Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Okay, so for my first impression:

I'd like to thank Modartt ever so much for this wonderful version. You have done a superb job - on both the model and the interface.

1) The sympathetic resonance works in all ways - seems like you didn't cut any corners here - great job!!!

2) The node-edit interface is so smart, intuitive and aesthetical. As many others have said - you got it right the first time!
Besides the interface - I find the Pro version's (I just couldn't resist :-)) note edit very useful, e.g:
I just sat down to tweak the C2 -> C3 range on the YC5 adding a little mezzo-hammer hardness to it, and also add some impedance to the few highest notes on the keyboard. Then I found that I don't really like the way the low notes sound when they are damped - so I changed the damper position and duration a bit. It seems a little more bananced now... - it's so much fun too!!

-- Eran

M-Audio Profire 610 / Roland Fp-3 / Reaper / PianoTeq!
www.myspace.com/etalmor

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

benjamind wrote:

I take it there is no way to change the number of keys on the piano? For example, the Bosendorfer Imperial 290 has 97 keys, the extra keys being ones that can produce monstrous bass.

If there is no way to do this, then they need to address it. While being able to change sound characteristics on a per note basis, being able to access those lower keys on a Bosendorfer would most certainly give Pianoteq Pro a definitive edge over the sampled Bosendorfers.

Good luck to you in finding a 97-note MIDI controller that wouldn't cost close to V-Piano or something. They are custom-built at best, no consumer-grade products there.

I say, Modartt, don't trouble yourself over this one.

Last edited by EvilDragon (30-10-2009 15:16)
Hard work and guts!

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

skip wrote:

In an earlier reply I commented on the improvement in the release sounds. I had completely forgotten that V3 didn't actually have any particular release sound at all - it was just an amplitude envelope (right?).  (I realise that it did have the "key release noise", but that's different - I am of course referring to the sound that is made as the damper gradually deadens the string). 

Unfortunately I do not have a keyboard that transmits release velocity. Given this, I am reducing the Damping Duration so that the release sounds aren't exaggerated in the bass notes. (I can't see any way to adjust the VOLUME of the release sounds, but I haven't RTFM'd yet)

The sympathetic resonance in the upper registers sounds fantastic!

Greg.

Greg:

Your post piqued my curiosity - wouldn't your keyboard have to be able to send continuous damper pedal control values in order to emulate a gradual damper release?

Glenn

__________________________
Procrastination Week has been postponed.  Again.

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

About the Bosendorfer issue, one could easily get a small MIDI controller as a peripheral and use that to trigger the extra bass notes. I'm with ben on this, it'd be pretty awesome to have a full Bosendorfer model.

I agree the add-on instruments could use the fortissimo upgrade the main instruments got.

Also, it'd be cool to have the option of expanding historical instruments like the Graf to 88 keys! Why the hell not? So what if the originals didn't have 88 keys? The Graf in particular is explosive! (Making the C, M, Y, Erard and Bechstein pianos as explosive would also be a nice touch! )

Last edited by moshuajusic (30-10-2009 17:14)

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

benjamind wrote:

I take it there is no way to change the number of keys on the piano? For example, the Bosendorfer Imperial 290 has 97 keys, the extra keys being ones that can produce monstrous bass.

The number/range of keys available relies completely on the piano model as developed and set by the MODARTT team. 

They will have to develop a Bösendorfer model add-on before we could gain access to that extra bass.

(Considering that I LOVE the instruments and have once played a _real_ 290...  Too bad I couldn't fit it into my pocket.  ;^)

"Our developers, who art in Toulouse, hallowed be thy physical-models.
Thy version 4 come, thy new instruments be done, in the computer as it is in the wood!"

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

joshuasethcomposer wrote:

About the Bosendorfer issue, one could easily get a small MIDI controller as a peripheral and use that to trigger the extra bass notes.

Breaking continuity of the controller isn't a nice and valid option IMHO

joshuasethcomposer wrote:

I'm with ben on this, it'd be pretty awesome to have a full Bosendorfer model.

Yeah, I'd like to have a Bosendorfer model too, but having all those notes that rarely get used...

Still, I agree that we should have the option to stretch the instrument range freely!

Last edited by EvilDragon (30-10-2009 17:37)
Hard work and guts!

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

etalmor wrote:

I find the Pro version's (I just couldn't resist :-))

You know what the Borg would say about that:

Resistance is futile.

Truer words were never spoken in sci-fi.

;^)

"Our developers, who art in Toulouse, hallowed be thy physical-models.
Thy version 4 come, thy new instruments be done, in the computer as it is in the wood!"

