Isotonik Studios' Pianerb by AVAL 1.0 is a ground-breaking Max4Live device that offers a highly realistic and malleable piano soundboard. Based on the physical model of a string, pioneered by Karplus and Strong’s waveguide synthesis, Pianerb provides a detail-rich resonance system, one that emulates the material and size of the piano body.
The beauty of Pianerb lies within its intuitive controls, each offering a different opportunity to shape your sound. Users can alter the damping control to emulate the decay time of individual strings, resulting in a wider range of tones. Also at your disposal is the Age function, detuning the second string of the single note and creating that charming old piano effect.
The available Body parameter is where Pianerb truly shines, adding as much or as little filtering effect as you desire due to the body of the instrument. Accompanied by the Size control, you can adjust the size of the instrument body, directly modulating the resonance frequencies for additional customization.
Pianerb doesn’t stop there. It also provides LP and HP input filters, operating at 12dB/oct, allowing you to insert elements of your original signal, tweaking it to perfection. The Dry Wet feature determines the blend of processed and unprocessed signals, providing more flexibility to your mix.
Perhaps one of Pianerb's most unique aspects is the Keyboard control, granting you the choice of which string to excite, which can open up a world of creative possibilities.
The device is extremely versatile. Whether you're aiming for a rich, vibrant sound or prefer the timbre of an aged piano, the Pianerb device offers endless opportunities to experiment and fine-tune your sound profile.
Let’s not forget compatibility. Pianerb works seamlessly with Ableton Live version 10.1.18 and requires Max version 8.1.5. As per the tags, it rightly qualifies as both a synth and an effect.
Fairly new in the market, Pianerb was added on Oct 13, 2023, 11:40:17, and is yet to receive an update. You can access this audio_device by following the provided link: https://isotonikstudios.com/product/pianerb-by-aval/
Remember, Pianerb falls under the Commercial licence category, indicating that while the tool is extraordinary, it comes with a purchase requirement.
The Pianerb Max4live device narrates a captivating tale of what can be achieved when innovation meets music. Thanks to Isotonik Studios, musicians now have a versatile and realistic piano reverb system at their fingertips, empowering them to explore new sonic landscapes like never before. An exciting new avenue for all music enthusiasts, Pianerb is here to redefine electronic music production.
Example Usage
To demonstrate the novice-level usage of Pianerb in a creative way, let's imagine a scenario where a beginner producer wants to add some unique reverb effects to their piano track. By using Pianerb, they can achieve a realistic and versatile piano soundboard effect in just a few simple steps.
First, the producer will need to download and install Pianerb by AVAL from the Isotonik Studios website (available at [link](https://isotonikstudios.com/product/pianerb-by-aval/)).
Once installed, they can open Ableton Live and load Pianerb onto a MIDI track that contains a piano instrument. To do this, they need to drag Pianerb from the browser onto the MIDI track.
Next, the producer can adjust the Pianerb controls to shape the reverb effect according to their creative vision. Here are a few examples of what each control does:
- Damping: This control simulates the decay time of individual piano strings. Increasing it will result in a longer reverb tail, while reducing it will make the sound shorter and tighter.
- Age: By detuning the second string of each note, this control creates an old piano effect. Increasing the Age parameter will introduce subtle detuning, adding character to the sound.
- Body: The Body parameter determines the amount of filtering applied due to the piano's body. Increasing it will add warmth and richness to the reverb effect.
- Size: This control modulates the resonance frequencies based on the size of the virtual instrument body. Adjusting it can help create a sense of space and dimension in the reverb.
- LP and HP: These controls are input filters that can shape the sound going into Pianerb. LP is a lowpass filter that cuts off higher frequencies, while HP is a hipass filter that removes lower frequencies. Experimenting with these filters can further sculpt the reverb effect.
- Dry Wet: By adjusting the Dry Wet knob, the producer can control the balance between the dry (original) and wet (reverb) signals. Increasing the wet signal will make the reverb effect more prominent.
- Keyboard: This control allows the producer to choose which string of the piano they want to excite. It provides flexibility in selecting specific notes or strings for a more targeted reverb effect.
Once the controls are set to the desired values, the producer can play the MIDI track with their chosen piano instrument and enjoy the unique and realistic reverb provided by Pianerb.
