How To Write Realistic Piano MIDI

[@Amfivolia]

Hi everyone! Just wanted to write a quick comment about a couple things. - I have a piano sonata (my first one) releasing this Friday! It will essentially serve as a demonstration of all of the concepts in this video put to use. - I talk about the draw tool and velocity ramping in the video, but I forgot to mention that you can draw ramps by selecting notes, and holding ctrl and click in the velocity window while using the draw tool! - Also, apologies for the mic quality in the first 4 or so minutes of the video, but it improves later on. - Gotten a few questions about the physical modelling diagram at 1:50 : It's just a pretty visual, as that section doesn't really need anything visual, but I wanted something that's nice to look at. It's an abstraction of a frequency response curve, just to represent the mathematical aspect of physical modelling. - And of course, if anyone has tips of their own or techniques they use when writing for piano, always feel free to leave a comment! Take care ☃

[@D29.H45]

i thought it's gonna be a copy paste video telling me to use velocity randomizer and a good vst, but this guy actually put efforts into making this great video

[@arcerionmusic]

can't wait for the guitar video

[@Amfivolia]

[@danegerzone4889]

@@Amfivolia subbing for a future guitar video 😅

[@ytop-s6r]

Do not stop making music, sounds, videos, art - You are Incredible!

[@croay]

This sort of video really highlights how cool playing the piano actually is, it's basically everything in the video and more happening in real time.

[@mrcrizsty9675]

Wow, I never knew Ableton Live's piano roll was this powerful.

[@JaceyPlayz99]

while i don't use piano too often when making music, this is easily one of the best explanations of this topic that i have watched. thank you so much for this, you explain everything so well and it's so much easier to follow than other explanation videos :>

[@piopiopiopiop]

Would love something like this for arranging realistic midi strings - specifically chamber quartet type arrangements

[@Amfivolia]

I want to do a breakdown of my seawards EP, which includes a lot of organic string writing. However, I don't feel skilled or comfortable enough to do a long video about midi strings yet. The more I learn about it, the more likely I'll do a video in the future :)

[@luthiersound]

That would be wonderful thanks! Gonna check out your ep as well, really great work on this. I'll keep an eye out for future string related content@@Amfivolia

[@marcotronic]

Wow! That video was insane. Great explanation and awesome video editing. Must have been a lot of work. Thanks a lot. ❤

[@karmagothits6268]

Tutorial aside ! Great visuals looks cinematic best structure and graphics selection is top notch ! You have a great future ahead :)

[@Ibbys_space]

incredible watch, had no idea just how much variance you can pack into such a seemingly simple instrument !

[@Rvxigga]

i was looking for a video like this for quite a while, thank you very much! even tho i am an FL user i believe the video has gems that transcend a particular DAW. Oh and the visuals are out of this world too!

[@aloisraich9326]

You are a hero, thank you so much for humanizing the midi

[@jamespectre]

Loved this, looking forward to seeing more How to's.

[@paxenimzi]

the sheer amount of technical knowledge & skill put into this video both in terms of music & video production is highkey jaw dropping

[@shortcutDJ]

thank you so much, very clear and instructive!

[@tuesdatey]

this is so in-depth! thank you very much

[@SirkitBr8ker]

Been waiting for this! Thanks, dude! Watching rn.

[@FigmentariumAnimation]

Dude, your channel has made me wayyy better as a producer. Keep it up, this channel is gonna be huge

[@fedeangel22]

Wonderful video mate!!

[@sylvainconsult969]

Very interresting. I knew all of this tools in ableton but the way you explain it, based on classical piano performance, offer me a new knowledge and a better understanding to "drive" my midi programmation. Thank you very much. Go ahead !

[@arnonym7614]

Another great video! I'm not into midi or piano playing at all, but I still enjoyed the video a lot. Keep up the good work!

[@tritonecrisantemo649]

Great Tutorial! Thanks even helped me to better my Non MIDI piano playing.

[@MetaProperty924]

Instantly subscribed 🔥

[@ChronoMune]

Thank you for continuing to share your expertise!

