What exactly is it? I've done some reading online about it, but I get the impression it's some form of post-processing program that renders already existing midi files, or does it render real time, changing the tone of ANY brand of digital piano with an USB interface? Or is it only restricted to certain models?

It is real-time, but it can also render existing MIDI files or run as a VSTi in a sequencer.

hmm, awesome!

I may very well get it now I've decided on going digital. Thanks!

It runs with anything with a usb interface then? or rather, midi/usb? Of course there seems to be another limiting factor, the built in speakers, i guess running external speakers would be ideal.

It takes MIDI data - they might come via USB (if the digital piano supports this) or via MIDI-cable. For the latter you need a MIDI-capable interface. This could be something simple like a MIDI-USB-converter, an internal (PCI) audio interface (specific type of soundcard) or an external Audio-Interface connected to your computer via USB or FireWire.

The sound will be played through the computer - i.e. through external or built-in speakers (in case of a laptop) or headphones.

If your digital piano has a Line-In, you may even be able to play back the sound through the speaker system of your piano by connecting the Line-Out of your computer's audio interface. However, this may introduce noise through ground loops.

Try it first. (There's a free trial/demo version.) You might not like the sound.

After doing some reading, I realized it's possible to update the Yamaha U1S midi sample through piano teq. That would make an immense difference. Decisions, decisions, decisions....

I can attest to this. I have a Schimmel silent upright, which is the same basic idea as the Yamaha U1S, i.e. an acoustic piano which has a built-in digital piano. I've been using Pianoteq very happily for the last half-year. It is much more satisfying to play than the built-in digital piano sample, and once you have yourself set up in terms of computer, sound card, cables, and, as I did, studio monitors, you're good to go.
Having said this, I still far prefer playing using the plain old acoustic with none of the electronics engaged!

is the set up easier if you're on a mac? I suppose I will need an Midi to USB interface, the software itself, and what else? I'm trying to figure out if I should shell out more for the Yamaha U1S and back out of my Roland Hp 307 purchase.

The computer snobs seem to prefer mac for music applications. Windows works fine for me.
My usb to midi interface is in fact an external sound card.
I have the computer running Pianoteq, usb from the computer to the external sound card, midi in and out cables from the sound card to to the silent piano module, and sound cables from the sound card to the studio monitors. I can also connect headphones straight to the sound card, but all things being equal I prefer hearing myself play through loudspeakers turned down low to wearing cans.

Listen, if you are going digital, and going the Pianoteq route, you will NOT need an expensive digital piano. Well, the only reason you would need one is for better key action. But I have a $450 casio px-130 that I use as a midi controller to control Pianoteq and it feels good and works perfectly. The casio usb midi interface cable is simply a standard usb a/b printer cable. $6 from a frys electronics or micro center store.

What you need is the cheapest digital piano that provides adequate key action for you (sound/specs dont matter because you will not be using the built in sounds anyway - though you will probably want a keybed with escapement: its the ability to play notes without having to let the key all the way up before you play again - the px-130 has this), a halfway decent computer (no fancy sound card necessary, but nice to have) with preferably a dual core processor of any kind, a usb midi cable, and a nice pair of headphones or a good external sound system. Most PC 2.1 sound systems are inadequate, you need large woofers and a tweeter that can handle the output to get any sort of realistic sound.

This has been posted many times before, but a cheap stereo receiver with quality speakers, either good floorstanding or large bookshelf speakers, and an RCA to 1/8" cable is all you need for a good external sound system. The cable goes from the input in the back of the receiver to the output/headphone jack of your soundcard on the PC. Let me know if you need more clarification.

The reverse is also true. If you have an expensive digital piano, you will not need Pianoteq.

True.

The escapement mechanism on an acoustic piano provides this capability. Digital pianos have no need for mechanical escapement, so they don't have it. They provide rapid repetition without an escapement.

The term "expensive digital piano" is somewhat relative, and is based on one's financial means I think.

