pianobox

Provides a pre-configured Pianoteq environment running on:

• Raspberry Pi 4+
• PiSound
• Patchbox OS

Getting Started

git clone git@github.com:mm-zacharydavison/pianobox.git

Now follow the Pianoteq GUI Setup steps.

Pianoteq GUI Setup

Currently, it's required to do some steps in the Pianoteq GUI.

You can use a VNC client to remote into the Patchbox OS desktop environment to do these steps.

1. Install and launch Pianoteq and activate your license. a.

scp pianoteq_stage_linux_v841.7z patch@192.168.178.164:/home/patch/pianobox
7z x pianoteq_stage_linux_v841.7z

b. Open Pianoteq in a graphical environment (e.g. VNC) and activate your license.

2. Run the install.sh script.
3. Edit > Preferences > Instruments: Hide all instrument packs you don't own.
4. Edit > Preferences > MIDI: Select the 'pianobox' MIDI preset and set it as default.
5. Edit > Preferences > Devices: Ensure Pianoteq is receiving MIDI from all inputs (or at least the Virtual MIDI input and whatever input you want)

Features

• One command installer.
• Pianoteq runs as a systemd service and will always be running so long as your Pi is powered on.
• LED will go green when Pianoteq is launched (it's a little bit before it's ready to receive MIDI and play audio, however)
• Virtual MIDI port systemd service creates a virtual MIDI port which can be used via the button.
• Press button once for Next Preset.
• Press button twice for Next Instrument.

Common Issues

I can't VNC into the Patchbox OS desktop environment.

Add the following to the ~/.bashrc file:

export LC_ALL=C

Run the sudo rasp-config:

• Localisation Options > Locale > en_US.UTF-8 > Apply
• Select en_US.UTF-8.
• sudo reboot

Pianoteq is not starting.

• Make sure you have autologin for desktop enabled in sudo raspi-config.

I hear pops and crackles when playing.

Your CPU can't keep up with the audio processing. Some things you can try (I have both, on a Raspberry Pi 4):

1. Overclock your Raspberry Pi CPU:

# Will overclock your Raspberry Pi CPU to 1800 MHz.
# I get 63-65C temperature while using this.
sudo ./fixes/overclock.sh

2. Adjust your Pianoteq settings:

• Internal sample rate: 16,000 Hz
• Maximum Polyphony: 24