There was an electric piano comparison thread going, but it got killed over copyright issues. I think the idea behind it was a good one, though.

There's a good acoustic piano shootout at http://purgatorycreek.com, and with some help we could do something like that.

There are disadvantages to that kind of comparison, because when you record a MIDI part, you're listening to a particular instrument, and adjust your playing for that instrument. So, similarly "voiced" instruments sound better than ones with different dynamics etc., even if they might be just as good or better.

But it seems like the only good way, regardless of this flaw. I'm willing to put together a MIDI file if folks are interested. We'd need a host for the file space (I'm willing to use some initially, but won't want to keep it archivally.)

If anyone has original MIDI clips that would be useful for epiano comparisons, please help out! I have the demo I used for my soundfonts, but that only shows two or three styles of play, and it would be better to have more of a sample. I'd like to keep the total under a minute or so. In addition, it might be nice to have a Rhodes test and a Wurlie test, because they encourage different playing styles.

We'd also need people to post renderings of various pianos for comparison purposes. I can do my soundfont and a couple versions of MrRay. I have Scarbee, but installing Giga causes my computer to lock up after booting, so I can't post a sample of it.

Anyone interested in the results?
Anyone willing to help out?
Any good ideas?

Thanks,
Jeff
Last edited by learjeff on Mon Feb 21, 2005 8:23 pm; edited 1 time in total

The problem was that the midi file was thought to be aiding piracy so everything is dead now. Make sure MIDI file is complex enough so that individual samples cannot be edited and compiled from it.

Yeah I guess Scarbee gets to approve any music made with their products now before its released

You got to be kidding – not only did you not PM me to raise issues at my site (and here) – but since getting advice (in strong terms – which was a shock to me considering how long I have been hosting and how careful I am with copyrights etc) – and to be accused frankly by you of underhand dealing thinking I was electro making some kind of plan to harvest samples – where none of this was the intention of any party involved.

I now see this post here at K-v-R wanting to do an EP comparison - by you (I smell something)

Believe me – it will not be possible at all – no way

Nothing you can do will make it necessarily legal (or as you put it in your post today(which I have moved out of public view at my forum)) inoffensive.



Best regards,

Spe3d

:O)

Spe3D is not electro, I am electro and there was no conspiracy.

I very sorry that the MIDI file I created aroused these suspicions. I don't think it is necessary to ban all A/B comparisons, it just has to be done with a reasonable MIDI file from now on. I would appreciate if we could do an A/B between Minimax Minimoog V and Minimonsta.

DELETED...!

Because I was in a rotten mood (though that's no excuse) and acted like an asshole.

Sorry Jeff...


Last edited by Andywanders on Mon Feb 21, 2005 8:38 pm; edited 1 time in total

maybe I missed something...

what did Jeff do wrong?

Sorry.

I am in a bad mood today.

Not Jeff's fault.



But I must admit, I do get irritated by these "which is the best" threads.



Anyway... No offense meant.

Which is the point in doing it the way Jeff is suggesting. You can hear the different things side-by-side and decide for yourself.

Anyhow, I feel like I've stepped into a family squabble wherein I don't have a clue what the fight's about, so, I'm stepping right back out.

Sorry you feel that way, Spe3d. I appologize for any miscommunication and for causing any hard feelings., which believe me were unintended. Your response at the time was first class and appropriate. I certainly do NOT think that anyone involved was intending to encourage or support piracy.

What I posted was, "I suggest you change the MIDI file so that this contest doesn't make it so easy for folks to pirate the work of companies like Scarbee." I ended with the statement, "I hope that this was an unintended consequence rather than an underhanded scheme." I'm convinced now that my hopes were correct, and I regret the insinuation. I meant this to sound more polite than it did.

Moving on ...

Rather than thinking of this as a "which is best" thing, I'd rather think of it as "which one is right for me" thing. There's room for a lot of variety. I did say "shootout", and that's setting the wrong tone.

The ideal would be something that shows each epiano in its best light. That isn't easy, and the next best thing (I think) might be rendering them all using the same MIDI file. Present the MP3 results, and no need for voting or anything like that -- let the results speak for themselves. But if anyone has any other ideas, I'm all ears.

If nobody's interested, fine. I'd be doing this for the heck of it. I wouldn't benefit from it, other than perhaps a little notoriety, whatever that's worth.

family squabble And with people I just met, too! Well, I started it by stepping on some toes. Hopefully it's over now.

Anyway, please don't just back out if you think there's any merit to the project. But feel free to duck if any pots or pans fly overhead.

Thank you.



Now its over, thank you Jeff.

I would strongly advise - Based on recent experience - contacting the companies involved first and garnishing them with the midi, and get written permission from them – before commencing any kind of a/b’s on any kind of sample based product – even if the renders are mp3 etc. Or maybe get them to provide the midi. then you will know for sure. I won't allow any test like it again at the forum though.



Best regards,

Peter

Jeff, I've just edited my earlier post.

I realise you have good intentions, so if you like I could play a couple of riffs on my EVP88. Or send me the .mid file and I'll do it that way.

Anyway, I hope you accept my apology.

No worries! It's all good.

Thanks for your advice, Pete. I'll give it careful consideration

Andy, what would help most is if you can record the MIDI for a few rhythm & lead riffs that sound good on your piano. I think that if we can collect a few samples like that and string them together, we'll have a decent demo MIDI file. Then we can render them with as many epianos as we can find as well as a few different presets on the EVP88).

And as I said above, I think it would might be good to build different demo MIDI files for Rhodes and Wurlie. I dig Wurlies and have played a few, but never owned one (or even a good imitation until recently), so I haven't developed a style for it.