VI Labs Summer Sale

Hana

VI Labs is doing their Summer Sale again until August 31st.
https://www.vilabsaudio.com/home

Modern U is $118 and Ravenscroft 275 is $139.

I already have the Modern U, but I'm considering picking up the Ravenscroft - does anyone have experience with both?

HZPiano

Hana does anyone have experience with both?

Hello,

I do, what would you like to know?

Cheers and happy playing,

Hana

HZPiano Mainly just how the two compare! The Modern U is an upright but does it win out over the Ravenscroft 275 due to it being a newer VST?

I'm perfectly happy with Modern U but am wondering if there's value in getting the Ravenscroft 275 as well.

David B

I saw the sale and really wished they would do another grand with the accoutrements and cumulative knowledge that went into the Modern U.

God Bless,
David

HZPiano

David B

Absolutely! And many people with us.

Cheers and happy wishes,

HZPiano

Hana

Modern U is just plain fantastic in all the care for detail, in how natural it plays, the sound quality, the closeness/intimacy you can get with it, really as if sitting at a true piano.

Modern U is newer (by years) than Ravenscroft 275 and VI Labs have obviously used that time well to make their piano "engine" quite a bit better still than with the Ravenscroft.

Having said that, the Ravenscroft isn't bad either, it plays really well and a lot of details have been cared for in that one too. But… it's approaching but not entirely hitting the nail as Modern U does. I haven't succeeded in getting it to feel as close as Modern U, although it is a lot closer and more intimate than e.g. Garritan CFX would get.

The sound of the Ravenscroft really divides people. Some really dislike it. Others, particularly in Jazz I think, love it. I like it for some noodling and jazzy improvisation, but in reality almost never start it up. Because when I go back to Modern U, suddenly, I'm at "my piano" again.

This is a somewhat subjective response to your question, hope it is of some use to you!

Cheers and happy decision making,

Hana

HZPiano This helps a lot! At the end of the day it is all pretty subjective but your thoughts have been very helpful. I once made the decision on Garritan CFX vs Ravenscroft 275, and went with the former because of some of the recordings I heard.

However, after getting Modern U I have not really touched Garritan CFX as it just feels more natural and lifelike with Modern U for playing purposes. In an audio recording it's harder to tell, and the CFX sounds great in those situations. But for playing purposes, I enjoy Modern U more for some reason.

I will probably forego the Ravenscroft 275 then - I'm happy with Modern U and don't want to lose the realistic playability of the VST.

HZPiano

P.S.

Here's a rather skilled performance of Clair de Lune using Ravenscroft 275.

This is the best I've ever heard Ravenscroft sound, and I would love to know the recipe for this because so far I haven't managed to get it to sound like this.

In the right hands, as it appears, it is not for jazz people only… By the way the real Ravenscroft 275 is a particular beast on its own too, designed specifically with the wishes of a jazz pianist in mind.

Cheers and happy playing,

https://youtu.be/t-KKWGXoAxg

HZPiano

Hana But for playing purposes, I enjoy Modern U more for some reason.

Same here!

Cheers and the happiest playing,

David B

Having owned both I like the playability of the Modern U better (feels more authentic), but if I could only have one it was be the Ravenscroft because I prefer Grands over uprights.

God Bless,
David