[@chopov11]

Very cool video thank you for creating and sharing!

[@hstanekovic]

People might think that there are some tricks but in reality it's all about the musicality ...

[@Amfivolia]

Absolutely! In terms of making a compelling and evocative piece I think tips and techniques are certainly still useful to learn when replicating realism or enhancing your workflow :) Cheers

[@hstanekovic]

I use similar techniques in MuseScore software (old version 3, I still did not accept the new version 4) in my compositions. That is, small tempo and dynamics changes, hidden in the score. Once someone asked "Rubato? But how?". She/he probably hoped that there is some hidden option in the software for this, but I had to disapoint her/him, it's all hard work, and as a prerequisite, you have to develop a feeling for it. Thus your advice of listening to great pianists is a very good one. Best regards.

[@ArchicalLungust]

amazing, amazing video. you explain this topic so well

[@mimisaiko]

Thank you for sharing all this, very insightful, learned a lot

[@CapaUno1322]

Wow, just found your channel, what a really well made video, you're channel is going to blow up at some point! Have a great day! Subbed! ;D

[@Buunshin_]

Good content

[@oddballarchive]

well earned like and sub, great vid, thanks for giving me a rabbit hole to explore!!

[@nicoincertezza5763]

great inspiring video. thank you!

[@Isakaadland]

Absolute banger video

[@Nev_R]

Finally I can make nice piano!!!! thank you bud!

[@VikkiStephen-m1r]

Incredible ❤

[@999noname]

thank you very much!!!

[@EmilioTerceroOficial]

Thanks man!

[@Phasmophage0]

Have you ever thought of making a MIDI and 12 minute song purely out of dogs barking, wood being chipped, car tires bouncing, and a surgery?

[@ThomDidItAgain]

what

[@URAYULI]

woah death grips

[@lamelilac]

that's just a JPEGMAFIA dong

[@dragonfruitreal]

wow

[@pasmoluiso]

Maybe the car tires are a bit too much

[@nicodim203]

Great tutorial, can you do one for the VST guitars, both electric and acoustic? thank you 🙏

[@yesssir7561]

Amazing tutorial thank you, would love a breakdown of chihuahuan

[@Amfivolia]

Thanks! I think I will do that breakdown either if I make a long video about different writing structures (like song structures, narrative structures, etc), or alternatively if I do a more casual video just going through my workflow in Ableton.

[@lye7391]

Cool video!

[@dotuxil]

i love piano

[@JOZZYmusic]

Good information thank you

[@TildeSounds]

excellent

[@yeropharaoh]

amazing video thank you! what is your go-to piano vst?

[@Amfivolia]

@@yeropharaoh thanks! Pianoteq is usually my go-to

[@prod7xmi]

Needed this, thanks.

[@Bachiksma]

Wow, amazing info, pretty fundamental and descriptive enough! How do you come up with chord ideas and overall tonal structures? What is the deciding factor where the chord progression moves? Music theory, feeling, concept? What’s the path of self improvement in the landscape of music?

[@Amfivolia]

Almost entirely intuition! My music is very emotion driven, I think it leads to the most creative and vivid music for me personally. I feel like your intuition and sense of harmony changes not just based on practice, but on the kinds of music you listen to and how often. I think the most effective path of improvement for me is working with other artists, and exploring more of my emotions through music.

[@anhphan1827]

nice video, i hope there'll be a video about reverb in the future

[@stasysmusial]

hell yeah!!

[@laurinbaumann]

would have loved to see your pianoteq settings

[@Amfivolia]

I change them for each piece I do, usually trying to mimic recording styles I like

[@dawinybastos]

The time is most important tô realism

[@WhizPill]

Interesting

[@MathRTD]

Thanks youtube algorithm! Do you also have some tips on how to build realistic chords and playing? As a non-pianist I really don't know the phisicality of playing it

[@Amfivolia]

I sometimes study MIDI files of classical works, which give me lots of new creative ideas but keep me in the realm of something that's possible to perform. I think I care more about what sounds better or conveys a certain idea in this regard, but watching pianists perform and reading discussions on piano forums help me think more about the physicality! Hope that helps

[@JuhoSprite]

damn 4k in 2 days

[@inertias5809]

At around 15:30 you talk about timing automation and making things slower and faster. This is something i never understood about sheet music and performances. How are these timing differences conveyed via sheet music? If someone practices with a metronome then they wont be able to perform these timing nuances. How do musicians practice this stuff and know how to play it properly?

