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That's the full version.

The standard version is more than enough for most people, it really contains all the best mics in my opinion, which I was happy to find out about, since €540 for one piano would be way too much for me as well. I don't need any of the full version mics. The standard version, if you wait for a sale it's what.. €220 or something? Given the quality of these vst's.. i'd say that's a very fair price, as I think they are the absolute best.

The dongle.. yeah, I was a hater of it before as well. Now I happily accept it, since the quality of these libaries make it more than worth it.

I play sample libraries everyday and I use them for practicing, I see no problems as long as I have a good keyboard controller. They can also be used for performance, and really enjoyable to play indeed!

They do not work on their own, they only work when plugged together.

Vsl steinway or bosendorfer if you had to choose

That's a tough call -- I'd choose the Steinway personally because I feel it's easier to control. I've played a few bosendorfers in real life and the mid to lower range notes are very hard to control and get the sound I want.

At the moment I feel the opposite. Both top notch but the Bösendorfer wins the battle. But that might have to do something with the fact that my d-274 is the light version with about half the velocity layers, and the bösendorfer demo is the full version.

Best upright: VSL Bosendorfer Upright. And I hope their next piano library will be recorded in the same (smaller) room.

I have 6 10 bosendorfer grand so maybe go steinway or imperial idk

The condenser mic of VSL D-274 is super bright. Currently I use Tube mic for VSL D-274, and the combination of Tube and Condenser for Bosendorfer. It seems like a balance for me.

Great mic choices!

I've tested Kontakt C Bechstein Digital Grand from your list. But Ravenscroft 275 and Keyscape is my favourites. The reason (in my opinion) seems to be that the release sample is not set correctly in many Kontakt piano libraries. The notes are not short enough for me in staccatos. This gives great naturalness.

You are right that Kontakt piano libraries don't perform well in short notes and places where quick releases are needed. I personally think that all pianos function well except those on Kontakt.

I use 2 Kontakt libraries and I think release on both pianos are a bit too short. Embertone Walker 1955 and Soniccouture Hammersmith. Btw the latter is my current favorite - bright, vivid sound with beautiful resonances. Also it's so well optimized - on my few years old Elitebook I can run it with sample buffer 64 and 48kHz sample rate, reaching ~250 voices with not a single crack. Embertone starts to crack around 150 voices with sample buffer 128.

Baldwin- Here is an in depth review of Wholesounds Baldwin R and the new Baldwin L.

https://youtu.be/8wBeO1wwA50