A brand new Steinway from VSL: 1887 model D concert grand

I don't want to be tempted until future sales so I'm not going to get a trial at this point, but curious. As previously mentioned, I have 10 full VSL licenses (all except the prepared) and, while I enjoy the realism, I've always been disappointed to heavily rely on the note editor to acheive an even sound across the full range for the VSL pianos, and the tradeoff of playability vs timbre when adjusting the microphones and velocity curve. Can someone who's tried, or bought this, comment on how it compares to the other VSL full license offerings and which it comes closest to in terms of sound and overall quality. I'm assuming the Studio A D-274 but would like to hear feedback, especially for classical repertoire. Is it even, playable and fairly dry with any of the presets out of the box?

JonFromMaine To answer those questions, that's exactly what the trial is for.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0i2wton7fgcf90461k1dt/h?rlkey=ry3iuzwbwvy6bog832f1k8z7p&st=4jhkmks1&dl=0

clavierhaus I did a trial and it was excellent. I enjoyed the fact that is was sampled on Stage B. It wasn't as characterful as I'd imagined but clearly this was because the piano was in very good condition.

Since VSL records pedal up and pedal down samples, when we hear VSL records '60' velocity layers, is it more like 30 per key? Just curious if perhaps 60 is represented both the 30 pedal up and 30 pedal down.

bostonmoores Since the wrong sample is normally played anyway (when you press or release the pedal while holding down a key), it doesn't really matter.

bostonmoores Since VSL records pedal up and pedal down samples, when we hear VSL records '60' velocity layers, is it more like 30 per key? Just curious if perhaps 60 is represented both the 30 pedal up and 30 pedal down.

It's up or down. They're not combined. However, some black keys (high treble and low bass) are pitch shifted versions of their white neighbour notes. This was to save storage space. I don't know if that's still considered necessary.

Johnstaf I know that, and it would be okay if it switched to the sample without the pedal as soon as I released the pedal and to the sample with the pedal as soon as I pressed the pedal. Instead, for example, the sample without the pedal only plays if I released the pedal before pressing the key. So, only an amateur could have done it, because even vilabs managed to do it.

JonFromMaine

This is nothing at all like the D-274. Universes apart. Much warmer, much closer, and more character/vintage.

It has seemed the most playable to me of any of the VSL libraries I own out of the box, but I am a rank amateur compared to the average user on this forum, so all with a grain of salt.

One interesting note about the presets on this version is that there is almost no overlap in mics between standard and full. It is almost like choosing between mic set A vs mic set B.

I am finding the standard library to be quite sufficient for concert and ambient settings, but I miss the tube and the sphere a lot for player perspectives. As a VSL veteran, I am sure you know what to expect by now from the condensor mics.

It is really hard to find a current library to compare it to as nothing in the lineup really sounds like it. The vintage quality of it makes me sometimes think of the German Upright, but it is nowhere near that level of "character" and it obviously isn't an upright - it seems far more versatile for being used across genres. The presets also significantly change the tone. The VSL site does a good job showing how this instrument can be used in a variety of situations.

OlivierW

Hi Olivier,

I see you have added clarification into the folder as to what everything is (perhaps in response to my question on Pianoworld) and now I can see those are Logic patches, and I see you have also added Gigperformer versions of the Modern D patches.

Could you add Gigperformer versions of the VSL patches as well? I don't have Logic and it would be wonderful to be able to use your customized patches as a non-logic user.

mducharme The patches (sample + modeling) for the VSL 1887 and VSL D-274 pianos — made for Gig Performer 5.1.4 PRO — do not work in Essentials, because they rely on a MIDI script that disables VSL’s sustain behavior.

These patches are ready to use, but you’ll need:
• the corresponding VSL pianos, and
• at least the Standard or Pro edition of Pianoteq 9, which allows fully playable resonances with re-pedaling and true sympathetic resonance.

I’m a Logic Pro user on Mac, but I created these GIG PERFORMER/VST3 version presets especially for you tonight.

Tozen

i know this is probably inappropriate, but since i cannot test it for myself due to my very busy life, can you send some playing samples of yourself? i'm especially interested in the second and third close mics with no reverb (and also not combined/mixed), i completely understand if you don't wanna do it, thanks anyway

but if you did, please showcase the sustain of some of the 5th octave notes, cause that's where most synchron pianos are horrible

OlivierW Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I already have Pianoteq 9 standard.

mducharme
I’ll update the Gig Performer presets later today (For VSL D-274 and STEINWAY 1887 - both — they’ll be much better.
wait and see... 🙂 (it will improve the missing features in VSL Software : VSL : great piano / recording, but Software ....)

mducharme https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0i2wton7fgcf90461k1dt/h?rlkey=ry3iuzwbwvy6bog832f1k8z7p&st=4jhkmks1&dl=0

V3.33 updated :

I also recommend adding the Waves L4 Ultramaximizer on the output stage —
it’s perfect for transparent piano enhancement and low latency, keeping the dynamics natural while reaching around –14 LUFS,
ideal for live optimization or streaming platforms such as YouTube, which target –14 LUFS loudness normalization.

Regards,

Olivier W. Frappier

pianow

Hey PianoW! Forgive me, but I am also pretty slammed right now, so I don't think I have space for this at the moment. However, Simeon from Praisetracks is scheduled to do his live stream on YouTube soon and he will likely do this far better than I would 🙂

OlivierW Thank you so much yet again! I got the previous versions working last night just fine, but I will now download your updated versions. Much appreciated!

I've been trying this out today and do quite like this piano from VSL and it has a really nice character. It plays much nicer than the other VSL pianos I tried and the samples seem to have way less hiss.

However there is no way I can justify £379 for the full version! Even with educational discount it costs almost triple what I paid for ViLabs Modern-D! Whilst the VSL concert D 1887 piano does have a nice vintage character, it is not on the same level as Modern-D which is considerably cheaper! I'm now considering the ViLabs Modern-U for an upright option.

dickiefunk I may be wrong, but I am not sure whether you are aware of the fact that the source for the "Studio Concert D 1887" is an actual piano from 1887. It has been preserved in a way that a historically accurate restoration has been possible at all - and in that it is an actual instrument.

It took months of preparation of the piano in terms of regulation and voicing, getting new hammer replicas just for the sampling session and a lot of back and forth between VSL and me to actually have the Una Corda sampled separately.

Whatever ways other products on the market went to achieve their results, I am pretty confident that both VSL and clavierhaus went a lot more than just one extra mile to give you something that is completely unique.

Different from all the modeled VSTs out there, you can simply give me a call and arrange for the unique opportunity of playing the actual piano in real. This 1887 D (S/N 62523) exists, resides in my studio in Vienna and can actually be played and be rented for special occasions.

I am curious to learn what other VST providers tell you when you inquire about the serial number of their "D" and whether you can play it at some place upon making an appointment.

clavierhaus The only other Steinway library I know that does exhibit their Steinway serial number is Modern D. The Steinway used has the serial number 616803. However, I don't know where they sampled the instrument, or where it lives now. I got the serial number from their product website.