Topic: FAQ: To correct limited/extreme dynamic output
Hi,
I am in a situation, that is adressed in the FAQ, "no ideal correction" of the velocity possible.
The velocity range of my Kawai ES3 between ppp and fff is shallow and a simple adaption would result in a curve very similar to the left diagram:
I was glad to find the idea in the FAQ, which is represented by the right diagram. But in praxis it is not easy to tweak even 3 points of a velocity-curve, when variation of one point has influence on the two other points (isn't that an old mathematical problem?) :-)
I found a method for my problem and hope it is worth to share:
1.) First I draw a horizontal line in the veloctiy editor, which means one fix velocity for all keys.
2.) Then I moved this horizontal line vertically by trial and error to the point, where the overall timbre of the D4 seems to be best nailed by playing with normal strength. (here the result is 79 on the y-axis).
3.) I set 3 points in this line, one at the beginning, one at the end, and the third arbitrarily somewhere in the middle (around 64).
4.) I dragged the start-point to (0,0) and the endpoint to (127,127).
5.) By iteration I dragged the middle point in the hight of velocity 79 horizontally to left or right until I liked the timbre. To my first surprise I landed at 79 on the x-axis. But thinking of it twice, this should be expected, because by playing with normal strenght this matches the overall timbre, I liked in step 1.) (that with the constant velocity). - So probably step 5.) can be ommitted by setting x=y directly, i.e. (79,79) in my example. If you liked 69 in step 1.) the most, than (69,69) is probably the best coordinate for the middle point.
6.) For adjusting the pp to ppp dynamics, I played with reduced strength and dragged the left/start-point vertically to a point that I liked (not too muffled but also not too metallic in the bass range).
7.) For adjusting the f to mf dynamics, I dragged the right point from (127,127) vertically down, again to the point, where forte playing isn't either to bright nor muffled.
8.) My result of the procedure is Velocity = [0, 79, 127; 9, 79, 103] for the Kawai ES3.
In my opinion the importance of a well tweaked velocity can't be underestimated. I am convinced, most of the sound-problems people have with digitalpianos are velocity induced.
Btw, are any hammerweighted stagepianos in the <1000EUR range known and recommended, that *really* use the full range from (0,0) to (127,127) for ppp to fff? and not just about 70-80 values?
I'am thinking of getting a Roland RD-64 as Midicontroller forPianoteq, but is there anything known, if it uses the full range for velocity?
cheers
(& sorry for this english)