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

EvilDragon wrote:

Yeah, I'd like to have a Bosendorfer model too, but having all those notes that rarely get used... :/

I would just use the transpose function to reach those deep bass notes -- and, to be honest, I _very_ rarely use or even visit the existing uppermost octave on _any_ piano, so I would probably _keep_ the keyboard transposed!!!

And I would have to say that those notes are rarely used because, well, access to them for the average person is -- uh -- rare.  8^P

EvilDragon wrote:

Still, I agree that we should have the option to stretch the instrument range freely!

I totally agree, and we _know_ this is possible -- just look at the wonder they achieved with the vibes!!!  The only issues, I feel, are quality (keeping the extra notes from sounding like mush -- back to the grindstone, boys, whip-whip!) and accurate instrument representation (versus, "Hey, that harpsichord doesn't _really_ have that range -- how DARE you!!!" from some HistInfPerf fanatic).

"Our developers, who art in Toulouse, hallowed be thy physical-models.
Thy version 4 come, thy new instruments be done, in the computer as it is in the wood!"

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Uuhnnn... only mine reports had some negatives notes.

Perhaps I need a full neurologic exam  ;-)

Last edited by Beto-Music (30-10-2009 21:01)

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Am i right that Pianoteq can pitch bend +- 2400 cents.
Then just map a controller to pitch bend and injoy the deep notes ;-)

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Glenn NK wrote:

Greg:

Your post piqued my curiosity - wouldn't your keyboard have to be able to send continuous damper pedal control values in order to emulate a gradual damper release?

Glenn

That would be the ideal, yes. Release velocity would still be a worthwile compromise. With only velocity, I guess the timing would not be exactly right, so it may not be usable for very long releases.

Greg.

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

guillaume wrote:
Beto-Music wrote:

Try to test slowly, note by note. The timbre for Erard it's too bad now.
I will install again tomorrow, and test again, but if keep the same I will back to V3.0.

Beto-Music, you surely have something wrong in your configuration, you should not experiment any sensible difference in timbre with the Erard while playing slowly note by note, I just checked again side by side 3.0 and 3.5. The only differences that you could notice (and the way you describe your problem, it does not seem to be the case) are in the bass where the new damper model makes the release more realistic, and in the sympathetic resonances that are now also more realistic but appear when several notes are played or when using the sustain pedal, not when playing note by note as you describe. Make sure that you downloaded the latest KIViR.ptq from the user area. Please contact the support if you still have a problem.


I have to agree with Beto-Music that, for instance, the bottom notes of the Erard of the latest KIViR.ptq release (from C1 down, no pedal) have too much inharmonic content when hit hard and staccato, probably due to the new damper model. I tried modifying the damper position and/or duration for these notes but either the damping gets too abrupt or the inharmonic spectrum just changes in content but keeps being too present.

This effect is much more natural with other presets, but the latest Erard does sound very different from the previous KIViR.ptq release (build 2009/02/26) when loaded in pianoteqpro for the purpose of comparison, even higher up in the range.

Last edited by Gilles (30-10-2009 22:33)

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Thanks Gilles.

I will delay the neurologic exam to another occasion  ;-)


I'm sure Philippe can fix anything.

Last edited by Beto-Music (30-10-2009 23:31)

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Beto-Music wrote:

Thanks Gilles.

I will delay the neurologic exam to another occasion  ;-)


I'm sure Philippe can fix anything.

Maybe we're both sick...but I'm sure Dr. Guillaume will find a cure!

To demonstrate what I mean, I uploaded two short similar examples made with the current and previous version of the Erard player preset, both played by version 3.5

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Gilles wrote:
Beto-Music wrote:

Thanks Gilles.

I will delay the neurologic exam to another occasion  ;-)


I'm sure Philippe can fix anything.

Maybe we're both sick...but I'm sure Dr. Guillaume will find a cure!

To demonstrate what I mean, I uploaded two short similar examples made with the current and previous version of the Erard player preset, both played by version 3.5

Gilles, I listened to the two versions of the Erard you posted and I was having similar issues with the lower registers, especially, on all the instruments with that after-attack metallic vibration sound when played FF and staccato. I was able to take out most of that sound by going to the Effects Module, clicking on Action and adjusting the damper position to make them more efficient (sliding the scale all the way to the right.)

I need to work with it more but it did help a lot. That's a new feature I was not aware of with 3.5. I really like the realism in the newly modeled instruments. They allow for every nuance now. I sometimes forget I'm playing a digital instrument.

