Topic by TheodorN

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  • TheodorN
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Topic: Difference in Petrof and Steinway actions, applicable to PTQ models?

I was watching a video from LivingPianosVideos, where Robert was describing how one needs to play a Petrof grand differently than a Steinway grand, to get the same articulations and expression. Does this apply in any way to the Pianoteq models? Or does this entirely depend on the action of the MIDI controller?

I know that digital pianos differ greatly in action, my Casio PX-5S is problably not as sensitive or articulate (is that the right word)? as the action of the higher end models. like a Kawai Novus, Yamaha N1X, or even a Kawai VPC1.

For simplicity, let's say I hit the keys with a certain velocity or force, do the Petrof models react differently to that same velocity, than the Steinways do? I assume the two Petrofs can differ between themselves, and also the three Steinways from one another.

It's enought for me to know if there is a difference between a particular Petrof, and let's say Hamburg Steinway D, or the NY Steinway D, doesn't matter. This is the video I was watching, if anyone is interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OfUxUIRcdA

Reply by groovy

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Re: Difference in Petrof and Steinway actions, applicable to PTQ models?

TheodorN wrote:

I was watching a video from LivingPianosVideos, where Robert was describing how one needs to play a Petrof grand differently than a Steinway grand, to get the same articulations and expression. Does this apply in any way to the Pianoteq models? Or does this entirely depend on the action of the MIDI controller?

In my opinion articulation and expression with hammer weighted MIDI controllers depends mainly on the appropriate velocity curve/mapping in Pianoteq (always provided the MIDI controllers own velocity setting remains at default/normal).

I reported in another context in the forum, that I have to use slightly different velocity curves for the different instruments in PTQ. Try it yourself, pick one point in your velocity curve and move it just 3 units to the left or right - you will instantly have a new response!

I have the effect with a virtual Petrof and Steinway too, that they insprire me to play differently. I find this very normal with real acoustic instruments, but the immersion works for me playing PTQ.

Reply by TheodorN

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Re: Difference in Petrof and Steinway actions, applicable to PTQ models?

I see, thanks for the reply.

Reply by jcitron

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  • jcitron
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Re: Difference in Petrof and Steinway actions, applicable to PTQ models?

The action we have really doesn't do anything to affect the sound compared to the real thing. For us to imitate the difference between the different pianos, we need to work with the tone instead of the action as Pianoteq has done for us. When playing a Steinway, as in real life, we have to pedal differently than we would if we were playing on a clearer-sounding piano such as a Schimmel concert grand.

With that said, this does apply to the antique pianos we have. The Viennese pianos in real life have a light and quick action without any double escapement which requires lifting the finger up to allow the action to return to home position. Since we have a one size fits all arrangement, we really can't get that feeling from the action and the Viennese pianos have a totally different sound as well compared to the English and French pianos. These latter two also have a different action much more similar to our action we're used to.

While Pianoteq is awesome and we get to enjoy the most expensive real piano sounds and experience the sound of the antiques, we really can't feel them as we would through the action. I've been lucky in this regard with my visits to the Frederick Collection and had the opportunity to taste the various pianos ranging from a 1795 fortepiano through a 1907 Blüthner. Each one of these pianos has a different personality and flavor compared to each other and more importantly even more so than the modern pianos we have today.