Topic: How to Record natural noises? - Peaceful Piano

Hello everyone, I'm trying to record a peaceful piano album, but I can't seem to get the natural sounds of the keys going up and down, the felt, and everything like that.

If you're confused, check out the "peaceful piano" spotify playlist, and you'll see what I mean. There is a lot of natural key noises and felt.

The closest I can come so far is the Steinway D "Felt II" preset and changing it to my keyboard's velocity curves. I would still like some more percussion sound, at least.

Help would be appreciated!

Last edited by Alex_Fullam (18-12-2022 17:39)

Re: How to Record natural noises? - Peaceful Piano

If you are using standard or above, you can click the image to reveal a menu behind it where you can turn up the hammer noise and tweak other parameters.
Also, you can go to the "action" settings on the right to adjust action noises.

Last edited by xwjcool123 (19-12-2022 10:17)

Re: How to Record natural noises? - Peaceful Piano

Hi Alex,
This is basically just the same question you made before reworded. Why not just carry on in that existing thread, then people can see what responses you've already had to the question?

https://forum.modartt.com/viewtopic.php?id=10037

Re: How to Record natural noises? - Peaceful Piano

Key Fumbler wrote:

Hi Alex,
This is basically just the same question you made before reworded. Why not just carry on in that existing thread, then people can see what responses you've already had to the question?

https://forum.modartt.com/viewtopic.php?id=10037


I almost forgot about that post. That post was actually asking for a different sound and a completely different recording style. This is about key releases and other sounds that AREN'T the "clink" I ask about in that post. But if you think I should delete this and edit the other one, then tell me

Last edited by Alex_Fullam (19-12-2022 19:55)

Re: How to Record natural noises? - Peaceful Piano

Alex_Fullam wrote:
Key Fumbler wrote:

Hi Alex,
This is basically just the same question you made before reworded. Why not just carry on in that existing thread, then people can see what responses you've already had to the question?

https://forum.modartt.com/viewtopic.php?id=10037


I almost forgot about that post. That post was actually asking for a different sound and a completely different recording style. This is about key releases and other sounds that AREN'T the "clink" I ask about in that post. But if you think I should delete this and edit the other one, then tell me

Hey I'm not in charge around here.
I'm not even sure what you meant by clink in that thread. It all sounds like requests to get closer to that close microphone sound.

Re: How to Record natural noises? - Peaceful Piano

xwjcool123 gave some good advice there - go to the "Action" panel and increase 'pedal noise', 'Key release noise' and 'Damper noise'. Also in there, changing 'Damper position' and 'Damper duration' can help make a piano preset less 'dampened' which can also help.

Also try raising 'Sympathetic resonance' so more string interaction builds.

Raise 'Impedance' so more cabinet sound generates. Even 'Strike point' might give you a different attack sound (deeper or more brash).

And also, try 'close mic' presets, or point microphones close in to where the hammers are on the piano diagram in the mic editing pane (by clicking the microphone icon).

You can also alter 'Cuttof' and 'Q factor', so that less string singing gets in front of the noise you want to highlight.

In FX, boost some mid or low-mid frequencies with EQ3 to boost the ranges where those noises are.

Also, if you like the 'felt' in the high frequencies, I find this really well highlighted by boosting high trebles over 10kHz or so, also with EQ3 (the sound of felt lifting can be an interesting 'noise' if boosted).

Also in FX, use the compressor. Begin by loading in the "Bang" default preset.


Regarding 'clink' (don't remember other thread).. but hard hammers, boosted trebles - and particularly some EQ (esp. in a DAW with a good EQ) - it seems fairly easy to push for a more metallic attack, but apart from raising your velocity curve and some other things above, the only other factor is time really to explore. Give this time and you find it easier to get really personalized pianos for any kind of playing/recording.

All those things can combine pretty infinitely to your tastes - good luck.

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