Topic by Tim91

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Topic: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

Hello everybody,

I am new to the forum and have been using pianoteq for a few months now with a Roland FP-30. I connected the keyboard to a windows 10 computer via USB and achieve very low latencies with the ASIO4ALL driver. I currently have no external sound card but I'm very happy with the playability and the sound :-). To practice, I often use online videos that I watch through the browser. Unfortunately I did not manage to get my headphones through the pianoteq standalone and browser sound. At the moment I am using Roland's built-in sounds to practice with videos, but maybe someone can help me here. If you need further information let me know.

Greetings from Germany,

Tim

Last edited by Tim91 (21-03-2020 23:27)

Reply by Qexl

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

Hey Tim91,

I've never had success at quality VST/DAW audio plus browser (or other system audio/video) at the same time.

Over decades there have been audio 'splitter' software solutions (as well as various ways to set things in the OS with poor results each time I've tried) so my final logic is to keep my 'proper' audio workstation stable and just use a second laptop for online. I tried tablet for online but I'm probably too old-school to stand all the cut down web-pages and issues with it.

Easiest for me is an old Linux lapptop with it's own standalone PC speakers. Maybe bought pre-loved from a place which recycles these could be affordable in a short time saving. (remember you're only wanting a cheap web capable one, not one with high-end gaming specifications).

I haven't been seeking a solution for ages so I'd like to know if others have found ways to solve this without compromising a solid audio workstation (cannot have glitches, important to me - and not any constant futzing around with internal settings and editing the innards or running commands or changing boot options etc. - all that is out of the question for me - happy to do this on a 'game machine' only - not where I want to keep my audio workstation operating).

Pianoteq Studio Bundle (Pro plus all instruments)  - Kawai MP11 digital piano - Yamaha HS8 monitors

Reply by georg

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

Tim91 wrote:

[...] ASIO4ALL [...]

This driver is crap! Just get a good audio interface and then it will work out-of-the-box :-)
In my case I'm using the "NI Komplete Audio 6" (the old version, not the new black one) and it works great!

Gruß aus Mittelfranken ;-)

Reply by dklein

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

I run Pianoteq through ASIO using my external Steinberg UR-22 mkII and the Steinberg driver, and then the other audio (from my browser, etc.) goes through the Windows Audio driver, but is outputted through the same UR-22.  This way, if I'm using headphones to be quiet, then YouTube videos, Pianoteq forum music posts, etc., all go through the headphones (or the speakers, if I am not using headphones).

By the way, another benefit to an external audio processor is that you get REAL KNOBS!  Somehow I find it easier to precisely yet quickly adjust volumes with knobs rather than use a mouse and a slider, or a mouse and a 'virtual knob'.

- David

Reply by Tim91

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

Many thanks to all of you for the quick and competent answers. That saves me nerves and time.
I wanted to get an audio interface anyway to record guitars and vocals, but if it fixes my other problem too, then fine! :-)

Reply by georg

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

Tim91 wrote:

[...] to record guitars and vocals[...]

There is currently an offer with the NI audio interfaces... You will get Guitar Rig 5 PRO for free!
https://www.native-instruments.com/de/s...pro-offer/

Maybe not as good as BiasFX, but I like it :-)

Reply by chasmanian

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

Qexl wrote:

Hey Tim91,

I've never had success at quality VST/DAW audio plus browser (or other system audio/video) at the same time.

Over decades there have been audio 'splitter' software solutions (as well as various ways to set things in the OS with poor results each time I've tried) so my final logic is to keep my 'proper' audio workstation stable and just use a second laptop for online. I tried tablet for online but I'm probably too old-school to stand all the cut down web-pages and issues with it.

Easiest for me is an old Linux lapptop with it's own standalone PC speakers. Maybe bought pre-loved from a place which recycles these could be affordable in a short time saving. (remember you're only wanting a cheap web capable one, not one with high-end gaming specifications).

I haven't been seeking a solution for ages so I'd like to know if others have found ways to solve this without compromising a solid audio workstation (cannot have glitches, important to me - and not any constant futzing around with internal settings and editing the innards or running commands or changing boot options etc. - all that is out of the question for me - happy to do this on a 'game machine' only - not where I want to keep my audio workstation operating).

I have an RME Babyface. its the first version from several years ago.
the program that works with it is called TotalMix.
it works for this.
if you have more questions, ask me.
I will do my best to answer them.

Reply by NathanShirley

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

In my experience ASIO4ALL serves its purpose just fine, but due to limitations with Windows, it can't do multi-client ASIO, which is what you want. Not all external audio interfaces support multi-client ASIO, and it's often not advertised, so be careful. There are two types of multi-client ASIO, though you need only the more basic type to play audio from two programs at once, one using MIDI, one through a web browser. Controlling MIDI in two programs at once is the other type of multi-client ASIO (which I believe usually supports the more basic type as well).

I have heard that all Native Instruments (NI) interfaces support full multi-client ASIO, the little one I use does. I've heard that all RME and likely MOTU do as well. I've heard that Steinberg interfaces might be hit and miss for basic multi-client ASIO support, not sure if any support full multi-client (but still might be fine for you).

~ Nathan Shirley

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Reply by Qexl

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

Such good info and advice all.

@chasmanian - hey, thanks so much. I'm fine without this for now but certainly Tim91 might take you up on that.

Have just checked out RME's TotalMix website info and def. looks really useful as well as stable (being in the driver itself rather than separate layer of software).

Cheers Chas and everyone here - you're all so super.

Pianoteq Studio Bundle (Pro plus all instruments)  - Kawai MP11 digital piano - Yamaha HS8 monitors

Reply by chasmanian

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

Qexl wrote:

Such good info and advice all.

@chasmanian - hey, thanks so much. I'm fine without this for now but certainly Tim91 might take you up on that.

Have just checked out RME's TotalMix website info and def. looks really useful as well as stable (being in the driver itself rather than separate layer of software).

Cheers Chas and everyone here - you're all so super.

thank you very much Nathan.

thank you Qexl. 
cheers to you too.

also want to mention, RME's support is excellent too.   

Reply by Tim91

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

@ ALL of you: Thank you very much for your help!

You made very good suggestions for an interface that meets my requirements and with the keywords "multi-client ASIO" I found other information about this topic.
The NI, Steinberg and MOTU (M2/M4) interfaces sounds very interesting to me in the price range around 200€, but first I have to try something else:

Today I heard that my sister has a Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD and never uses it. That's why she sends it to me for free. I am curious whether the Behringer drivers are also multi-client capable.

When I've tried it I can tell you if it works for me.

All the best to you!

Last edited by Tim91 (23-03-2020 23:47)

Reply by Tim91

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Re: Pianoteq and Internet-Browser: Sound at the same time?

Hello guys, here is my update:

The interface arrived an hour ago and I connected it straight away.

After I set the sample rate of the Behringer and the Windows driver to 192 khz in the Windows sound settings and the Behringer ASIO-Driver-Panel, everything works without complaining.

If I use Pianoteq in the DAW (Cakewalk) while watching a Youtube video, I get 64 samples on a CPU load of approx. 20 %. (i7 4770k @3.5 GHz)

I am very satisfied and the sound feels better than before.

Thanks to everyone here for the great help and to pianoteq for the great sound!

Cheers!