I happen to augment Pianoteq's convolution reverb with Altiverb in a somewhat unusual way.
Although I generally perform live, for mastering purposes, I like to import Pianoteq's audio into Apple Logic Pro X (Version 10.4), and go to work on the audio as follows:
1) Working on the Pianoteq-rendered AUDIO track, I create an aux. bus and place Altiverb 7 into the bus.
2) Depending on the nature of the piano work, and my general mood, I will select from a plate IR (L480), or a studio IR (e.g., Todd AO) or use the Sydney Opera House IR, and then slowly increase the bus volume from negative infinity to a level that I can distinctly recognize the Altiverb effect -- then ....;
3) I BACK OFF the volume of the Aux bus (usually to between -8 to -14dB) so that the Altiverb contribution is noticeably lessened, but not completely gone.
* * * * *
In this manner, I find that Altiverb adds that little something extra, without being overtly reverberant.
Please note that I do this both while listening through headphones (AKG 701's) or studio monitors (B&W Matrix 801 Series II's). Usually, I find that using headphones only, I tend to over-apply Altiverb to the bus. In my own experience, I attempt to render a plausible "image" of a grand piano in my mind's eye (as viewed from the side with the lid open), such that the piano is located "between" the speakers without extending beyond the speakers.
Too many times, I find the need to REDUCE the stereo separation in Pianoteq to a value of about 0.40, so as to keep the mental image of the piano -- BETWEEN the B&W 801 speakers (but clearly NOT mono!); otherwise, I find the piano sounds as though it is 12' to 15' long from extending beyond the bounds of the speakers. Normally, my 801's are spaced about 10 feet apart, and that my listening position is at the apex of an equilateral triangle measuring ~10 feet on a side, so I am sitting about 8.66 feet in front of the Matrix 801 speakers).
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Joe
P.S. Of course, this is only a suggestion of what works for Yours Truly. By all means, I urge you to experiment with various speaker positions and Altiverb settings, etc. to generate what appears to be the most plausible "image" in your own mind's eye as you listen to the playback.
