How to make a piano sound fuller

Why piano may not sound full

When a piano doesn’t sound full, it will likely sound muffled. The musical instrument will be experiencing poor voicing, with the notes not playing or being out of tune. The main issue with this problem is the lack of clarity and harmonic tones. These core characteristics are vital to a piano’s unique sound. To get a piano to the whole sound required to allow singing, high-level tuning is necessary.  

The critical structural problems that could be affecting this are:

Hammer Displacement

This problem occurs when the density and resiliency of the hammer’s head are unbalanced. When these elements malfunction, they will significantly impact how this musical instrument produces sound. A muffled sound often represents a need for more dense replacements. These can help to deliver a sharper sound from the piano. The problem could also be experienced in reverse, with the heads being too thick. This problem causes harshness in the tone. The positive thing about this problem is that the heads can be softened instead of replaced.

Action Alignment

When the pianist strikes the keys, a striking mechanism is used to convey the sound. A malfunctioning striking mechanism will often result in misalignment. This disorder will prevent the hammers from making accurate contact. This problem results in your piano having an empty or muffled sound tone. Ideally, to solve this problem, you will need a skilled technician. The job best suits those who can examine the piano and make adjustments. Anyone who wants to fix a piano that doesn’t sound full will require a trained ear. A full-sounding piano will have a vibrancy and no tone disruptions.

Fundamental piano mechanisms to check for:

Broken or Misaligned Hammer Mechanisms

This mechanism is essential to ensure direct contact is made with the keys. This mechanism works to strike the string, and its breakdown will lead to an empty sound or no sound. The task upon discovering this problem involves replacing or realigning the piano hammer. 

Broken or Torn Strings

A broken string or about to break may prevent the hammer from directly contacting the keys. A worn-out line can be dangerous and irritating to fix. The string may not vibrate correctly if the piano does not sound full. 

Tuning Issues 

The piano will produce a weak sound when a string falls out of tune. The string not achieving sufficient pressure could mean the tuning pin has come loose. The hammer mechanism will operate correctly and make contact; however, there is not enough tension to make a sound.

How to make piano vst sound better?

To make the piano VST sound like a premium classical recording, paying attention to the acoustics is essential. Finding the perfect balance can be done through plugins. The EQ plugin can help to balance the frequencies in the top and middle. You can consider using the Equalizer to apply low-cut frequencies. The TDR nova can also help perform this task accurately. 

Another helpful plugin is the multiband compressor. This sound controller helps the user to adjust the bass end. It works with the GVST Gmulti and combines with many natural vst pianos. Reverb is often considered an essential addition to a sound when mastering. The convolution reverb functions in conjunction with the EQ. To make the sound better, consider adding a reverb through the reverb Bus known as ReverbereteLE.

Finally, to make the vst piano sound better, you can use tube saturation and Tube Limiter. Many beginners want to make their vst sound better without using plugins. However, experienced mixers often choose to work with Pianissimo piano VST. Getting the sound to play correctly requires the output of the piano track to be played on adequate monitors. A well-positioned acoustic space will also help provide you with well-rounded backing music. The effect of the backing music will work to give reverb to the sound. Reverb has the effect of physically moving air. This motion provides the sound with more nuance. Sympathetic resonances work to provide realism in the vst sound.

Layering piano sounds

To successfully layer pianos, it is essential to use two different layers. The role of each piano layer is to occupy a specific part of the frequency range. The combination of the layers will create a complex sound. It is vital to select two piano layers that work well together. Notes that balance each other such as low and mid-range frequencies, can be easily offset by a more high-end character.

How to eq piano

To equalize a piano sound, there are numerous categories to consider. 

• 4000kHz to 1000kHz will give the sound depth or boxiness.
• 1000kHz to 5000kHz will give the sound definition and clarity. Producers usually use this to provide sound presence through air.

Piano sounds muddy

If your piano sounds muddy, you must consider tuning it. If the piano was recently tuned and still sounds muddy, then there is a chance the action is not aligned correctly. This problem can be easily fixed by pulling out the piano action. Ensure that you carefully reinsert it and then test the sound.

Mixing piano and vocals

Mixing vocals and piano requires a cohesive sound. The two musical elements should work well together without masking each other. Producers usually achieve this by combining EQ and compression. For a more detailed sound, you can also consider using side-chain compression. These tools are vital to having a balanced mix. Reverb and delay are popular options that help the sound become smooth and realistic.

How to eq piano fl studio

• 20Hz – 80Hz will give the sound power and boom.

• 80Hz to 180Hz will give the sound boom and bass.

• 180Hz to 300Hz will give the sound fullness.