Beautiful sonority with no changes to the settings in Pianoteq.

[@patrickdaxboeck4056]

I use Pianoteq for a few years now. It was a huge difference to the on-board sounds of the Clavinova CLP-480 I use. With Pianoteq the instrument came alive. However there were two important ingredients to get it alive: a) you need a very good Midi-DAC-ADC, e.g. a Steinberg interface. b) you need a reasonably powerful computer. Currently I use a 4 core Notebook where I adjusted the power saving setting. I also had to tune the Pianoteq settings to give it a fix amount of voices, etc. When I used the automatism, it went down in quality too much. When I do a recording, I take the midi sequence and get it rendered with maximum quality as that sounds best. What is also very important is to take the time and adjust the velocity curves to the keyboard/e-piano being used. It took me half a year of continuous small adjustments until I was really satisfied. As a result I can really play all the dynamic loudness range like on a well tuned and prepared high quality grand piano. Before I knew Pianoteq, I would never ever have imagined how much physical modeling can achieve.

[@kiaora12]

Patrick Daxboeck Just curious what Pianoteq setting you are referring to when you say a fixed number of voices vs. Automatism? I’m new to it and still experimenting with the settings.

[@Undercoverstheband]

Patrick, what piano/keyboard action would you recommend, that will bring out the most that pianoteq has to offer?

[@kaaralex]

I use Pianoteq 7.5 on a simple Intel-silicone 2020 Macbook Air and w a pair of ATH M70 headphones, no complaints, no hiccups.

[@Chalisque]

More modern Pianoteq is heavier on CPU. Pianoteq 3 was a complete game changer of me in 2011. Under Ubuntu (which my 2010 first gen i5 with 4GB RAM laptop dual booted into), I could get rock solid performance with a 64 sample buffer (this wasn't as a VST, but rather the app running on its own, with as few background tasks as possible, and the low latency kernel). Pianoteq 8 is heavier by comparison. Audio interface wise, I'm happy with a Focusrite 2i2. (Back then, I was putting the audio out through a novation Xio, and that was a massive step up from the internal sounds on my stage piano.

[@powerpopaholic876]

10:39 Steinway D Blues 11:45 Ant. Petrof Dreamy 12:45 Gotrian Cabaraet Probably a minute each after that

[@timstikkers7581]

I love the age we live in: I'm learning on an Kawai CN37 with Pianoteq. This program (and your channel) really help me to interact with a living, breathing instrument. It also introduces me to different Piano models and their tonalities. For a person like me, this would have been impossible a few decades ago. Love your channel, beecause you turned me towards PT!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Nice one! You're so right that music technology gives us a dazzling wealth of possibilities..

[@zetacrucis681]

to make it sound out of this world wow, turn up sympathetic resonance, increase soundboard impedance and (string) length.. tweak the hammer hardness to suit your taste / style of music.

[@lundsweden]

Pianoteq is really wonderful, getting better and better. Version 8 is even more refined. I agree that fiddling with the deep settings isn't worthwhile, that's why I think Pianoteq Stage is perfect, and the best value.

[@mdezwart]

But in Stage you can't change the mic setting and that is one of his advices to do.

[@snurrfint]

Yes, that and an extra instrument makes it worth it. Engine parameters and morphing is pretty nice too but not as important.@@mdezwart

[@Chalisque]

@@mdezwart I do have Standard now, and frankly I rarely use the more advanced features you get above Stage. I'm perfectly happy for Moddart to have the extra I paid for Standard though. It's a proper musical instrument in a way that little else in the software world is.

[@Danefrak]

Mic positioning is essential

[@DarkSideofSynth]

This guy gets it! It's not about gear, it's about the player and the intimate relationship with the instrument. It's not a coincidence that many professional pianists always comment about being inspired and involved with Pianoteq, the pleasure they feel playing it compaared to mega sample libraries. Even if my plyaing sucks, I've always loved how this software makes me feel when I play. I was mesmerised by your playing. You passion comes through immensely. You also happened to chose most of my favourite presets. When you played the Bluethner (and the Bechstein) it was total meltdown for me. The last I can do is subscribe. Thank you!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks so much! I'm so pleased YOU get what I mean. It's all about connection, passion, intention...

[@DarkSideofSynth]

@@PhilBestMusic Exactly!

[@striketwo4356]

Be very weary of any bullshiter who disregards importance of proper gear. It is about gear and always is! Roland HP605 is not a cheap DP, and has pretty good action and nice MIDI response/velocity range compared to cheapo digital pianos. Good action is very important for Pianoteq and expressive dynamics. (it's actually important regardless of which VST you use, but for Pianoteq it's even more important) I do agree that Pianoteq is generally speaking better for improvisation and is a more "alive" instrument compared to large sampled piano libraries. Also many of the youtube vids/recordings of piano playing often use compressor which makes a marked difference to overall sound quality. Hell, even Pianoteq library is part of the "gear equation". Built in sounds for most digital pianos sound like shit, and it doesn't matter one bit "what kind of soul" you put into it, it is going to sound like shit. It's a fact. Disregard gear at your own peril.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Are you calling me a bullshitter? I guess you are! But of course, I'm not! Apart from that, I agree with you! I'm absolutely not disregarding the importance of proper gear. I sound much better on a new Steinway grand than some ruined old school piano. But the gear is nothing if a monkey is using it, right! My point is that the gear makes up only one big factor. And naturally, technique and musical skill form another. But an often neglected aspect of making a good sound is feeling and playing freely from the body and soul. It makes a huge difference as long as the gear responds to it - Pianoteq does, sampled pianos don't. Soul is a very significant part of the equation. Disregard it at your peril (unless of course, soulless noise is your goal)!

[@skyko]

Superb advice for any instrument, voice, or performance.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I'm delighted you think so!

[@yoni23able]

I love these longer videos, with you talking and playing. For me it's hugely educational, and inspirational.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@MFASonic]

This is by far means the best video I've seen when it comes to comparing all available software pianos on the market. Oops, Phil didn't show any competitor? Well, right, that's logical because from the view/ear of a player, nothing comes even close to Pianoteq6. Add to that Phil is not only a professional but also is a very talented soulful player, it's sometimes hard to concentrate on the piano sound itself instead of melting away due to the beauty of his playing. There is one big issue with Pianoteq though that you can hear in all the amazing sound files here as well: The lack of lows and low-mids. I participated in an AAA game production for 2021 recently, and while it was clear right from the beginning that we would record most orchestral parts (strings, brass and woodwinds), there was one single track in the mock-ups where we considered to leave it unchanged. The composer played it with the Steinway D on Pianoteq, and it was "piano only". In our first run, we recorded a Steinway C-227 of 2001 that is the accompanist piano for the recorded orchestra, using two Neumann K-184 and a Schoeps BLM 03C. This didn't work out. The Pianoteq simply "felt" better, more intimate. But we also realized that the low end was superior from the real thing, as well as the body resonance. Adjusting Pianoteq with EQ here is not possible, even with the use of outboard gear or using other mics from within the simulation - the lack of fullness in the lower frequencies is burnt in and cannot be cured. Renting a 2018 D-274 and recording it in a appropriate studio with Royer R-122Vs and the Schoeps finally gave us what we were looking for. Much effort to be honest, and this was not paid by the customer. Bottom line: -Pianoteq, even with version 6, has a sonic problem with the lower end. Besides this, it is absolutely unrivaled. -Real pianos show a much better resonance behavior than all of their digital counterparts -Recording a real piano is a big and expensive challenge. For most purposes, Pianoteq will serve you much better.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks for your nice comments about my playing. I mention no competitor because I'm not a reviewer just an enthusiastic musician sharing my own personal techniques for creating music. It's interesting to me that you mention the low end. I do think there is something about the low and low mids that I don't quite like. Not exactly a lack of frequencies in the range so much as a quality that is not quite the same - not quite as warm and natural - as a real piano recorded nicely. But I find I can usually process this problem away. I have a set of clips recorded on Pianoteq and acoustic pianos that I did to blind test myself - and others if they're brave enough - and believe me, I struggle to know which is which. Different rooms, mics etc. make such a big difference not to mention the fact that acoustic pianos vary so much.

