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Joined: Feb 2012
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So we record ballet class CDs, and have 8 released CDs, which do very well in sales, and on Spotify/iTunes. The first 7 were done using whatever came out the side of the Yamaha Clavinova they used to record them (I was not involved.) The next one I recorded with Synthogy's Ivory II American Concert D.
It's fine, but I still crave real authentic acoustic sound as the music is all classical. Anything out these days that I could use as a VST in Steinberg Cubase that would get me even closer? We're recording this upcoming week, and I wouldn't mind investing in a new virtual instrument to make this new CD. Budget would be something in the sub-$500 level.
Macbook Pro+Cubase+Kawai VPC1
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If you are looking for something in the $500 range, I suggest one of the instruments from the Vienna Symphonic Library's Synchron Pianos line. The CFX, the Concert D 274 (a Hamburg Steinway), the Bosendorfer 290 Imperial and 280 VC are nice grand piano choices. There are a couple of smaller pianos as well, and one of them is an upright. Good luck!
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Joined: Jan 2020
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BTW, I would love to listen to what you play on the CDs! What album should I search for? Thanks!
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Joined: Dec 2018
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In my opinion, the VSL pianos are hard to beat in terms of playability, realism of tone and flexibility of mic mixing. The Standard version mic options are more than enough to craft a huge variety of characters from a warm and close sound to a large reflective soundstage. The latest Bosendorfer 280VC is probably the most flexible: https://www.vsl.co.at/en/Bosendorfer_280VCYou do need a physical Steinberg or Vienna USB key/dongle to store the license (although VSL will be retiring that licensing method sometime this year). Another option is the C.Bechstein Digital Grand which runs in the free Kontakt Player. It's up for sale here at a substantially discounted price from a trusted member at the VI Control Forum (I have bought software from Mark and he's a true gentleman and very responsive & thorough): https://vi-control.net/community/th...library-asking-110-originally-250.90714/Hope that helps.
Pianist, Composer & Arranger
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Echoing the VSL CFX/Bosendorfer 280VC recommendations.
The Garritan CFX (full version) is substantially cheaper, doesn't need a dongle, and is also top notch.
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I use Hans Zimmer Piano for virtually all my classical music, but a new and inexpensive route for classical is the “Signature” Grand, which produces recordings that have the “spatial” realism of modern solo classical piano CDs. Extremely convincing. My Bach WTC Book 1 at SoundCload uses HZP. But I also put up a short demo of the Signature Grand. URL is in my signature at the below. HZP Bach: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/7z6ZPye2ipBU54hZ6Signature Grand: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/LXvSTwmRg4BHcnNm6
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BTW, I would love to listen to what you play on the CDs! What album should I search for? Thanks! You can hear samples of all the tracks at https://whitefeatherproductions.com/They're for ballet class, so each one is designed to go with a particular ballet movement in class, with a short introduction. If you're not a ballet teacher, these are not the kinds of CDs you'd buy or would sit down to listen to. Most of the albums were just recorded straight out of a Yamaha Clavinova circa 1999, and one is Synthogy Ivory II American Concert D on a Kawai VPC1. Also, just to be clear, I'm not the pianist in these--they're all my colleague. We're recording together a new CD next week and the tracks will be split between us.
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,400
2000 Post Club Member
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OP
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I use Hans Zimmer Piano for virtually all my classical music, but a new and inexpensive route for classical is the “Signature” Grand, which produces recordings that have the “spatial” realism of modern solo classical piano CDs. Extremely convincing. My Bach WTC Book 1 at SoundCload uses HZP. But I also put up a short demo of the Signature Grand. URL is in my signature at the below. HZP Bach: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/7z6ZPye2ipBU54hZ6Signature Grand: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/LXvSTwmRg4BHcnNm6Those are GORGEOUS. I had no idea how far the technology had come! Oh boy. I have some choices to make.
