Piano chords resulting in too high attack

2008-06-11 12:03 am

Chords of more than two notes written for accoustic grand piano are performed with a high level of attack, almost as if accented. (This was noted long ago in link=topic=1119.msg5566#msg5566 date=942210000, but I don't see any recent discussion of the issue.)

It seems not to matter what dynamic level has been designated, and the Legato and Tenuto performance styles don't seem to have any effect. Is this a function of the sound card? (I use an integrated RealTek 97 Audio card.) Is there any workaround?

Thanks
Lon Sarnoff

Re: Piano chords resulting in too high attack

Reply #1 – 2008-06-11 12:26 am

Quote from: lsarnoff – 2008-06-11 12:03 am

Is this a function of the sound card? (I use an integrated RealTek 97 Audio card.) Is there any workaround?

A couple. You can use Dynamics and MPC volume/expression controllers to quell harsh chords.
I don't notice this very much with my old SoundBlaster card, but the Roland softsynth that is standard on WinXP is not very good.

The other thing you can do is split out the melody and bassline to their own playback staves. This will let you balance (and phrase) them separately from the internals of the piano piece. A good pianist does this instinctively. Soundcards don't. MIDI does what you tell it to do.