I'm also rewriting GS-201 adding some new features like MIDI Learn.
MrRay73 mk2: public beta test
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1297 posts since 17 Aug, 2003 from Italy
I was just waiting for some more beta tests and for a guy recording some audio demos. Meanwhile I have to write a manual... I think one more week
I'm also rewriting GS-201 adding some new features like MIDI Learn.
I'm also rewriting GS-201 adding some new features like MIDI Learn.
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- KVRAF
- 2036 posts since 15 Mar, 2002 from Seattle, WA - USA
Sounds great, Guido, as usual. It's difficult for me though. I'm so smitten with the tone of MrRay73 and have been finding it impossible to match them. Clearly not a replacement per se. Hrm...
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- KVRist
- 167 posts since 7 Apr, 2001
Thanks for the info, Guido! Have you set a fixed price for this yet? Thanks! Jaime
"The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgement, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil." Solomon.
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- KVRian
- 866 posts since 30 Jul, 2004
I've been a bit sick and very busy with my day job, and missed this thread up until now. I'm a huge fan of Guido's work, and owned and played a Fender Rhodes Mark I Stage 73 from 1973 to 1992. I've tried the latest beta, and I have to say that something isn't quite right in the bass register. Maybe it was just the way I had the setup tweaked on my own Rhodes, but I'm used to a bass register that has much more low end chime to it than I'm able to get in this beta. I sort-of see what one of the other posters was talking about when he said this came off more like a Wurly. There's a buzziness (which is a real Rhodes buzziness) that one can't get rid of. Actually, Mr Ray v1.0 from 2004 gets closer to the sound of my old Mark I than this beta does!
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- KVRer
- 7 posts since 3 Nov, 2005
Guido,
I finally got a chance to try the MrRay73mk2_b11120701.dll beta. For whatever reason, I had to rename it to MrRay2.dll to get Cubase 4.0.1 to see it. Thanks for fixing the pedal pops, and smoothing the parameter changes. That makes it great to tweak live!!
I notice that using the 'Linear' response (with the knob on maximum depth), the softest dynamics are still rendered quite loud, as if there is some kind of compression. There must be a non-linear response curve using the 'Linear' preset for some reason. I like very much how the very softest velocities just make a 'plink' when using 'Hard' and 'Really Hard'. I think that should be an option for 'Linear' as well, but 'Linear' should be able to go all the way from pppp to ffff, not just f to ffff. Does that make sense?
Finally, playing octaves in the very low end (the two lowest Cs to the two lowest Es) sounds slightly out of tune. This could be part of your 'growl' algorithm, so I would hate to loose that character, but those octaves have enough of a beating to them that it sticks out somewhat.
I truly appreciate your great work on this. I look forward to the release.
Collard
I finally got a chance to try the MrRay73mk2_b11120701.dll beta. For whatever reason, I had to rename it to MrRay2.dll to get Cubase 4.0.1 to see it. Thanks for fixing the pedal pops, and smoothing the parameter changes. That makes it great to tweak live!!
I notice that using the 'Linear' response (with the knob on maximum depth), the softest dynamics are still rendered quite loud, as if there is some kind of compression. There must be a non-linear response curve using the 'Linear' preset for some reason. I like very much how the very softest velocities just make a 'plink' when using 'Hard' and 'Really Hard'. I think that should be an option for 'Linear' as well, but 'Linear' should be able to go all the way from pppp to ffff, not just f to ffff. Does that make sense?
Finally, playing octaves in the very low end (the two lowest Cs to the two lowest Es) sounds slightly out of tune. This could be part of your 'growl' algorithm, so I would hate to loose that character, but those octaves have enough of a beating to them that it sticks out somewhat.
I truly appreciate your great work on this. I look forward to the release.
Collard
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1297 posts since 17 Aug, 2003 from Italy
Scott,
the velocity curves also depend on how your keyboard controller responds on key dynamics.
For example, I'm testing my plugins with a Yamaha Motif 7 (the "classic" series) and in order to get a good "touch" I have to set the VelCurve at "hard" on the Motif, and "Hard" on the plugin.
When I tested the plugin on a CME UF8 that I use to have in a studio, I had to set the curve at "Natural" on the plugin to get a good response.
That parameter just "scales" the incoming MIDI velocity message to a different value, according to an exponential scale. That's all.
Anyway, I've made new improvements since the last version posted here. A real Rhodes piano has a strange action, it doesn't sound at all if the force applied to a key is too small. You have to "push" the hammers strong enough to strike the tines and put them into vibration. The new version reflects this particular behaviour, so if you hit a key too soft, you won't hear the note, but you'll just hear the mechanical noises.
As for the tuning, as you know, Rhodes pianos are "stretch-tuned", that's why you hear the very low end (and the very high end as well) slightly out of tune. Have a look at this page to see how a Rhodes is (was) tuned by the factory.
This somehow makes chords sound "bigger".
the velocity curves also depend on how your keyboard controller responds on key dynamics.
For example, I'm testing my plugins with a Yamaha Motif 7 (the "classic" series) and in order to get a good "touch" I have to set the VelCurve at "hard" on the Motif, and "Hard" on the plugin.