[@MFASonic]

@@PhilBestMusicThis is exactly my experience: Blind tests with stereo recordings of a high quality real piano against Pianoteq are a challenge. That shows how close the simulation is. When sitting in front of a real D-274 there is of course a huge difference in terms of sound and feel, of "mental impact" compared to a speaker or headphone situation - but we should be well aware that this is an unfair comparison. The keys on a real Steinway are superior to any keybed I would know, you have a zero ms latency, you have a real 3-D sound that is interacting with the environment - and last but not least you cannot make yourself free of feeling good playing an instrument that is worth as much as a 1-family-house. But capturing that very sound is a different thing, even with the biggest budget on the planet. So we have 700 USD Pianoteq vs. 230.000USD D-274 and mics... Enough of tech talk. I love your video since it focuses on the fact that playing a piano is a two-way process. You react to the sound of the instrument, and this is why your stuff sounds outstanding. This is why it touches the heart. If the simulation has it's weaknesses, you find a workaround in a fraction of a second. Thanks again. You made me play more ;)

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks very much, I appreciate it!

[@jpdj2715]

Beautiful playing and these deep insights here - excellent. Two fundamental underlying things (no solution however). The 100% modeling piano is superior, conceptually, at all level over sample based. But it starts with sampling a real piano. Pianoteq do that in a way to take the essence out with mathematical models for volume, resonance, instrument ageing, etc. But it starts with a real instrument. With your deep knowledge as apparent here, I guess you know every new Steinway D has its own voice, character. Browse for some YT clip showing a selection process of a new "D" for a studio or music school. The bass end of one "individual" could be dominated by overtones, the other overtones seem more powerful in the bass because of less overtones. Here taste becomes a deciding factor. That may have a genetic component in that some people are overtone-focused and others prefer the basis (driving choice and preference in music instrument or audio kit purchase). Another thing is microphone choice and placement. Here, I would argue that people have become so used to microphones stuck inside a piano paired with "cinematic" noise that they might appreciate real instruments less than the real thing. As to the "D", I've heard a couple with beautiful deep bass sonority not masked by overtones and resonances. But that was the minority. A detail about pianos relevant here, is that their strings are crossed. The bass strings cross the middle octaves. In a harp they're all parallel (harpsichord, clavichord, fortepiano, etc.). Well, pianos exist that were designed and built that way. In the past, and still today. One builder, Klavin, makes a 370 and 450 upright (with ladder to the stool) as well as an instrument where each key has one string. Listen to NI's "The Giant" and "Una Corda" that were sampled from these Klavin pianos. It's sampled, sorry, but you get the idea.

[@Paulo-bk3fi]

Hello Phil, Thank you so much for your videos and your inspiring musicianship. Your are truly talented and convey your ideas with very clear explanations about what music really is and how to get expressive sound . Very instructive and enjoyable... Just to react to what @MFASonic said about "real pianos showing a much better resonance behavior than all of their digital counterparts". It's totally true and I think this lies in how sound is produced by a soundboard and strings versus loudspeakers (even expensive monitoring loudspeakers). I am just a piano enthusiast, not a professional at all, but I installed a good silent system on my upright acoustic piano. Then, to be able to play without headphone, I decided to invest in a amplifying system. As I am inclined in DIY devices, instead of buying the conventional set "amplifier + stereo loudspeakers", I invested in a pair of transducers that I stuck directly on the soundboard of my piano, fed by an HIFI amplifier (total cost without silent system : 400€) Honestly, the sound is just *gorgeous* and any digital pianos (as well as any other instruments by the way) sound much more natural and like a real acoustic piano. The sound diffusion made by the soundboard is so clear and you are like surrounded by your music. Plus, you benefit from the sympathetic resonance of the strings (provided your piano is well tuned at 440 Hz), which adds something invaluable to any stringed instrument. I think you may have a look at this because, although I only deal here with technical/audio stuffs, I think it really helps to convey emotion of what you play on the keyboard to your body and soul. And I understood this is of course very important in your creating process and I am pretty sure you would not go back to your monitoring speakers ;-) The only drawback is that you cannot record what your soundboard nor the strings are producing. Only you can ear it. So for recording and production, monitoring speakers are still needed. All the best for you, your channel and your music. Kind regards.

[@sword-and-shield]

The importance of this video lesson applies to ALL instruments. Your reference to painting by numbers is a great example, because music is art. How we create our individual art reveals everything about you as an individual artist. I came to the vid, because of interest in Pianoteq and got a masterclass on musicianship with artistic expression and how the software interacts with it. Thank You Sir

[@PhilBestMusic]

That's great to hear! Thanks! It's so true, all instruments need us to connect with them. I struggle to find that connection with sampled pianos, whereas physically modelled pianos like Pianoteq respond directly and sympathetically.

[@TheFlamingPiano]

Yes exactly. One of my subs said that Pianoteq sounded too plastic (or Metallic) yet the way I played made it sound realistic

[@PhilBestMusic]

Absolutely! It's almost as if it makes the sound we want it to make... But I've long though that acoustic pianos are like that too.

[@toobvu]

@@PhilBestMusic Agree. In university I had access to several well-maintained grand pianos in the music school. Each had its own personality; I would decide which conversation I wanted then visit the appropriate piano. Your comparison of playing with intention versus what's on the page is really powerful. It demonstrates how the sound of any instrument is dominantly the player. My style is pretty percussive and angular by design - inspired by players like Ahmad Jamal. Now I'm trying to break some longstanding habits and play more fluidly, similar to what you've demonstrated here. Thanks again for your all insights. In my opinion, this video is an excellent introduction for budding music students.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks so much! We all have a unique sound. I love that there's no right sound only a true one!

[@franciscocano2397]

I think the early versions used to sound horrible

[@chrisf5828]

Blind comparison has been Pianoteq's best friend

[@eviegoh]

Hi Phil, I am a classical pianist who got caught up with life and just forgot how much I enjoyed playing the piano. Recently exploring getting a digital as my Yamaha U5 needs to be tuned and serviced (sticky keys due to humidity) :( Someone channeled me to your video and I just wanted to let you know that the emotionality that you bring out with your improvisation is amazing and inspired me to want to start playing again!

[@PhilBestMusic]

That's so good to hear, Evie! Thanks for sharing it - it means a lot.

[@DirkTomandl]

Wonderful video! The Bluethner Chamber is by far my favorite - a warm, beautifully rounded sound especially in the mid range.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks so much! Bluethner pianos are so rich!

[@lostboy5861]

Hey I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to make this video. As a full time musician I get caught up in playing it just like the track and following those dynamics perfectly but I think I forgot the joy of playing... Thanks for reminding me !

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks!

[@Amadi1]

I've been debating between this and Keyscape... but I'm more of a classical player and all the other reviews are of people playing more pop and jazz and improv. Finally with you I find someone that plays more like me and I get to hear this with the type of playing I will use it for. I have a grand Yamaha C3 but I'm spending way too much time on maintenance and tuning instead of on recording...:/ So I think I will do Pianoteq as an alternative for the meantime for my recordings of original music and original arrangements! Thanks so much! I don't expect it to FEEL as good as playing on my C3 (especially when it's freshly tuned and filed) but I do expect an amazing sound in playback :)

[@shaunreich]

Pianoteq is much better IMHO. I have used both, biggest detractor is pianoteq has half pedaling. Keyscape does not. Though it has some cooler built-in effect presets I feel like. Pianoteq is also super cheap, I think your money is better spent on that (I own both). I wish I knew how to modify it though, these settings are over my head right now as a beginner, but I'm sure it'll get there with time

[@konradspittelberg]

That's really great, how you convey the message that speed changes and rhythmic patterns keep the listeners attention by actually performing it with your voice @6:35 ff. Well done!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks!

