Topic: "Spanish orange" composed by Grzegorz Mi?kiewicz

Hi everyone.
Here is my new recording of a piece called "Spanish orange". To accomplished that mission, I used Steinway Model D and Jazz recording setup with some mods of mine. I hope you'll enjoy.
Best regards to all of you in this terrible quarantine times.

https://youtu.be/qHN5dWI4U6I

Re: "Spanish orange" composed by Grzegorz Mi?kiewicz

While I like your performance, I wonder if your MIDI controller has an uneven or inaccurate velocity response across keys.  Although you indicate Steinway D Jazz Recording BA or Steinway D Jazz Recording AB preset with your modifications.  Have you v.6.7.0?  Do controllers like yours require regulation like an acoustic piano does?

Now about “Cool Blues” by Mike Cornick, have to say I like er dig it the most!

Man, why don’t you just post it?

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.

Re: "Spanish orange" composed by Grzegorz Mi?kiewicz

Thank you very much for the kind words regarding my recording. I set the keyboard velocity to the standard "fast keyboard" because, in my opinion, that most faithfully reflects a real piano touch of this KAWAI. Other characteristics (pedal, note-off) were calibrated individually.
I used the BA settings for this recording, but I additionally modified the microphone settings slightly and some other options. Yes, I'm using ver. 6.7.0
Can you specify a question about controller adjustment? Do you mean strings tuning, or weight regulation of keys?
About posting my YT recordings - I hope these recordings are interesting. If you want I can paste links to them in the next post

Best regards

Amen Ptah Ra wrote:

While I like your performance, I wonder if your MIDI controller has an uneven or inaccurate velocity response across keys.  Although you indicate Steinway D Jazz Recording BA or Steinway D Jazz Recording AB preset with your modifications.  Have you v.6.7.0?  Do controllers like yours require regulation like an acoustic piano does?

Now about “Cool Blues” by Mike Cornick, have to say I like er dig it the most!

Man, why don’t you just post it?

Re: "Spanish orange" composed by Grzegorz Mi?kiewicz

Kacper_ek wrote:

Can you specify a question about controller adjustment?

Sure.  Do you use the VPC Editor?

I raise this question only as veteran forum members who also use PIANOTEQ in conjunction with the Kawai VPC1 have individually posted various velocity curves, each very different.  I got a link now (here).

Since I am mainly a drummer looking to record a jazz trio with virtual instruments, I’ve a curiosity about keyboard choices, available hardware models, and velocity curves modern keyboardists use satisfactorily.  Although, which curves might vary on any given keyboard model, including the Kawai VPC1.

Apparently, the VPC1 is fine without a VPC Editor.  The new instrument controller needs no regulation like a newly purchased acoustic piano from a piano dealership.

Please correct me, if I’m mistaken about my analogizing a new VPC1 to a yet unregulated piano new off a showroom.  But, what was evident to me is a lack of uniformity across controller velocities as I look and listen to your post (above).

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.

Re: "Spanish orange" composed by Grzegorz Mi?kiewicz

Amen Ptah Ra wrote:

Sure.  Do you use the VPC Editor?

I don't use this software because PIanoteq works on Linux and there is no native Kawai application for this operating system. However, with linux WINE, at least when I tried to run it, it didn't work well. On the MIDI controller I have set the standard touch curve - red LED, and all changes are made in PIanoteq. I tried to test with KAWAI's dedicated Pianoteq settings, but the touch of the keyboard did not match the sound that came from the speakers (if you know what I mean). I am a classical pianist who spent playing MANY hours on "analog" instruments of all possible companies, that's why feeling the keyboard was and is my priority.

Amen Ptah Ra wrote:

Apparently, the VPC1 is fine without a VPC Editor.  The new instrument controller needs no regulation like a newly purchased acoustic piano from a piano dealership.
Please correct me, if I’m mistaken about my analogizing a new VPC1 to a yet unregulated piano new off a showroom.

I think you're right about the new instrument - whether analogue or digital. Good quality instruments come out of the factory (manufactories) pre-adjusted. They reach the buyer and the fun begins;) Along with the hours spent on the instrument, it plays out and the process of wear occurs. Narrowing down to pianos - mechanical parts wear out. Depending on the intensity of the owner's exercises, the use of individual instrument registers - some parts wear out faster, others more slowly. There are many variables responsible for instrument degradation. VPC1 also has many mechanical parts that can be degraded. My instrument is 2 years old, it is used often, but so far I have not noticed the alarming wear inequalities. In addition, in an ideal world (which does not exist), each performance should be carried out on a perfectly tuned instrument. Some time ago, with my friend, I recorded several songs by composer Charles Camilleri on a classic Steinway Grand. Even during the recording, the instrument could be slightly out of tune and the recording had to be repeated. This is not a problem with a digital instrument.The torment of pianists is that each time they play on a different instrument (I'm talking about concerts here) and they have to adapt to real-time conditions in real time.
(OK, it's not so simple - before concerts of BIG BIG classical stars tuners prepare an instrument for them).
Unlike, for example, violinists who always play the same own instrument.

