Topic by Baltguy

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Topic: Volume problem using Pianoteq and a backing track

I use Pianoteq Stage (standalone) with my Roland fp90 and a MacBook Pro. Ideally, I want to use it alongside a backing track from iRealPro that also exists on my Mac. That way, I can benefit from the lovely sounds of Pianoteq 8.2 while hearing a backing track over the same headphones. Here's the problem: When I just use Pianoteq, I have no trouble with volume and the sound quality is glorious. However, once I activate the iRealPro app on my computer, the backing track volume is perfect but Pianoteq fades so you can barely hear it. Additionally, the Pianoteq sound quality, which is usually lovely, diminishes to the point where it sounds tinny, similar to what you'd get from a old transistor radio.

Btw, the backing track arrives at my piano via a bluetooth connection. There is no discernible latency problem.

Does anyone know a fix for this? It's really maddening and severely limits my ability to use Pianoteq.

Last edited by Baltguy (19-06-2024 19:41)

Reply by moshuajusic

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Re: Volume problem using Pianoteq and a backing track

Your setup seems weird but I'm totally unfamiliar with iRealpro.

I'd import the track into Garageband and put Pianoteq on another track, listen via Mac or audio interface. Or run iRealpro and Pianoteq, use the FP90 as a MIDI controller, and listen via Mac or interface? Not sure why you're sending bluetooth audio to the FP90. Or did I misread that?

Reply by Baltguy

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Re: Volume problem using Pianoteq and a backing track

moshuajusic wrote:

Your setup seems weird but I'm totally unfamiliar with iRealpro.

I'd import the track into Garageband and put Pianoteq on another track, listen via Mac or audio interface. Or run iRealpro and Pianoteq, use the FP90 as a MIDI controller, and listen via Mac or interface? Not sure why you're sending bluetooth audio to the FP90. Or did I misread that?

Reply by Baltguy

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Re: Volume problem using Pianoteq and a backing track

Baltguy wrote:
moshuajusic wrote:

Your setup seems weird but I'm totally unfamiliar with iRealpro.

I'd import the track into Garageband and put Pianoteq on another track, listen via Mac or audio interface. Or run iRealpro and Pianoteq, use the FP90 as a MIDI controller, and listen via Mac or interface? Not sure why you're sending bluetooth audio to the FP90. Or did I misread that?


Sorry, I got it wrong, was conflating two different things. No Bluetooth. Anyway, the pf90 sends midi to PianoTech on My Mac, which in turn is connected to a headphone amp. The Mac is also the source of iRealPro, a nifty library of backing tracks for jazz standards. So, I often use PT and the backing track simultaneously, with the Mac sending both signals to the headphone amp. As you can tell, I’m not tech savvy. The problem, as above, is that the PT volume drops to almost nothing once I also play the backing track.