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Hi everyone,

There was already a thread about this from a year ago but I wonder if, with time, people have had a chance to compare the 2. I am playing with VSL's CFX's full library at the moment and it's really great. I usually dislike Yamahas in general, find them too metallic with not enough roundness and wood in the sound but as a VST, it's really great. The problem is it's more than double the price of the Garritan's!!! Is it worth it? There's no way to demo the Garritan and to me that's the only way to tell so that's why I'm asking you!
I've tried all of VSL's grands and to my surprise, the Yamaha is the one I like playing the most, yes, even compared to the latest 280VC, which I find too muddy in the medium register. I suspect using the Diskclavier to record the samples had something to do with the Yamaha feeling so natural and responsive.
Please help! I'm close to the return period and the online demos aren't enough.
So I guess my question is: which one has the most realistic sound and which one is the most "playable" in either a live or a recording setting, which one feels like the real deal?
Thank you
Roger

I know you're looking for opinions, but it's really only your opinion that's going to matter. I've had both the VSL CFX and Garritan CFX and would find myself playing the VSL more. The VSL CFX seemed to have a greater dynamic range, less room ambiance if you wanted (spacious reverb is baked into Garritan whether you like it or not), and generally a more customizable sound.

However, take that for what it's worth, which is probably not much because I love the new VSL 280VC.

So you and I don't have the same taste. This is the problem you're going to encounter with opinions.

God Bless,
David

Thank you, David. That does help, indeed. Looking forward to hearing from other people as well.

Cheers,

Roger

I only have the standard CFX library from VSL, but I also have Garritan full and Noire, so I'm well stocked for CFXs!

All of them are excellent, and when I first got Garritan I thought I'd never need another piano VI (it was my first CFX). I could easily have Garritan as my only piano VI but since I got the VSL version it's *always* the first one I load up. If the cost isn't prohibitive for you, I'd get the VSL. You'll have seen from the thread I started that I'm not sure how much the full version of the VSL adds over the standard in the case of the CFX because there's only one additional close mic, so comparing the price of Garritan full vs. VSL standard brings them a smidge closer, especially if you buy via a reseller (e.g., BestService) and are eligible for the educational discount.

Are use the Garritan with its close up mic and all the reverb turned off. I blend in the abbey Road ambience mic also in tandem. I don’t agree with the statement that reverb is baked in, it is not. The “Player” close mic is dry near field and warm. The “Classic” mic which it seems almost everybody but me prefers is not my favorite. It sounds like a piano in a large hall 30 feet away, not for me. The playability is really good on the Garritan. I like the clarity of the VSL but it sounds steely to me compared to the warmth of the Garritan. I’m sure I would like it too as I have done a lot of listening to it.

Thank you CraiginNZ and RinTin. Very helpful comments. I hate that I can't sample it! It's like buying a car without trying it first!