[@CLASER-K]

real

[@Amfivolia]

Well firstly, I'm largely talking about timing nuances that are done by the performer alone, which makes their interpretation and way of expressing the piece unique. These sorts of decisions are largely influenced by emotion or trying to exaggerate certain moments. The other aspect is that since human performances aren't perfect, there will naturally be timing imperfections and nuances anyway. With that being said and to answer your question more specifically; people often practice with a metronome first to get the rhythmic foundations right, before moving onto timing differences and nuances. There are different terms and markings in sheet music for changes in timing, some of which include: Accelerando : Increase in speed Ritardando : Decrease in speed Rubato : Allowing rhythmic freedom to subtlety speed and slow down a section in ways that convey different emotions, while still being based around the general tempo Hope that answers your question!

[@inertias5809]

@@Amfivolia Ah ok that makes sense. I also realize that in an orchestra the musicians follow the conductor, so that if there is any rubato etc., the conductor is the one dictating it and musicians simply follow that even if it's not written in the sheet music?

[@wayziss]

awesome work, great video, but please.. put a DeEsser on your voice recording next time please!!

[@Amfivolia]

@@wayziss thank you -- honestly it's funny because half of comments about DeEsser are saying to use more, and the other half are saying to use less than I already am, it's kinda hilarious -- evidently, at least, I know there's something up with the DeEsser lol Cheers

[@wayziss]

@@AmfivoliaI think you just need to choose frequencies more accurately. Personally, on the DT 770 Pro headphones, the sounds "Ssh" and "Tsh" were thrown into my ears throughout the video if that make sense

[@Amfivolia]

@@wayziss the DT 770 pros are known for having some sensitive high end, but regardless if you notice it's a problem with my voice more than others, it's something to consider Thanks for the feedback

[@TheMikaelangelo]

What would be the difference between programming the legato and staccato notes accordingly, and applying the sustain pedals? I understand the difference in performance, but holding that bass note and pressing that sos pedal provides the same resulting sound to my brain

[@Amfivolia]

For that example you're right in that they'll give pretty much the same result! I find the sostenuto more useful when doing complex textures in my writing, where notes that I want to sustain come up again in staccato form (even when I still want to keep the sustain of the preceding notes) which in theory you could achieve as well with changing note lengths, but I prefer the pedal workflow. The other thing is that a lot of piano plugins sound the pedals themselves, which I like to take advantage of when writing sometimes. Hope that makes a little more sense, its a bit hard to explain without any visual or aural example.

[@terraprox]

Oooh

[@archonicmakes]

live 12 upgrade sales 📈📈

[@subitone]

No shade, but do you put soothe on your voiceover chain?

[@Amfivolia]

Only very slightly, as it can be sensitive with voices -- is it too noticeable?

[@subitone]

​@@Amfivolia I feel like I can always tell... Wasn't distracting tho

[@burkenumkena]

Nah your autistic for that

[@burkenumkena]

Throwing all the shade

[@arcerionmusic]

@@burkenumkena ??????

[@deathcraft2299]

engagement

[@vcodev108]

can you please video on guitar as well

[@Amfivolia]

Most of the MIDI concepts work for humanizing guitar as well!

[@chopov11]

Also your Spotify link take me to “page unavailable”

[@Amfivolia]

thanks for letting me know, fixed it!

[@ibleasse]

Very insightful and detailed. Thanks, but I think you overcooked the de-esser on your voice a bit. Almost all “S”s have become “SH”s.

[@Amfivolia]

I agree -- Thanks for the feedback, and for watching :)

[@anyonewanttoplay7922]

c

[@spood8777]

I cant do it sorry i play the guitar

[@Amfivolia]

looks like i have to make another one