It's important for novice producers to experiment with different combinations of these controls to find the perfect reverb settings for their piano tracks. This will help them develop their creative skills while enhancing the overall sound of their music.
Usage Example:
Let's explore an intermediate-level usage example of Pianerb in order to unleash its creative possibilities. Imagine you have a MIDI track with a beautiful piano melody, and you want to add a unique reverb effect to give it a sense of space and depth.
Step 1: Insert Pianerb on the audio track where your piano MIDI is routed to.
Step 2: Adjust the Damping control to your liking. Increasing the decay time will create a longer reverb tail, while decreasing it will result in a shorter and crisper sound.
Step 3: Experiment with the Age control. This parameter detunes the second string of each note, introducing a subtle detuning effect that emulates the character of an old piano. Adding a slight detuning can add warmth and vintage charm to your piano sound.
Step 4: Fine-tune the Body control. This control adjusts the amount of filtering applied due to the body of the piano. Increasing it will introduce more filtering and give a sense of resonance, while decreasing it will make the sound cleaner and brighter. Play around with this parameter to find the sweet spot that enhances your piano sound.
Step 5: Modulate the Size control. This parameter affects the size of the instrument body and, consequently, modulates the resonance frequencies. Adjusting it can add additional layers of depth and spatialization to your piano sound.
Step 6: Experiment with the LP and HP filters. These filters allow you to tailor the input signal before it goes through the reverb effect. Use the LP filter to cut off high frequencies or the HP filter to remove low frequencies, depending on your creative intention.
Step 7: Dial in the desired balance between the dry and wet signals using the Dry Wet control. This will determine the intensity of the reverb effect relative to the original piano sound.
Step 8: Take advantage of the Keyboard control to choose which string to excite. This control allows for precise control over the reverb effect, enabling you to highlight specific notes or create dynamic variations throughout your performance.
By following these steps and experimenting with the various controls, you can add a realistic and versatile reverb effect to your piano MIDI, transforming it into a rich and enigmatic sonic landscape. Let your creativity run wild as you explore the endless creative possibilities of Pianerb by AVAL.
Further Thoughts
One of the most interesting ways to utilize Pianerb is by transforming it into a unique and expressive MIDI instrument. By combining the realistic piano soundboard emulation with the MIDI input capabilities of Max4Live, you can create captivating performances that blur the line between traditional piano playing and electronic music production.
To start, insert Pianerb onto a MIDI track in Ableton Live and enable the MIDI input. Connect your favorite MIDI controller or keyboard and set it as the input source for the track. This will allow you to play the Pianerb device just like you would play a piano, with the added benefit of its reverb and physical modeling capabilities.
Experiment with different MIDI note velocities to create variations in the intensity and dynamics of the reverb. For example, playing the keys softly will generate a subtle and delicate reverb while striking them with force will result in a more pronounced and resonant sound. This dynamic response adds a touch of realism to your performances, making them more expressive and organic.
Furthermore, don't limit yourself to traditional piano playing techniques. Pianerb's unique controls open up a world of sonic possibilities. For instance, you can use the "Age" parameter to detune the second string of each note, giving your performance an authentic vintage piano effect. Combine this with the "Damping" control to adjust the decay time of individual strings, allowing for precise control over the reverb's tail.
Experimenting with the "Body" and "Size" parameters can completely transform the character of the reverb. Increase the "Body" to add filtering that simulates the resonance from the piano's body, resulting in a warmer and more enveloping sound. Adjust the "Size" parameter to modulate the resonance frequencies of the instrument body, allowing you to craft unique and otherworldly reverberations.
To add an extra layer of sonic exploration, automate the different parameters of Pianerb within Ableton Live's arrangement view. This enables you to create evolving and dynamic compositions that evolve over time. For example, you can slowly increase the "Body" parameter during the chorus of a song to give it a more expansive and grandiose feel, or automate the "Damping" control to create rhythmic and pulsating reverb patterns.
Lastly, don't forget about Pianerb's LP and HP filters, which can shape the sound even further. Use the LP filter to attenuate high frequencies and create a more mellow and soft reverb, or engage the HP filter to remove unwanted low frequencies and tighten up the overall sound.
By combining Pianerb's realistic and versatile piano soundboard emulation with MIDI input and automation capabilities, you can create immersive and expressive performances that transcend traditional piano playing. Let your creativity flow and explore the endless creative possibilities of Pianerb in your music production.