Topic by bheller

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Topic: A little confused about XP/Disklavier files...

Hi,
Trying to get my head around how Pianoteq does this, using the SMF and XP files from the Piano eCompetition website.  In order for this to work, shouldn't there be a Disklavier preset in Pianoteq that has the correct mapping of controllers to match the files?  For example, I'm seeing some CC numbers that I'm guessing are not going the right places (the intention is probably not to change octave stretching in the middle of the piece with a CC, probably?).

Also, is there a way to map note-off velocity somewhere?  I don't see it come up in the mapping list under Options > MIDI.

Many thanks,
Brian

Reply by varpa

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Re: A little confused about XP/Disklavier files...

To configure Pianoteq to process the Disklavier files click:
Options button (open options panel)
MIDI  (switch to MIDI options)
Dialect->Disklavier XP   

Note Off control is in the Velocity box on bottom left of the main panel.
Click on arrows at the top to switch to the note-off window.

varpa's Website

Reply by bheller

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Re: A little confused about XP/Disklavier files...

Thanks, I've looked at both of those areas-- In fact, that's exactly where my questions come from.
What part of the model is release velocity mapped to?  Is there a list somewhere of the XP 'spec' controllers assignments, just as there is for the official MIDI/GM spec?  I can't find much info on it at all and, as I said, it seems like some of the controller assignments don't make a lot of sense in the files I looked at from the eCompetition.

Reply by Temperament

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Re: A little confused about XP/Disklavier files...

bheller wrote:

Thanks, I've looked at both of those areas-- In fact, that's exactly where my questions come from.
What part of the model is release velocity mapped to?  Is there a list somewhere of the XP 'spec' controllers assignments, just as there is for the official MIDI/GM spec?  I can't find much info on it at all and, as I said, it seems like some of the controller assignments don't make a lot of sense in the files I looked at from the eCompetition.

Beside having just the same questions, i would need some informations:
While when in PT I play back .xp ("extended precision") MIDI files produced by disklavier  they sound better to me then the corresponding .smf ("standard midi file"), but I have no idea which MIDI extension could be responsible for this kind improvement. I could see some aftertouch events, but these are standard MIDI events as well such as OFF-key velocity is.

A practical question: Is there any consumer-grade MIDI keyboard or DP out there which could benefit from XP (is able to produce some events/parameters which are only in XP ?) Disklavier is out of (my) scope. (Then would play PT or any other SW instrument a lesser important part of my setup, I guess.) 

I know e.g. even the cheap newer Casios are able to produce hi-res MIDI (the other extension of MIDI).

An important observation: the velocity curve must be updated before using any kind of MIDI input with key-off velocities. (It will be used even for playback and in the standard setting no sensitivity for key OFF velocity is effective. )

I can also observe when option "Standard MIDI" is chosen while playing back a Disklavier .XP file, Sympathetic resonance slider in the Design area is flopping very dynamically to and from.

Last edited by Temperament (26-09-2013 10:27)

Reply by custral

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Re: A little confused about XP/Disklavier files...

On Pianoworld though more exactly where than that I forget, I once saw a claim that a Modartt rep had affirmed an answer to the question did Pianoteq interpolate output values between the MIDI values or not : it did. The context I don't believe was mentioned, or at least was quite disrelated to Disklavier - and never mind that until I hear this from Modartt directly myself I can't entirely credit it - yet surely it's the implication that true Disklavier replay via PTQ carries. The 'fineness' ratio over SMF is 8X. (Must say though, I'm quite unsure whether any improvement I 'hear' isn't some sort of placebo kid-me.)

As well as which, the implication of Modartt's use of velocity curves must be that either SMF replay is impoverished when using one (as also when using the Pianoteq correction curve for Kawai VPC1) - or not, implying interpolation.

ADDED: I have used the MacIntosh's Veloset software on various fine performances captured in SMF, to change volume, and though the gaps created by the process are *visible* via PTQ's velocity telltale, they're not audible.
The meaning of the visible gaps is that they're on the input side, or finger side. Thus the inaudibility on the ear side, the output, could be accounted for by interpolation. But maybe even better by lo-fi ears.....

Again, exactly what happens when one uses the Dynamics slider?

Ask Modartt. That'll settle it.

Last edited by custral (26-09-2013 12:43)