Topic: Unsolicited suggestions: morphing

After playing a bit more with pianoteq (in particular also with the random function which is great fun, although lacking some finesse), I do miss something that I know from synthesizers such as NI's FM8: the ability to 'morph' between two or more sounds or presets. Technically this is perhaps not very different from setting parameters, but it enables a more 'musical' way of working, especially if parameters are grouped in meaningful chunks such as e.g 'design', 'strings', 'recording'.

For me this functionality would be extremely interesting to apply to different randomly generated sounds, but would perhaps even be more useful applied to existing or downloaded presets. One step further this could possibly (of course I do not know what pianoteq looks like under the hood, with parameter values this should not be a technical challenge) be applied to different piano models: imagine a continuum from an Erard to a Steinway, or even a Rhodes thrown in.

This is an area where Pianoteq would leave sampled pianos in the dust, and, more importantly get the creative juices flowing,and even stir more interest in the add-in models.

What do you think?

Re: Unsolicited suggestions: morphing

I don't think morphing between different models is possible at all, they are all very different internally, I presume. Also, changing some parameters in realtime will interrupt the sound because it needs to be recalculated (microphone positioning, for example) and there's no way around that. So, morphing cannot be done for all parameters in a smooth fashion.

Hard work and guts!

Re: Unsolicited suggestions: morphing

Hi Evil,

Thanks for thinking along with me. You are one or two steps ahead of me. Real time would be a nice optional, but is not what I wished for. I guess that also would easily sound weird on piano type sounds.

Also I do not want to make assumptions on a topic that is completely closed to me. On preset level it should definitely be doable (but probably not in real time, as you write). For different models I simply do not know.

If the models are purely constructed on parameter values, then yes, probably (again, not in real time). If there are different algorithms, different pieces of code, then probably not.

Last edited by pz (18-03-2013 17:56)

Re: Unsolicited suggestions: morphing

I don't see the point in morphing if it's not realtime, especially in a product that IS a realtime instrument.

Hard work and guts!

Re: Unsolicited suggestions: morphing

It's a very nice idea, desirable really, from an idealistic perspective. But consider, it probably calls for morphing physical layout-factors that differ with instruments  (for example at which key model X switches from 1 to 2 strings, or 2 strings to 3; and the physical layout - despite PTQ's 88-key extension applying - of the Clavichord, would seem to rule including it out entirely). With Bluthner too, doesn't a range of 4th strings come into play? (And you can notice that the parameter controlling this in the UI is also cribbed away from the parameter controlling the strength of upper harmonics in non-Bluthners - itself cribbed away from the steeldrums... or was it the other way round? So the UI already needs a new layout itself. Not unknown, though.)

Re: Unsolicited suggestions: morphing

While on the subject of modifications, spot the modification used here. On the platform. Four babies -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_pbxdfwi7Y - snugged up close.

And not one lid between them. Evidently lids are designed removable, so audible bungles can be avoided.