What is GRANDIOSO FX:
PMI was facing the limitations of what we considered the world leader in
piano sampling software: GigaStudio. GigaStudio has a limited number of dimensions that can be
used in programming a (piano) library. When you want a 16 velocity layer
instruments with stereo samples and separate samples for the sustain pedal up
and down and you want release samples for the ambience…you would need 128
dimensions. 16 x 2 (for stereo) x 2 (for sustain) x 2 (for release) = 128. GigaStudio offers
32 dimensions which is a lot for some applications but too litlle
for piano ;-(
Just imagine how much more realistic a 16 velocity layer stereo piano
with release samples would sound compared to one without these release samples.
We needed to solve these
limitations. So we’ve developed a special software tool; GRANDIOSO FX. This is a software plug-in, a program that runs in the background
while GigaStudio is functioning. It captures the midi
data before it hits Giga and allows us to add some special tricks.
First trick is the enabling of true repedalling:
on a real grand piano you can press the sustain pedal at any moment and the
strings will start to generate extra harmonics caused by the singing of the
non-truck but resonant strings. This occurs also when a note is already playing
and the pedal is pressed AFTER the initial note start. In GigaStudio
(and every other application for that matter) you have to press the sustain
pedal BEFORE you play a note in order to get the resonant notes to play. This
is insane for a real pianist. It’s like starting a vibrato before you start
singing. GRANDIOSO FX lets you switch between the sustaining and non-sustaining
samples in real-time. It gives a smooth crossfade
between the two samples exacly on the moment you
press the sustain pedal, just like with a real grand piano. The difference with
the standard Giga piano behavior is amazing: you get
more expression, more realisme and an overall more
natural sound.
The second trick is the sound of the pedal itself: with the standard GigaStudio programs it is impossible to trigger a sample
upon the activation of the sustain pedal. GRANDIOSO FX does just that: it adds
a real sample of sustain pedal going down when the sustain pedal is pressed and
it plays a sample of a sustain pedal going up when the
pedal is released. Just like in the real situation. You can even adjust the
level of the pedal sound. In cases where the pedal noise becomes too obvious
you can decrease it’s volume to make the effect more
subtle. In cases where you want to focus on the pedalling you can make the
pedal noise extremely noticable, even to the point
where it sounds like you had a spot mike near the sustain pedal! If you’re not
afraid to open the editor and start tweaking you can also change the tuning of
the pedal noise from low to a higher pitched pedal, making the pedal noise a
little lighter (like from a smaller piano).
The 3th trick is something slightly more
complicated. Bruce Richardson (senior editor of ProRec.com) pointed us at a
major shortcoming in the sustain pedal behaviour in
combination with release samples of GigaStudio; when
you release the sustain pedal the notes that are playing at that moment are
released but no release samples with the natural ambience are triggered upon
the release of the notes. Obviously this is resulting in a big silence as the
release samples are otherwise giving a very clear natural ambience to the piano
sound. GRANDIOSO FX overcomes this issue by triggering the coresponding
release samples when the sustain pedal is released. Simple
and effective.
The 4th trick is adding release samples to Gigastudio patches that have already “eaten up” all of
their dimensions. Take a 16 layer stereo piano. That uses 32 dimensions (16 x
2). There are no dimensions left for release samples. GRANDIOSO FX uses a
special technique to trigger release samples even when there are no dimensions
left. It does that by assigning samples to regions that are not used for normal
playback. This way we can even add 8 layers of release samples to get the
ultimate perfection in release triggered ambience control.
The program was written by Jeff Hurchella, who
did a brilliant job there. GRANDIOSO FX is hosted by the Maple software.
GRANDIOSO FX functions as plug-in in Maple. Maple is designed so that it does
not disturb other tools like GOS Maestro tool.
Note that the GRANDIOSO FX is a free program, that
we distribute to our GRANDIOSO users. On the other hand the program can enhance
ANY piano library out there. When you want to experiment I can only encourage
such efforts. Please let me know the results.
