Basic hardware to try out Pianoteq

Bellyman

Didn't wanna hijack anyone else's thread so figured I'd start a new one. (First time for me here.)

I have an RD-2000 which is perfectly capable of being used as a controller, midi in and out, no problem. (Probably even USB capable in ways I don't know about.) I am typing on a fairly decent desktop computer, i-5 processor, 3.3 GHz, 16GB of ram, 250GB SSD. USB 3.0. I'm kinda thinkin' it would be able to handle it. Plus, it's sitting right beside the keyboard. Nothing special for a sound card but does have the typical headphone and microphone jacks both front and back. Also sitting on the other side of the keyboard is an analog mixer with the standard inputs with basic EQ and effects.

So my question is, what do I need hardware wise to try out Pianoteq? Is there another interface I might need?

I am guessing that Pianoteq would reside as a program on the computer. So in order to communicate, I'd need to get some kind of interface for the midi outputs of the keyboard to communicate with the computer. Would that be midi to USB? Or something else? And then from the computer to the mixer, would that just be plugging in to the headphone output and into a line level channel of the mixer? Or something else?

It's not something I "need". It's just something I'd thought about getting to play with for a while, a new toy but not something super expensive. Might be a "bridge" into some other VST's but since this computer is online, that might be a no-no, not sure. (Windows 10. Would love it to be Linux, and it could be. Not sure how that would affect availability of VST's or whether Pianoteq works with Linux, haven't checked. I know some VST's do not like Linux though it seems like it would be way more environmentally friendly. But for now, it's Windows.)

It might be quite simple, not sure. But figured I'd throw it out here and see what you all suggest. Who knows, maybe some of the stuff could be relevant if I ever give in to my dear wife and do a live stream... she's been pestering me for a while. Or even perhaps some recording since it's easier to fix mistakes. LOL!

Whatcha think? Thanks!

iternabe

All you need is one USB-A to USB-B cable, the kind that’s used for printers.

HeartKeys

You pretty much barely need anything. You need wayyyy less computing power and drive space than any software imaginable.

For comparison— I can literally play PianoTeq on my iPhone and it works great!

As far as setup, glad to share some photos, since describing these things verbally is quite different than just seeing it.

HeartKeys

I just re-read your post and want to clarify that my setup would likely differ from you, given you have PC.

The point is, you have more than adequate hardware to run Pianoteq, which weighs about the same as an ant, in terms of resource.

TC3

Yep, just a USB cable with the appropriate ends to plug the RD-2000 into your computer. Then a stereo audio cable from your computer's headphone jack to your mixer. Tada! I do this with both my Rolands once in a while, no problems.

Your computer should be okay hardware-wise. BUT! Some PCs have weird issues with latency on audio software. I had a laptop that worked with pianoteq just fine. Then I got a new one, same brand, just an updated version of the same model, even more powerful, and guess what: it was unusable due to latency issues. I tried everything, and the conclusion I came to was that it was a BIOS issue that couldn't be resolved without an update, which was not going to happen in my lifetime ...

Now I use my PC for work and my MacBook for Pianoteq, etc., and I'm much happier.

iternabe

TC3 BUT! Some PCs have weird issues with latency on audio software.

The first thing to check for PC audio latency is the audio sample rate (typically 44100hz or 48000hz). You should have every audio input and out device in your PC to use the same exact sample rate, because any conversion will add latency. Also, if there is any audio software that reprocessing the signal, like EQ, DSP effect, etc, they will add latency too. Brand name PC manufactures are notorious for installing such bloatware out of the box. Disable all of them if you can.

Failing all of the above, I solved my latency problem with a good USB audio mixer (Yamaha AG03/AG06).

Yeah, Mac is much less frustrating for this kind of stuff.

Quitter

@Bellyman, as @iternabe says, you should be able to send midi over the USB interface to Pianoteq easily. What you didn't cover is where you want the audio from Pianoteq to go. Back to your keyboard, out to your mixer - then speakers, or to your computer speakers/headphones.

I have a Studiologic stage piano connected with a USB cable to my Mac. On my Mac I have a USB connected Motu M2 audio interface. I have Kali Audio powered monitors and sub connected to the M2. The M2 has 2 volume knobs, one for headphones, and one for the speakers. If I didn't have the M2 audio interface, I could also listen with the speakers built in to my monitor, or route the sound back to my keyboard and listen with headphones there. On the Mac, all this is pretty easy. I'm assuming it would be pretty easy on Windows as well.

Pianoteq has a trial version that works very well. It has all the instruments included so you can try them all. It has just a few keys disabled per instrument, and only black keys. (so the key of C is decent to try it with, since all the white keys work). The other limitation is after 20 minutes or so of actual use, it'll stop working, and you have to click on a dialog box about 30 times to get another 20 minutes.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.....

Bellyman

Quitter What you didn't cover is where you want the audio from Pianoteq to go. Back to your keyboard, out to your mixer - then speakers, or to your computer speakers/headphones.

Wanting audio output from Pianoteq to end up at the mixer which then feeds the studio monitors.

It sounds like there are two ways to get it there. #1 is back through the USB to the keyboard and then routed to the mixer via the existing line out cables. #2 would be a line out cable directly from the computer to the mixer. (If I've been reading the replies correctly, that is.)

I don't know how easy it is to switch back and forth between Pianoteq and the internals sounds of the Roland. Will have to explore that if/when I get that far.

Thanks!

hebele

It even runs on Raspberry Pi (well.. RPI4 and above). Pianoteq demo is also generous. Just give it a try.

iternabe

Okay, here is the long answer.

Pianoteq is very easy on computer hardware. Your PC will work fine.
Pianoteq needs MIDI input. You do that by connecting the MIDI (USB-B) port on your RD-2000 to a USB Port (typically USB-A) on your computer.
Pianoteq can output to device of your choice, which can be:
a. A headphone connected to your computer
b. Speakers connected to your computer
c. Your RD-2000 (via the same cable that sends the MIDI), then played back via the RD-2000 (built-in speaker, or audio out jack)
d. A mixer (computer line-out to mixer line-in)

Among the output options, I like C or D because that means other than USB cable, everything else is connected to the keyboard and easy to position properly.

For C, to playback Pianoteq generated sound via your keyboard's own speaker, you need to disable keyboard's own built-in sound engine (to avoid getting two sounds). @BicBic you can find how to do that in RD-2000 owners manual page 18 under "Performing with a plug-in synthesizer".

For D, you just turn the volume down on the keyboard and let the mixer be the only sound output device.

TC3

iternabe Believe me, I checked that, and a million other things. 😃

klausi6

the RD 2000 is a wonderful keyboard.The RD2000 has an audio interface.
so you have to set in system menu the usb driver to vendor.
install the RD2000 Windows driver from the Roland support page.
Connect the printer cable to the computer.
You can connect monitor speakers via XLR or line out.
The right Slider of the RD2000 contols the Volume .
You can also connect a Headphone and hear your playing via headphone.

have fun 😀

iternabe

Bellyman I don't know how easy it is to switch back and forth between Pianoteq and the internals sounds of the Roland.

@Bellyman I believe @klausi6 answered you right here:

klausi6 you have to set in system menu the usb driver to vendor

Bellyman

Interesting! Glad I asked. It sounds like I can return audio from the computer back to the RD-2000 through the same USB cable that's supplying the computer with MIDI information. That would mean I don't have to worry about an audio line out from the computer at all. The RD-2000 is already connected to the mixer via standard line out cables and from the mixer into some studio monitors which is how I normally play it. (It doesn't have onboard speakers.)

Thank you all for the input! I'll have to look and see but I think I already have such a USB cable.