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

Good morning All, I hope you will be able to help me.

I just started using the demo of 1887 studio. I love how it starts so quickly and the interface is very straightforward.

Coming from Pianoteq and then Vi Labs Modern D I am used to "too perfect" instruments and that's likely why I love this humanity/fragility of the 1887. However, when I press heavily the keys, I get quite a metallic sound. Particularly true for the D5 note. When I play piano, this unpleasant tone disappear. It a bit like a very light coin was lying on the string.

Because there is something I very like in this piano, I would like not to give up too soon and would be happy if you could explain to me what happens.

Thank ytou so much for your help.

Given C4 the middle C, I've found annoying D6 in many sampled pianos. Maybe it's the issue of my humble speakers. I tried to switch left channel to right channel. The distortion seems to disappear. Not all virtual pianos provide player and audience flap options. I have to do manually and exhange the position of my speakers as well. So, again that's bottom on the left and top register on the right. I only let Garritan CFX always sit in audience position ‘cause I feel that's more natural for my ears.

One thing left, VSL has a "Body" percent option on UI. Maybe that could fix a little bit.

Florian75 However, when I press heavily the keys, I get quite a metallic sound. Particularly true for the D5 note. When I play piano, this unpleasant tone disappear. It a bit like a very light coin was lying on the string.

I also notice the metallic coin-like sound on the D5 note. However, it doesn’t bother me when playing, and perhaps this is the vintage character of the piano, making it sound slightly imperfect.

Florian75 However, when I press heavily the keys, I get quite a metallic sound. Particularly true for the D5 note. When I play piano, this unpleasant tone disappear. It a bit like a very light coin was lying on the string.

Hallelujah ratamahatta!

jenpal

I also notice the metallic coin-like sound on the D5 note.
perhaps this is the vintage character of the piano, making it sound slightly imperfect.

Nothing "vintage" here, it is just rattling (from symph. vibration) of the equipment caused by loud sound.
All sample libraries suffer from such problems. All of them!

I noticed that VSL has an audio export feature, which is quite handy. I’m not sure if this is new. I recorded some Christian music using the Concert D 1887, and I think the quality is great without needing mastering through my Ableton Live.

jenpal

thanks jenpal.

I also believe that there is also the time for the ears and brain to adjust.

After 6 months of Modern D, you need some time to adjust, don’t you think?

Florian75
Yes, I think so. It’s incredible how our brains work. Sometimes stepping away for a while and then returning can change your perspective.

However, I have mild hearing loss in my right ear and tinnitus in both. So I’m not sure if that’s why I don’t mind the metallic sound.

Initially, I wasn’t a fan of vintage piano sounds but gradually grew to like them. My default VSL piano is the CFX, which is bright and remains my favourite but I sometimes prefer a drier vintage sound.

jenpal the good thing is that we are just a couple clicks away from playing a pristine modern Steinway D, or a 1887 vintage one, as an example. If you just had an acoustic piano, it would be slightly more difficult to do the same thing 😉

We are fortunate to have all these options at our disposal 🙏🏻

Jose EB5AGV the good thing is that we are just a couple clicks away from playing a pristine modern Steinway D, or a 1887 vintage one, as an example. If you just had an acoustic piano, it would be slightly more difficult to do the same thing….

My point exactly!

We don’t need that mammoth thing called “the acoustic,” and I challenge anyone who says otherwise! IMHO!

Pete14 My point exactly!

We don’t need that mammoth thing called “the acoustic,” and I challenge anyone who says otherwise!

This was not Jose’s point though 🙂 He (and I, and many others) appreciate the many advantages digitals have. But we’re not at war with the acoustic, we love it.

Pete14 I say otherwise!!! I love the acoustic, and I love the digital as well. But they are not exclusive to one another as you point out. And, I might add, since you don't even play the piano, you won't understand why we love both. To you, the acoustic is something worthy to be thrown in the trash. I say, not so fast! But since you don't understand it, there's no use shouting to the voide.

David Lai Lol the @Pete14 vs @David Lai battle is still extant and gives meaning to my existence.

Jay Lane

😁

Interesting, how y’all love the acoustic so much, yet rarely do I hear of it ‘round here; what gives, I ask? 🤔

Jay Lane I never see eye-to-eye with Pete14. He's a weirdo who doesn't play the piano, so his opinions are coming from a non-musician's perspective. However, his words are very provoking, to say the least.

David Lai

Why are you being so rude, Dr. Lai?

Well I love each and everyone of you 😊

Pete14 Interesting, how y’all love the acoustic so much, yet rarely do I hear of it ‘round here; what gives, I ask? 🤔

You don’t see Ferraris that often either but aren’t they the most desirable cars? 🙂

Pete14 Why are you being provocative?

CyberGene You don’t see Ferraris that often either but aren’t they the most desirable cars?

No.

Pete14 Interesting, how y’all love the acoustic so much, yet rarely do I hear of it ‘round here; what gives, I ask?

Acoustic pianos are difficult to record (properly): you need good and well acoustically treated room (studio), great mics, mix of recorded signals (phase correlation especially, EQ tweaking, recording device as audio interface and recorder, typically laptop with such audio software). Not many piano players have such setups.
Hence, most of them dream about it. Others have it (in house, at the school music hall) but the hassle of recording is too much. Other recordings using a mobile phone or with just a single mic are garbage at best.

Therefore most use already recorded samples but:

@Florian75:

However, when I press heavily the keys, I get quite a metallic sound. Particularly true for the D5 note. When I play piano, this unpleasant tone disappear. It a bit like a very light coin was lying on the string.

Indeed my rant in other related topics.

@jenpal:

I also notice the metallic coin-like sound on the D5 note.

Another, so we are three so far. Anyone else?