The links to the GRANDIOSO FX program, the needed GRANDIOSO library
update articulations and installation help files are on-line. Just send us an
email and we’ll provide you the links to them. For people with slow internet
access (the full downlaods are 4 to 6 MB) we can
provide a cd with the software.
I have uploaded some MP3 examples of how GRANDIOSO FX sounds:
2 new MP3 demos of the GRANDIOSO FX
Latest version
. Sept. 23th, 2003
Jeff Hurchella made new versions of both Maple
and GRANDIOSO FX. The links are below.
Maple Version 3.02 improves version 3.01 by
including several new features. The first feature is effect chaining,
allowing you to use up to four midi effects per channel. The second
important feature addition is an effect navigation button, giving you
intuitive movement between detailed plugin views
and the general port/plugin view. Also
3.02 fixes a bug that would make Maple3.01 use more CPU time than
necessary for a user running a very very
large number of plugins simultaneously. Maple
3.02 should have no noticability whatsoever from
a performance penalty standpoint.
I would recommend for all users who have downloaded
v3.01 to update to v3.02.
Also we fixed the bugs in the Bosendorfer 290
and Steinway D articulation files.
STEP 1
DOWNLOAD THE FILES HERE.
(you can buy a cd
with these intsallation files for $10 in our on-line
shop www.postpiano.com )
Full installation files
for PMI GRANDIOSO Bösendorfer
290
http://www.postpiano.com/Maple/Full/Maple%20for%20Bosendorfer290.exe
and PMI GRANDIOSO Steinway D
http://www.postpiano.com/Maple/Full/Maple%20for%20Steinway%20D%20Classic.exe
Individual downloads
Program Files:
For Bösendorfer 290
For Steinway D
STEP 2
Unpack the files. Now you need to unpack the different components of the
update: simply double-click each .exe file or un-zip the files.
1. Maple (the host program),
2. GRANDIOSO FX (the Maple plug-in for GRANDIOSO piano libraries),
3. Pedals (the extra samples required in The PMI STEINWAY D Classic gig)
and/or Extra files (release samples) for the PMI BÖSENDORFER 290.
4. The articulate updates.
STEP 3
1. Installing Maple and Grandioso Midi FX
-----------------------------------------
Grandioso Midi FX is a plugin for the host
application called Maple MidiTools. You will need to
do two installs. The order of installs is not important, but I suggest for you
to first install Maple (unzip the Maple.zip to a
folder and double click Setup.exe) and then install Grandioso Midi FX (Unzip
the "Grandsioso FX.zip"
to a folder and double click Setup.exe). After installing both, you will need
to reboot your system.
Follow the "Midi Configuration
Instructions" in the readme.txt and when you have finished your
configuration steps, skip to the last heading at the very end of this document
called "Using Grandioso Midi FX" .
2. Installing the extra folders: Pedals in the Steinway D Classic Gig or
Rel F and Rel MF in the PMI
Bösendorfer 290.gig.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PEDALS.EXE and Bosendorfer extra files.exe are
self-executable files which unpack to provide you with a folder (or 2 folders)
with the needed pedal noise or release samples. You will have to import these
folders in the sample folder section of the giga-editor.
In Windows 98 you can simply
drag and drop the folder from the explorer in an open editor window. In Windows
XP you’ll have to use the IMPORT DIRECTORY command, right click while in the
sample plane and select it from the pop-up menu.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
-First exit GigaStudio.
-Open the GigaEditor.
-Open the PMI Steinway D Classic.gig or PMI Bösendorfer 290.gig depending on which library you want to
update.
-Open Windows explorer and
navigate to the folder(s) where the pedals/release folder(s) is/are located. Drag
and drop/import the folder(s) in the sample pool area in the left corner of the
editor. Then save the file. This may take up to 10 or 20 minutes. It is
important not to disturb this save process as this will make the Gig file
corrupt.
3. Updating the Steinway D Classic or Bosendorfer
290 Gig with the Maple update articulation.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steinway D Classic MAPLE 2.zip and Bosendorfer
290 Maple 2.zip will have to be un-zipped to provide you with the articulation
files you will need to apply AFTER you added the pedal noise/extra release
samples as mentioned above.
