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I've just recorded an electric piano track for a composition, using a plugin piano. It's a very repetitive part, based entirely on broken chords. When I played it back (while watching the piano roll) I found that most of it was ever so slightly behind the drum beat. I then quantized it to 1/32, and everything slotted perfectly in to place with the drums. However, it's meant to sound like somebody's played it (which I did), and perhaps quantizing a piano part in this way will take that quality away to a degree. Anyone got an opinion on this?
Should I quantize my piano track?
- Thread starter beaker
- Start date
If you like it unquantised, I say go with it!
This can be totally subjective though, why not link to an audiofile so we can hear it and give you some opinions based on the actual music?
This can be totally subjective though, why not link to an audiofile so we can hear it and give you some opinions based on the actual music?
It's a matter of taste, isn't it? I have friends who quantize everything religiously, while I usually try to leave at least something (an instrument or part) un-quantized since I think a bit of inperfection adds life to most songs. A piano would be a prime candidate for this, for me. Of course, a lot depends on what type of music you're making.
I'd say, listen to the result - If it sounds good, why tamper with it?
Or maybe you just have to quantize a few chords, or even individual notes, on the odd key beats? - That can be made into an effect in itself.
I'd say, listen to the result - If it sounds good, why tamper with it?
Or maybe you just have to quantize a few chords, or even individual notes, on the odd key beats? - That can be made into an effect in itself.
michaelo
LUG Emeritus
One way to deal with this issue is to go through the part manually and individually quantize notes that bother you leaving most of the part un-quantized. Or, look at the notes in piano roll and shift some or groups of notes closer to the beat. It is a bit of a travesty that we are so used to hearing piano parts heavily quantized.
Piano playing does not sound like that naturally. When you look at the notes of a chord in the event or piano roll editors they are usually spread around each other separated by a few clicks (or many clicks). Globally quantizing even a bit can sometimes make the piano part sound sterile and mechanical.
Piano playing does not sound like that naturally. When you look at the notes of a chord in the event or piano roll editors they are usually spread around each other separated by a few clicks (or many clicks). Globally quantizing even a bit can sometimes make the piano part sound sterile and mechanical.
On the other hand, when you use a sound you get to know it and play a part that fits it (hopefully). For a lot of sounds, like pianos, most string-like sounds, a lot of pads, etc, this means that they will look less than tight in the piano roll (especially chords) - But I don't think you should that worry you too much, as long the thing sounds good.
since it's an electric piano, it will probably sound too "technoish" if quantized. but as other people said, Extended Sequence Parameters (default key [P]) are always the answer. the other trap is, that, just because it's NOT quantized, it is supposed to be OK? Not. Maybe just re-record it. Like in the good ol' days. Punch in, punch out, that kinda thing. For extra control, you could also use the transform window, that is, if you learned how to use it. Then again, not many people quantize the piano parts. Maybe you should just be original 😉
samplehood
Logician
first of all you can leave it un-quantize however In logic you can "Humanize" the notes
search in the matrix window to Humanaize open it and press it a few times it customize the length, velocity, and quantize, i think it is one of the best features in Logic.