Topic: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

I'm testing out the Pianoteq 4 Stage in Windows 7, 64bit system, and it works fine free standing, working through ASIO4ALL.

But as a VSTi in Reaper, it doesn't work at all with the 64 bit .dll, which Reaper loads by default. However, the 32bit .dll (which PianoTeq dumps into a folder labelled 'Steinberg' in 'Programs (x86)' works inside Reaper, but breaks up more than my other plug ins (inc. Native  Instruments and EWQL instruments etc).

So, 1) does running pianoteq 4 with a bridged 32bit dll compromise its efficiency (especially regarding latency and break ups). And 2) why on earth does the 64bit .dll not work? This problem doesn't occur with any other VSTs or VSTi's that I've tried.

I've reinstalled everything a couple of times and the result is the same: 32bit only, with Reapers bridge. However, it is not satisfactory - break ups happen even with a 265 sample buffer.

Any information on this gratefully received, thanks!

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

Interesting... I have no issues whatsoever running 64-bit Pianoteq 4 in Reaper at all.

However, I only have 64-bit Pianoteq 4 installed, as I don't use 32-bit version in any way.

Hard work and guts!

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

Thanks for your reply EvilDragon. Well, I've just re-installed PianoTeq again, this time without the 32bit VST, just in case that helped - 64bit only (as in your system, EvilDragon).

But no - inside Reaper, it's exactly the same: even though PianoTeq, as a plug-in inside Reaper, is responding to midi, there is no sound. As soon as I put back the 32bit .dll, however, PianoTeq works.

But, it is working only via Reaper's bridging facility and it is of lower quality than the stand-alone.

This is a pity as PianoTeq4 is a great set of pianos. But it's not worth getting if the quality is going to be so compromised.

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

That is really peculiar. What's your soundcard, MIDI controller, Reaper version, etc.?

Hard work and guts!

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

EvilDragon wrote:

That is really peculiar.

What's your soundcard: not a 'sound card' exactly, but the audio is handled with an external
Behringer Xenx302. It mixes audio in/out with digital  i/o via USB

MIDI controller: Yamaha UX16 (from Roland HP302 piano)

Reaper version:  4.402 64bit

Windows 7 Pro service pack 1

But it IS weird because I'm running other VST's including EWQL Symphonic Choirs which is supposed to be complicated (and it it was a bit!) and Kontakt, with no problem at all - all using 64 bit .dll's!

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

Might be an issue with Pianoteq Stage demo installer, then? I run Pianoteq Pro... I hope that Modartt can you verify these issues...

Hard work and guts!

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

I don't think the installer is the problem because, based on what you said, I flushed out the PianoTeq Stage version and installed the full (demo) version of PianoTeq 4. But it's exactly the same - it works using the 32bit backup with Reaper's bridge tool. But the 64bit version categorically will not work.

The stand alone version is ok, and works very well in my computer - but that's no good to me beyond being a good demo.

Very frustrating!

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

Update: a quick note to Pianoteq Support solved the problem for me: two earlier versions of Pianoteq 4 work perfectly well inside Reaper in my computer:

http://www.pianoteq.com/download?file=p...l_v421.exe
http://www.pianoteq.com/download?file=p...l_v404.exe

However, v451 does not work, even with the newest ASIO4ALL version, or any other driver available. This must be a very specific bug indeed because it doesn't seem to have affected anyone else, let alone be a 'known issue'. It has to do with my W7installation and/or settings I suppose.

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

Can you try using WASAPI as audio driver in Reaper instead of A4A? I get good performance with it, better than with A4A even, on my computer(s).

Hard work and guts!

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

Just tried WASAPI - it is strange. In 'shared mode' everything is crunched up, but it works in exclusive mode. However, it goes out of sync after a few minutes - ie it begins to lag more than the time set (in sample buffer size).

I get better results from WDM Kernel Streaming, but that too begins to lag after a while. It seems that the best for me at the moment is ASIO4ALL.211 beta. It drops out less than the older version and does not seem to lag like WASAPI and WDM KS do. But it does not allow lower than 512 sample buffer when the microphone is plugged in.

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

I suspect a lot of the problems could be linked to you using that Xenyx as your audio interface. Having a dedicated audio interface with proper ASIO drivers (which means NOT A4A!) would definitely make a difference.

Hard work and guts!

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

just a suggestion: what happens if you use your internal sound card instead of the Behringer mixer?

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

An excellent suggestion. The sound card that came with this computer (a second hand HP X6200 which was used for gaming) is called SoundMAX works better than the Behringer USB mixer. No break up, no strange time lags (only the ones expected with the setting).

I also have a very old sound card in another computer which I'll try tomorrow, perhaps - it was state of the art back in the 90s - AudioWerk 8, I think it's called, made by the people who make the Logic/ emagic stuff. The problem with it was, at least the last time I tried it, it does not accept the sound drivers that work with ASIO. Also, I went round the internet for weeks looking for XP drivers for it, so I don't hold out much hope for Windows 7 drivers for it....then there's the 32/64 bit problem.......

But the SoundMAX seems ok, but it's just a general purpose thing, by the look of it.

The Behringer mixer is very handy indeed but, I fear, a bit crap.

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

Yes, I'm afraid the Behringer mixer could be the culprit... Poorly written drivers typically. But, FYI, the problem could be the same with other (even better) USB mixers. You'd better use a dedicated audio interface if possible. There are so many, and most of them with proper ASIO drivers, giving you a very low latency.

Last edited by Luc Henrion (16-06-2013 07:47)

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

Do you mean something like M-Audio Audiophile 2496? And would that go through its own ASIO or something like ASIO4ALL?

I'm still having various problems with the system I've got, which ever drivers I use...though there are 'work round' solutions. But it means you can never have the whole system working together - you have to reconfigure for mike/midi/midi recording, and so on. Pain in the ass. 

The synchronization problem with WDM kernel streaming (time lag after some seconds of running, but not in the beginning)  should surely be solvable by a software fix of some sort.

Also, the  (Behringer mixer) USB sound system solution is more convenient because it allows more mixing possibilities - saves a lot of time and gives more monitoring options. Pity about the drivers....

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

If you're getting a dedicated audio interface, it's almost universally always better to run their own ASIO drivers rather than A4A.

Oh and BTW WDM kernel streaming is definitely not the best way to get reliable latency.

Last edited by EvilDragon (17-06-2013 11:50)
Hard work and guts!

Re: Problem running PianoTeq 4 in Reaper

OK - I'm happy to go along with the Behringer XENYX for the moment - in the meantime, I'm looking for an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 on ebay. Seems a reliable and cheap option, and there are lots of them, and they have updated software, including drivers for W7 64 Sp1.

Maybe that will be quite adequate for recording. Behringer for playing with ideas & practice.

Thanks for your insight into this.....I'm just starting out with D/A recording.