- First exit GigaStudio.
- Open Giga Editor.
- Open the PMI Steinway D Classic.gig or PMI Bösendorfer 290.gig.
- Then choose LOAD ARTICULATION in the File menu. Select the Maple
update articulation.
- And then save the file again.
Step-by-step instructions for updating the GRANDIOSO Libraries:
1) Loading the Bosendorfer .gig file into the editor.
2) Importing the two release folders into the editor.
Or
1) Loading the Steinway D classic .gig file into the editor.
2) Importing the pedal folders into the editor.
---
3) Saving the .gig file.
4) Exiting the editor.
5) Re-entering the editor and loading the .gig again.
6) Applying the Bosendorfer Maple 2 articulation file and saving.
Or
6) Applying the Steinway D Maple 3 articulation file and saving.
7) Exiting the editor.
8) Starting Maple. Setting up the effect on channel 1.
9) Starting gigastudio, loading a Grandioso instrument.
10) Going to hardware/routing and selecting Maple channel 1 on the mapping and hitting 'apply'.
Follow the steps in the readme.txt document and start using the Maple
Grandioso FX plug-in.
README TXT
Marble Sound and Jeff Hurchalla
Post Musical Instruments
Grandioso Midi FX
December 2002
Maple MidiTools
--------------------------
Installing Maple and Grandioso Midi FX
-----------------------------------------
Grandioso Midi FX is a plugin for the host application called Maple MidiTools. You will need to do two installs. The order of installs is not important, but I suggest for you to first install Maple (unzip the Maple301.zip to a folder and double click Setup.exe) and then install Grandioso Midi FX (Unzip the "Grandsioso FX.zip" to a folder and double click Setup.exe). Afet installing both, you will need to reboot your system.
Follow the "Midi Configuration Instructions" below, and when you have finished your configuration steps, skip to the last heading at the very end of this document called "Using Grandioso Midi FX" .
Midi Configuration Instructions
-------------------------------
1. Maple Configuration (REQUIRED)
Close all your running programs. If you have installed both Grandioso Midi FX and Maple, you will see a "Maple Midi" icon on your desktop. Double click this icon to use the beta and start Maple. Start Maple, and in the menu, choose Options | Midi Settings... to bring up the Midi Settings dialog window. If you will be using your sequencer on the same computer as Maple, choose "Accept input from Sequencer (or scoring program)", and press OK. If you are not using a sequencer on the same computer as Maple, you should select the hardware devices that Maple will use. Select "Open inputs from Midi Interface Hardware", and then select a device for each port's input drop-down box. Configure the Midi Input Port 1, 2, 3, and 4, and for any port that should not (or cannot) have a hardware midi input, choose <none>. Press OK.
2. GigaStudio Configuration (REQUIRED)
Start GigaStudio and within GigaStudio, select the "Settings | Hardware/Routing" tab. For the "Midi In Ports" under "MIDI in to MIDI Out Mapping" on this tab, select "Maple Midi In: Port 1" for the first input box, and "Maple Midi In: Port 2" for the second input box. If your version of GigaStudio has four input boxes, choose "Maple Midi In: Port 3" and "Maple Midi
In: Port 4" for the third and fourth boxes. Click on "Apply."
If you are not using a sequencer or scoring tool to send midi to GigaStudio on this computer, you do not need to continue to step (3)
3. Sequencer or Scoring Program Configuration
If you are running a sequencer or scoring program on the same computer as Maple, please use the appropriate heading below to configure your sequencer/scoring program. There are topics for Cubase, Sonar/Cakewalk, and Logic, as well as a generic "Other Programs" topic to cover the instructions for configuring scoring programs and other sequencers.
(a) Cubase Configuration
For a one time configuration step, start Cubase and open the menu item of "Option | MIDI Setup | System...". In the "Input From" selection box, uncheck every one of the Maple Midi In ports. Press Exit.
