Digitals-- and sound modelling reply

[pianoman]

Do you mean what I think you mean on "the turning of pages"?
James Grebe
R.P.T. of the P.T.G. from St. Louis
pianoman@inlink.com
"I'm on my way towards the mighty light of knowledge".

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> From: Jim Coleman, Sr. <pianotoo@IMAP2.ASU.EDU>
> To: atonal@planet.eon.net
> Cc: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: Digitals-- and sound modelling
> Date: Monday, February 16, 1998 10:10 PM
> 
> 
> Today I had a chance to hear a demo CD which is put out by the Sweetwater
> Sound company. They had the most wonderfully accurate reproductions of
piano
> sounds. They could even incorporate the sound of the soundboard itself
and
> the sound of softer surface hammers etc. They had examples from YC
concert
> Grands, S&S D's, Baldwins, Imperial B., Yamaha C3's and C7's etc. The
sound
> was the most realistic I have ever heard. apparently these sound tracks
can
> be loaded into a Kurzwild. Even the clumping sound of the dampers could
be
> included along with pedal noise if preferred. The turning of pages was
also
> included if desired.
> 
> Jim Coleman, Sr.
> 
> 
> On Mon, 16 Feb 1998 atonal@planet.eon.net wrote:
> 
> > > Date:          Mon, 16 Feb 1998 11:51:05 -0700
> > > To:            pianotech@ptg.org
> > > From:          John Musselwhite <musselj@cadvision.com>
> > > Subject:       Re: Digitals--
> > > Reply-to:      pianotech@ptg.org
> > 
> > > 
> > > At 10:20 AM 2/15/98 -0500, Stephen wrote:
> > > 
> > > >To clarify here, when I talk of the next generation these will not
be
> > > >"digital". With "physical modelling" the input/output response
itself is
> > > >modelled. Particular waveforms are not linked to particular input
> > > >combinations (interpreted from key motion). No matter how many of
these
> > > 
> > > This is what Sound Blaster is attempting to do with the Advanced Wave
> > > Effects (AWE) system they're using in the SB64 AWE and other cards.
The
> > > technology uses what they call "sound fonts" that sit in RAM (4 megs
of
> > > it!). The piano sound is still a little weak, but it's miles ahead of
what
> > > it was on earlier sound cards.
> > > 
> > 
> > With all due respect to SoundBlaster and the sound font system (I own 
> > an AWE32), Stephen is correct when he states that this technique 
> > still depends on pre-existing samples, and is not a directly 
> > triggered waveform response. The Damper Physical Modelling and 
> > Natural String Resonance trademarks of General Music that I mentioned 
> > in an earlier post is also dependent on pre-existing samples, but 
> > they use post-processing techniques to bring these samples into play 
> > when different keys and combinations thereof are struck, simulating 
> > the responses inherent in a string-bridge-soundboard tone generation  
> > system. 
> > 	As of yet, no one manufacturer has embraced physical modelling as a 
> > complete tone generation source, they are all dependent on refining 
> > sampling techniques to a point where the average listener can't 
> > distinguish a piece played on a digital and on a piano (blindfolded, 
> > in the dark, and not playing the instrument). Some are quite good. 
> > The Roland KR series digitals have a respectable grand piano 
> > sound sample coupled with a powerful amplification system, 
> > resulting in a realistic piano tone reproduction. According 
> > to the dealer I work for, the new KR-1070 digital grand from 
> > Roland is housed in a 5'8" grand case, and among other toys, 
> > you get the choice of Steinway & Sons D (NY) sampled grand 
> > sound, or with the flick of a button, Bosendorfer 290 sampled 
> > sound. However, they don't address the damper-soundboard-string 
> > modelling in the General Music digitals, and the difference is 
> > noticeable. Also, the General Instrument  RP series have a 
> > rudimentary aftertouch 'bump' built into the keys, which the Rolands, 
> > Korgs, and I believe, Yamahas don't. It doesn't give the pianist the 
> > control over repetition and dynamics that pianos offer, but it's a 
> > start.
> > 	It seems that there is a different market for digitals over pianos, 
> > and this is not a bad thing. Church groups really go for the 
> > digitals, as they are portable, can be hooked through a sound system, 
> > and servicing is minimal. Before you protest, think of the number of 
> > poorly serviced, inadequate, downright pathetic pianos you have tuned 
> > in churches that really don't have the money to adequately maintain a 
> > respectable piano. Ah, but that's a different post...............
> > 
> > Still tuning those pianos & lovin' them, 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Rob Kiddell, 
> > Registered Piano Technician, PTG
> > atonal@planet.eon.net
> >