Topic by John Krajewski

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  • John Krajewski
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Topic: Key Release Noise and note off velocity

I have just re-rendered some MIDI files I recorded way back with PTQ3 and noticed the key release noise was much louder than in my original recordings. I discovered that the source of the problem is that the key release velocity no longer modulates the key release noise. An annoying clunk is audible regardless of how gently I release a key. It appears that this feature got missed off somewhere between Version 4.5.4 and 5.1.2.
Could this feature be reinstated please?

Reply by Philippe Guillaume

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Re: Key Release Noise and note off velocity

John, the model has been indeed changed from version 4 to version 5. In particular, the noises are now also modulated by the duration between the Note On and Note Off signals, which benefits to the the keyboards that do not send variable Note Off velocity. The modulation concerns level, timbre and duration of the noise. The modulation is also driven by the Note Off velocity, but to a lesser extent than before regarding level (it depends on the instrument). Which instrument were you using in your project?

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Reply by John Krajewski

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Re: Key Release Noise and note off velocity

Hi Philippe,

I originally produced a recording of Chopin's Berceuse on a C3 about 5 years ago (PTQ 3).
The significant changes I made to the default settings were :-
Key release noise +8dB.
Note on velocity curve Linear (Input=127 : Output=127, Input =1 : Output =0 (Silent)).
Note off velocity curve Linear (Input=127 : output=127, Input =1 : Output = 5).
I found these settings invaluable as a practice aid which encouraged me not to be too clumsy releasing keys too quickly when playing as quietly as possible.

When I tried playing the recorded MIDI file with the same velocity and key release noise setting with Bluthner Chamber Recording AB on PTQ5, the key release was very much more audible, especially after the closing chord.
OK so shame on me for being too lazy to re-record this piece from scratch, after all, its a different piano.
I re-recorded the final few bars but could not get rid of the clunkiness of the key release.
When I tried the same settings with the same instrument on PTQ4 the key release noise is much less.
I'll post the MP3's and MIDI file in the user area for comparison.
The key release noise after the final close is inaudible with PTQ4.

Reply by Philippe Guillaume

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Re: Key Release Noise and note off velocity

Hi John,

I listened to your recordings, there is indeed a difference at the end. In your recording done with version 5, isn't the overall key release noise a bit louder than with version 4? Nevertheless, on an acoustic grand, even if you release the key slowly, there is still a noticeable noise produced by the jack going back to its rest position (actually, a slow release velocity in an acoustic piano has more effect on the damping than on the key release noise), so I find the noise at the end of your version 5 consistent with the rest of the piece.

In the Bluethner Pianoteq model, the key release noise loudness range w.r.t. Note Off velocity is 12 dB, which you may find not sufficient. However I would rather reduce the overall key release noise by 3 dB.

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Reply by John Krajewski

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Re: Key Release Noise and note off velocity

Hi Philippe,
Sorry I've not replied until now but I've been having internet problems.
Reducing the key release noise to about 4 or 5 dB does makes it sound much less clunky (more like pre V5.0).

One thing I have noticed is the effect on the damping you mentioned. A very slow key release seems to cause a slight buzz as the string vibration gets clipped by the damper. I really like this effect. Is it a new feature or have I just not noticed it previously?

Reply by Philippe Guillaume

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Re: Key Release Noise and note off velocity

John Krajewski wrote:

One thing I have noticed is the effect on the damping you mentioned. A very slow key release seems to cause a slight buzz as the string vibration gets clipped by the damper. I really like this effect. Is it a new feature or have I just not noticed it previously?

It isn't a new feature, it has been implemented for quite a while now, with variations between instruments which might be what you have noticed...

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