Topic: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Hello,

I like the new Pianoteq V5, but I have a problem with a weird ringing sound of A1 key. Check this:

https://soundcloud.com/l-zhanal/pianoteq-k2

It is K2 Dreamy preset, but it is hearable on all other presets of K2 and D4 pianos. I recorded it with constant velocity (100) to eliminate keyboard problem. I never have this issue with previous Pianoteq V4.5.

Can you help me?
Thanks.

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

What you're hearing might be its L-mode, which on both instruments, I've observed to be around a minor 27th. Play A1 and the F or F# above the middle octave and listen to the beating. Or, for a better example, play A#0 and A440. On the D4, the notes seem almost in tune, but with slight beating. The same interval on the K2 produces almost no beating. Look here for a better idea of what I'm talking about.


Though, I might be wrong, so someone please verify whether this is true or not. Different ears hear different things, after all.

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Well, but what can I do to suppress this annoying sound effect? It is a bug or "feature"? It sounds very disturbing if one key is so highlighet.

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Sorry to post here, but I am new to the site and looked everywhere but could not find a way to submit a new post on a new topic.

I am trying to figure out how to hear audio on my Quicktime piano lessons while I have the Pianoteq software open.  Do I have to buy some extra piece of hardware to accomplish this?  As it stands now I am forced to close Pianoteq to run my piano lessons for a few minutes, then close Quicktime, re-open Pianoteq and vice versa.

There must be a better way.

Thanks

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Nien wrote:

Well, but what can I do to suppress this annoying sound effect? It is a bug or "feature"? It sounds very disturbing if one key is so highlighet.

The L-modes mentioned by lowendtheory are part of the natural sound of a piano, and the louder you play, the more present they are. These modes can vary significantly from one note to another, even between neighbouring notes, this contributes to the charm of the piano. If you listen to some Horowitz recordings, for example: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JaY0IZEy90, you will hear a bunch of strong L-modes.

If you want to attenuate them you can reduce the velocity curve (for example use the "Moderately fast keyboard" velocity preset - right click in the velocity panel). You can also reduce the high frequencies in the EQ, for example something like Equalizer = [3000, 5000; 0, -6.0] (copy paste [3000, 5000; 0, -6.0] in the EQ panel).

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Philippe Guillaume wrote:

If you want to attenuate them you can reduce the velocity curve (for example use the "Moderately fast keyboard" velocity preset - right click in the velocity panel). You can also reduce the high frequencies in the EQ, for example something like Equalizer = [3000, 5000; 0, -6.0] (copy paste [3000, 5000; 0, -6.0] in the EQ panel).

I'm not sure if we understand each other (maybe for my bad english, sorry ;-) ). I really love the whole sound of K2 or D4 piano and I do not want to change it's global character by EQ or velocity curve. My problem is only with one note (A1) which sounds completely different to all others and -- for me -- unnaturally. I can't belive it should really sound like cow's bell, especially with comparison to V4.5 where was not this ringing artefact hearable.

Btw, can you record some notes around A1 on your computer and post it here? I wonder if it will be same...

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

mabye headphones or speakers related?

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

I heard straight string pianos have less "problems" (perhaps qualities for others) like this.  The crossed strings would alter the tone a bit in some points of the bass.

Would be possible to adjust/adapt pianoteq to make a piano model behave like straight string, but with the advantage of longer strings for the bass ?


Not that I dislike this effect. It's just a idea.

Last edited by Beto-Music (25-05-2014 02:01)

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Nien wrote:

Well, but what can I do to suppress this annoying sound effect? It is a bug or "feature"? It sounds very disturbing if one key is so highlighet.

In Pianoteq Standard or Pro, try changing the String length in the Design panel. Find a length that eliminates the harsh L-mode and doesn't change the character of the piano too much.

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

archikeys wrote:

In Pianoteq Standard or Pro, try changing the String length in the Design panel. Find a length that eliminates the harsh L-mode and doesn't change the character of the piano too much.

I have Pianoteq Stage yet, but are you sure it is possible in Standard version? In the versions comparison table is per-note edit only in the most expensive Pro version.

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

I think it applies to all strings in the Standard version. Perhaps it's possible per note in Pro, I don't know, sorry. Try the Standard trial and see what you think.

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

It's possible per-note in Pro, but only globally for all keys in Standard.

Hard work and guts!

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Nien wrote:
Philippe Guillaume wrote:

If you want to attenuate them you can reduce the velocity curve (for example use the "Moderately fast keyboard" velocity preset - right click in the velocity panel). You can also reduce the high frequencies in the EQ, for example something like Equalizer = [3000, 5000; 0, -6.0] (copy paste [3000, 5000; 0, -6.0] in the EQ panel).

I'm not sure if we understand each other (maybe for my bad english, sorry ;-) ). I really love the whole sound of K2 or D4 piano and I do not want to change it's global character by EQ or velocity curve. My problem is only with one note (A1) which sounds completely different to all others and -- for me -- unnaturally. I can't belive it should really sound like cow's bell, especially with comparison to V4.5 where was not this ringing artefact hearable.

Btw, can you record some notes around A1 on your computer and post it here? I wonder if it will be same...

Nien, I agree with you that A1 (actually A0 in the Pianoteq numbering convention) stands out regarding its L-modes. We will redesign a few wound strings to calm down the culprit modes in the next release (during the coming week).

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Philippe Guillaume wrote:

Nien, I agree with you that A1 (actually A0 in the Pianoteq numbering convention) stands out regarding its L-modes. We will redesign a few wound strings to calm down the culprit modes in the next release (during the coming week).

Thank you very much! :-) I wish other companies (Arturia for example) had such customers support like you!

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

This thread really puts into focus the cost of accuracy to the source instrument, if the instrument has voicing problems relating to any number of factors causing them. Though, I do applaud Modartt for capturing all the little imperfections of each and every note.

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

lowendtheory wrote:

What you're hearing might be its L-mode, which on both instruments, I've observed to be around a minor 27th. Play A1 and the F or F# above the middle octave and listen to the beating. Or, for a better example, play A#0 and A440. On the D4, the notes seem almost in tune, but with slight beating. The same interval on the K2 produces almost no beating. Look here for a better idea of what I'm talking about.

Congenial, this all-surprising stuff from You, lowendtheory and Nien. A very audible effect in the referred paper, but I am not sure that in Pianoteq the longitudinal design (or some lack of it? some possible direction for engine improvements?) is alone the cause for the tube-like sounds - it can possibly be tuned by straightforward general overtone tweaking? The longitudinally emitted energy seems to be a true orthogonal parameter in sound shaping (beyond the obvious transversal-longitudinal relation)....

Last edited by Temperament (25-05-2014 20:44)

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Philippe Guillaume wrote:

We will redesign a few wound strings to calm down the culprit modes in the next release (during the coming week).

I wonder if that also includes subcontra G - that note seems to howl the most for me.

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Nien wrote:

Hello,

I like the new Pianoteq V5, but I have a problem with a weird ringing sound of A1 key. Check this:

Thanks.

I hear this noise as well...I was waiting to see if anyone else would post about it. Love V5, but this definitely needs to be fixed as it is glaringly obvious in my opinion (and also quite irritating).

Keegan

Re: A1 key issue (Pianoteq V5)

Version 5.0.1 is ready, you can download it from the user area. As required, the L-modes around A0 (A0 = German convention, A1 = German convention, MIDI# = 33) have been gently calmed down in D4 and K2 and Bluethner has been very slightly revoiced. More details in the 'Changes' section from page: https://www.pianoteq.com/pianoteq5.