Topic by mcbpete

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Topic: Gamelan FXP problem

Hi - So after a rather crazy 3 months of ebaying problems I've finally got hold of a copy of Pianoteq 3 - It's awesome and a definite improvement over my demo of v2. Anyway, one issue I've had (and it's not huge as it only seems to be with this one FXP) but after downloading the Gamelan FXP from the official site, I can only play a few notes on it before the following happens:

Error message 1

Note at the top of the screenshot that my host also maxes out the volume to full blast. Pianoteq is now completely silent and thus unusable and eventually comes out with one final error -

Error message 2
And clicking OK shuts down both Pianoteq and host.

I've noticed this happens when both using Pianoteq as a VSTi and as a standalone application. Anyone else had this ?

BTW I'm running Windows XP SP3 w/1gb ram

Last edited by mcbpete (23-10-2010 19:23)

Reply by Gilles

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

Hi mcbpete,

I am the author of that fxp which was created with an earlier version of pianoteq, and you are right about this bug, due probably to the very extreme parameters used. It even crashed my computer when I tried it with the current version! (My USB soundcard, probably did that)

I'll report the problem to modartt.

Thank you for pointing this.

Reply by mcbpete

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

Ah cool, thanks for the speedy reply - glad it wasn't just me !

So is it possible for the fxp to be modified to work on later versions of Pianoteq or is it so esoteric with the parameters used that it's pretty much a write-off now?

Last edited by mcbpete (24-10-2010 02:29)

Reply by Gilles

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

I have to wait for Julien to see if it is a bug that can be corrected or simply a "trick" in an earlier pro version that is not available any more.

The trick included stretching some parameters very far outside their visible range in the pane, and maybe this was deemed dangerous and removed, forgetting about this legacy fxp.

If this is the case, it will probably be just removed from the site I guess...I'll keep you posted if I learn anything.

Reply by julien

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

Well the combination of extreme strings length variations of this FXP and extended bass keys of the version 3.6.5 caused a fatal roundoff error somewhere in the code, that will require a 3.6.5 update (tomorrow). Note-editing the string length settings for the lowest octave should also put it back into a stable state.

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Reply by julien

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

The update is ready. Pianoteq 3.6.5/20101025 is now available for download, this one loads gamelan.fxp

julien's Website

Reply by Gilles

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

julien wrote:

The update is ready. Pianoteq 3.6.5/20101025 is now available for download, this one loads gamelan.fxp

Yes it does! Thank you Julien for saving my only claim to fame on the site.

Funny though, the addition of new lower notes makes it sound different when I run the original midi file in the latest version. It is a halftone higher and some of the resonances differ when I compare it to the mp3...version 3.5.3 plays it exactly like the mp3.

Last edited by Gilles (25-10-2010 19:11)

Reply by mcbpete

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

Man, now that is customer service. Thanks so much guys !

Reply by Philippe Guillaume

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

Gilles, this is probably due to the fact that the tuning in Pianoteq is global, which means that it takes the inharmonicity into account to find the "best" tuning compromise for various intervals (fifths, octaves, twelvths, double octaves, etc.). In  case of a huge inharmonicity (as in your fxp), adding extra notes may change the compromise. One tuning should however remain constant even in such an extreme case: the "flat" tuning, because it ignores the inharmonicity. An alternative is to retune yourself the fxp instrument, not easy though...

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Reply by Gilles

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

Thanks for the explanation!  I doesn't really matter, this was just an improvisation and nothing gets out of date as fast as contemporary music.

I did try using C3Is instead (that doesnt have the extended range), but it sounded the same as with C3. It now becomes a "period" piece, playable only on an historic instrument, pianoteq 3.5.3 ...

Reply by Moby

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

I just tried to load Gamelan.FXP into Pianoteq 3.6.5 (Linux 64 bit). Even with the latest update it crashes immediately with floating point exception. It is only Gamelan.FXP. Other FXP files work well.

Reply by julien

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

Thanks for pointing this, Moby. The linux files have been updated and should now work fine.

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Reply by Moby

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

Also thank you for the quick correction. Now it works perfectly.

Reply by mcbpete

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

Hi guys,

Sorry for the (nearly 18 month) bump. I've recently reinstalled Pianoteq and noticed that Gamelan.fxp is no longer available on the Pianoteq user download section. Is it possible to get hold of this preset anywhere ?

Many thanks,
Pete.

Reply by Gilles

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

mcbpete wrote:

Hi guys,

Sorry for the (nearly 18 month) bump. I've recently reinstalled Pianoteq and noticed that Gamelan.fxp is no longer available on the Pianoteq user download section. Is it possible to get hold of this preset anywhere ?

Many thanks,
Pete.

Hi Pete. This is an old fxp based on C3 that managed to crash Pianoteq (as you can read in the thread) because of unusual parameters settings with the Pro version. That's probably why it was removed. I found it in my files and I tried it with version 4.2.1 on Windows XP and it seems to work fine. I uploaded it to the FXP Corner, with no guarantee...use with care.

http://www.forum-pianoteq.com/uploads.php?id=1660

Reply by mcbpete

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Re: Gamelan FXP problem

You're an absolute star - thanks man