How I make a classical recording using Pianoteq 🎹

[@31416]

Never thought of using a performing preset then a recording one for final output. Excellent! Thanks!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! Yes I always do in classical or ambient recording because the audience and my perspective are so entirely different.

[@paulfrancis1062]

I have been trying to play that Nocturne for several years but it never sounds anywhere near as expressive and moving as your rendition. Bravo, Sir! To think this was recorded on a digitally modelled piano as well. Your creation of such a realistic audience perspective sound is so accurate. The microphone placement and reverb is so effective. I enjoy watching your videos and the way you explain things makes them really easy to understand. Thank you for all the time and effort you must put into making them.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you for your kind remarks! Much appreciated!

[@smusic4638]

Another great performance Phil. I get drawn to your videos because of the Pianoteq connection, but always get absorbed by the beauty of your music!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you for such a nice comment! Appreciated!

[@cocchiaf]

Listening to your performances is always a pleasure, Phil. Thank you so much. That's so addictive and relaxing.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@cocchiaf]

@@PhilBestMusic Thank you, Phil. It's your way of playing that is impressing. So plenty of soul. Really beautiful, actually.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[@iraklisigua6508]

You're amazing! Your wonderful piano playing penetrates the soul... You're THE BEST!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you so much for such a kind comment!

[@SeaDrive300]

Thank you so much for using "your" and "you're" correctly in three separate sentences. You're THE BEST! :-)

[@tovertaal]

This is very beautiful playing, thank you!

[@PhilBestMusic]

My pleasure! Thanks for listening!

[@aoganesi]

Beautiful playing and brilliant idea. Thank you, sir!

[@PhilBestMusic]

I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for listening!

[@JoseVGavila]

Hi Phil, interesting approach. And nice playing!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks!

[@markfowlermusic]

Don’t know whether to get stage or standard pianoteq, quite a difference in pricing, I’m not sure why you change the mic positions or how important that is when you could just switch to binaural mode when using headphones, which I realise you don’t use. But that basically does what you do with the mics but better. I’m having so much fun with pianoteq trial and the Petrof and classical guitar are my favourites. But I will be using speakers soon rather than headphones, probably some iloud mtm as I’ve owned them before, or Adam T5v maybe, but anyway is the mic adjustments necessary to get the best piano playing experience via speakers?

[@PhilBestMusic]

I really don't enjoy wearing headphones for long periods whilst I play the piano. Certain presets have the mics in a player configuration that works great for stereo speakers, so adjusting the mic positions freely is only something you need if you want that extra level of flexibility.

[@markfowlermusic]

@@PhilBestMusic I still think with your playing level and musical talent you’d benefit from improved speakers or headphones with pianoteq, I’m playing with some audio technica headphones and pianoteq sounds very good, but they aren’t even high end cans, god knows how good you can get it to sound with some higher end gear. I must admit I quite enjoyed playing around with mic settings so I may just get standard PT. Think I’ll get petrof, Steinway D and either bechstein or the classical guitar… very exciting times, PT is unbelievably playable, it’s actually more playable than a real piano.

[@PhilBestMusic]

My speakers may not be expensive ones but they sound absolutely excellent. Of course, such things are highly subjective.

[@markfowlermusic]

@@PhilBestMusic also I wonder if you’ve tried the upgraded pha50… it’s on the lx 706 and 708, it’s basically a faster more fluid pha50. Think that range soon to be replaced anyway this year. Grand hybrid action it’s called, cheers. Let me know your speakers model no. And make if possible.

[@PhilBestMusic]

No I haven't tried it - I'm happy with my current pianos' actions (including my old V-Piano - the first digital piano I enjoyed playing) so haven't been all that curious. My monitors are M-Audio BX8s.

[@omaralkarnos4488]

Thanks we need more vids like this

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! I'll see what I can do!

[@calikokat100]

wow...so informative...thank you

[@PhilBestMusic]

My pleasure!

