannot be played with the keyboard, and playing piano with a PC mouse is interesting, and somewhat frustrating.
But then I can concentrate on learning to use the program.
cat

Reply by jcfelice88keys

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Re: New member.

Hello Cat,

You may also be interested in acquiring a good set of headphones as well.  I am not here to recommend any particular pair, but Pianoteq sounds even more amazing through a good set of 'phones.

Cheers,

Joe

Reply by bebop603

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Re: New member.

jcfelice88keys wrote:

Hello Cat,

You may also be interested in acquiring a good set of headphones as well.  I am not here to recommend any particular pair, but Pianoteq sounds even more amazing through a good set of 'phones.

Cheers,

Joe

Sennheiser 600's definitely, if your source has the power to drive 'em.

Pianoteq 5, Dell Studio 14 (core i3 2.26 ghz), M-Audio Uno midi connector, Echo Indigo Djx (expresscard), Little Dot MK V Headphone Amp, Senn 580 Headphones, Kawai MP9000 digital piano