[@AspenTruth]

Just brilliant, communication both verbally and musically. Sold.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Well thank you! I'm so pleased!

[@vincecomposer]

New subscriber here! Thank you for making this video. I'm a composer and started making KZbin content about a year ago. The message that expressive intention precedes and supersedes any kind of technical or more abstract sonic concept is something that's close to my heart as well. It was nice to hear you talk about it in your own context. I wouldn't quite go as far as to say that creating music with conventional samples is like puppeteering a corpse haha although I certainly recognise the feeling of disconnection/alienation as somebody who's played real instruments my whole life. To me the 'distance' that comes from using regular samples makes it more akin to collaboration rather than direct expression. Anyway great playing and I look forward to checking out more of your content!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks for the comment, Vince! The corpse remark was a little extreme, I know. I only meant it to refer to acoustic pianos. I thoroughly dislike playing pianos with sampled sound engines. When the Roland V-Piano was advertised as having a living core, I was very skeptical but physical modelling has turned out to be something quite amazing in its expressive responsiveness.

[@vincecomposer]

@@PhilBestMusic Totally! How much difference would you say using a more advanced midi controller has made to your playing with Pianoteq? I currently have a Roland-300GX (typical stage piano) but I'm considering getting something with more sophisticated hammer action. I'm an experienced player so wondering if there's some extra potential to unlock there for my MIDI performances.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I'm not the best person to ask, as I'm not familiar with the 300GX and my experience is pretty limited overall: I love the action of my V-Piano (PHA-III) but I don't like the PHA4 as much. I love the PHA50. I have no significant experience of any other actions.

[@wimlassche]

Wonderful Phil! Love Pianoteq and my Kawai VPC1

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! Yes the VPC1, like Kawais generally, is great!

[@QuickQuips]

It's what I use. Brilliant piece of kit.

[@martoneill]

This is great guidance - thank you

[@PhilBestMusic]

Glad it was useful! Thanks for your comment!

[@Sam_Saraguy]

Hi Phil. Thank you for this video and others dealing with Pianoteq and the grand piano instruments. I took the plunge today, picking up Pianoteq Stage and the instrument packs for Steinway D and Petrov, based substantially on your playing of them. Your sensitivity at the keyboard is an inspiration. Subbed, and looking forward to spending more time with you.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks so much! I really enjoy Pianoteq - I hope you do too.

[@anxiousproductions9183]

I couldn’t agree more. I am no virtuoso, but modelled instruments just seem to play better. I spent a fortune on key scape and a laptop that could run it, but it leaves me cold! I discovered piano teq, and the first time I played it, the keyboard seemed to come alive! I love it, and haven’t played anything else since having it.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Wonderful! You're so right, it's not about being a virtuoso, just playing with authentic and direct feeling. You're generating a real connection to your instrument! That's the most important quality of any musician, in my view. Feeling is the foundation, before technique or theoretical knowledge.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Oh and great tip on using the player mic position when playing and maybe switch to the audience when recording. It makes all the sense in the world.

[@PhilBestMusic]

It's all about the experience... results then take care of themselves!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

@@PhilBestMusic So true. Don't obsess over details. If the music is good, intention and execution win over spotless engineering every time.

[@Mnkmnkmnk]

The magic seems to come from the compression settings. I don't really understand compression, so I set the "Grand Piano medium" compression preset, and it sounds absolutely amazing! My favourite is the Steinway D Classical preset with the added compression effect and the reverb changed to "Clean Studio". Everything else default.

[@PhilBestMusic]

My point is that with a truly responsive instrument like Pianoteq, the biggest difference to the sound comes from the expressive intention and input of the pianist. I don't use much compression at all...

[@clockent]

You shouldn't really apply compression if you don't understand how compression works. It can actually work to the detriment of your playing. To begin with, compression reduces dynamics.

[@callum6224]

All compression is doing is limiting your dynamic range. What you’re probably perceiving is simply an increase in volume, which will nearly always sound better if you A/B them

[@NakulKrishna]

Beautiful playing man! And inspiring and motivating words, thanks for this

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks so much. I'm very glad you got something from my ramblings...

[@przhm7372]

Very inspiring sharing about musicianship of sonority. Thank you. The Petrof piece at 11:45 is touching.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marcusdekker]

Masterclass! Thanks a lot!!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you!

[@WoodyPianoShack]

wonderful discussion and playing, thanks Phil

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks very much!

[@skylxntrn]

Insightful as ever.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you!

[@lumpielump3576]

very well done - you really explained the importance of actuall musical emotion above technical wizzardry - you got a new subscriber, too!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! Glad to hear that!

[@RayTGG]

I'm learning so much by listening to you. Thank you !!! Keep up the great work please.

[@PhilBestMusic]

That's nice to know! Thanks!

[@JamesTaylor-iu6vg]

Lovely playing! If you could pick 2 instruments packs - or pianos that you use and like the most (I know they all have their merits) what would they be?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! I personally use the Steinway D all the time. To pick just one more, I might say the U4 upright, just for the contrast.

[@blindianajones]

I came to this video to understand more about Pianoteq and what I came away with after is so much more. Thank you for taking a demonstration to a personal and human place. To be honest, a connection with a virtual instrument and midi keyboard was not something I thought possible. I want to have the connection and oppotunity to create articulations that embody the story I am trying to tell. I thought that may only be able to happen when feeling the vibrations and responses an acoustic piano offers. You have definitely opened my mind toward other possibilities. Appreciate you sharing and really enjoyed your improvisational playing.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you for such a nice comment. Physical modelling is remarkable in its ability to respond sensitively to our expressive input - it still surprises me.

[@blindianajones]

@@PhilBestMusic When you mentioned FX and compression, are you using what comes with Pianoteq? I just started using the instrument and noticed the FX and EQ but have not dabbled with them much. Oh, and could you recommend what pedals you use? I am using a Komplete Kontrol keyboard and do not have a sustain or any other pedal controls yet.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I use a little natural room reverb inside Pianoteq but nothing else on acoustic pianos as I play. I might add a little dynamics processing - subtle just for a bit of glue - and a different room (a hall maybe) on the final recording. As for a sustain pedal... you could do with one that does continuous control rather than just a switch so that you take advantage of the half-pedalling possibilities. The Roland DP-10 for a single pedal or the RPU-3 for a triple pedal both do this but there may be other options out there. I'm not really au fait with all the different products available.

[@blindianajones]

@@PhilBestMusic Thanks. Appreciate the response and information.

[@Chalisque]

I started on my Dad's upright Steinway. When it came to get myself a digital piano, budget was limited, so I bought a cheap (M-audio) stage piano. The action was poor, and the sound was worse. Then I discovered Pianoteq 3 play, and especially back then I could run it under Linux on my laptop (ALSA) with a 64 sample buffer giving about 6ms of latency. This was completely game changing. Later I replaced the stage piano with a Yamaha, which I use to this day, although I'm no using Pianoteq 7 (one of these days I'll upgrade to 8).

[@cristianoctavianmariajazzpiano]

Jazz - best music ever

[@studioblogic]

Thanks Phil. A brilliant piano lesson and a money saver for me. I think there's plenty to explore in the Studio version before I worry about all the bells and whistles available in the more expensive options. I salute you sir!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you very much!

[@vertigo0105]

I don't own Pianoteq and only watched a few videos on it, but having seen one particular tweak, I am surprised you didn't mention it, as it seems to make all the difference between too perfect, and closest to a natural/real sounding acoustic grand. Basically, sliding away from 'Mint' somewhere towards the centre..!! Wouldn't that be one of the best tweaks to make the defaults not sound too pure and more like a sample based (or actual) acoustic grand..!? The mic positioning would be equally as important if not more so though!

[@PhilBestMusic]

The age slider does a specific thing, but I like pristine condition pianos too. Also, I don't provide videos on behalf of Pianoteq, and it's certainly not a tutorial, just a bit of enthusiasm from a grateful user...

