Topic by whibble

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Topic: Pianoteq as a standalone instrument

I'm building a Pianoteq standalone instrument using a Raspberry Pi mini-computer and wondered if this were for sale what features would be essential?

I'm thinking of a stage piano enclosure with 88 note hammer action keyboard and without speakers (or would these be desirable?)

Some thoughts / questions of mine:
- High quality audio outputs jacks - is balanced desirable / needed?
- Polyphony - how much is enough?
- Knobs to control what features?
- Price?

What sort of things are essential / nice to have / ... or even definitely not needed?

Reply by Urs Zimmermann

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Re: Pianoteq as a standalone instrument

That's what I dream of. Lightweight, sturdy, stage-ready piano with 88-key hammer action and speakers that can be used as monitoring. Button for volume and selection of pre-programmed sounds. Outputs for PA and headphone and of course sustain pedal. Depending on the quality of the keyboard price around Euro 2000

Last edited by Urs Zimmermann (19-10-2019 21:18)
Pianoteq 7 Pro with all pianos

Reply by Amen Ptah Ra

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Re: Pianoteq as a standalone instrument

I’m on a lookout for something in MIDI High Resolution Velocity Prefix control change number eighty-eight (88) note-on capabilities, note-off velocities values (1 thru 127), and an attractive optional stand or cabinet including pedals to make it portable.

Last edited by Amen Ptah Ra (19-10-2019 23:20)
Pianoteq 8 Studio Bundle, Pearl malletSTATION EM1, Roland (DRUM SOUND MODULE TD-30, HandSonic 10, AX-1), Akai EWI USB, Yamaha DIGITAL PIANO P-95, M-Audio STUDIOPHILE BX5, Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP.

Reply by whibble

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Re: Pianoteq as a standalone instrument

Amen Ptah Ra wrote:

I’m on a lookout for something in MIDI High Resolution Velocity Prefix control change number eighty-eight (88) note-on capabilities, note-off velocities values (1 thru 127), and an attractive optional stand or cabinet including pedals to make it portable.

I like the idea of hi-res velocity. Does PT respond to that? Realistically I think we can generate 10 bit resolution out of the keyscan (packaged as a 14 bit MIDI message of course).

Could you clarify a bit more  the note-on / note-off capabilities you mention.

Stand, case, pedals can be done. Would you want built-in speakers?

Reply by whibble

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Re: Pianoteq as a standalone instrument

Urs Zimmermann wrote:

That's what I dream of. Lightweight, sturdy, stage-ready piano with 88-key hammer action and speakers that can be used as monitoring. Button for volume and selection of pre-programmed sounds. Outputs for PA and headphone and of course sustain pedal. Depending on the quality of the keyboard price around Euro 2000

Excellent - I hope we can fulfil your dreams!

Lightweight - agreed. Speakers - interesting. It can lead people to think of it as a lower-end product by having speakers. How important is this to you? Outputs / headphones - tick.

That's a beefy price. How about the construction - are you expecting metal / plastic? Plastic will lead to a more lightweight product of course.

Reply by Urs Zimmermann

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Re: Pianoteq as a standalone instrument

whibble wrote:
Urs Zimmermann wrote:

That's what I dream of. Lightweight, sturdy, stage-ready piano with 88-key hammer action and speakers that can be used as monitoring. Button for volume and selection of pre-programmed sounds. Outputs for PA and headphone and of course sustain pedal. Depending on the quality of the keyboard price around Euro 2000

Excellent - I hope we can fulfil your dreams!

Lightweight - agreed. Speakers - interesting. It can lead people to think of it as a lower-end product by having speakers. How important is this to you? Outputs / headphones - tick.

That's a beefy price. How about the construction - are you expecting metal / plastic? Plastic will lead to a more lightweight product of course.

For me, speakers have to be. The latency of remote monitors bothers me. Otherwise as robust and at the same time as light as possible. That can be plastic. I imagine a "Studiologic SL88 Grand" with sound from Pianotheq and integrated speakers. The keyboard may be slightly better quality than Studiologic.

Last edited by Urs Zimmermann (24-10-2019 13:36)
Pianoteq 7 Pro with all pianos

Reply by xhivo

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Re: Pianoteq as a standalone instrument

Keep in mind that the Raspberry Pi is limited to 22050 or 28000 internal samples with a max polyphony of 48.

The main selling point, for me at least, would be the ability to control Pianoteq (internal one or an external one) from the keyboard itself, and a fast boot time. You could map rotary encoders with OLED screens to each Pianoteq option, bonus points if you make them remappable for other VST's to use. So basically I'm saying pay attention to the UI design. Since that would be the only point in buying your product. Since a "standalone" keyboard can be made easily with anything running Linux, from a Raspberry Pi to an Intel NUC. But the ability to change every option of Pianoteq, on the fly, with an easy to use user interface, would be game-changing.

Cool idea, good luck

Reply by marcos daniel

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Re: Pianoteq as a standalone instrument

There is a possible issue with the license... As long as I know, the software is not transferable, what happens if someone wants to sell the instrument?

Reply by Amen Ptah Ra

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Re: Pianoteq as a standalone instrument

whibble wrote:
Amen Ptah Ra wrote:

I’m on a lookout for something in MIDI High Resolution Velocity Prefix control change number eighty-eight (88) note-on capabilities, note-off velocities values (1 thru 127), and an attractive optional stand or cabinet including pedals to make it portable.

I like the idea of hi-res velocity. Does PT respond to that? Realistically I think we can generate 10 bit resolution out of the keyscan (packaged as a 14 bit MIDI message of course).

Could you clarify a bit more  the note-on / note-off capabilities you mention.

Stand, case, pedals can be done. Would you want built-in speakers?

The forum topic High Resolution MIDI Velocity (CC#88) may clarify a lot.  (I posted to it.)  I’m providing a link to it, https://www.forum-pianoteq.com/viewtopic.php?id=5897.

Speakers are preferable.

Last edited by Amen Ptah Ra (29-10-2019 20:52)
Pianoteq 8 Studio Bundle, Pearl malletSTATION EM1, Roland (DRUM SOUND MODULE TD-30, HandSonic 10, AX-1), Akai EWI USB, Yamaha DIGITAL PIANO P-95, M-Audio STUDIOPHILE BX5, Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP.