Piano sound reproduction in digital pianos relies on two primary methods: modeled vs sampled piano sounds.
Both techniques strive to emulate the rich, complex sound of an acoustic piano, but they do so in fundamentally different ways. Each method has its strengths and limitations, and while the differences can sometimes be subtle, they impact the realism, flexibility, and perception of the digital piano experience.
In this post, we explore the key distinctions between modeled and sampled piano sounds, the technology behind each method, and listeners’ ability to detect these differences.
Table of Contents
Technology Overview
Modeling and sampling techniques aim to replicate the intricate sound of an acoustic piano, but they achieve this through different approaches. While the sound differences from modeled vs sampled pianos may be subtle at times, they significantly affect the realism, versatility, and experience of digital piano playing.
Sampled Piano Sounds
Sampling is a process in which real piano sounds are recorded and digitally captured at various dynamic levels and articulations. These recordings, or samples, will playback when you press a key on a digital piano.
A high-quality sampled piano will capture a broad range of nuances, such as the sound of a key being struck softly or forcefully. In addition, it records other elements like pedal effects, string resonance, and the subtle “after ring” of the piano’s body.
To achieve a realistic sound, a sampled piano will typically include thousands of individual recordings. A recording is taken for every key of the piano across various dynamic ranges (e.g., pianissimo to fortissimo).
Advanced sample libraries may also use velocity layers and round-robin sampling techniques to avoid the repetitive sound that might result from triggering the same recording for identical key presses.
Pros and Cons of Sampled Piano
- Realism: The greatest strength of sampling is the ability to capture the actual sound of a specific acoustic piano. When done well, a sampled piano provides an authentic experience.
- Fidelity: Sampling can reproduce the full tonal richness and complexity of a real piano, including subtle variations that come from different recording environments.
- Immediate Sound Quality: High-quality sample libraries offer out-of-the-box realism without the need for complex configuration.
- File Size: High-fidelity samples require large amounts of storage. A professional-grade sampled piano library can easily exceed 20 GB of data, depending on the number of layers and articulations included.
- Lack of Flexibility: While sampled pianos can sound incredibly realistic, they lack flexibility in adapting to performance dynamics. They rely on pre-recorded sounds, meaning nuances like overtones or subtle variations in resonance may be missing or oversimplified. This is also the reason for the limited polyphony on sampled piano.
Examples of Sampled Pianos
- Kawai CN201: This instrument incorporates Kawai’s proprietary Progressive Harmonic Imaging (PHI) 88-key stereo sampling technology. It features premium samples from Kawai’s top-tier concert grand pianos, the Shigeru Kawai SK-EX and Kawai EX, faithfully capturing the richness, warmth, and clarity of these renowned instruments. Find out more information in our Kawai CN201 Review.
- Casio Privia PX-3100: Casio’s Multi-dimensional Morphing AiR Sound Source uses sampling technology to reproduce the sound of acoustic grand pianos. The Casio PX-3100 features multi-dimensional morphing to create natural transitions in sound volume and tone based on the power of the keystroke. It also uses a stereo resonance simulator for all 88 keys to reproduce the resonance of the keys.
Modeled Piano Sounds
Physical modeling, in contrast, simulates the physics of how a piano produces sound. Rather than playing back a pre-recorded sample, the modeled piano generates sounds in real time using mathematical algorithms.
The modeling recreates the interaction between the piano’s components—strings, hammers, soundboard, and even the air within the piano. This method relies on complex acoustic and mechanical simulations to predict how sound should behave based on the performer’s input.
Modeling is dynamic, meaning the instrument responds uniquely to each key press, continuously adjusting the sound depending on how hard or softly a key is played, how the pedals are used, and other performance factors. It can even replicate effects like sympathetic string resonance, key-off noise, and the intricacies of sound decay after releasing the keys.
Pros and Cons of Modeled Pianos
- Flexibility and Responsiveness: Modeled pianos are highly responsive to real-time performance nuances. Each note can behave differently based on context, offering a more organic playing experience.
- Unlimited Polyphony: The modeled piano simulates the physical interactions of an acoustic piano, allowing the instrument to create an infinite number of simultaneous notes without the constraint of pre-recorded samples.
- Efficiency: Physical modeling requires far less storage space compared to sampled pianos. Since the sound is generated through algorithms, it doesn’t need to rely on enormous libraries of recorded data.
- Customizability: Modeled pianos allow for fine adjustments in tonal characteristics and behavior. Users can tweak aspects such as string tension, hammer hardness, and room acoustics to shape the sound to their liking.
- Sound Realism: Although modeling technology has advanced significantly, some listeners find that modeled pianos still don’t match the depth and richness of sampled pianos. Earlier modeled pianos often sounded synthetic, though technology advancements have narrowed this gap considerably.
- Computational Demands: Generating sound in real-time through physical modeling is computationally intensive. It requires a powerful processor, particularly for low-latency performance.
An Example of Modeled Piano
- Roland’s FP-90X: This instrument utilizes piano modeling technology. The FP-90X features Roland’s Pure Acoustic Piano Modeling sound engine to generate its primary piano sounds. One key benefit is the unlimited polyphony it offers for the piano tones. You may find our comprehensive review of Roland FP-90X helpful.
Perception: Can People Tell the Difference?
Determining whether people can distinguish between sampled vs modeled piano sounds largely depends on the context.
Experienced musicians or sound engineers might notice the subtle differences in professional studio settings or when played through high-quality speakers. Sampled pianos often offer more immediate tonal richness. On the other hand, modeled pianos can have a slightly more synthetic quality, especially in extreme dynamic ranges.
However, in live performance settings or through standard consumer-grade speakers, many listeners would struggle to identify which method is being used.
Recent advancements in physical modeling, have blurred the lines between the two approaches. The gap has closed significantly as modeling algorithms become more sophisticated, and sampled pianos begin to integrate elements of physical modeling (like resonance modeling) to enhance realism.
To help you choose the best digital piano that meets your musical goals, we offer you this Digital Piano Buying Guide – The Ultimate Roadmap.
Conclusion
Sampled and modeled piano sounds represent two distinct approaches to replicating the acoustic piano in a digital format.
- Sampled pianos excel in capturing the true sound of a particular instrument, offering immediate realism at the cost of flexibility and large file sizes.
- Modeled pianos, on the other hand, simulate the physics of piano sound creation, providing flexibility, responsiveness, and customizability but often requiring more computational power.
Ultimately, the gap between the two methods has narrowed, and for most listeners, the difference may be indistinguishable under normal circumstances.
The choice between sampled vs modeled pianos often comes down to the musician’s priorities. For those seeking the most authentic reproduction of a particular piano’s sound, they typically prefer sampled instruments. Conversely, for musicians seeking a responsive, customizable, and efficient solution, modeled pianos provide unique advantages.
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