[@SpacedOutDoonie]

I feel like Pianoteq is way different than other piano vsts. Not because of the obvious modelling aspect which in return makes the plugin compact in size, but because you cant really just drop in a midi loop and pick a piano preset. Most times when I drop my pre made melodies I have over the years into Pianoteq it doesnt really sound that good right away. I think thats what makes it stand out from other piano plugins. Pianoteq really makes you work for the self crafted piano sound, it kinda becomes one with you.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I think you're absolutely right there and your real world example is a really good one! It's actually more like an acoustic piano in the way that it speaks the player's precise intentions - the way we move our fingers in rhythm etc. Sampled pianos are more sterile in that respect but then of course, that's useful in certain scenarios. I just love the way Pianoteq "speaks" like a real piano.

[@QuickQuips]

Good to know. I got Stage and was wondering why to pay 2-3x as much. Time to get good with the Bechstein.

[@dennis_gentile]

I was quite unimpressed with the Pianoteq sounds until I set it up in a prticular way in my DAW -(Reaper). I use Steinway B Home which is very dry and set output to Home Recording. I then route it to a reverb bus. I use the free Sanford reverb VST. Set it to large room or medium hall. Until I did this the middle octave above middle C sounded absolutely tinny and unconvincing. I can't beleive how much richer the sound is when I use this set up. Hope this works as well for you as it did for me. As an aside I've never found a better vst piano than East West Sounds Bosendorfer 290 (290 dark reverb is my go to patch). I believe it is no longer available. I like it quite a bit. Here's a video which is a bit low in volume, but no compression or anything. It's a pretty exposed piano sound. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5mtpnqalpKkeM0

[@georgedovel3951]

This is the same issue I have with Pianoteq; it sounds good everywhere except that octave and a half or so starting a few notes above middle C, where it can get really tinny and harsh. I'm glad to know it's not just my beginner ears deceiving me. I get what Phil says about technique being the primary difference, but my confusion is that it sounds fine in some registers but not in others. Perhaps I need to fuss around more with velocity curves (currently using the stock Modartt curve in my VPC1). Anyway, thanks for the reverb tip. I just tried the standard reverb in Studio One, and it seems to help. I'll keep experimenting.

[@lattetown]

Thank you, I found your videos extremely helpful! =)

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! Good to know!

[@crnova7]

I have the Crumar Seven rhodes piano. Why that matters? It has 7 different engines and even when the keys keep the same, with each engine its a totally different instrument. I try to handle Pianoteq the same. I love the new felt piano's, but it asks for a different playstyle and genre. For me its not always easy to blend it with other instruments, but I am still learning.

[@npw1gtb]

good studio monitors = good pianoteq

[@JPDC624]

Most important comment regarding the great sound you get is what you say at 7:12, the velocity curve makes or breaks it. That HAS to be figured out. Whatever you use fits Pianoteq perfectly.

[@PhilBestMusic]

True, it's important, but I don't agree that it's the most important point I'm making here. Unless your velocity curve is insane, it's always possible to adapt how we play to adjust, just as we must do when playing different acoustic pianos which all feel so different... My most important and main point in this video is that it's necessary to be sensitive and attune yourself to the instrument that you are playing, be sympathetic to its strengths and to develop a flexible, adaptable technique. You might have your "perfect" velocity curve but the ability to make the instrument really "speak" is a whole other thing!

[@IrminZ]

Hi Phil. So this video really got me thinking. I watched it several times because I really enjoyed the music you create. I think I have approached digital pianos incorrectly. This VST sounds better, no that one does, the sampling is superior etc etc. Getting caught up in technicalities and never really playing the instrument. I decided to give Pianoteq a proper chance. Understanding the connection between the physical keyboard and the Pianoteq. So now I no longer have the default velocity curve and that makes a world of difference. If you let yourself become immersed in the instrument, understand it, play it and enjoying the sonic possibilities a whole new world opens up. Thank you for this video

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks for the comment! This the key to playing any instrument well. Get to know it and speak your truth through it!

[@luthandoheshu984]

This sounds absolutely great!!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you!

[@alvincornistamusic8754]

Great video! Wondering what are your favorite pianoteq pianos and presets? In particular for modern jazz if you're inclined. Thanks

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! I like so many. The one I practise on is the default preset for the NY Steinway. It's just speaks so clearly. But I love the sheer variety of instruments and the way each one brings out something different...

[@keramxela]

Hey Phil. Hope you can help and have some thoughts to share. Please be honest. I purchased a roland a88 mk2 and the feeling of the keyboard is quite good actually, but when I use this controller with pianoteq it's such a disappointment, cause the sound doesn't match with the feeling under my fingers. It sounds either too harsh or too mushy depending on the velo curve. When I use the straight default line it's so hard to get a forte or fortissimo, when I use slow keyboard curve it's just loud and heavy and hard to get a pianissimo. I tried so many things with the curves in the program and on the keyboard, but there's none really satisfying. I mean a piano shouldn't be THAT hard to play. I'm thinking about sending it back and try it with kawai vpc1. What would you suggest?

[@PhilBestMusic]

I'm not sure what to suggest as I've always found the Roland piano actions to work perfectly with Pianoteq. I haven't played the PHA4 all that much but I've tried it on occasions and always found the velocity response to be just fine with Pianoteq, very natural, much a like a good acoustic piano . My only thought is that there must be a fault somewhere, so sending it back may well be the best option. I wish I could be more help...

[@keramxela]

@@PhilBestMusic Thanks for your response. There are different types of the pha 4 keyboard. There is standard (which is build in to the a 88 mk2), concert and another one and I think the last two have better quality and are more like a real acoustic piano even the velocity is better. I read somewhere that the controller isn't really for piano playing, more synths, cause the velocity isn't sensitive enough to get it right. I don't know. I tried and tried, but not getting the sound right. Anyway. I'll send it back and try the VPC 1.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Ah yes - those differences might be critical. I've never played a A-88 MkII so I don't know how it feels - I played a RD800. I've tried a VPC1 and it felt very natural... Good luck! Hope it works out with the VPC1!

[@jose.bandeira]

I have the same controller and agree that it is very difficult, frustrating even, to play piano (I use both Pianoteq and Garritan vsts) with it. I also own a Yamaha P-515 that, in comparison, is a dream to play, even if it holds a corpse inside :-) (I’m not sure I’ll be able to get rid of this image ever again - what a cruel thing to say to digital piano owners!). In a nutshell, I do like the a-88mkii, but wouldn’t have chosen it if I knew how hard it would make my piano playing.

[@blochtim]

As everyone else has noticed, you play beautifully, and I appreciate your very useful comments about how your emotional involvement with the instrument helps create the performance. Bravo! I have a question about controllers: have you ever used a Kawai VPC 1? Apparently this moderately-priced controller has real hammers; I'm interested but have never played or even seen one, but at $1900 it's less expensive than the Roland instruments. I have a limited budget and need a new controller that will give me at least a shot at creating something resembling music, to the degree that a digital instrument can; thank you.........

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks very much! The VPC1 plays nicely but it's not my choice. But these things are so subjective... You just have try different keybeds and choose your favourite within your budget. I prefer Roland to Kawai but it's just a personal preference not a reflection of objective quality. They're both excellent and Yamaha too...

[@QuickQuips]

I just bought one. It's quite heavy in the keys (and the instrument itself), so don't expect quick pieces to come unless you already have quick hands. It feels like the real thing. Alternatives include the SL88 Grand, which has the highest end Fatar Action. I haven't played with it, but I've seen it for $700 on ebay. I had also gotten the VPC1 for $1200 on Reverb, though that took a bit of patience and negotiation. Don't forget to include the cost of the VST and good studio monitors.

[@robnewton3368]

Really like your improvisations. Do you find the difference in character piano models influence what you play in the moment, what kind of ideas are generated?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! Yes I do find I respond to the character of the instrument and play rather differently with different ideas when I improvise.

