Pianoteq SOUND SPEED Settings result Thinner sound on KAWAI VPC-1

Most people have the opposite problem: the sound comes too late after the key is pressed, and that is due to people using too wimpy of a computer. So Modartt works hard to have the sound "ready" ASAP. If this is consistent for all keys and in all situations, just select a larger buffer. That will increase the latency, i.e. make the sound come a bit late. You have to try different settings to find your own. That setting will not change the sound at all, unless you change something else. Actually, having larger buffer will allow you to change other settings (such as increasing the sampling frequency) which will make the sound BETTER.

Hope this helps!

Maybe an idea to have a delay function so you can customize the Pianoteq sound delay to your system.
Many people work with a fixed fast buffer in their DAW and do not want to change it, just to fix the response between Pianoteq and controller keyboard.

Thanks for all fast response in this forum. I really appreciate it. I did try doodling around with all the settings because it’s really depressing playing the piano that feel so heavy because of this issue. I don’t have those problem playing on acoustic grand piano and other VST’s or even DAW’s.

Option no. 1 by Increasing buffer size seems doesn’t fix the issue at all. I found out that the main issue is on the key action. The turn around from the key hit the bottom until up again about 3/4 before it full release, the damper will hit the string and damp the sound. That’s what I feel on the other VST’s and DAW’s Piano sounds.

But KAWAI VPC-1 is different with Pianoteq. The turn around is already around 1/4 “earlier” before the key hit the bottom and the damper already hit the string around 1/4 to 1/3 before the back up to rest position. This affected the sound which is not natural. The MIDI that I recorded on DAW also “sometimes” come out double because the key bounce up 1/4 already OFF but went down again and hit another MIDI in split second. If the key bounce back 3/4 and the damper hit the string, this double MIDI will not happen.

When I lower the “Sound Speed” setting, the results is amazing, but the sound is getting far and thinner just like Mr. EvilDragon said, it can not be change. I like the action especially when I play fast, doing trills, glissando, ppp to fff come out natural like real grand piano. I did make recording couple days ago and I have so many trouble to bring back the Preset sound that Moddart have which is fantastic and cut the Mix. That’s why I request it yesterday because it was hard to DYI mic position plus mixing, EQ, compressor and other plug-in to bring back that preset.

For Mr. dv, I have Babyface Pro and 2014 MacBook Pro that got fast latency. However, the buffer is not the issue here as I explained earlier. But thanks for the help.

For Mr. YvesTh, I currently don’t have Roland with pha-4. I herd that keyboard is good one.

Then I did what Mr. olepro suggest here using delay setting on Mic. I lower the Delay Mic “…/ms”, and the results is Fantastic. The sounds is changed a bit, but the Clarity still cut the mix. The action is what I aimed here and I got the best results. Both Sound and Action is totally Delicious and keys are now feel light. It was like Night and Days. Thanks to Mr. olepro

I am not sure if other Piano package have the mic settings. But if we all have the same issue, probably team Admin can help those actions issue. I also not sure what keyboard that Modartt have to test this piano. I am sure this can help other particulary KAWAI VPC-1 owners. Before it happen, I thanks to Mr. Philippe.

As for now, I just need to lower those Mic Delay setting One by one to each presets every time I play different Piano presets and saved as new preset.

Thanks for everyone help.

Thank you for fast response Me. Philippe. I did explained it on my previous message about how that one cycle key action that too early can results unpleasant sounds.

also need to add that my fingers also crack and bleeding. The sound that coming out too early when I press the key too early while my fingers are not even arrived at the bottom is make the whole experience playing become unpleasant. The key feel heavy "which actually not". It's just my association by the action and my brain and my hearing that is not match.

With other VST's and other DAW's like Ableton and Logic that have ots own piano, I don't feel like that at all, including acoustic grand piano. I can play all day at church with no problem.

Since I am away from my studio right now (California time), I can not give you more explanation other that this reply.

Tomorrow, I will record what I play "including" the MIDI file so everyone can experience and hearing it.

The difference is night and day. I did lower the comfortable buffer to 192, and it feels good, but the action key one rotation still not fixed. It's still there.

That's why when I lower the mic delay like Steinway HB from 30+ Ms to 13+ ms with my 64 buffer, the piano action feel good. The sound exactly come out right on the bottom of the key. It also sound natural, no more double MIDI because of Note OFF that too early at 1/4 or a few millimeters from the bottom also gone. Now the Note OFF (damper hot the string) happen at around 3/4 (almost rest) which is good to avoid double MIDI.

I am not sure why it happened in my keyboard. My students also have the same experience when doing recitals. I have to edit lots of double notes from their playing.

Well now I know the issue and and I know how to fix it for each presets which is different from each piano. The Steinway model D still on the work. So far the Steinway HB is easy fix.

I'll post the file tomorrow for further reply which better to explain in real action. The glissando is very much noticable and beautiful though which is like stars.

Thank you.