The problem is that the volume of Pianoteq compared to other plugins is very quiet (Standalone version) The volume on the sound card has to be twisted to the end (Focusrite Scarlett 18i8/KRK ROKIT RP103 G4)
Increase in the volume in the piano reduces the dynamic range and has a overload. Is there a way to increase the total volume?
The problem is that the volume of Pianoteq compared to other plugins is very quiet (Standalone version) The volume on the sound card has to be twisted to the end (Focusrite Scarlett 18i8/KRK ROKIT RP103 G4)
Increase in the volume in the piano reduces the dynamic range and has a overload. Is there a way to increase the total volume?
If you’re using it in a DAW you can easily adjust the gain to whatever you want…
Having said that it doesn’t ever become a problem with my system.
Hmm, my first thought would be to check the settings for your Focusrite device. If the Pianoteq VU is going into the yellow region it should be plenty loud enough. I think the reason you're getting overload distortion is because of the limiter working too hard. Try turning off the limiter, but be careful - turn up the volume on the Focusrite gradually, because you definitely don't want to blow your speakers or damage your hearing.
Agree it seems not normal - so my first focus would be to work out what else might be making your instance of Pianoteq quiet.
Volume is a pretty well balanced thing in Pianoteq IMHO. It won't blow speakers on defaults, it is loud enough for new users to generally use without having to fiddle with vols. Humans can naturally mistake loudness for 'quality'.. I think Pianoteq judiciously walks that line as well as can be expected, esp. considering the number of instruments each being so different and all.
Here are some things I consider with volumes.. 1st is: "what is my goal?".. it matters. (just not sure of your use-case but it might jog ideas)
If you are trying to play/hear Pianoteq "like a real piano I'm playing right now in the room", then you probably should be mostly OK with defaults (esp. "Player" presets).
If you are seeking your dream "recorded piano album sound" for your music, like for outputting for other listeners/steaming etc., then you probably should also be OK with defaults as strong start points - and volume should be genuinely usable in any recording situation, and like dikrek mentions, esp. in the digital domain, levels are almost completely arbitrary once within a DAW.. you could raise/lower faders, boost pre or post in all kinds of ways.
I guess the next 'if' might be.. if, or once you solve some other issue there which is making Pianoteq not as loud as other sources, then if you want to crank up, or lower volume 'before' the main vol.. go into the FX section and use the slider on the right side there "Gain".. it's not super obvious, but it helps with the general 'gain staging' you might want... it will push audio harder through the main out, so the limiter may work harder.. but you could back the gain down (going for clean) and raise the main.. or back the main volume down (going for extra 'recorded saturation') and raise the gain.
A long while ago, a lot of posts were recommending turning down the main, and turning off the limiter (if wanting the cleanest piano sound possible to output from the engine). It's not unique stuff to Pianoteq alone - but certainly, if you hear it as too low in volume 'out-of-the-box', that to me indicates you may have some 'windows audio mixer' set low or something else.
Let us know how you get on - or maybe more info to help work it out.
Other things to consider.. if you're using ASIO audio (via your audio unit or ASIO4all - maybe something in their control panes?).. here's also a useful reference kit for anyone solving PC audio issues which is often my go-to recommendation for trouble-shooting things...
Glitch Free - from Brad at Cantabile software