For each of your future (or existing) arrangements, you should configure every midi track destined for GigaStudio to send its output to a Maple Midi Out: port x. While you are using Maple, do not send midi output from any track to a Nemesys MidiOut port.
Whenever you begin using GigaStudio, Cubase, and Maple, make sure you use the following start up order: GigaStudio first, then Cubase, and finally Maple. The order of GigaStudio and Cubase will always be important, and though the order of Maple ideally should not matter, it will be most forgiving of any configuration errors for you to start it last. For shutdown order, shutdown Maple, then Cubase, then GigaStudio. Also see the following note...
IMPORTANT NOTE: While using a Cubase configuration for Maple, do not start Cubase by using GigaStudio's launch sequencer button. Instead, start Cubase from the Start menu or from a desktop icon. However, if you later use Cubase without a Maple configuration, it will be generally best to resume using the launch sequencer button.
(b) Sonar Configuration
For a one time configuration step, Start Sonar or Cakewalk and choose the menu item of "Options | Midi Devices...". For the Input Ports half of this dialog, ensure that no Maple Midi In Ports are selected. For the Output Ports half of the dialog, select and highlight every one of the Maple Midi Out Ports, and deselect every Nemesys MidiOut port. Press OK.
For each of your future (or existing) projects, you should configure every midi track destined for GigaStudio to send its output to a "Maple Midi Out: Port x". You will do this by choosing the correct output in the Port column of each track. While you are using Maple, do not send midi output from any track to a Nemesys MidiOut port.
IMPORTANT NOTE: While using a Sonar/Cakewalk configuration with Maple, do not start Sonar/Cakewalk by using GigaStudio's launch sequencer button. Instead, start Sonar or Cakewalk from the Start menu or from a desktop icon. However, if you later use Sonar or Cakewalk without a Maple configuration, it will generally be best to resume using the launch sequencer button.
(c) Logic Configuration
There will be a number of configuration steps that you should follow in order to properly configure Logic Audio with Maple. Described below, these steps are changing the Win.ini file, creating (or editing) an environment layer, and finally starting Logic, GigaStudio, and Maple in the correct order.
Win.ini Changes:
After you have installed Maple, run Logic at least once and shut it down, so that it can update the win.ini file with information related to Maple. Now you should navigate with "My Computer" or "Windows Explorer" to the folder called C:\Windows and locate the file called win.ini. You will be editing this file, so make a backup of win.ini and call it "win.bak", just in case you make an error in editing the win.ini file. Open win.ini in a text editor such as Notepad, and make the following edits:
1. Locate the Logic heading. Under this heading will be listed:
MidiIn_Maple_Midi_In__Port_1=1
MidiIn_Maple_Midi_In__Port_2=1
MidiIn_Maple_Midi_In__Port_3=1
MidiIn_Maple_Midi_In__Port_4=1
2. Change each of these assignment values from 1 to 0. As aa result, the items should read:
MidiIn_Maple_Midi_In__Port_1=0
MidiIn_Maple_Midi_In__Port_2=0
MidiIn_Maple_Midi_In__Port_3=0
MidiIn_Maple_Midi_In__Port_4=0
3. Save your changes. If you make a mistake and you find you need to restore the backup copy win.bak that you made, you can delete the file C:\Windows\Win.ini and rename the C:\Windows\Win.bak file to C:\Windows\Win.ini.
Logic Environment Layer Changes:
Start Logic and open an environment layer. From the "New" menu item, choose "MIDI Out Port" four times to create four new midi outputs. Select the first new midi output interface and name it "MapleOut1"; select the second new interface and name it "MapleOut2"; name the third interface "MapleOut3", and name the fourth interface "MapleOut4". Select the midi output interface you named "MapleOut1" and choose the driver for it to be "Maple Midi Out: Port 1". Select the MapleOut2 interface and choose as its driver "Maple Midi Out: Port 2". Select the MapleOut3 interface and choose the driver "Maple Midi Out: Port 3". Select the MapleOut4 interface and choose the driver "Maple Midi Out: Port 4".
