Topic by benyig

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Topic: D4 Cinematic metallic noise when played softly

Hello,

I'm on the verge of upgrading from V3, but today I've noticed a troubling artifact in the sound of the new D4. (It's the demo version, obviously, but I believe it sounds the same as the full version.)

This is the Cinematic preset, but it's also very audible with any of the brighter presets. The damper pedal is down. The noise comes and goes, it's not always there, and it's hard to imagine a real piano would behave anything like that. It's less noticeable on my nearfield monitors, but get very annoying on a hi-fi system.

What causes this noise? None of the controls will eliminate it. If I filter it out with the EQ, I lose the brightness too. Adjusting Cutoff and Q factor changes its character in various ways but won't make it go away.

http://www.forum-pianoteq.com/uploads.p..._noise.mp3

Last edited by benyig (25-01-2013 12:29)

Reply by benyig

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Re: D4 Cinematic metallic noise when played softly

Here I've boosted the problematic frequencies at around 5kHz and 7.5kHz. I can hear this tingling noise when using the brighter presets even in a mix, but it absolutely jumps out if I boost the highs or use an exciter.

http://www.forum-pianoteq.com/uploads.p...oosted.mp3

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think that this kind of sound should have nothing to do with any real or realistic piano.

Last edited by benyig (27-01-2013 12:33)

Reply by Philippe Guillaume

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Re: D4 Cinematic metallic noise when played softly

I'm not sure to understand what you mean: piano strings have audible overtones up to at least 15kHz, and if you emphasize a given frequency band, then you hear them louder than usual. It's a bit like using a microscope, where it is often difficult to guess what is observed from the zoomed picture only. The strangeness is due to the unusual and deformed perception.

Regarding the Cinematic preset, if you take a look at the Equalizer curve, you will observe that the high frequencies have been voluntarily slightly increased (+5 dB relatively to the 1 kHz EQ level). If you do not like this particular setting, I suggest that you put the EQ curve back to flat by clicking on the "reset" button.

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Reply by benyig

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Re: D4 Cinematic metallic noise when played softly

Philippe Guillaume wrote:

I'm not sure to understand what you mean: piano strings have audible overtones up to at least 15kHz, and if you emphasize a given frequency band, then you hear them louder than usual. It's a bit like using a microscope, where it is often difficult to guess what is observed from the zoomed picture only. The strangeness is due to the unusual and deformed perception.

Regarding the Cinematic preset, if you take a look at the Equalizer curve, you will observe that the high frequencies have been voluntarily slightly increased (+5 dB relatively to the 1 kHz EQ level). If you do not like this particular setting, I suggest that you put the EQ curve back to flat by clicking on the "reset" button.

I know it's been a while, but thank you for your reply. I must admit though that I wasn't happy with it. I think that the unnatural artifact is quite audible and distracting even without the high frequency boost.

However, and correct me if I'm wrong, it seems to me that you have dealt with this problem in v4.5. That metallic overtone is gone for good. Is this just a happy coincidence? I hope not. Thank you, it sounds wonderful now, and I'm ready to upgrade.