Probably, if you experiment with a default preset, you’re able to tell whether or not its name changes into an italicized form. That indicates any preset has been somehow altered.
Tinny sounds in PIANOTEQ standalone occur whenever the MIDI file played within it or MIDI sent from a keyboard contains any number of extraneous MIDI messages (Bank Select, Program Change, Controller, Etc.). Possibly you need to check the latest MIDI messages that appear in the PIANOTEQ Options window and under the MIDI heading —for the keyboard controller messages that have been sent. If you mouse click on a message you’ll have display options presented to you, including the one that clears the message window for you to start a new list and view only the most recent MIDI messages from your keyboard playing.
When sometimes I get a tinny sound, along with a modified preset name (italicized), in the PIANOTEQ Options window, the selection Minimalist, for, Global MIDI Mapping, alleviates such occurrences altogether. For any preset to return though to its original factory settings, on the preset name, a minimum two (2) second long mouse click is necessary.
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.