New: Bright mono piano sample ... v0.1

[spradders]

Hi folks,

I've created a sample of my upright piano, it has a very bright sound. This version is a bit rough (it's my first attempt!), but what do you think? I'll do a proper job of it (decent recorder to remove hiss, variable mic placement for brighter sound through the mid range) if you think it has potential. Could it fill a gap where we struggle with bright mono piano sounds? Thanks for any feedback and advice on how to improve it.

• spradders piano.mp3

I'm really reluctant to upload the sample itself because you'll discover all its flaws! But if you really want to have a go with this first version, try it with this program. Files here.

[pablomastodon]

Haven't listened on studio system yet, but sounds great on laptop speakers so far! For first attempt, seems quite impressive indeed. What interval did you use? Or is that fully sampled?

Bless,

Pablo

[Mr_-G-]

Thank you. It sounds very good and real for that sample size.

[spradders]

I sampled 4ths. I think minor thirds would be ideal because you would never play two samples the same when playing any major / minor triad, 7th etc.
But my sample was using a couple of vocal mics via a small old mixer into my laptop soundcard - hence there is some hiss (most noticeable when you play a fat chord and let the end of the samples play together), plus I didn't move the mics (which were towards the ends of the piano) as I moved across the piano hence the mid section is a bit dead. Overall I was encouraged enough to think it's worth trying to do again, properly.
I've got a friend who has access to some nice condenser mics and a Zoom recorder, so he's going to come over in a couple of weeks to do a proper recording. I'll also sample each note at a couple of velocities so I can choose the ones which match best - I'll probably play quite hard to get that bright sound.
I'm debating whether I should have the piano tuned before or after - it needs a tune although it's not too bad - adds character perhaps.... what do you think???
Thanks

[Leo Castro]

I think this piano sounds great! It would be posible to have the .nwiproj or the wav file?

[pablomastodon]

adds character!

[spradders]

Hi Leo, yes you can have the files - especially if you think you can improve them. Which file do you want (wav or proj)? And you want the current version or after I've created a cleaner, brighter recording? I had wondered about going back and adding noise reduction to the .wav, but it would mean re-doing all the mapping. The mapping took a while because the Sample editor didn't do a great job of finding starts / ends of notes (I played with the Threshold a lot, and split the wav into 4 files in the end, then did a lot of manual mapping).

[Leo Castro]

I want the original wav to see what can i do. Maybe some cleaning, remapping and downsize...

[pablomastodon]

The project file contains the .wav files...do you really want to redo ALL of that work from scratch, Leo?

Pablo

[Mr_-G-]

If you have the WAV files you can fine tune the pitch, if they are out of tune or filter background noise (both doable with Audacity).