Amen Ptah Ra wrote:

But, what was evident to me is a lack of uniformity across controller velocities as I look and listen to your post (above).

Could you specify?
Does this mean a lack of sound consistency in this recording, no consistency in shaping the phrase?

Finally, a sample from Charles Camilleri's Divertimento recording. I hope you will like it.
https://soundcloud.com/user-456766191/c...d-movement
Best regards from Poland

Re: "Spanish orange" composed by Grzegorz Mi?kiewicz

What a wonderful piece, and great performance. Beautiful rhythms and jazz-inflected chords and scales. Is this your own composition? Chick Corea might be envious.

--
Linux, Pianoteq Pro, Organteq

Re: "Spanish orange" composed by Grzegorz Mi?kiewicz

Thank you Stephen. Forgive me, but I'm not sure if you meant my first post with the recording of "Spanish Orange" or the part of Divertimento by Ch. Camilleri.

I think this movement is more jazzy than the third one

https://hearthis.at/kacperek/i/


Stephen_Doonan wrote:

What a wonderful piece, and great performance. Beautiful rhythms and jazz-inflected chords and scales. Is this your own composition? Chick Corea might be envious.

Last edited by Kacper_ek (19-04-2020 22:46)

Re: "Spanish orange" composed by Grzegorz Mi?kiewicz

So good! Love the song, powerful playing, great sound.

Re: "Spanish orange" composed by Grzegorz Mi?kiewicz

PaptainClanet wrote:

So good! Love the song, powerful playing, great sound.

Thank you

Re: "Spanish orange" composed by Grzegorz Mi?kiewicz

Kacper_ek wrote:
Amen Ptah Ra wrote:

Sure.  Do you use the VPC Editor?

I don't use this software because PIanoteq works on Linux and there is no native Kawai application for this operating system. However, with linux WINE, at least when I tried to run it, it didn't work well.

Code Weavers software uses WINE.  Maybe it’ll work.  A demo of it is available: https://www.codeweavers.com/.

Good quality instruments come out of the factory (manufactories) pre-adjusted. They reach the buyer and the fun begins;) Along with the hours spent on the instrument, it plays out and the process of wear occurs. Narrowing down to pianos - mechanical parts wear out. Depending on the intensity of the owner's exercises, the use of individual instrument registers - some parts wear out faster, others more slowly. There are many variables responsible for instrument degradation. VPC1 also has many mechanical parts that can be degraded. My instrument is 2 years old, it is used often, but so far I have not noticed the alarming wear inequalities.

I was wondering if the VPC1 is like an acoustic piano.  Which when it arrives at a dealership requires regulation performed by the dealer.  That is right after it was shipped from out of the factory to the dealership.

You see many complain key weights are uneven: https://forum.modartt.com/viewtopic.php?id=6886.  Which might suggest Kawai expects experienced or informed pianists to treat each of its model controllers just as an unregulated piano instrument.  That requires a technician’s attention.

In addition, in an ideal world (which does not exist), each performance should be carried out on a perfectly tuned instrument. Some time ago, with my friend, I recorded several songs by composer Charles Camilleri on a classic Steinway Grand. Even during the recording, the instrument could be slightly out of tune and the recording had to be repeated. This is not a problem with a digital instrument.The torment of pianists is that each time they play on a different instrument (I'm talking about concerts here) and they have to adapt to real-time conditions in real time.
(OK, it's not so simple - before concerts of BIG BIG classical stars tuners prepare an instrument for them).
Unlike, for example, violinists who always play the same own instrument.

Now Melodyne is the software from Celemony that permits retunings on piano audio tracks after the fact on any recording session.  Its availability is from Celemony.

Kacper_ek wrote:
Amen Ptah Ra wrote:

But, what was evident to me is a lack of uniformity across controller velocities as I look and listen to your post (above).

Could you specify?
Does this mean a lack of sound consistency in this recording, no consistency in shaping the phrase?

Inconsistencies seem to occur from one key to another in individual key volumes maybe because of inconsistent key weights throughout the keyboard.  That is my observation.

Finally, a sample from Charles Camilleri's Divertimento recording. I hope you will like it.
https://soundcloud.com/user-456766191/c...d-movement

Man, that piece echoes industrial workings!  I’m hearing perhaps an influence, of Eric Dolphy?  One of my best buddies when I was in a junior high and a high school played bass clarinet, as we marched in parades and performed in concerts throughout Los Angeles County.  Personally I like to hear a clarinet in any music, that is avant-garde!  Included are of course the both movements you posted!

Last edited by Amen Ptah Ra (03-05-2020 02:17)
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.