[@thatsmerightnow4910]

Hi thanks! Nice and beautiful!!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlschmidt9369]

Beautiful playing.. and very good to hear the Waves C6 and L1 in action. I've looked unsuccessfully to find a tutorial on how to use these specifically for solo piano. They really make a big difference. Is there any chance you might dedicate a small video to an introduction on using these - and the reasons you choose specific settings etc? That would be awesome!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! And that's a good idea for a video. The truth is I produce like I cook - I'm happy to take shortcuts. So I'm very reliant on presets - I know that the guys who made the presets have a better technical understanding than I do. I mean C6 is pretty complex and I haven't read the manual or done any tutorials. But I trust my ears. So ultimately my tiny little tweaks, enhancements and combinations work well. I need to own the validity of my untechnical approach to production and share it on here.

[@carlschmidt9369]

@@PhilBestMusic Thanks Phil... I'm very much the same when it comes to EQ'ing.. Best left to the techy folk who have all the know how.. Anyway keep the video's coming.. They are most enjoyable. 👍 🎹

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! I will!

[@hellomate639]

Excellent content. I was wondering about this sort of thing, especially if you were using any other plugins to clean it up a bit.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! I think a little mastering glue is necessary for any recording to sound finished.

[@QuickQuips]

Seems like a simple and easily reproducible setup. Most of the sound comes from your touch anyway. Playing with other kind of reverbs (Liquidsonics Seventh Heaven, a Bricasti M7 simulator or the Pro R by Fabfilter seem popular) might make the largest improvement out of the 3rd party plug-ins since the compressor and limiter are doing so little.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! I think the reverb in Pianoteq is good now. I used to use Waves IR for an extra level of realism but those convolution hall reverbs in Pianoteq 7 sound great to me.

[@jeffmcclure888]

Awesome! Video. How do you connect your speakers? How are they wired?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! They are connected via XLR cables to my sound interface.

[@ianmock2]

Great playing! What is the piece played here?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! It's Chopin's Nocturne in E minor Op. 72 No. 1

[@dutnakke1780]

absolutely beautiful - both the sound and of course fabulous playing. Can I ask which version of Pianoteq you are using, Stage, Standard or PRO. I asssume pro :)

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! It's v7 pro version - the mic positions changes are not possible in the stage version, maybe...

[@dutnakke1780]

@@PhilBestMusic Thank you

[@christophercrimmins6143]

Ever record with headphones?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Sometimes I do. But when I record classical piano. I really prefer not to for reasons I will explain in my next video...

[@jaketanner109]

hi..great videos. I am currently demoing pianoteq, and I hear some flanging in the lower notes across all piano instruments. is this typical? I am demoing the Stage version. thanks.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Maybe! Real pianos do have some nature phase if we listen with very intense scrutiny.

[@jaketanner109]

@@PhilBestMusic I mean does it also phase on your copy? Around the 7th octave? Maybe from 6 down. I want to make sure this is not a limitation of the demo. Thanks.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I don't hear anything that sounds off or exaggerated. And I shouldn't think the demo would be limited in that way. Maybe there's something in your setup that's causing it.

[@jaketanner109]

@@PhilBestMusic nothing in my. setup would cause that. It's mostly with the Steinways. Don't hear it too much with the Bluethner. And my mistake, it's the low octaves...C 2 maybe. I think I hear it more with Pianoteq than I do with my other libraries...not a deal killer, but wanted to see if it's an issue. Thanks for the replies.

[@chriswalsh2645]

What is the actual keyboard you are using with Pianoteq?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Roland HP605.

[@lycoris7890]

Great performance

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you!

[@djmotise]

The treble is too bright and tinny. A Steinway D wouldn't be that bright, would it. It still sounds very digital to me.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I've played quite a few Steinway D pianos and in my experience the treble is very bright indeed. So we disagree...

[@bakuami-g-coda]

Sounds like you play real acoustic piano.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! Well that's all I used to play and it's where my head goes. I believe that it's a real piano I'm playing and I suspect that's a major part of how I make it sound convincing.