Topic by MartinGr

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Topic: Adsilent (Silent System) and Pianoteq6?

I'm thinking of upgrading my silent system on my Bechstein Concert 8 (upright piano).
My workaround for some months was, to use the 13 year old Genio/Kurzweil system only as midi out, and Pianoteq6 on a Raspi4 for the sound. But although I'm still happy with Piantoteq and the many sound options, I'm not able to create a velocity curve that I like. Especially the hardest pressure comes to early and unexpected for me.

So I thought about upgrading the piano to AdSilent. And maybe still use the Raspi4 for the sounds via the front USB of the AdSilent control box.
Is anybody here working with this system or likes to share some ideas?

Regards,
Martin

Last edited by MartinGr (03-08-2020 11:20)

Reply by Cellomangler

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Re: Adsilent (Silent System) and Pianoteq6?

If I recall the early Genio systems transmitted a fixed velocity through MIDI out but that there was an upgraded module that transmitted the full 127 value velocity range.  Curious if you have the older system and could just upgrade, but I don't know the availability... or if possibly the AdSilent is compatible with the Genio keybed sensors.  Actually I probably don't know enough to even be chiming in on this topic.

"Downing a fifth results in diminished capacity."

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Reply by MartinGr

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Re: Adsilent (Silent System) and Pianoteq6?

Cellomangler wrote:

If I recall the early Genio systems transmitted a fixed velocity through MIDI out but that there was an upgraded module that transmitted the full 127 value velocity range.  Curious if you have the older system and could just upgrade, but I don't know the availability... or if possibly the AdSilent is compatible with the Genio keybed sensors.  Actually I probably don't know enough to even be chiming in on this topic.

But thank you anyway!
A fixed velocity it is certainly not (at least not mine)... but I think I have to look in a midi monitor to see what happens exactly in the loudest regions. maybe the 127 is reached too early. Which can't be fixed afterwards, of course.

I'm sure I need new keybed sensors, so it won't be cheap. The only thing I don't need is the silent mechanic...
But I wouldn't like to rely only on the internal sounds of the AdSilent. It would be nice to know if it's easy to find a perfect velocity curve for Pianoteq as well.

Last edited by MartinGr (03-08-2020 13:39)

Reply by Qexl

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Re: Adsilent (Silent System) and Pianoteq6?

Hi MartinGr,

can't suggest much about the sensor installation, not in my experience, but just a hope that your curve could still be tweaked until you get new sensors.

Impossible to know what you've tried but, in case something below helps you, here are things I pick up from your description..


Maybe to something like this?

Velocity = [0, 41, 86, 114, 127; 6, 22, 58, 85, 127]


Less extreme one..

Velocity = [0, 32, 73, 111, 127; 4, 22, 56, 91, 127]


This one doesn't register 127 velocity, in case it gives a clue to your keys, or something else..

Velocity = [0, 37, 69, 108, 126; 4, 20, 51, 79, 109]


[for anyone reading who's not sure what those numbers mean, Pianoteq users can select the line and copy, then right-click and paste into the velocity window to set the velocity curve to better match the keyboard action]

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

Reply by AlphaTerminus

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Re: Adsilent (Silent System) and Pianoteq6?

I use an AdSilent system on my Yamaha C6 with Pianoteq.  It works well. 

I didn't have to set a velocity curve as I was happy with the default.  Every once in awhile there are errors like glitches in the sustain or a false key response.  99 percent of the time it is accurate.

I got the Steingraber piano model version of AdSilent but don't like the built in sound.  The sound is low res.  But I don't like it in Pianoteq either.  I use the Bechstein 282 most of the time.

Honestly though, the Kawai VPC-1 with Pianoteq is a better controller.  Silent piano systems just can't match the subtle nuances of a good dedicated controller such as that.

I mostly use the AdSilent with Pianoteq with no sound as a constant midi recorder so I can go back listen to my playing when learning a new piece while playing the C6 acoustically.  If I really want to record a performance on Pianoteq, I generally use the VPC-1.

Last edited by AlphaTerminus (04-08-2020 08:27)

Reply by MartinGr

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Re: Adsilent (Silent System) and Pianoteq6?

Qexl wrote:

This one doesn't register 127 velocity, in case it gives a clue to your keys, or something else..
Velocity = [0, 37, 69, 108, 126; 4, 20, 51, 79, 109]

AlphaTerminus wrote:

I mostly use the AdSilent with Pianoteq with no sound as a constant midi recorder so I can go back listen to my playing when learning a new piece while playing the C6 acoustically.  If I really want to record a performance on Pianoteq, I generally use the VPC-1.

Thanks for your recommendations!
The upper curve is not bad. I can even add [127;127] without getting too disturbing impulses.
The upgrade to AdSilence would cost around 1450€, which is really a lot. Maybe it wouldn't be fun enough to do that. Especially, as I'm not keen on the built-in sounds.

Constant midi recording is great - but Pianoteq does this as well - and I love that everything is recorded, and I don't have to care for it. Sometimes a spontanious improvisation contains something, that is worth do be written down.

I have a Kawai ES110, which is nice for the money - and good for travelling, because it's light.
But maybe I should spend these 1400€ better for a VPC-1 or something similar...
Good idea!