Topic by Pianoguy

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  • Pianoguy
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Topic: Pianoteq 5 D4 & Yamaha CP4 comparison

I've recorded an excerpt of a piece by Tchaikovsky (June Barcarolle Op. 37 No. 6) played through:

1.  Pianoteq 5.1.4 with the D4 Classical Recording AB preset (changed reverb mix to +4.5db)
2.  My Yamaha CP4 stage piano - CFX Concert Grand preset with a few tweaks within the keyboard.

The same MIDI file was used, and I've tried to match volume of the resulting audio files.
Yamaha CP4 recorded via a Roland Quad Capture audio interface, into Logic Express 8 as a 24 bit/44.1 file and exported to a 320 kbps mp3.
Pianoteq 5.1.4 - exported WAV file at highest quality settings, then exported from iTunes (via Audacity for the edit and fade in/out) as a 320 kbps mp3.

I'll attempt to upload the files now. They are 3.4 MB each.
Interested to hear your thoughts!

Reply by stamkorg

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Re: Pianoteq 5 D4 & Yamaha CP4 comparison

Pianoguy wrote:

I've recorded an excerpt of a piece by Tchaikovsky (June Barcarolle Op. 37 No. 6) played through:

1.  Pianoteq 5.1.4 with the D4 Classical Recording AB preset (changed reverb mix to +4.5db)
2.  My Yamaha CP4 stage piano - CFX Concert Grand preset with a few tweaks within the keyboard.

The same MIDI file was used, and I've tried to match volume of the resulting audio files.
Yamaha CP4 recorded via a Roland Quad Capture audio interface, into Logic Express 8 as a 24 bit/44.1 file and exported to a 320 kbps mp3.
Pianoteq 5.1.4 - exported WAV file at highest quality settings, then exported from iTunes (via Audacity for the edit and fade in/out) as a 320 kbps mp3.

I'll attempt to upload the files now. They are 3.4 MB each.
Interested to hear your thoughts!

Interesting,
Do it as a blind test if you can, without naming the files, for example, just "Audio1" and "Audio2"

Reply by Philippe Guillaume

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  • Philippe Guillaume
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Re: Pianoteq 5 D4 & Yamaha CP4 comparison

Thank you Pianoguy for this great performance! Could you also upload the MIDI file?

Philippe Guillaume's Website

Reply by Pianoguy

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Re: Pianoteq 5 D4 & Yamaha CP4 comparison

Philippe, unfortunately I can't take credit for the piano performance of the MIDI file. I simply loaded the file and recorded it with the 2 pianos. It is a very well played & dynamic MIDI file from a piano MIDI collection I've had for years. Apologies if I didn't make that clear. Regarding the comparison, there are aspects of both piano sounds I like. Hard to pick what I prefer. Also, with the variations in reverb settings, the lines become more blurred.

I find myself preferring different pianos from day to day, and this is also dependent on the type of piano music I'm playing or listening to. Lately I've been going back to the Pianoteq 5 Erard piano and enjoying playing and listening back to it's unique, live, organic tone. I'm sure our hearing changes regularly, depending on temperature and how clear our sinus passages are at any given moment!

Reply by stamkorg

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Re: Pianoteq 5 D4 & Yamaha CP4 comparison

I heard the audio files,
My impression is that the attack is a little more natural on the CFX, especially in the high notes.
But globally I liked the Pianoteq more than the CFX.

I think the best way to compare the sounds would be to use a 3rd party reverb (same setting and same % for the 2 files) instead of the integrated reverbs.

Reply by proyb

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Re: Pianoteq 5 D4 & Yamaha CP4 comparison

I hear some nice tone on CFX Concert Grand although you have make it too stereo. Pianoteq sound flat in this test.

Last edited by proyb (21-03-2015 11:39)