[@gregsaddie]

Phil, what speakers and interface are you using for your setup. Do you ever just use the Roland internal speakers? I have a P515 which has a built in interface - and I'm getting a pretty good sound with just a USB cable. Not sure if it would be worth an upgrade to a seperate set of speakers and all that has to go with it. Latency feels low or Natural. Just notice the odd key that could use some eq but possibly that can be done in the program?

[@PhilBestMusic]

My setup is listed in my info. I don't use the internal speakers on my HP605 - just personal preference! I can't comment on the P515, as I don't have one.

[@DanielPMBA]

What u said is true. If u have not played or owned a grand and had been playing digital all along or keyboards you wouldn’t know the difference. Many digital you can hold down the pedal and don’t lift it up and everything sounds beautiful. But on a real piano you will mess up with too much pedal and press wrong notes. That’s what I want from a model, not perfection. And I felt PT gives me that touch and control that I can mess up just like a real piano.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Absolutely!

[@reltius2993]

Have you tried others like Keyscape, Noire, Alicia’s Keys, or Ravencroft to be able to say for sure they don’t have the same features you mention? I’ve been looking at getting into piano at an old age, 40, and I’m leaning toward a VPC1 with one of these VSTs. Although honestly I may just start with an ES120 for a couple years till a VPC2 or MP12SE comes out. In my case I’ll always be playing it in my computer room so weight, speakers and reliance on a computer aren’t issues for me.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I'm not a gear reviewer so I don't try out all the instruments in the marketplace, But I'm experienced and have played plenty of sampled instruments: for me physical modelling is better for expressive aliveness. But the best sampled instruments do sound great... As for keyboard actions - again, I haven't tried them all, but my advice is always play them before you buy, if you possibly can, and see what feels good to you!

[@adamjerzyrodewald5752]

Phil...You are the Best

[@PhilBestMusic]

Aw thanks! :-)

[@MrEMann]

Do you have a favorite midi controller to use with the software? The feel of the keys seems like it would be important. Thanks for the great review.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Any with a good physical velocity range (i.e. it doesn't max out too early). My current favourite action is Roland's PHA50 but that's just a subjective preference.

[@bhaveshmistry3255]

Your explanation of on Pianoteq vst is carrying musicalities. I am more of acoustic piano player never got satisfied with digital piano except few model. Like Kawai MP11se and Novus5. I need your opinion on controlling piano. Which is the best controller for Pianoteq. I had a Roland RD2000 but I sold because I didn’t enjoy the piano tones. Action was decent but it wasn’t behave like acoustic piano action & Now I am waiting for Kawai replacement of MP11se & VPC1. I hope they will launch these 2 models in winter Namm. They already delayed too much. My concern is does it will work well with Pianoteq? I never tried both the models but I have watched many videos of experts and all of them saying that MP11se & VPC1 has better control on acoustic and very realistic action like a real grand piano. Also let me know which is a better pianos in Pianoteq 8. I have listed few 1) Steinway Model D 2) C. Bechstien 3) ANT Petrof 4) Bösendorfer 5) Gortrian and last is U4. I am asking this because whole bundle is too expensive for me. Whenever you are free please advise me on this. It would be a great help. Thank you so much 🙏❤️

[@PhilBestMusic]

My only advice is to keep looking for what you enjoy playing. It's all subjective. For me the PHA50 action on my Fantom - the sams as on the RD2000 - is wonderful, like a nice Steinway action which suits me having spent my years at music conservatoire playing Steinway Bs and Ds. I also like Yamaha actions a lot. It's all just personal taste. Keep trying things out and find the action the suits you.

[@bhaveshmistry3255]

Firstly thank you so much for your reply. It means a lot really appreciate sir. 🙏 Yes I totally agree with you that the action is always a personal choice. I played RD2000 a lot but I like the action of the Kawai MP11se more and that’s the reason why I sold my RD2000. Now I have decided to go ahead with the Kawai. I am not in hurry as it’s a long term investment for me. I will wait for Kawai’s new MP & VPC series. Thank you again sir for your reply. 🙏❤🤗

[@PianoScoreVids]

Cool video, beautiful playing for sure!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@Fulviovas]

I am very thankfull for your sharing that is very helpful. You are a great musician and i share pretty much your ideas. It is so nice people sharing their ideias that we learn pretty much either. Once again, congratulations and my best regards.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you so much! I agree about sharing... I'm still learning to embrace social media fully as a medium for sharing the magic and power of music. The noise can put me off sometimes, so your encouragement is appreciated.

[@jimj.9291]

Phil, great playing and loved the video. Learned something too. May I ask if the sound you get from the bx8 monitors is satisfying? Do you have a video demonstrating the sound through them? I am considering monitors, but hear that one loses a connection to the instrument because they do not provide the same tactile experience as onboard speakers. I’d like to hear your speakers and know your thoughts. Thx.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks very much! Yes I like the sound of my bx8s. Nice amount of bass and transparency for piano. I'm not a gear reviewer and haven't done a video about them. And a video review of monitors can't give you much of a sense of how they sound anyway, I'm sure you agree: you have to be in the room with them! I don't really miss those vibrations through the keys that onboard speakers provide, personally. But I like the idea a lot...

[@martoneill]

Apologies if you’ve already covered this: any recommendations for a keyboard/ digital piano for use with Pianoteq? I’m hoping to get to a store sometime to try various options but some guidance from you would be much appreciated. M

[@PhilBestMusic]

My guidance is always to trust your own instincts and taste. I prefer a Roland piano with a PHA50 action but others will have other preferences - Kawai, Yamaha, Casio etc. Just make sure it feels fun to play!

[@martoneill]

@@PhilBestMusic thank you!

[@hermanverbaeten5894]

What he really means is that all of us, we don't play good enough to get such a nice sounding pianoteq( which is in my opinion the result of a lot of finetuning and the expertise of mixing of the sound engineers of modartt). The ultimate chalenge of course would be to provide us with the midi files of the nice playing of Phil so that we can run those in our own copy of pianoteq, through the same speakers. Only then will i be convinced of the so called suppremacy of pianoteq.... Looking forward to receive the midifiles ;-)

[@PhilBestMusic]

I intend to sell some midi stems along with my tweaked Pianoteq presets for people to use in their production soon. I wouldn't give away my midi performances to promote a product unless I was paid to do so. And actually, I don't do that. I am a totally independent musician. So I can assure you that no one touches my production but me. I produce all the music you hear on this channel myself for myself, not for Modartt. I add a little dynamics processing using Waves L1 Multimaximizer or C6 and nothing more. My point in this video is that even a beginner can play from the body and soul with real intention and quickly develop a feel for their instrument. Like a real piano, that's what Pianoteq and other physically modelled pianos need to sound good. If you play and record a real piano without any "touch", it sounds dead and lacking in colour. Sampled instruments on the other hand sound fine no matter how you play them.

[@hermanverbaeten5894]

@@PhilBestMusic Thanks. I'm going to look into some of the waves plugins to make pianoteq sound a bit richer.

[@PhilBestMusic]

The ones I use - C6 and L1 - add a little glue, that's all. I would add a little limiting or compression on any piano recordings - physically modelled, real or sampled - to master the final recording, not to change the sound of the instrument! I'd never use them as I actually play. Pianoteq feels just like a real piano in the room with me, without any enhancements.

[@vicyt007]

Hi Phil, Thanks for your great videos ! I would like to know your whole configuration, in order to get a good sound : keyboard, computer, sound card, speakers and amplifier (if the speakers are not amplified), ...

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! I use a Roland HP605, a normal fanless PC from Quiet PC, a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd gen and a pair of powered M-audio BX8 monitors. But choices are subjective...

[@salyaart]

Thanks Phil, a real real eye-opener!! Love the sound of the Steinway D Home. Only.... can't find it anymore in Pianoteq 7 :( Anyone who knows if there's a successor for the Steinway D Home preset?

[@PhilBestMusic]

My pleasure! Maybe the HB Steinway D Prelude is similar...

