My pianos *DEBUNKED*

navindra I read David B's original review a bit closer and actually there was some praise for Pianoteq's Fazioli tone there.

I don't know how or what Sofia's "Fazioli samples" were derived from, but there was a warmth to the tone similar to my VSL Fazioli. As a base piano sound it seemed like it could have potential. I believe that's as far as my praise went. However, it took me about 3 minutes to realize it was not even in the same stratosphere as VSL. That's about 2 minutes longer than I can tolerate playing my actual Pianoteq models for. 😀

God Bless,
David

navindra Out of curiosity, how was the story similar to yours?

I guess I haven't been explicit about how I sample pianos in the open threads, but my technique and personal experience mirror Sofia's. I go to people's homes and have to be accommodating. I often have to deal with eccentricities of owners, or at least quirks of the recording environment. People don't normally understand what I mean by needing a silent recording environment. It's definitely a passion for me, and I put up with it all so I can have a copy of someone's instrument. So that part of the story resonated with me. I actually thought there was someone out there crazier than me.

The technique described was near what I would do if I had to start again. If I started again, I might consider automating with a robot. The Sfz templates are a simpler version of what I have done so I can drag and drop a new piano in with my workflow. So maybe I'm just projecting as not many people know what I do in such detail.

This was fun while it lasted.

I didn't guess that this was related to Pianoteq (nor did I listen to demos or try the libraries). When the first library appeared, I thought 'oh, cool - someone devoted to a hobby who wants to share their results for free'. When a bunch of additional pianos appeared so rapidly…well, it didn't pass the sniff test. I assumed it was someone repackaging existing libraries, but couldn't work out why anyone would go to the trouble if they weren't actually selling those libraries.

So long as it doesn't create any liability issues, I'd like to see the thread left as a monument to the absurd.

And if anybody would like to go down another absurd rabbit hole, this is a fun way to kill time…

I feel so sorry that I didn’t have time to test any of these libraries. Because I would have uncovered it’s Pianoteq immediately and would have become a legend already 😀 The fake synthetic timbre can be heard right away. I blame @David B for this since even if I had some thoughts of finding time to test any of the pianos, his first “review” totally made me think it would be a waste of time. How dare you! 🤣

I’m also wondering if maybe the hoax was at least partially targeted specifically at me through its Italian flair 😉 Because I’m one of the most outspoken critics of Pianoteq. But also a connoisseur of all the Italian things as I’ve mentioned so many times here. So, it would be a very clever lure to get me attracted to the hook.

I think there is more to this hoax than has already been admitted. The "16 year old kid" part is surely not true, and there are good questions unanswered as yet.

QuasiUnaFantasia I think there is more to this hoax than has already been admitted.

Do you think maybe there was some malicious software in the "samples" we downloaded? I deleted mine shortly after I tried them out because I knew I would have no use for them again. Was the website or downloading process shady?

God bless,
David

David B Do you think maybe there was some malicious software in the "samples" we downloaded? I deleted mine shortly after I tried them out because I knew I would have no use for them again. Was the website or downloading process shady?

Most likely not. Just wave files and some sfz's.

David B I don't think that; I just think the hoax isn't over yet (although it may shift venue and/or form).

Admit it, People!

You’ve been in love with Pianoteq all along, but your long-held beliefs prevented an admission; till Sofia showed you the way vis-a-vis the most elaborate experiment ever conducted upon a bunch of stubborn deniers!

My daddy used to say:

“little Pete, there is always something hidden behind denial, and sometimes it turns out that the most intense denial is an attempt at masking a carnal desire that so contradicts the person’s ingrained faith, that denying seems more palatable.”

Of course, I was a kid, and didn’t have a clue of what he was saying back then, but he had me write it down, and now, as I unearth this crumbled, old piece of paper, and recite it to thee, I realize how right my daddy was…..and whilst he didn’t love me much, he did teach me a few life lessons!

Pete14 “little Pete, there is always something hidden behind denial, and sometimes it turns out that the most intense denial is an attempt at masking a carnal desire that so contradicts the person’s ingrained faith, that denying seems more palatable.”

In the Christian experience carnal desires are good when indulged in the correct context. However, outside of the correct context they become sinful propensities. We learn how to overcome (with Divine power) the destructive characteristics of our sinful nature so that the body is slave to the mind and not the mind to the body. The same diligence must be applied to overcoming the corrupting influence of Pianoteq. 😎

God Bless,
David

navindra I'll even personally write Modartt and ask them to let you keep the sample libraries up or hire you.

Same thought crossed my mind yesterday (without the writing them part).

I haven't evaluated "Sofia"'s pianos for lack of time and because I'm reorganizing my piano setup at the moment so cannot play. But if "she" finally succeeded in making Pianoteq sound like… a proper piano -- a bunch of proper pianos even -- then surely Modartt should hire "her".

Cheers and happy career moves,

HZ

HZPiano But the "Sofia piano's" have the same distorted sound Pianoteq has, so there is no improvement. At least not from my perspective. I downloaded the original versions of all piano's, and they were all essentially unplayable for me because of the sound (however, the implicit velocity curve was excellent).

Now the BIG conspiracy theory… Modartt is behind this hoax!!! 🤣🤣🤣

navindra I was even starting to feel bad for dore_m... as I've been no help to his sampling quest

Same here exactly!

But as it turns out: @dore_m "rulez", just as before. As he knows, I do admire all his attempts, experiments, and hard work.

Cheers and keep up the good work,

HZ

Thx. The whole thing was disconcerting actually.

dore_m

I've followed along with what now is "the prank" over the recent weeks, including reading stories and FAQ on "her" website. All that time, I never thought the "backstory" was similar to yours.

Your efforts span quite some time already and you're happy to take us along on any detail and aspect of your efforts and adventures. You are obviously "the real deal'.

I didn't want to judge too soon, for I love to believe in possibilities and in people being highly committed and accomplishing incredible things. But while reading "Sofia"'s beautifully crafted and written website, trying to visualize all steps and aspects described there in a practical and logistical context, putting them on a timeline, I started to wonder a thing or two.

That is not to say I outright smelled the hoax, but my attention did change to a "well, we'll see where this one goes".

Cheers and keep it up,

HZ

QuasiUnaFantasia

Yes, puzzling things remain open for sure.

I've been thinking that the greatest, loudest, thunderous laugh would be if the prank actually turns out to be… that "Sofia" and "her" pianos are real and declaring them a hoax is… the prank.

But by now I don't seriously believe any of that, in particular because the website and such have been taken down rapidly.

Cheers and enjoy the (British? 🙂) mysteries,

HZ

Would you people stop it already with the whole “contacting” Modartt attempting to “help;”because you’re just gonna stir up the hornets’ nest….

….unless, that is, your true intention is to shut Sofia down!

As what happened yesterday; just when I was about to ask Sofia to “keep it going” over at PW, someone serendipitously pointed out the “hoax;” therefore, taking all the fun out of it!

I ask, do you stubborn people ever let your hair down, and just let it rip for a bit?

Jesus, what a stubborn bunch!😆

QuasiUnaFantasia

Indeed, that was what my "if" was about.

I had no means (time/piano) to evaluate the pianos myself so could only go on the enthusiastic responses of others.

Cheers and happy status quo*),

HZ

*) Pianoteq opinion chasm unchanged, as it appears