How do you calibrate the velocity curve for virtual instruments? Is there any "preset" calibration settings? I've been playing with this midi controller for a couple of months and I find myself changing the velocity curve quite a lot, sometimes I feel it very soft, sometimes very hard.

BTW, I'm not asking how to literally change the velocity curve (I know how to do that), but rather, how I should calibrate it to properly match the velocity range/curve of most virtual instruments (i.e. pianoteq, arturia).

 

Last edited: Sep 2, 2022

As far as I know there's no consensus about this. So you have to (continue to) make it your own, be it in your MIDI hardware controller or with a MIDI plugin. Yeah, it sucks.

 

The thing is that I'm not a professional keyboardist, and I bought this fine midi keyboard with weighted keys to learn with the feel of a real piano (or close to it). I'm now confused because I can't tell if it's my playing style or the velocity curve that's wrong. It could be both. I'm afraid that if I adjust the curve to adapt to my poor playing technique then all the practice will be somewhat worthless if I ever switch to a real piano. So I want to calibrate it to a more "flat" or neutral response, if you will.

 

It's going to happen either way, you will always have to adjust your playing. A 10 centimeter shorter ski does not alter the size of the mountain, does it? Boats built for specific tide? etc. You'll have to deal with it either way.

 

I see... I'd look for more information on the manufacturer's site or other users of your keyboard. Like here;
https://vi-control.net/community/th...diologic-sl88-grand-now-that-i-own-it.104014/

 

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

Yeah, makes sense.

 

The manufacturers really do the best to set the velocity correctly. You should not change it.

2 Examples:
- With the Pigments from Arturia you have "velocity" for the amp mod, which you can adjust until the stop is right.
- The Vember Audio - Surge XT VSTi has a "Velocity" button, with the button you get a better result.
- In some VSTi there is a Mod Matrix (see example photo of Arturia - Prophet VS) where you can assign velocity to the Amp Env and set Plus + Minus -.

 

Last edited: Sep 3, 2022

Suffice to say that every piano I tried is not same in feel to others, some are stiff, some are soft, some are lagging (bouncing) some are just terrible, some have too long run of pedals, some are just right for my taste.

Go to a piano shop and ask to try some, it will help on the feel that fits on you.

For your question​

Hardware:
Test hardware quality with MIDI OX or similar that velocity spans from real low values (from 1 to 20) to high being sure there are no skips in range (I once tested a midified piano that skipped from 40 to 100, very bad thing for dynamics resolution).

Software:
speaking of vsts I noticed that most libraries/vsts are set on low dynamics, and that's not real for a good piano.
Instead of changing the calibration curve that is supposed to be correct for a good graded weighted keyboard, try to increase dynamics, usually you can find a slider or knob.
Olny then, if necessary, retouch the curve on vst (I never touch the keyboard curve).

When I close my eyes at times I forget to play on a virtual piano, it's like I feel the hammer hitting the string, that is my "calibration test", but you have at least to try a real one, many if you can.

 

Last edited: Sep 3, 2022

that's a very good thread, thanks

hi there, I have an SL88 Grand and an SL73 Studio.

And yes, Keyscape user here and I find it a bit hard to have a feeling with this keybed. But I'm quite good so np

never tried to change balance, I'm bad at it

 

Which MIDI Keyboard Should I Use With Keyscape?

We have designed Keyscape to work with a wide variety of MIDI keyboard controllers.

Keyscape comes with Velocity Curve Presets that optimize Keyscape for use with
commonly used keyboards created by Roland, Novation, M-Audio, Kawai, and AKAI.

Source: www.spectrasonics.net/support/knowledgebase_view_topic.php?id=61&categoryID=21

How Do I Set Velocity Curve Settings in Keyscape?
www.spectrasonics.net/support/knowledgebase_view_topic.php?id=60&showcatID=21

 

That seems good advice, even if you use only one for kind of a reference. Only when you play to improve your skill, of course.

 

Thanks.
Ideally, we should have at least 2 keyboards, one weighted with hammer action and another one with synth action.
If we had the money and space for them...
But it's easier to play synths with a weighted keyboard, than to play piano with a synth keyboard.