[@townnet]

I heard many people complain about pianoteq sound plastic/fake. What do you think? I don't have any experience play with acoustic piano. Can you tell which piano in pianoteq is most realistic one?

[@PhilBestMusic]

I like Pianoteq a lot and I find all the pianos sound very realistic.

[@kaisfp]

Have you tried one of the VSL Synchron pianos?

[@PhilBestMusic]

No! I haven't.

[@kaisfp]

@@PhilBestMusic I was asking simply because (if I remember correctly, then) VSL Synchron libraries have about 100 velocity lazers sampled, which is the closest (from a sample library anyway) to the 127 MIDI velocity levels that Pianoteq utilizes, and some classical pianists say that the VSL Synchron pianos have some of the (if not "the") closest feel/playability/touch/etc to real pianos, and are the biggest competitors to Pianoteq's playability level. They are super expensive, but if you happen to have an iLok (or a Steinberg Key or whatever "the other iLok thing" is called), then VSL occasionally have trial days (only about 3 days though :( ) when you can download and try some of their libraries for free (again, only in that 3 day-period). I'm not sure when exactly they gonna have those 3-day-trial-periods, but I'm pretty sure it's (at minumum) it's a yearly event. If you have a beefy CPU with big SSD drive and relatively fast internet to download the hundreds of GigaBytes of those libraries in one of the VSL 3-days-trial-periods, then you might want to try them out and you would be able to compare the playabilty and the sound and the overall value of VSL Synchron piano libraries with Pianoteq. VSL Synchron pianos are CPU-hogs they say, also they won't work well without streaming them from SSD, but if you happen to have all these things ready to go, then you might be interested to try some of them out. If you don't want to try all of them out and just want to choose 1 of the VSL Synchron piano libraries to try out because of let's say time limitation, then you might want to look at their newest Fazioli, or another popular big-hall-sound-piano is their Yamaha, but if you are interested in a smaller room piano sound, then you might want to try their Synchron Bosendorfer 280VC (that seems to be more popular then other small room piano sound they have (like the Bluthner)). They have Steinway too, but for some reason that library doesn't seem to be as popular as the others (just my own observations from various youtube review videos / forums / etc, I might be totally wrong about the popularity) I hope this helps, please let me (or everybody in a video perhaps :) ) if you happen to try VSL Synchron piano library, that would be very interesting to see your opinion as a long time Pianoteq user. (PS. I like Pianoteq, and it's playability/touch/feel/etc, but I can't handle it's sound/timbre/etc., so I'm looking for sample library that still have a really good playability compared to most, but have really good sound too, I'm planning to buy Ravenscroft vst because jazz guy love it and to my ears it sounds nice, I don't mind it's metallic sound, and for the stuff (mostly pop stuff) I plan to use it for, it's probably going to be a great choice, I have the Modern U from the company that created Ravenscroft piano sample library, and I think it plays really well (doesn't play like pianoteq, but it is AT MINIMUM an honorable mention level, even for classical pianist, at least that's my humble opinion) so I'm guess Ravenscroft will play about the same well level, despite that it's much older library, and some people say Ravenscroft (and Modern U) staccato's (release tail samples) are even better then VSL pianos', at the moment their staccatos are the best in the "piano sample library industry" if such a thing exists :), which I think is perfect for pop, jazz, and classical pieces that doesn't use the sustain pedal)

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks for explaining and I do appreciate your point of view. I'm just an enthusiastic user of Pianoteq, so I'm definitely open to other software, but honestly, I just don't share your opinion about Pianoteq's timbre: I love it. And sampled pianos generally don't interest me - although I am open to being surprised. The demo materials showcasing the VSL sounds are great but they don't make me doubt Pianoteq. If there was a way to use it free for a month then I might be interested to try it... But my channel isn't a music gear review channel - I'm an artist and teacher - so I don't make it my business to try everything out there. And it's a gigantic download - I'd need to find extra disk space. Even if all those obstacles were overcome, I'd only do a video about it if I actually loved it and used it (as I do with Pianoteq) and wouldn't be interested doing a review or comparison as that's just not my thing. BTW with my Roland RD2000 and Pianoteq, I get 16384 layers of velocity.

[@cijoraju]

Hi Phil, Can you suggest a good 88 key MIDI controller keyboard to use with Pianoteq

[@PhilBestMusic]

You know it's tricky: there are so many different digital pianos out there and it's so subjective, budget-dependent etc. I personally prefer any Roland piano with the PHA50 action...

[@matthewpaynemusic]

Wonderful playing! What digital piano are you using? Do you adjust the velocity curve in Pianoteq and what is your setting for the limiter?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! It's an HP605. The velocity curve is the default one. The LL3 setting is very slight (-2 or 3dB threshold) just to stop a few rogue spikes at certain frequencies. It also adds a little glue.

[@oldveganfart8336]

I like the way you play and your approach to music making! I use NI's The Giant and The Grandeur but struggle to play as expressively as I can on my old but beautiful Steinway O grand piano. Do you think splashing out on a Pianoteq modeled piano will make a big difference? It's a little hard to tell from videos, but the Pianoteq certainly sounds as good as the sampled pianos, and arguably better. Thanks for the great video!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! I'm jealous - I'd love a Steinway O! I'd suggest trying Pianoteq yourself before splashing out, as these things are so subjective. I also have the NI pianos but Pianoteq is so much more expressive for me.

[@oldveganfart8336]

@@PhilBestMusic thanks for your reply! I did download a trial version and was rather disappointed. Personally, I found the middle of the keyboard sounded unnatural and a little harsh. Perhaps I need to spend some time experimenting with EQs, etc. When I switched from Pianoteq to NI's pianos, I found the opposite from what you find works for me - The Grandeur was a far more expressive instrument to play than the modeled pianos! I play in a similar style to you, classical but also with improvisation often in a quasi-rhapsodic genre. (if you know what I mean!) Just goes to show how highly subjective these things are!

[@PhilBestMusic]

@@oldveganfart8336 It really is very subjective! And of course it's the same with acoustic pianos. Whenever I go to a piano showroom , it's amazing how different one piano feels to another and we each have our favourite characteristics. Obviously, I love Pianoteq and find it works for me. Do you share some of your music anywhere?

[@oldveganfart8336]

@@PhilBestMusic How true! Here's one of mine kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXvMiXuFbbCnfK8 There's lots of other stuff on my channel....Cheers!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Your playing is lovely!

[@V10Music]

Hi, Beautiful playing and demonstration, You maybe are using the default settings of Pianoteq But .. What about the plugins in your DAW that are used to enhance the piano sound ? I hope to get the answer and Thanks in advance ♥

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! I use no added plugins in this video. I do often use a little multiband compression on the final master (Waves L3-16) but not here.

[@kaputasri]

wow your improv skills are amazing wish I can improv like that someday.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks!

[@timothyjohnson7971]

Dear Phil. Your playing is Fantastic. What do you think of the Pianoteq U4 Upright?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks so much, Timothy. I like the U4 Upright. It's very useful for creating a certain kind of colour with intimacy.

[@gokuz6612]

I bought the pianoteq8, but the sound performance is not as good as in the video

[@davidemarchi6366]

What kind of piano keyboard do you have? Is it a nx hybrid from Yamaha?

[@PhilBestMusic]

It's a Roland HP605.

[@JohnSmithExtra]

Yea, it's possible that the negative comments are coming from keyboard players not knowing how to control the key velocity as if they are playing on a real acoustic piano. Pianoteq is so realistic, I love it!

[@JohnSmithExtra]

Hehe, I just got to that part where you talk about the finger controls.

[@PhilBestMusic]

@@JohnSmithExtra Yes I do think other software pianos might be more forgiving. But I've even played some acoustic pianos - even good makes - where the poor thing has lost its tonal variety and everything sounds kind of homogeneous and boring but pleasant... I love the responsiveness Pianoteq offers!

