Topic: Warmth / Effects
It's often said that the sound of Pianoteq isn't "warm". Have you tried using Pianoteq with saturation plugins or other FX? What were the results?
- Lycomedes
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- LTECpiano
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Lycomedes wrote:
It's often said that the sound of Pianoteq isn't "warm". Have you tried using Pianoteq with saturation plugins or other FX? What were the results?
If you have ever seen written or have heard "often said" as you referenced - how many times? Once? Twice? Your post is entirely subjective. Your second sentence is more objective and meaningful.
Regards,
Lanny
- Lycomedes
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Re: Warmth / Effects
LTECpiano wrote:
Lycomedes wrote:It's often said that the sound of Pianoteq isn't "warm". Have you tried using Pianoteq with saturation plugins or other FX? What were the results?
If you have ever seen written or have heard "often said" as you referenced - how many times? Once? Twice? Your post is entirely subjective. Your second sentence is more objective and meaningful.
Regards,
Lanny
There are numerous forum posts and YouTube comments claiming that this or that piano VST has more "warmth" than Pianoteq. That's a fact, not my own opinion on the matter. Might be worth considering how FX can be used to create this subjective "warmth" that is so often sought.
Last edited by Lycomedes (04-06-2022 12:25)
- Key Fumbler
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Is it really the modelling?
No doubt it can get even better but I don't think warmth is lacking in the sound.
Equalisation is a huge factor in the perception of warmth, or lack thereof.
Dynamic range, compression and reverb make big, big differences too.
Running sounds through preamplifier emulations and virtual transformers more icing on the cake.
Plenty of the AB preset comparisons that I have heard Pianoteq has actually been one of the warmest examples, by which I mean a softer sound without pushing detail in the presence region or pushing the treble too much.
Last edited by Key Fumbler (04-06-2022 13:56)
- dazric
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Some presets, when played without pedal, do not have much resonance, which you may equate to lacking 'warmth'. Try adding a little bit of PSP PianoVerb and adjust to taste - the basic version is free, so you have nothing to lose! https://www.pspaudioware.com/products/psp-pianoverb
I've tried various saturation plugins and have usually ended up ditching them after a while, just going back to plain Pianoteq. But PianoVerb is very good, IMO. It can be used instead of, or in addition to, a conventional reverb plugin.
- sandalholme
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Re PSP plugin, I downloaded it and don't appear to have any actual software: a folder, after installing the .dmg file containing a .rtf file, a .html file which takes me to the PSP site, a .pdf manual and a .txt containing version history. I know it's not your issue, but can PSP - when installed - be access directly from Pianoteq, as I can with Samplicity, or do you need to run the PSP s/w within a DAW?
- dazric
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Re: Warmth / Effects
That's odd about the PianoVerb download - did you register your free account with PSP? Probably worth trying the download again in case something got corrupted. Yes, it does need to be run within a DAW.
- sandalholme
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Thanks for that. It may have got corrupted, but I don't use a DAW: Pianoteq "record" preset to midi to Pianoteq "playback" preset to Audacity for final tidying up. At my age I need to keep it dimple! (If not simple)
- Lycomedes
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Thanks, dazric. The Init preset is nice.
- Lycomedes
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Re: Warmth / Effects
I should clarify: I'm not playing with Pianoteq for my own amusement. I want to reach people with my music. That's why it worries me when people claim that the sound of Pianoteq isn't "warm". I don't agree with that statement, but I do find that the attack part of the sound is sometimes lacking in richness compared to a real or well-sampled grand.
Last edited by Lycomedes (13-06-2022 12:53)
- Key Fumbler
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Lycomedes wrote:
I should clarify: I'm not playing with Pianoteq for my own amusement. I want to reach people with my music. That's why it worries me when people claim that the sound of Pianoteq isn't "warm". I don't agree with that statement, but I do find that the attack part of the sound is sometimes lacking in richness compared to a real or well-sampled grand.
Should we take it then that you only use Pianoteq for recordings, and you prefer a real piano for your own playing pleasure?
- Lycomedes
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Key Fumbler wrote:
Lycomedes wrote:I should clarify: I'm not playing with Pianoteq for my own amusement. I want to reach people with my music. That's why it worries me when people claim that the sound of Pianoteq isn't "warm". I don't agree with that statement, but I do find that the attack part of the sound is sometimes lacking in richness compared to a real or well-sampled grand.
Should we take it then that you only use Pianoteq for recordings, and you prefer a real piano for your own playing pleasure?
No, that's not what I said.
- Key Fumbler
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Lycomedes wrote:
Key Fumbler wrote:Lycomedes wrote:I should clarify: I'm not playing with Pianoteq for my own amusement. I want to reach people with my music. That's why it worries me when people claim that the sound of Pianoteq isn't "warm". I don't agree with that statement, but I do find that the attack part of the sound is sometimes lacking in richness compared to a real or well-sampled grand.
Should we take it then that you only use Pianoteq for recordings, and you prefer a real piano for your own playing pleasure?
No, that's not what I said.
Never mind then. It's just that the way worded it made it sound like you were only using Pianoteq altruistically!
- Lycomedes
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Key Fumbler wrote:
Lycomedes wrote:Key Fumbler wrote:Should we take it then that you only use Pianoteq for recordings, and you prefer a real piano for your own playing pleasure?
No, that's not what I said.
Never mind then. It's just that the way worded it made it sound like you were only using Pianoteq altruistically!
I view Pianoteq as a tool I'm using for the purpose of reaching people with my music. I'm interested in how to use it optimally and how to solve percieved flaws in the sound.
- MeDorian
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Re: Warmth / Effects
I have a TC Electronic DVR250-DT (digital vintage reverb). It comes with a hardware interface, great sound including Space reverb.
Although I could use it for general playing in a DAW, I only use it in post production for my audio and video recordings. It sounds best with the TC full wet and using the sends.
Nick
- Lycomedes
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Re: Warmth / Effects
MeDorian wrote:
I have a TC Electronic DVR250-DT (digital vintage reverb). It comes with a hardware interface, great sound including Space reverb.
Although I could use it for general playing in a DAW, I only use it in post production for my audio and video recordings. It sounds best with the TC full wet and using the sends.
Nick
Thank you, Nick.
- MeDorian
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Re: Warmth / Effects
Hi Lycomedes, another thing to consider is the recording levels, for YouTube etc I normalize the audio WAV to peak at -10dB, this can be done in Audacity for example. My early attempts some years ago were too loud, this made the sound harsh, also reverb was spoilt by the lack of head room.
Nick