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

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?

Pete14

Pete14 We don’t need that mammoth thing called “the acoustic,” and I challenge anyone who says otherwise!

All we need is roof, food, warm clothes (mammoths provided a lot of food and warm clothes BTW), and firewood. Everything else is civilization quirks, and I challenge anyone who says otherwise!

PASHKULI No.

No, but yes! (As we say in Bulgaria)

Automotive desirability is measured across four distinct statistical methodologies: realized collector transaction values tracked by analytics firms like Hagerty, brand strength rankings such as Brand Finance’s Brand Strength Index (BSI), owner satisfaction studies like J.D. Power’s APEAL study, and market supply-to-demand ratios indicated by multi-year order waitlists. Statistically, Ferrari consistently dominates luxury automotive desirability: it holds over 60% of the top 100 most expensive public auction sales in history—highlighted by a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO fetching $51.7 million at auction (and upwards of $70 million in private sales)—and maintains a AAA+ brand strength rating alongside 2- to 3-year factory waitlists for new allocations, sitting second only in single-car sale records to the $142 million 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe.

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.

That’s absolutely right. We are indeed fortunate having access to many different virtual pianos. 😃

Vlad This thread is getting way out of hand for me! I'll let you guys continue...

CyberGene

This is a regional statistic. Worldwide I bet no one would desire Ferrari before any other more practical yet luxury vehicle of SUV type such as Porsché or sedan types (Lexus or Mercedes). If you meant amongst sports oriented, wealthy people then maybe it is Ferrari.
Statistic is very regional especially regarding people measure (preferences). No one has proven such statistic is valid globally. Even in modern era of information reaching people in seconds.
Mercedes (globally) would beat Ferrari anytime (can not prove it, just my gut feeling\estimation).

What is the most desired piano (acoustic)? Is it Steinway or is it just marketing hype?

Vlad All we need is…

Food and… water (preferably running and warm too).
I would add electricity too. Without it 99% of our occupations (jobs) will be a disastrous chore. Even preparing a meal (food).

PASHKULI 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.

I don't know. I made this recording of an acoustic piano in a church I was serving in 7 years ago. It wasn't that difficult. Couple mics, my laptop, an audio interface, and I uploaded it right from that sanctuary. Maybe it's not considered properly done, but I think it accurately captures what that piano sounded like in that space at that time. I remember it was in the winter and very cold in that sanctuary. My fingers felt like they never warmed up.

God Bless,
David

David B It's not difficult to record, but to record well requires effort and skill. And fortunately, sample library makers know how to do it.

David Lai It's not difficult to record, but to record well requires effort and skill. And fortunately, sample library makers know how to do it.

If I could afford it and had the space for an acoustic piano, I'm pretty confident I could get decent recordings out of it. I would not attempt to sample the piano to make a virtual instrument out of it, but I think recording music with it would be fairly simple once I got it setup right. There are all kinds of good acoustic piano recordings on YouTube by amateurs. I don't think it's as complicated as @PASHKULI makes it out to be.

If I was making an album or was a professional musician, I'd rather record a real acoustic piano rather than use a virtual recording of one. The irony is that I'm certain I can't always tell the difference between an actual acoustic or virtual piano on a recording, but I know I'd be biased towards recording the acoustic if I had the choice.

God Bless,
David

David B Same here.

He's a guitar player, who really doesn't like the piano, to put it mildly. He had said in past exchanges regarding using pickups to record piano, that's about the strangest thing I've ever heard!!!

David Lai a bit of an older article (27 years) but these techniques haven’t changed much.

https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/recording-real-pianos

David Lai Hi David.. I think they are just being silly and humorous 😊

David B It wasn't that difficult. Couple mics, my laptop, an audio interface, and I uploaded it right from that sanctuary. Maybe it's not considered properly done, but I think it accurately captures what that piano sounded like in that space at that time.

Exactly my words: you went to a special venue (church), spacious probably but I can see it was not optimally placed. On the other hand you record two close‑up mics only (it seems), so that is just that. Minor phasing I could hear but that is normal with such setup. Needs E] for sure (no, it won't destroy "the real sound" of the piano because it is not "the real sound" — it is the sound of the mics, each with its own EQ freq. resp. profile). Then, of course, more mics = more difficulties

David Lai to record well requires effort and skill

Exactly my words.

David Lai sample library makers know how to do it

Not my words.

I can write down here how it should be done (if mics are to be used) but it is pointless.

1. you need a proper ac. treated studio with cable mics coming down from ceiling (6 mics) to the strings
   4 close‑up + 2 (a stereo pair to capture studio reverb)
2. remove the lid (completely), place the close‑up mics: low, mid, upper mid, highs to their resp. zones (trial error) → small record bits to test
3. cover the iron frame with some fluffy sleeves, put some thick carpet(s) under the piano and smaller ones to cover studio floor
4. adjust height and spacing for proper phase alignment (trial error) → small record bits to test
5. check levels (soft to very loud playing) adjust height of stereo pair mics (phase align to close‑up, could\should be done also in post‑recording stage, mixing)

No mic stands (important) and the mic cables should be wrapped with some soft material sleeves (bands) to prevent strung "string" function. That's it.

PASHKULI seems very specific. You’ve tried this recording method how many times successfully thus far? Please share some recordings.