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Topic: Tips for using piano softwares?  (Read 1257 times)

Offline aesthete18

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Tips for using piano softwares?
on: April 29, 2011, 06:33:10 AM
Hi all, I'm new here. I've been using Fruity Loops (music making software) for sometime now and I use  a piano plug in a lot in my music. I don't really know anything about pianos but I manage to use it. Since I have to set the volume for each note, I'm not sure which notes are suppose to be loud and which is suppose to be low. Leaving it all in the same volume kinda gives it an unreal sound. So I was just wondering if you guys can shed some light on this?

You can check out my music at https://www.youtube.com/user/aesthete18 If you're interested. 

Offline countrymath

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Re: Tips for using piano softwares?
Reply #1 on: April 29, 2011, 10:55:43 AM
Hello.
if you are using FL 9, click on "View > Piano Roll". You can adjust the velocity for each note there, using the bars down on the screen.

I recommend Nuendo 4 for MIDI edinting.
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Offline aesthete18

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Re: Tips for using piano softwares?
Reply #2 on: April 29, 2011, 09:41:09 PM
Hey thanks for the reply. I know how to adjust the volume, I'm trying to figure out what notes in piano is suppose to be low and which are high. Like are the chords suppose to be high in volume or the lead. How do I find out? If I'm using a keyboard i'll be able to play according to feel but since I'm using the piano roll I'm not sure how to set the tone for the tune. Know what I mean? Hope I'm being clear.

Offline countrymath

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Re: Tips for using piano softwares?
Reply #3 on: April 29, 2011, 11:41:37 PM
Hey thanks for the reply. I know how to adjust the volume, I'm trying to figure out what notes in piano is suppose to be low and which are high. Like are the chords suppose to be high in volume or the lead. How do I find out? If I'm using a keyboard i'll be able to play according to feel but since I'm using the piano roll I'm not sure how to set the tone for the tune. Know what I mean? Hope I'm being clear.

Sorry, i don't know what you mean.
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Offline nystul

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Re: Tips for using piano softwares?
Reply #4 on: April 30, 2011, 03:25:49 PM
I don't think there is an easy answer to this.  It depends largely on the role of the piano part.  For rock/pop/dance style the piano is usually part of the rhythm section, which means certain notes would be accented as part of the general groove.  You seem to have a sense of groove so perhaps you can put some thought into which notes or beats are important for your piano riffs.  Sweet melodies have more of a natural singing quality where the notes gradually get louder and then soft again at the end of the phrases.  Long chords would usually be relatively soft.

If you are a decent player, it would probably be easier and more fun to record parts with a MIDI keyboard instead of entering and editing everything note by note.
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