Digital Piano Project
My current studio set up: Computer Workstation, Alesis Keyboard,
and Ivers & Pond Grand Piano
The Intel NUC, which is the 'heart' of the sound module. Only 5 inches square, it contains an entire computer system.
The Alesis QS8 keyboard is at the heart of the instrument. The LED screen is used to control the programs on the NUC, but also displays music. from the computer network or from a memory card. Pages can be turned hands-free using
Donner Bluetooth pedals
Inside view of speaker cabinet before the soundboard was affixed. Speakers on top right (L-R) include: 6 1/2" Hi-range (2KHz - 20KHz; 8" Hi-Mid 500 - 2KHz; 10" Lo-Mid 35 - 500Hz; 12" SubWfr 30- (adjustable) 40 - 240Hz. Speakers on lower right (L-R) are: 8" Hi-range 800 - 20KHz, 10" Mid-range 100 - 800Hz, and 12" Lo-range 30 Hz - 100Hz. Each set of speakers is driven by a separate amplifier channel, allowing for binaural or stereo.
Pianoforte: Walter
Anton Walter (1752-1826) was an important and famous Viennese instrument builder. He was a friend of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who owned one of his instruments and often used it in concerts.
For a good portion of my life, I built musical instruments -- pipe organs. In 2017 I'm continuing that tradition by creating my own custom digital grand piano.
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I already had a digital keyboard -- a professional-quality Alesis QS8. While there is a selection of piano and other sounds, this instrument is limited by its sound-sampling technology and audio system. Using the Alesis as a building block, I added PianoTeq software for more realistic piano sounds. This sounded great, even though it was still coming out of the small computer speakers. A 3ft. "mini-grand" cabinet of hand-rubbed red birch with cherry trim was built to house a larger sound system. A custom designed self-contained speaker system delivers a convincingly authentic sound and can actually exceed the output of the typical concert grand (100db+).
Seven speakers are arranged in a binaural configuration, speaking both upward and downward -- just like an acousic grand piano -- giving a sense of spaciousness. The speakers are mounted on a sounding board, creating a hybrid sound source. Custom designed filters separate the audio output, directing each frequency range to individual speakers. Large speakers produce only low sounds, small speakers only produce high sounds; the mid-range is divided so you can hear left and right hand notes coming from their respective locations on the soundboard. This arrange-ment createsr clarity of tone and decreases the possibility of distortion for a more authentic sound.
Other features include:
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Pitch adjustment
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Touch adjustment
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Metronome
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Transposer
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Record/Playback
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MIDI import/ export
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EQ/Rever adjustment
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PianoTeq instrument upgrades
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640+ Alesis sounds
The whole configuration of the digital teaching piano is shown here. PDF music files can be shown on the music rack monitor. Bluetooth pedals turn the pages forward or backward. A dimmable LED light strip illuminates paper scores and the keyboard.
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PianoTeq system control is done from the monitor via a portable wireless keyboard and mouse. Since this is controlling a computer system, you can also connect to the Internet and LAN to import files or load sheet music to the memory card. It will even stream music or check your email!
What's The Purpose?
As a teaching studio, I want my students to experience the most. PianoTeq allows me to present them with a variety of instruments -- based on actual modelling -- not just sound samples. It's as if they are actually playing the instruments; they not only hear it but
can get a 'feel' for how it reacts. What's it like to play clavichord? How does a harpsichord differ from a piano? What did Beethoven's piano sound like? Now, when a student plays Beethoven or Bach, they can experience the instruments those composers used.
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The Alesis keyboard is a full size 88-note hammer-action weighted keyboard -- considered one of the best in the industry-- duplicating the response of an acoustic grand piano. Driving the PianoTeq module, it delivers 99 sensitivity settings of 127 degrees of velocity for each note. The sustain pedal has half-pedal capabilities; a second pedal provides sostenuto.
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In addition to the PianoTeq instruments, the 640 Alesis sound-sampled voices and mixes, such as a virtual orchestra, may be played separately or along with the piano.
Pianoforte: Graf 1826
The Graf pianofortes were held in high esteem, and soon were considered the greatest and most renowned in Vienna and throughout the empire. Beethoven was particularly fond of these.
Grand piano: Pleyel 1926
Chopin preferred to compose and perform on Pleyel pianos and it was also used by other major composers, such as Debussy, Ravel and Stravinsky.
Clavichord: Neupert
This is a physically modeled virtual copy of clavichord Neupert which is based on a "Modell Philipp Emanuel Bach", widely used in the 14th century.
Harpsichord: Blanchet 1733
Has a very delicate sound, inviting for inspiring musical moments from the baroque period representative by great masters such as Scarlatti, Bach and Händel.
Bells, Chimes, Harps, Steel Drums, Electric Pianos, Vibraphones, Xylophones, Celesta, and other piano models are also available to complement almost any kind of musical style.
Initial sketches for the 'Mini-Grand' case which will be built to house the keyboard, NUC, LED screen and a custom amplifier and audio system.
Steinway & Sons have approved the sound and playability of the Pianoteq virtual instruments Steinway Model D and Steinway Model B, which have gained from the refined physical model. These magnificent virtual grand pianos will appeal to all musicians in search of the most famous piano sound signature.
PianoTeq has accurately modeled the Steinway D Concert Grand Piano. Students have played their yearly recital on one of these at Steinway of Scottsdale.
The Pipe Organ at St. Luke's Cathedral, Orlando, FL
Built by Tellers Organ Co. ,
Erie, PA - 1968
Designed by Dan Bickel