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Gilles, nice demonstration of the new damper model! The overtones that you hear in the bass played forte are due to the the damper model that simulates more accurately what happens when the damper comes in contact with the strings. As this Erard is quite old, I confess that it has quite noisy dampers The next time you have an old piano under your fingers, make the same experiment (loud staccato) in the bass, and you will obtain a similar sound. Now, if you want to renew the dampers in the real world, you will have to remove the old felt, cut new dampers in a new felt strip, paste them individually on each damper, and regulate all dampers. A very long task (I did that quite a few times when I was restoring pianos). In Pianoteq, it is much simpler. For the virtual Erard, I would even dare to move a bit the dampers (totally impossible of course in the real world), so the “damper renewal” that I suggest is: damper position = 1/6.1, damper duration = 0.5, and you have a new Erard! Note that if you prefer without damper model, the old version still works properly.

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

guillaume wrote:

... For the virtual Erard, I would even dare to move a bit the dampers (totally impossible of course in the real world), so the “damper renewal” that I suggest is: damper position = 1/6.1, damper duration = 0.5, and you have a new Erard! Note that if you prefer without damper model, the old version still works properly.

Yes! I like these new values better. Of course the test was a bit artificial, and maybe the only real piece it would apply to, is the ending of the Liszt sonata in B minor (which of course I can't play...)

I remember this damper resonance from the time I had a real piano, but I like it a little less present since I use headphones, though it contributes a lot to the naturalness of the sound when playing real music.

I think I may apply these values to other presets as well, maybe limiting it to the bottom octave as is now possible with the pro version. It is mainly there that it is a bit obtrusive because the overtones stand out from the fundamental. In this area a real damper has to work with huge strings and so it may bounce a bit I guess. Higher up the overtones blend better.

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

guillaume wrote:

Gilles, nice demonstration of the new damper model! The overtones that you hear in the bass played forte are due to the the damper model that simulates more accurately what happens when the damper comes in contact with the strings. As this Erard is quite old, I confess that it has quite noisy dampers The next time you have an old piano under your fingers, make the same experiment (loud staccato) in the bass, and you will obtain a similar sound. Now, if you want to renew the dampers in the real world, you will have to remove the old felt, cut new dampers in a new felt strip, paste them individually on each damper, and regulate all dampers. A very long task (I did that quite a few times when I was restoring pianos). In Pianoteq, it is much simpler. For the virtual Erard, I would even dare to move a bit the dampers (totally impossible of course in the real world), so the “damper renewal” that I suggest is: damper position = 1/6.1, damper duration = 0.5, and you have a new Erard! Note that if you prefer without damper model, the old version still works properly.

Changing the damper values can only be done in the Pro version?
I also don't like the harsh metallic sound for the bass for the C3. It is there when I play softly as well!

PS: While testing I noticed my keyboard (M-Audio keystation pro 88) doesn't have release velocity :-( (I guess that's why it was so cheap...)
PS2: I'm still looking for continuous pedals but nobody seems to make 3 or 4 on 1 pedal-board.

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

nutela wrote:

PS2: I'm still looking for continuous pedals but nobody seems to make 3 or 4 on 1 pedal-board.

No such thing exists. CME's GPP3 doesn't count because it's a malfunctioning POS with zero customer support. Fatar's VFP3-D is a year-old tease, and I wouldn't hold my breath.

Just get 3 separate pedals, a 1/4" thick slab of wood, rubber feet and velcro. A lot of guitarists make their own pedal boards that way.

Last edited by moshuajusic (02-11-2009 19:36)

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

nutela wrote:

Changing the damper values can only be done in the Pro version?

Nope, you can do it in Standard as well. Check the Action section.

Hard work and guts!

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Modartt,
At risk of stating the obvious, I'm still very impressed with the new sympth. resonance algorithm
e.g.
1) That the "last damper" affects the sympathetic resonance as expected! how cool is that !!
-- if I set "last damper" to 0, i get the same effect as sustain pedal down ....
2) That I can press the sustain and play many keys, then hold some other keys down, release the sustain, and have and have all these previously sustained frequencies resonate with the latter keys....
very impressive!

3) That sympth resonance works regardless of the order or notes being played ....

etc...

thanks!!!

M-Audio Profire 610 / Roland Fp-3 / Reaper / PianoTeq!
www.myspace.com/etalmor

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Congrats to the new update and the pro version. I am liking the updated sound so far. The attack seems clearer.

But I have some misgiving about the splitting into pro and standard versions.

I for one do not like the idea of splitting into pro and standard versions. Just the idea that what you got is a watered down version bugs me. Right now, I respect Modartt's decision of keeping the sound engines the same in both versions, but there is no telling that one day they will give the pro version a more advanced sound engine to encourage people upgrading. I am very against this.

Can the Modartt team promise to keep the differences between pro and standard on note-based editing?

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Thank you Ken, we are glad you appreciate the new version!

Having different sound engines in both versions would be contrary to our philosophy (and also a lot of nonsense additional work). For us, the Pro version makes sense in its additional editing feature that allows to construct new presets and share them with the other users, including users of the standard version.

