No grudge from me as it seems a fairly harmless prank, and rather fun while it lasted.
These certainly didn't sound or play like any other free pianos I've ever tried, which is why I think they seemed so impressive at first.
But when you set the expectation bar artificially low, it's easy to be impressed.
Sofia_MZ Since after this post I’ll be probably banned from this forum……
Quite the opposite; you, my friend, have earned a top position at PC for such an elaborate study in perceptions, misconceptions, and biased observations…..
You will go down in history as the “Italian Chick” who not only convinced many, but also managed to make a whole forum (or two, if we count the other place) fall in love with you!
I must admit, I did wonder what “Sofia” would look like with nothing but a G-string as she sampled all them pianos!🤣
Once again, you are a hero the likes of which not even “Sofia” could possibly fathom!
“I've been using your Steinway. Thumbs up!”
“Absolutely love the latest one! (Estonia 274 Concert Grand)”
Pete14 Steinfart model BS, to be precise.
jdg78 But when you set the expectation bar artificially low, it's easy to be impressed.
Agree. I didn't even bother reading about these pianos, let alone downloading them when I learned they don't support re-pedaling and half-pedaling and are made by an amateur.
It would have been much different story if it was presented like: hey, I am a retired pro-sound engineer with 40 years of recording pianos. I sampled some pianos and offer them for free, what do you think?
I bet the responses would have been much different 😉
“Sofia,” just when I was about to ask if you could keep it going for a little longer over at PW, someone got ahead of me, and revealed “it’s a hoax.”
Of course, they got the news from lurking ‘round here!
CyberGene I bet the responses would have been much different 😉
I wonder, if “Sofia” had been “Roberto” instead, would “he” have gotten so much love ?💕
Well, at least I can delete the files from my hard drive and get back several GB of storage as I already have Pianoteq. 😂
fishker it would be interesting if those accounts were also part of the hoax 🙂
Hi Sofia, oh, my bad, I meant fishker - are you planning to take the site with samples down?
I have to ask, and I’m serious (CG), could we give “Sofia” an award of sorts; because, IMHO, this is more than just a simple prank, and the genius behind it got many “seasoned experts” talkin’ out their respective asses!
P.S.
As of lately I’ve been a little bit down; even pondering a leap from ten stories high, but “Sofia” has shown me that it’s still worth hanging around, and I truly can’t remember the last time I had so much fun!😆
You can argue that it is a matter of semantics, but I would not call it a prank. I would call it a deception (and my gut tells me it's not over yet).
Pianoteq Trial Terms and Conditions:
"Sound produced by Pianoteq can only be distributed within a musical context, and not in forms that allow the sounds to be used as sample based instruments or sample libraries."
“Thanks for making each of your amazing pianos into the larger versions. Outstanding job!” 🤣🤣🤣
Okay, I need to take a break, because, whilst it’s true that “Sofia” pulled me back in from the edge (ten stories high), I might still die, not from suicide, but from laughing so hard that my lungs could collapse.
I’m in tears as I write this; rolling on the floor thinking about all the “expert opinions” on Sofia’s samples, which, of course, “Pianoteq can’t hold a candle to.” 🤣
This is a great prank, although Modartt might not agree. I hope this kind of activities doesn’t lead to less generous demo policy’s among software companies.
In retrospect, the story of a young, female psychology student traveling across Italy on their own in order to record privately owned grand pianos with a custom made robotic arm and professional recording equipment, for no other purpose than to create a gift for their father, seems almost laughably absurd. 🤣
I remember the logistics of it all striking me as incredibly complex at the time, but I guess I assumed this was an immensely privileged person with the time and resources to pull something like this off.
In any case, perhaps "Sofia" has a potential career as a fantasy fiction writer to aspire towards. 😉
MacMacMac We could also ask: Isn't your English too perfect? 🙂
Hehehe 😋
MacMacMac I agree. I said in another thread that these are the best amateur pianos I've ever tried. So ... yay for sampling!
Most importantly, let's not forget that this entirely blind prank was able to fool even the most stubborns of PTQ haters... Kudos...
Jokes aside, this is a clear case of IP piracy, and I don't think that Sofia should be expelled, but I am not sure if these threads shouldn't be removed from PC once all the laughs are done and dusted.