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,400
2000 Post Club Member
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,400 |
If you are looking for something in the $500 range, I suggest one of the instruments from the Vienna Symphonic Library's Synchron Pianos line. The CFX, the Concert D 274 (a Hamburg Steinway), the Bosendorfer 290 Imperial and 280 VC are nice grand piano choices. There are a couple of smaller pianos as well, and one of them is an upright. Good luck! Well, I'm not LOOKING to spend $500. I'm WILLING to spend up to $500. If the problem can be solved for cheaper, so much the better!
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,400
2000 Post Club Member
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OP
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,400 |
In my opinion, the VSL pianos are hard to beat in terms of playability, realism of tone and flexibility of mic mixing. The Standard version mic options are more than enough to craft a huge variety of characters from a warm and close sound to a large reflective soundstage. The latest Bosendorfer 280VC is probably the most flexible: https://www.vsl.co.at/en/Bosendorfer_280VCYou do need a physical Steinberg or Vienna USB key/dongle to store the license (although VSL will be retiring that licensing method sometime this year). Another option is the C.Bechstein Digital Grand which runs in the free Kontakt Player. It's up for sale here at a substantially discounted price from a trusted member at the VI Control Forum (I have bought software from Mark and he's a true gentleman and very responsive & thorough): https://vi-control.net/community/th...library-asking-110-originally-250.90714/Hope that helps. Wow, the 280VC really hits it out of the park.
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Joined: Dec 2018
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+1 for vsl piano's.
If you want something cheaper and without a dongle I recommend Garritan cfx, but imo it's second best so vsl if you can afford it.
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What is the difference between VSL's "Standard" and "Full" options?
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The Full library offers additional mics - in fact these additional mics provide the "ideal recording preset" (exact words by VSL), in addition to providing a true player-sitting-at-the-piano feel. The condenser mic (available only with the Steinway) is one of the most (if not the most) clear sounding samples that they have.
You can also look at the VSL Community forum - where some of the users have provided the presets they use for playing and recording.
A man must love a thing very much if he practices it without any hope of fame or money, but even practice it without any hope of doing it well. Such a man must love the toils of the work more than any other man can love the rewards of it. G. K. Chesterton
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Joined: Oct 2013
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What is the difference between VSL's "Standard" and "Full" options? The number of perspectives The Full has the following microphones : The Standard, only the blue microphones.
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Joined: Sep 2019
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I got the full 280VC and the added mics are a real plus for player experience. I don't know though if on a recording they are essential, probably not
Jose Yamaha U3HKawai VPC1...plus some other DPs, synths, controllers and VSTs
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What I need is an option that makes it sound natural in a large open room (holds 20-50 people or so). I don't need a concert stage type sound. Would the "Standard" version give me something like that?
Last edited by TwoSnowflakes; 03/26/21 09:40 AM.
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Aha! I see the standard vs. full mic setup options on the VSL website now. Thanks.
I feel like standard would be adequate for my purposes. I admit I like the player perspective best, but then again, I AM the player, and I need the CD to sound more like what the dancers hear, heh.
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Joined: Sep 2019
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Aha! I see the standard vs. full mic setup options on the VSL website now. Thanks.
I feel like standard would be adequate for my purposes. I admit I like the player perspective best, but then again, I AM the player, and I need the CD to sound more like what the dancers hear, heh. Yes, the Standard will be fine IMHO
Jose Yamaha U3HKawai VPC1...plus some other DPs, synths, controllers and VSTs
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,400
2000 Post Club Member
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OP
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So here's the issue that I keep having with virtual instruments. I am always wowed by the sound in the demos, but then when I use it, it has something kind of artificial in the mid-range when playing chords. You can hear it here, in the VSL website demo track:
https://www.vsl.co.at/en/Synchron_Package/Synchron_Pianos_Bundle#!Demos
I can't pinpoint what I don't like about the Chopin Waltz Op. 70 No. 2, but there's something about the chords in the left hand that bother me, and I also hear it on the Synthogy.
What is it? Does anybody know?
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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