When I tested the plugin on a CME UF8 that I use to have in a studio, I had to set the curve at "Natural" on the plugin to get a good response.
That parameter just "scales" the incoming MIDI velocity message to a different value, according to an exponential scale. That's all.
Anyway, I've made new improvements since the last version posted here. A real Rhodes piano has a strange action, it doesn't sound at all if the force applied to a key is too small. You have to "push" the hammers strong enough to strike the tines and put them into vibration. The new version reflects this particular behaviour, so if you hit a key too soft, you won't hear the note, but you'll just hear the mechanical noises.
As for the tuning, as you know, Rhodes pianos are "stretch-tuned", that's why you hear the very low end (and the very high end as well) slightly out of tune. Have a look at this page to see how a Rhodes is (was) tuned by the factory.
This somehow makes chords sound "bigger".
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1297 posts since 17 Aug, 2003 from Italy
Actually, Rhodes pianos are very stable and solid, and reliable, they can stay in tune for years despite the long travels and the many gigs... I've seen Rhodeses not being tuned for years and still playing "slightly" out of tune, but never untuned.
When I tried the new Mark 7 at Frankfurt last year, I had the chance to play a "factory new" Rhodes piano. It's basically a Mark 5 in a new plastic enclosure, with new rifinements and cosmetic details. I was amazed by how good that pianos sounded like, they were perfectly voiced and tuned, and you could hear the actual effect of a good "stretch tuning". I hope to to afford one when I see it in the stores (hopefully the end of this year).
When I tried the new Mark 7 at Frankfurt last year, I had the chance to play a "factory new" Rhodes piano. It's basically a Mark 5 in a new plastic enclosure, with new rifinements and cosmetic details. I was amazed by how good that pianos sounded like, they were perfectly voiced and tuned, and you could hear the actual effect of a good "stretch tuning". I hope to to afford one when I see it in the stores (hopefully the end of this year).
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- KVRian
- 866 posts since 30 Jul, 2004
On my 1973 Mark I Stage Piano, at least, the tines would experience metal fatigue with use, which would cause the pitch to shift. This could be corrected, of course, but it would just get worse and ultimately the tines would become brittle and break. After a few years, I could hear when it had reached the point where with one good hard note I could reliably shatter a tine. I must have replaced 20 to 30 of them over the lifetime of the instrument - I saved the stubs in a bag, with the intention of making a necklace out of them, the way Pacific islanders do with shark's teeth.ZioKiller wrote:Actually, Rhodes pianos are very stable and solid, and reliable, they can stay in tune for years despite the long travels and the many gigs... I've seen Rhodeses not being tuned for years and still playing "slightly" out of tune, but never untuned.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1297 posts since 17 Aug, 2003 from Italy
Then you have to reinforce your neck's muscles! 
No, sorry... no link to the new version yet.
No, sorry... no link to the new version yet.
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1297 posts since 17 Aug, 2003 from Italy
Here is the latest beta
Now I have to write the manual and record some demo songs...
I can honestly say that now I'm quite satisfied by the level of realism that this simulation has reached, especially with the "Power Amp" simulation on.6. b07010801 - Jan 07, 2008
- Added: Sustain pedal re-pedaling feature
- Added: Knobs values readout pop-up display
- Added: Fx version
- Changed: Minor improvements and optimizations to the sound engine
Now I have to write the manual and record some demo songs...
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- KVRer
- 7 posts since 3 Nov, 2005
Thanks Guido!
I'll try the latest beta tonight. I'll also try experimenting with the Velocity curve and keyboard response. BTW, I'm using a Yamaha KX-88, but I also have a Yamaha Motif I can try...
Great work!
Collard
I'll try the latest beta tonight. I'll also try experimenting with the Velocity curve and keyboard response. BTW, I'm using a Yamaha KX-88, but I also have a Yamaha Motif I can try...
Great work!
Collard
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- KVRAF
- 5515 posts since 6 May, 2002
Is that "Power Amp" modelled after a Suitcase AMP? If so, will you offer it as a standalone FX?ZioKiller wrote:Here is the latest beta
I can honestly say that now I'm quite satisfied by the level of realism that this simulation has reached, especially with the "Power Amp" simulation on.6. b07010801 - Jan 07, 2008
- Added: Sustain pedal re-pedaling feature
- Added: Knobs values readout pop-up display
- Added: Fx version
- Changed: Minor improvements and optimizations to the sound engine
Intel Core2 Quad CPU + 4 GIG RAM
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1297 posts since 17 Aug, 2003 from Italy
More or less... yes. I don't have a Suitcase to take measurements from, so I relied on a couple of recordings and other means of analysis, but yes, it wants to simulate the dynamic response and the tone of a suitcase amplifier.
This new MrRay will be supplied either as a VST instrument and as a VST Effect, so you can use the FX section for external sources. I tried it with my 1977 Mark I and it's really nice.
This new MrRay will be supplied either as a VST instrument and as a VST Effect, so you can use the FX section for external sources. I tried it with my 1977 Mark I and it's really nice.