[@jeremybelin313]

Hi Phil, I really like what you are saying about music, about performing, about feeling..and of course your playing ! I have a small technical question : what is the brandless-glossy-black controller you are using ? I've heard on another video about Roland, but can you tell us more about it ?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks. It's not intentionally "brandless", the label is just masked by the reflections. It's a Roland HP605 which as you suggest I use purely as a controller keyboard as the sounds come from Pianoteq through separate speakers... I chose it for the PHA50 action and the smart glossy appearance!

[@ArgoBeats]

Great one. Have you ever tried Garritan CFX?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks. No I haven't tried it...

[@MohamedTamer-vw6hy]

How to save my record with it's sustain in pianoteq? Cause even if i clicked on susutain pedal .. When i save‚ the saving file isn't sustained Help please..

[@PhilBestMusic]

I have never heard of that problem. You should contact Pianoteq.

[@rafaelpernil]

Check your DAW settings

[@DarrinNoNAME]

I was looking for a particular suggestion in the video but I may have missed it, in regards to using a progressive sustain pedal as opposed to non progressive ones. Do you use a particular sustain pedal with Pianoteq?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Yes. And of course progressive sustain pedal does offer some half-pedalling subtlety. But my main point of the video applies here too - it will only sound good if you use it with clear expressive intention.

[@DarrinNoNAME]

@@PhilBestMusic absolutely. Completely understand that. I wasn't trying to suggest that it wouldn't sound good without a progessive sustain pedal..I hope my question didn't come off that way..I have a regular good 'ol sustain pedal and it sounds great but..was curious if having a progressive sustain pedal would add even a little more realism so that the sustain isn't just on and off..and if so, which pedal would you suggest? Or would you say its so subtle, its not worth getting a progressive sustain pedal?

[@PhilBestMusic]

It was a very pertinent and valid question! I do use subtle pedalling a little: it can affect the sound quite profoundly on occasions in some pieces where half-pedalling effects are desirable. It's something that I would recommend if it interests you. It's great for impressionistic washes and actually also in Haydn and Beethoven where long pedal marks would be awful if taken too literally. The Roland DP10 seems to do a good job...

[@DarrinNoNAME]

@@PhilBestMusic cool.. Thanks for your reply and taking the time to answer...really appreciate it. Very very thoughtful and helpful.

[@PhilBestMusic]

No problem!

[@nelsonjr2521]

The piano (instrument) you are playing in this video is..? Is playing just the instrument piano ou in sound external...?

[@PhilBestMusic]

The instrument is the Steinway model D in Pianoteq v. 6 which is software running on Windows.

[@briancase6180]

OMG! A corpse! Yes! That's exactly the right word for many of the sample players. The sound can be convincing, but playing it is terrible, dead. So, yeah: a corpse. So sad.... 😑 Still, the physical experience of playing a grand piano that vibrates and moves ever so subtly will likely not be recreated exactly. Which is just fine.... Very nice exposition of the differences in the presets! I think they really do sound different and, to the best of my knowledge, sound accurate. Your playing/improvising makes it all the more so.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks for the comment! You're quite right about the experience of a real grand piano being rather special - kind of immersive. But Pianoteq gets me quite close...

[@seb4363]

Do you know what presets (Steinway D) have the mics positioned infront of the player by default?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Not off the top of my head... You can easily move them though, right?

[@seb4363]

@@PhilBestMusic unfortunately I cannot as I only own the stage Version rn. Thanks for the quick reply!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Oh right, so you can't move the mics on the stage version... Can you see the mic positions to check?

[@seb4363]

@@PhilBestMusic Unfortunately no but I have since downloaded the Standard Version (trial) to check the mic positioning for the different presets.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Excellent!

[@瓜哥-m7s]

What model is this piano?

[@PhilBestMusic]

The models are listed in the video!

[@IrminZ]

I enjoyed your discussion and playing. Pianoteq is so polarizing: It is light on resources and responsive, yet all the the different instruments have a certain pianoteq signature. I play it and I struggle to get over that sound. Then I play my acoustic grand, CFX Lite VST or any other sampled library and that signature is completely missing. Something I've wondered over the years, why is it that some of us hear that and are bothered by it and other people apparently don't hear it?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! If there is still an overall "Pianoteq sound" as there used to be, then I must like it. But I don't hear it myself...

[@pcgamingftw5694]

​@@PhilBestMusic Just out of curiosity, you are using those studio monitors all the time right? I found that with a really good set of headphones and transparent dac/amplifier, the virtual modelling of pianoteq really comes out in a bad way. Especially with staccato, or when practising fast scales/arpeggios it sounds very artificial and synthesized when in direct comparison to for example the native instruments noire vst. I read a post somewhere, that as humans all hear differently, some just have sensitive hearing in those frequencies that pianoteq struggles to replicate in a natural way. Speakers do help in masking this effect a bit though, as the sound isn't quite as immediate and detailed, as with heaphones... That said, everything you mentioned in the video is quite true. Physical modelling is the non plus ultra for expression and playing feel. And of course there is no competion for modartt atm. These guys are simply the best on the market. I bought their product and I believe someday we will get to the point where the sound is really on par or above the sampled pianos like garritan cfx, or the newly released native instruments noire. I do think we are quite far off though. But they keep at it improving many aspects of the sound and we have cpu power finally increasing soon with the new amd ryzen and intel 10nm models, so the future seems bright^^

[@PhilBestMusic]

@@pcgamingftw5694 I use speakers and also headphones sometimes. If I lacked sensitivity to any frequencies, I think it would have shown up in my last ear test... If my recordings sound "artificial" to you, that is of course a little mortifying but so be it! Realism per se is a tricky thing to measure for me as all the different acoustic pianos I've played over the years sound so different from each other. Expressive response matters more to me and that is the main point I'm making in this video which is really a reply to people who keep asking me how I'm tweaking the presets to make Pianoteq sound so good. That said, I think I might put a blind quiz on here with sampled pianos and Pianoteq. I'd be interested to see how well people do at spotting them. I generally forget what I play pretty quickly, so I'll be curious how well I do myself!

[@pcgamingftw5694]

@@PhilBestMusic I don't think it is something that can be so easily made clear in a hearing test, since it has to do with how our brain interprets sound etc... I hope I didn't sound rude, as it was not my intention at all. I think your recordings sound very lovely (would LOVE to hear a recording of you on a real acoustic grand!), but you do play so well, that the "synthesized" sound doesn't come across as much due to that. Like I said, I agree with everything you said in the video about expressivenes and pianoteq being the best, but me and many others do hear the artificial sound quite clearly in pianoteq. My point isn't to bad mouth the whole thing, but to try and make it clear that there is a lot of room for improvement. If everybody is okay with the sound, then why would modartt bother making it better? I mean they already spend so much time on making new instruments and they started working on organteq too. I would prefer they just focus on improving the sound, but I get that producing these instrument packs is making them more money and that is well deserved and needed for their company. There was a discussion on the pianoteq forums where someone uploaded a comparison of ptq and the vsl steinway about 2 months ago. Both aren't 100% like a real piano of course, but it shows that sampling is still miles ahead in terms of natural sound, especially when playing fast notes with the insane 100 velocity layers of the vsl pianos! Have a listen: Pianoteq steinway: www.forum-pianoteq.com/uploads.php?file=Chopin%20Etude%20Opus%2010%20No4%20%28XP%29.mp3 Vsl steinway: www.forum-pianoteq.com/uploads.php?file=GB_Steinway_D_Chopin_Et_Op_10_No_4_Concert_RM.mp3

[@PhilBestMusic]

@@pcgamingftw5694 No you are very polite, and I appreciate your kind comments about my playing. It's true, our brains on musical sounds work in very strange and complex ways. The subtleties of psychoacoustics are literally mind-boggling and human subjectivity of response to sound is undeniable. People do often hear what they expect. Please point me to the article about Pianoteq's missing frequencies and auditory perception: I'm struggling with this idea. And of course, as a musician and recording producer, I do take exception to being accused of any lack of auditory sensitivity. Those two piano performances are very fast and fairly uniform in sonority so not really ideal for hearing the sonorous capabilities of an instrument. I'd like to hear a recording of acoustic, sampled and physically modelled pianos playing an excerpt of music that really shows the pianos' sonorities but without revealing which piano is which. Such a blind test would be an interesting game and would, in my view, stop this debate about which sounds the most "realistic". It's not a debate that interests me all that much or I'd make that recording myself. Perhaps I should do it: it might be something useful to point people to when they start trying to make out that they can hear digital artifacts or "boxy" decays etc. All I really want to do though is make expressive music that touches people's hearts. I'm quite techy but only as a means to that end. I love all the different pianos in Pianoteq myself. They're all a joy to play in terms of their sonorous response. That's really what I care about far more than some pinnacle of realism which in my view only exists in people's imagination anyway.

