Pianoteq 3 is out, and free to existing users!

[mhschmieder]

http://www.pianoteq.com/

What an unexpected surprise (is there any other kind of surprise?).

I'm downloading it when I get home and trying it out.

I thought their next release was way out, and that it would be a non-free upgrade to Pianoteq Pro.

[mhschmieder]

What's new in PIANOTEQ 3

* New acoustic model
* Mic position - up to 5 mics
* Multi channel - up to 5 channels
* New grand pianos C3 and M3
* New electric pianos: Rhody and Wurly
* New effects: Tremolo and Limiter
* New parameters: pickup position, sound speed, and more...
* New interface design
* Unlimited perspectives
* Advanced preset and parameter manager
* 64-bit version available for Vista x64

[mhschmieder]

Considering how many people have tried by now to develop a successful physically-modeled electric piano, it will be interesting to hear how close Modartt has come in Pianoteq 3.

It was a surprise to me a year or so ago when I settled upon Scarbee's sample-based libraries vs. one of the PM-based options, but it felt more organic to me and more expressive, as well as broader in coverage.

I actually am not at all surprised that they have decided to extend into electro-acoustic models.

I think it's safe to bet that they will continue to extend into physical models of related instruments (plucked strings, struck strings, etc.).

[mhschmieder]

Oh, I see electric pianos are an add-on for 49 euros, but a free demo version, for evaluation purposes, is included with Pianoteq 3.

[mhschmieder]

I prefer the colour theme of Pianoteq 2, but I'll probably eventually get used to this one, which I guess is meant to evoke the ebony of an actual piano.

[tremolounge]

This is a fantastic upgrade -- I've been "playing" it (as well as a guitarist can...) for the past half hour. The sound is much warmer and rounder to my ears, and Modartt really listened to the user requests for more low end -- the bottom feels huge compared to v2.

The "bad" thing is that the same model (like, say, the Erard) sounds quite different in v3 than it did in v2. But if you need to maintain the old sound for a particular project, there seems to be no problem running 2.3 and 3.0 side by side.

[David Polich]

Mark, once again, you're the man for the tip about this new version! Thanks!

I downloaded and installed right away. I am basically blown away, especially with the microphone positioning. You can really "mic" the piano the way you want, with up to 5 microphones, any position, any distance, and it's quite convincing. I like to mic close to the hammers left and right, about 6 inches from the strings, and then place a third omni mic at the "prow" of the piano, about a foot from the bridge, for a bright pop piano sound. When I place the virtual mics in those positions, the result is what I expect - this is absolutely brilliant.

Modarrt's new models feature a much improved uppermost two octaves - in the previous version they sounded a little too much like glockenspiel notes. And finally, the middle octave has the definition and weight we were looking for.

Yes, I'm gonna have to rebuild my favorite pianos from the ground up again, but I had to do that with version 2 and 2.3. It will take awhile to get used to the new parameters. Initially, though, I have to say, Pianoteq 3.0 is way beyond what Pianissimo or True Pianos have to offer.

[mhschmieder]

Knowing Shooshi's experience with miking pianos, this seems finally like the version for him .

[Shooshie]

How much is PianoTeq? Maybe it's time.


Shoosh

[Tobor]

How much is PianoTeq? Maybe it's time.


Shoosh

Looks like $314 for PianoTeq 3, EP add-on $62. I like the sound of the demos much better in the new version, a bit static in the sustain and still some registers that sound synthetic to me, but indeed, much improved. The miking positions and sense of space really add a lot of realism and thus probably more enjoyment in the playing. I'm happy with Ivory and lately have really been enjoying the Reason Pianos, but the much reduced footprint of PianoTeq would be great to have available to play with my other CPU-hungry VIs.

Very tempting.

[David Polich]

The presets for Pianoteq 3.0 are all on the "darker" classical side, even the ones
labeled "bright". But after spending some time programming with it, I was able
to come up with the cutting, bright "Yamaha" pop pianos I prefer. I haven't
really dug into it in depth yet, but there's a lot more under the hood now
and I have to get more familiar with it. Initially, I'm ecstatic with it.

This is the thing with Pianoteq - it's WAY more capable than you might think
by just auditioning the presets. But alas, most people aren't into programming,
or are confused by the parameters.

I'm going to get in touch with Modarrt and see about providing them with
some additional presets of my own making...I'll keep everyone posted
about that.

[monkey man]

Yes! Do it, Dave... please.

FWIW, the ringing in many of the XS rack's key-group assignments has completely put me off using any of the pianos. Once one's aware of it, it's seemingly impossible to ignore; it emerges (for me at least) from practically all the various acoustic-based presets. Actually, it's kinda stumped me as I've not heard anything truly negative said about the XS's piano offerings by anyone else yet.

I therefore find myself in a situation where it'll be a tossup between one of two cards for the XV and Pianoteq. I'm willing, if need be, to consider this plug even though I don't intend to run any VIs, simply because of the variety on offer and the tiny footprint. The option of your presets, whether included or as a separate purchase, would surely tempt me greatly. This is 6 months to a year away, FWIMBW.

[tremolounge]

I'm no pianist, nor am I an expert on the workings of an acoustic piano... but I've been able to tweak Pianoteq presets, mostly thanks to the excellent help system. When you hover over a control, you get a useful explanation of how the control affects the sound and/or playing response, in layman's terms (it's educational, even!).

There's also a plentiful library of user-donated patches at the Modartt forums. And, Modartt releases new models periodically (and they're free, or they have been so far). So yeah, as others have said -- there's more to Pianoteq than first meets the eye.

[beautypill]

I want this so badly --- I really like the sound and innovative approach --- but I can't afford it.

I am saving up for a Carr Raleigh.

- c

[monkey man]

Wow, that thing looks pretty darn special, BP.