David Lai I just tested version 1.1 – the sympathetic resonance has been significantly improved and now works beautifully in most cases. There’s still one rare edge case that isn’t yet simulated: if you play some notes with the pedal down, then release everything and silently press a chord while the pedal is still held, the resonance of that chord should continue when the pedal is finally lifted. On a real piano, this creates a lingering resonance, but it’s not yet reflected in Modern D. Interestingly, Pianoteq handles this case accurately, while Ivory 3 doesn’t either – so Modern D is not alone here.
That said, the update is already fantastic. I no longer need to combine Modern D with Pianoteq just to get realistic sympathetic resonance — the built-in resonance samples are excellent. The transition from pedal down to up is also now handled correctly, including when notes are still held during the pedal release, which was a tricky area before. It’s a big step forward.
This is the first time I’ve encountered a truly convincing Steinway D library. The instrument is not only beautifully sampled, but also perfectly voiced and regulated — it feels like sitting at a concert-grade piano that’s been meticulously prepared by a master technician. The velocity response is expressive and organic, even better than what you get from some libraries that rely on poorly calibrated robotic key-strike systems.
What’s also remarkable is that VI Labs doesn’t treat its users with indifference or condescension. Unlike some companies who ignore feedback about critical details like sympathetic resonance or repedaling behavior, VI Labs genuinely listens and responds. You can tell they care deeply about both musical authenticity and the musicians who use their instruments.
With Modern D, if I had to choose only one piano library to keep, this would be it — no hesitation. It sets a new benchmark for virtual pianos.
