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Topic: Electronic Keyboard Sound processing (Read 4624 times) previous topic - next topic
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Electronic Keyboard Sound processing

Hi, everyone.
I didn't know where to post this, so chose this forum.

Ok, I have an electronic keyboard. It is a bit old. It's a Casio CT-636.
My point is to get a more acoustic-like piano sound.

I was wondering if there is any software that can process the sound that comes out of the keyboard. The only output it has is a regular phone jack.

Here is what I was thinking (Sorry if it's too lame):


After connecting the keyboard to the line-in, in the pc, maybe, somehow, with a software, i could convert the audio from the keyboard to MIDI, and then process it with, for example, Reason or any other software of the same genre.
One problem, I thought, was the possible delay, wich could significantly make real time processing unreliable. But, I could, at least, record my playing, ant then process it then. It would be better than nothing.

In guitars, for example, there's guitar Rig, that let's you plug in an analog guitar jack, and process the sound to apply distortions, reverbs, etc.
And I thought: "Maybe there's something like this for piano".

Now, is this possible in any way?

Thank you, and sorry if theese questions are lame. (I hate beeing lame. >.<)

Electronic Keyboard Sound processing

Reply #1 –
Sadly, it is very difficult to do what you want. Converting audio to MIDI works best with monophonic sources, that is, one note played at a time. Processing poor quality sound tends not to give an improvement, but simply mask the unpleasant sound. Having said that, I have found that using a short (half a second or less) "plate" reverb on artificial piano sounds does make the sound more natural.

Electronic Keyboard Sound processing

Reply #2 –
Thank you for replying.
What do you mean by 'plate'?

Electronic Keyboard Sound processing

Reply #4 –
Hi

Any reason to not record to PCM WAV. I'd use ASIO if your soundcard supports it. Also there's a number of good VSTs you can use. Have at look at this setup. It would allow monitoring with the effect but recording without -- thus you can alter the signal processing after recording (but play according to an approximation of what it will sound like after processing). You can use something like this as a VST host (for monitoring) - it's light on resources, then apply VST or other effects with whatever you use (personally, I like Reaper). I wouldn't go the midi route (but then I'm also no midi expert).

Possible VSTs:

PSP PianoVerb
Ambience
RoomMachine

All free. Search here.

C.
PC = TAK + LossyWAV  ::  Portable = Opus (130)

Electronic Keyboard Sound processing

Reply #5 –
Quote from: miguelcobain on
Thank you for replying.
What do you mean by 'plate'?


To expand on 'Plate Reverb'. The original 'plate' reverb was device with a large metal plate. Most digital reverb units or decent plug-ins will have a simulation of the original device. Usually label as 'Plate' (eg Long Plate).

In your situation, the plate reverb is used to simulate the sound of the Piano (pianos have a big metal frame). You may want to use another reverb after that to simulate the sound of a room.

-Iain

Electronic Keyboard Sound processing

Reply #6 –
Thank you, everyone.

I'm using Mac OSX. Could you point me some good reverb (plate reverb) VST/AU  plugins?
Or, if possible, plugins for this special purpose - Generate an acoustic piano reverb.

And, just another thing, wich VST/AU host do you reccomend for Mac OSX ? Logic? Cubase? Reason?

Thanks again for replying.

Electronic Keyboard Sound processing

Reply #7 –
NOTE - I'm not a musician, and I'm not an expert on keyboards or MIDI.

I suspect you won't be satisfied with a "work around", and the obvious solution is a new keyboard.  It might be beyond your budget, but software & plug-ins can sometimes get expensive too...  I've seen professional reverb plug-ins that cost hundreds of dollars!  (I've seen 'em for sale... I've never actual heard one!)

Some reverb might help, but  with an analog or digital audio stream (not MIDI), it's generally difficult to process audio in a way that makes it sound "more natural".    Think about the kinds of effect pedals that guitar players use...  They tend to make the sound less natural.

If you're not performing live, I think you can get by with an small, inexpensive, MIDI keyboard, because you can do all of your MIDI manipulation with the computer...    In fact, you don't really even need a keyboard to compose (or play) with software.

Quote
...for example, Reason or any other software of the same genre.
One problem, I thought, was the possible delay, which could significantly make real time processing unreliable. But, I could, at least, record my playing, and then process it then. It would be better than nothing.
If you do perform live, I'd be somewhat cautious about real-time processing with a computer.  Computers are just not as reliable as most electronic equipment.    (You may have never had a problem with your keyboard, but you probably have sometimes had computer problems.)

I think some keyboard players do have a computer as part of their "rig", but they have lots of other equipment, and they can get by without it...  It might be a dedicated computer that doesn't get "messed with".  And, if he/she is a "big time" professional, they might have a back-up computer.

Electronic Keyboard Sound processing

Reply #8 –
Quote from: miguelcobain on
I'm using Mac OSX. Could you point me some good reverb (plate reverb) VST/AU  plugins?
Or, if possible, plugins for this special purpose - Generate an acoustic piano reverb.

Quote from: carpman on
All free. Search here.

http://www.kvraudio.com/get/707.html
http://www.kvraudio.com/get.php

C.
PC = TAK + LossyWAV  ::  Portable = Opus (130)
 

Electronic Keyboard Sound processing

Reply #9 –
I suggest any old keyboard with midi would be a better choice. That way you could use it as a midi controller.

If your budget allows a new midi controller keyboard isn't too expensive.