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Kengrayfield wrote:

...There is no telling that one day they will give the pro version a more advanced sound engine to encourage people upgrading. I am very against this.

Can the Modartt team promise to keep the differences between pro and standard on note-based editing?

I would imagine that the key differences between the two versions will remain limited to the extended note-edit features.  On one hand, you have users who simply want good piano sounds "out of the box," and then you have users like myself who are "mad scientists" wanting to tweak every parameter in existence.  (More, more, MORE!!!)  The easier (read:  limited in a friendly way) nature of the "standard" version definitely has its appeal -- you don't have to spend as much money, and you could always upgrade later, but the "standard" features are pretty extensive, too!  Implementing the added features required some hard work and polishing, so I think the upgrade price is quite fair.

Of course, I would have gone straight to the "Pro" version, if both had been available when I made my first purchase.  ;^)   

More importantly, we must remember that the gentlemen behind Pianoteq are very much "in touch" with their customers -- which is a 180-degree difference from companies like Avid, Native Instruments, and Waves (am I forgetting anyone?), who, IMHumO, are _very_ much "out-of-touch" with their vast customer bases.  All three companies have turned into true businesses-for-business'-sake, and I would fully expect _them_ to employ the type of shenanigans you describe.  Thankfully, I would not name MODARTT in the same sentence with them -- therefore, I have _not_ done so.  ;^)

(And, as Philippe said, the act of making such a difference between versions would be pure "nonsense."  They surely have visions of doing _better_ things dancing in their heads.  Life's too short...)

"Our developers, who art in Toulouse, hallowed be thy physical-models.
Thy version 4 come, thy new instruments be done, in the computer as it is in the wood!"

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Thank you Philippe of your reply. Those are reassuring words!

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

dhalfen wrote:

The gentlemen behind Pianoteq are very much "in touch" with their customers

Very much so like Cockos Reaper guys. 3 guys, great support. Awesome DAW.

Hard work and guts!

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

It also has to be said that Modartt need a viable business model in order to survive and grow, especially in these difficult times. We definitely want more Pianoteq, right? I think they've got the pricing just right.

I totally agree about the "in touch with customers" thing. Modartt are a model company in this regard. Long may it continue!

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

EvilDragon wrote:

Very much so like Cockos Reaper guys. 3 guys, great support. Awesome DAW.

Lo and behold, I was thinking that Reaper was Windows-only (all I see/hear is Reaper this, Reaper that from you PC guys...), but I just went to the website and downloaded the OSX beta.  I'll be taking it for a test-drive presently.  :^)

(Talk about "coming up roses" -- first Pianoteq Pro, and now Reaper.  8-)

"Our developers, who art in Toulouse, hallowed be thy physical-models.
Thy version 4 come, thy new instruments be done, in the computer as it is in the wood!"

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

benjamind: I just love the Bösendorfer Imperial, but I don't know about any MIDI controller that has  more than 88 keys, do you???

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Well done Modartt, for producing this latest version/update (the Pro especially). The ability to control each individual note is amazing.

I appreciated the inclusion to adjust the speed of files in the MIDI files section.

I still would have liked a larger screen for the velocity panel. Also some way of turning on and off individual pianos, rather than turning off all the 'Factory', or all of the 'My Presets' settings. Not essential issues, but it would have been nice.

Good work, when is the next upgrade?

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

Luc Henrion wrote:

benjamind: I just love the Bösendorfer Imperial, but I don't know about any MIDI controller that has  more than 88 keys, do you???

Those are all custom made, expensive and rare.

Hard work and guts!

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

EvilDragon wrote:
Luc Henrion wrote:

benjamind: I just love the Bösendorfer Imperial, but I don't know about any MIDI controller that has  more than 88 keys, do you???

Those are all custom made, expensive and rare.

Which is a perfect excuse to simply _transpose_ the 61-, 73-, or 88-key MIDI controllers we all use.  (As I said before, I rarely use that uppermost octave, anyway -- I'd rather have the big bottom end than the super-tinkly top.  8^)

"Our developers, who art in Toulouse, hallowed be thy physical-models.
Thy version 4 come, thy new instruments be done, in the computer as it is in the wood!"

Re: pro version out!!!!!!

I wrote:

Unfortunately I do not have a keyboard that transmits release velocity. Given this, I am reducing the Damping Duration so that the release sounds aren't exaggerated in the bass notes.

The reason I have this problem may be that my controller (Kawai MP9000) transmits zero velocity note-offs. I read somewhere that the standard is to transmit velocity 64 if the controller does not implement release velocity, so it appears to me that my controller's lack of compliance has caused this (very minor) issue.

Greg.

Last edited by skip (19-01-2010 12:15)