Compared to Casios, my Roland KR7 is an expensive DP, but I use Pianoteq because the sound of the KR7 simply isn't as good.

If one is spending larger amounts (Avant Grand for example), then the DP sound would be fine. I've tested the Roland V-Piano (which some consider expensive), and I get a better sound from Pianoteq.

I just found out the silent system installed in Taiwan doesn't have midi in midi out interface!!!!

whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Rui725, I'd suggest an Kawai AnytimeX, however I'm afraid these instruments are not available in Taiwan.

Kind regards,
James
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The limited selection here really makes me want to get off this island. My only experience with Kawai is there Rx-7 models (my teacher uses this in her studio) and everything I've gotten from it has been positive so far.

I wish I could just sit down for a afternoon, in a practice room, with 3-4 different models to work with side by side to really get a feel for each piano's personality. Here, even showrooms have a limited selection for you to try.

Plus, Taiwan seems to get the low-end versions of everything. Can't describe the unpleasantness of this feeling.

So I'm a computer snob then, thanks very much! Actually I prefer Macs for most jobs but for music they have definite advantages.

Every new Mac comes with a good sound card
Every new Mac is powerful enough to run most audio applications
Every new Mac comes with a good music creation and recording app (Garageband) that includes a huge range of OK software instruments and can be upgraded with better samples.

All of those are facts and are not all true of every Windows computer. In addition every Mac is designed for Music creation and in most cases you just plug in and off you go, no installing Asio drivers, no fiddling around trying to figure out why something isn't working. They just work. You may not believe that but it's true.

Most Windows computers are probably fine for music creation too but you may spend a lot of time and energy getting everything working right and will probably have to pay for extras like sound card and software. Of course that is offset by Macs generally costing more in the first place.

I gave up trying to get my wife's laptop working with an M-Audio controller I have, with either of my Macs I just plug in and play.

Not sure if this is the right place to discuss this... anyway!

If you just want a no-worry system and have enough money, you may be absolutely right.

But if you're on a budget or you want flexibility (I know you also have a windows emulator) and all the Windows free software selection or even a Linux distribution running on your system then a Laptop is much more for you. A MAC is much more proprietary than a Windows Laptop.



Today most laptops come with a comparable soundcard. If not, you can buy a USB soundcard for few bucks.



That's definitely also true for todays laptops. Even the netbooks with Atom processor can run most not too CPU heavy audio applications (and a netbook is really cheap and has a small form factor compared to MACs).



Well... the only thing that is true about this is that you're right that there is no music creation app preinstalled on a new Windows laptop. But that's all.

You have a whole world of possibilities open for you: Just install one of the freeware apps that are mostly very powerful. There are even portable solutions available that run from a USB stick and can therefore be used on almost any PC / laptop with a decent sound card. There are lots of freeware apps that have almost the same capabilities than expensive commercial solutions. And even on a MAC, if you have professional demands then you normally won't use the preinstalled apps but get the pro ones.



Yes, true. Once you have an ASIO driver installed on Windows (if not included when buying a decent audio hardware then you can use the freely available ASIO4all) it should be fine in at least 90% of all cases.

Which is why I said..

Yes, true. And I put some flesh on this statement to have a more balanced view on this, so that you know what Windows / Linux is capable of.

doh, never thought there would be mac vs. pc war on a piano forum >.<

Apologies if it seems like that, I was simply trying to answer your question....



to which in my opinion the answer is an undeniable yes. However with extra effort a Windows machine is equally capable.

I have admit, after switching to mac for daily use, I've become more computer illiterate , thought it's freed up a lot of time to do other stuff, like music!

Are ASIO4all drivers generally free? What are some reliable links for those drivers? I've had problem with viruses in the past going after freeware, so I'm a bit hesitant to just go anywhere and download them.

Thelonius One, ASIO4all is indeed freeware.

Download the software from the following URL:

http://www.asio4all.com/

Cheers,
James
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Great. Thanks Kawai James!