[@haydn4ever]

Hello,....Wonderful demonstration and GREAT sounds! I am LOVING my pianoteq. One interesting "superficial" tweak you mentioned was positioning the microphones "to where the piano is in front of you"....How exactly is that? I to sometimes get that "listening from the audience or through speakers" rather than a PRESENTLY and ACTIVELY PHYSICALLY PLAYING NOW FEEL that I so desperately need! I know which button to push to adjust the microphones, but I'm not clear on your explanation of placing them where the piano is in front. Can you elaborate please? THANKS!! I LOVE your improvisation, btw!!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! I put my studio monitors in the classic placement so that I am sitting right in the sweet spot and in the mic-placement screen in Pianoteq, place the mics in the same place as the speakers. The default mic setup for the Steinway D Prelude is pretty close to what I use. The being-in-the-audience feeling happens when the mics are to the side of the piano. Hope that helps!

[@haydn4ever]

@@PhilBestMusic VERY, VERY helpful!! Thank you SO very much!!! Looking forward to hours and years of pleasure listening to all the sounds I can create with Pianoteq! Thank you!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lspyderp]

Hi, you say your playing Pianoteq , but that looks like a real upright? Is that a controller built like an upright ?

[@PhilBestMusic]

It's a Roland HP605 digital piano but using Pianoteq sounds. Many DPs look like upright pianos!

[@cocchiaf]

That's great! Thank you so much for your passion! BTW, which piano do you play in this video? I mean the physical one (the keyboard).

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! It's a Roland HP605.

[@cocchiaf]

@@PhilBestMusic Thank you so much. I'd read other comments, finally, and found it, but wanted to be sure. Can I ask you why a Roland instead of other brands like Yamaha or Kawai? Because I'm going to buy a new digital piano and would like to have your authoritative opinion. Especially regarding the keybed and its feeling. Notwithstanding at the end it's a subjective matter, I know.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I always tend to emphasise the whole subjective thing. But for me the PHA50 action is my favourite. I like Yamaha actions too and Kawai are great but just not my taste. I spent so many hours practising on Steinway grand pianos at my old music college: I sometimes wonder if Roland actions feel closer to a Steinway action given that they don't make acoustic pianos unlike Yamaha and Kawai. But I don't know... I really base my decision on what feels the most fun to play and that's my advice to people!

[@cocchiaf]

@@PhilBestMusic Thank you so much. Very kind of you!

[@PhilBestMusic]

No problem! Of course, it's not easy right now to play prospective instruments... Good luck finding your ideal piano!

[@papankunci]

Such a beautiful Talent... BTW, are you wearing blue dial Vostok Amphibia?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you so much! And yes, you are very observant!

[@erinevans756]

What piano are you playing here? Is it a Yamaha Clavinova?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Roland HP605.

[@armsby]

Great stuff! I was memorised watching! (Twice) Which monitor speakers are hiding just out of sight there? Are they perfect?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! They're just M-audio BX8s. I wouldn't say they're perfect... But I like them.

[@rjw8631]

hey phil: enjoy your videos. great playing and insights. only one question, that begs to be asked: have you any financial or other ties to Modarrt that viewers should know about? keep up the great work!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! No I am not affiliated with Modartt! I'm just an honest enthusiastic user. When companies have occasionally approached me about being a reviewer of their gear, I always turn them down. Whilst extra income would be nice, it's very important to me that I am simply a musician.

[@ragestacker]

What piano do you use ? It is console style piano??

[@PhilBestMusic]

It's a Roland HP605.

[@rainy2063]

Вывод. С прямыми руками, даже из палки можно извлечь красивую музыку. Really talented musician can get a good sound from anything

[@PhilBestMusic]

Well not anything... But thanks!

[@dylanstites1535]

What computer do you use with Pianoteq?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Regular Windows PC (it's a silent one but that's just for when I record vocals). The important thing is the sound interface. I have a few but the Focusrire Scarlett range of which I have a couple are great and affordable.

[@MrWoodhaven11421]

Do you think modeling is just as good as sampled piano?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Samples sound great, of course: after all, they're recordings of the real thing. Actually, sometimes they're even flattering, by which I mean it's easier to make a performance sound adequate on a sampled piano than a real one. Like acoustic pianos, Pianoteq's modelled pianos require the same kind of expressive input to sound good - you can't just rely on the lovely tone - and they respond beautifully to expressive intention, in ways that sampled pianos don't and maybe can't. So for me modelled pianos are better than sampled ones...

[@MrWoodhaven11421]

@@PhilBestMusic Thank for explaining it

[@themastroiannis]

is it pianoteq stage, standard or pro you are using? thanks for the excellent video!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks for the comment! It's the pro version (well the studio version with all the pianos which are all great to play). I like to move the mics around which I'm not sure is possible in the standard version. When I play, I place the mics so that the piano sounds like it is in front of me; then move them to the recording placement afterwards. In this video though, I didn't change anything at all from the presets.

[@themastroiannis]

@@PhilBestMusic Thanks so much for your response. I own pianoteq stage and never got this sound. Now I understand why! It seems miking makes a lot of difference plus overtones I don't have access to with the stage version. Thanks again!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks but I'm not sure what you mean by overtones and as I mentioned, I made no adjustments to the mics or anything to the presets in this video. So they would sound exactly the same in the Stage version.

[@amusicians2cents]

Once I've read on the Pianoteq (Modartt) website something like all piano models' presets can be loaded into any version (Stage or Standard or Pro) of Pianoteq, but only the settings wilp load that are present in the version, for example, some presets won't load some mic positioning settings in Stage version but they will load in Standard and Pro version. Have you experienced this difference, or you bought the Pro version first (and not Upgraded from Stage or from Standard)?

[@PhilBestMusic]

@@amusicians2cents I've owned the Pro version for so long, I've no idea, sorry!

[@extendedlabsuhd1982]

wow.. you play beautifully.. earned a sub! May i ask, what is that beautiful piece called at 10:40? I would love to learn it. Thank you !

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks so much. The piece at 10'40" was some on the spot, unplanned improvising, which I love to do! Very glad you liked it!

[@exitthelemming145]

Why does most of this video sound uncannily like marriage guidance counseling? Beautiful playing and a beautiful sounding piano (modeled or otherwise)

[@PhilBestMusic]

Marriage guidance? Haha! It's all about playing with an honest connection. So... Thanks!

[@MariaGoJa]

This is so inspiring! Thank you for reminding me :)

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you!

[@MaxRiley]

Are you recording USB to PC or through line out?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Just internally, no line out!

[@MaxRiley]

@@PhilBestMusic what do you mean with internally please, through USB?

[@PhilBestMusic]

It's not exactly recording through USB when a sound interface is connected to the computer via usb (all my gear is listed in the "About" section): everything is done digitally within the system.

[@MaxRiley]

@@PhilBestMusic and the piano is connected to the sound card through line out though?

[@PhilBestMusic]

No, the piano sends MIDI data to the system via a midi cable. All the audio is generated digitally within the system. The DAW records midi that triggers PTQ which is loaded as a VSTi and is rendered to a digital audio file.

[@channelthechannel]

Why are you automatically filtering comments?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Because very occasionally people post really awful things. Rarely though, thankfully.