For each instrument in this layer that has its midi output destined for GigaStudio, connect it to the appropriate "MapleOutx" interface that you created. For example, connecting to MapleOut1 will result in midi for that instrument going to the first GigaStudio port.
Now when you choose any of these instruments (that is connected to a MapleOutx) in your arrange window, you will automatically be sending the midi output for the instrument to Maple and GigaStudio correctly. Save your new Logic setup under a name of your choosing.
Logic and GigaStudio Startup Order:
When you use the Logic/Maple configuration, make sure you always start GigaStudio first, then Logic, and then Maple. When you shut down, exit Maple first, then Logic, Then GigaStudio. Refer also to the following note...
IMPORTANT NOTE:
While using a Logic Audio configuration with Maple, do not start Logic from GigaStudio's launch sequencer button. Instead, start Logic from the Start menu or from a desktop icon. However, if you later use Logic without a Maple configuration, it will generally be best to resume using the launch sequencer button.
(d) Other Sequencer and Scoring Programs
This topic can give you an outline for the sort of steps you will need to take in order to configure a sequencer or any scoring program for use on the same computer as Maple and GigaStudio.
Shut down Maple and GigaStudio if it is running, and start the sequencer/scoring tool. Open your sequencer/scoring tool's midi output device configuration (if it has one), and choose "Maple Midi: Port x" for at least one output port, where x is any port number from 1 to 4. Apply the changes. When you work on your sequencer/scoring projects, you will need to configure each track that is destined for GigaStudio to use a Maple Midi Out port for its midi output.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Once you have configured your sequencer/scoring tool to send midi data to the Maple midi outputs, you must NOT start the sequencer/scoring from within GigaStudio using GigaStudio's launch sequencer button. Instead, start it from the Start menu or from a desktop icon. However, if you later use the sequencer/scoring without a Maple configuration, it will generally be best to resume using the launch sequencer button.
Using Grandioso Midi FX
-----------------------
Start Maple if it is not already running. In Maple, you will need to select Grandioso as a plugin on one of the channels. You can do this by expanding a port in the left window and selecting a channel, or by double clicking a channel in the right hand window. I would suggest you to start by selecting Port 1, channel 1. A new screen will appear in the right window, and in it will be a "Effect Name" list box. Choose "Grandioso" from this list (the only entries during this beta should be <None>, Grandioso, and MaestroTools if you have installed it). You will now get the Grandioso Midi FX on the channel you selected. You will probably also notice that there is a Pedal Noise selector in the right window - you can change the position of the slider to control the volume of the pedal noises. If you wish to completely turn off the pedal noises, you can move the slider all the way to the left.
To use Grandioso Midi FX, you will need to load into GigaStudio a giga-instrument that is capable of handling the Midi FX. For the Grandioso Steinway, the Midi FX capable patches are called VIRTUOSO instruments, so select a VIRTUOSO patch. Load it in the corresponding port and channel to the port and channel you just selected in Maple (if you followed my suggestion above, you should load it in Port 1, channel 1).
You should now be able to use Grandioso Midi FX. If you have loaded a VIRTUOSO patch, you will be able to do re-pedalling (crossfading between pedal down and pedal up samples while a note is playing), you will get release samples with more velocity levels than previously possible, and you will have pedal action samples for further realism.
Using MaestroTools
------------------
First, if you have not already installed MaestroTools301, you should do so now. Once MaestroTools v3.01 for Maple is installed, start Maple. In Maple, you will need to select MaestroTools as a plugin on one of the channels. You can do this by expanding a port in the left window and selecting a channel, or by double clicking a channel in the right hand window. I would suggest you to start by selecting Port 1, channel 1. A new screen will appear in the right window, and in it will be a "Effect Name" list box. Choose "MaestroTools" from this list (the only entries during this beta should be <None>, Grandioso, and MaestroTools). You will now get the MaestroTools capabilities on the channel you selected. All features should work exactly the same as in earlier MaestroTools versions.