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

Since the same robot was apparently used again (according to VSL), I assume that only the white keys were recorded again. Is that correct? Secondly, I'd be interested to know whether the problem with the notes being too loud still persists when the sustain pedal is pressed: A note with, for example, vel. 30 inside the sustain pedal is much louder on synchron steinway than a note with a vel. 30 outside the pedal. For example, in a MIDI file of Chopin's first ballad, you get a massive accent on the second accompanying chord in bars 9 to 21.

pc-king I assume that only the white keys were recorded again. Is that correct?

That is incorrect.

Very nice release by VSL. I listened through the demos this morning and they have done a great job with them, the piano sounds beautiful. I wonder how this instrument compares to a Grotrian-Steinweg from the same time. This piano is made only about 30 years after one of the Steinweg brothers moved to Amerika and started Steinway and the first years they built the same piano models on both side of the Atlantic. A couple years ago I played a newly restored Grotrian-Steinweg from roughly the same time as this Steinway at the Grotrian-Steinweg factory (see pictures below), and it was a marvelous instrument. In 1887 the both companies has been on separate tracks for about 20 years though but the instruments look very similar. Do you know if there is still a connection between the companies at that time @clavierhaus? And congratulations on having such a fine instrument and kudos for a great restoration job and for lending it out to VSL so we all can enjoy it.

CyberGene

Given some minuses that are now also surfacing (in this thread):

Do try before you buy!

Cheers!

HZ

johanibraaten This looks exactly like this instrument: https://www.carl-bechstein-stiftung.de/instrumentensammlung/details/7tfln/ which is dated 1880. Indeed, Grotrian and Steinway still had busies contacts and if you take a close look at the iron cast plate, you will see that it is identical to the one in this Steinway: https://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2166035/1.html

At that time Steinway's foundry for plates was the best there was and they provided Grotrian with these plates.

I actually know the piano from the Bechstein collection, because it was restored here in Vienna and I used to be friends with this piano maker. As to comparing it to my or other Steinways from tat time, I am afraid I have to say that I found this instrument dull and boring, lacking dynamics and colors.

100 layers per key?

clavierhaus

Hello,

Congratulations on your exciting project, which you've been working on/contributing to for quite some time now.

Bringing a virtual instrument to market nowadays means immediate worldwide exposure -- bringing you all sorts of reactions and inevitably making you vulnerable to reactions that don't match your hopes and dreams with this new VST instrument.

You cannot forcefully make people change their views -- they have theirs and you have yours.

Go for having a much easier time by enjoying the responses that resonate with your own goals and experiences -- and just let others be.

If you see misunderstandings or lacking information, you can provide the facts you have honestly and truthfully. That is really all you can do.

Going to war with others will burn you out and certainly will not sell your dear product that you've invested your time, energy, and creativity in.

Cheers!

HZ

Pete14 These are just the possible gradations of the robot.

Jane

That is a truly excellent post, Jane!

Thank you for your wisdom.

HZ

HZPiano If you see misunderstandings or lacking information, you can provide the facts you have honestly and truthfully. That is really all you can do.

And that's all I do and additionally provide as many additional pieces of information as I can.

johanibraaten

What a beauty!!

♥️

HZ

clavierhaus Woaw, that looks very much like the exact same instrument. Thanks a lot for the clarification regarding the iron plate and the comparison to your Steinway, very interesting. Regarding the piano you linked to on PW I have to say it's a pity they've rebuilt it, It's hard to beat the classy look of the original.

HZPiano Yes, it's truly a piece of art.

I tried this piano for a short time and my first impressions are divided. On the one hand, the piano exudes the beauty of a time and the sound is generally authentically evoked. There is no doubt that certain classical works will absolutely shine with this piano. On the other hand, the standard version of this piano is difficult to use. The blurred and too deep sound of Condenser microphones in different combinations is far from desirable. Heavy use of EQ doesn't fix too many things. The full version with Sphere, tube microphone in the surround version opens this piano and gives the required sound and all the demos sound fantastic, but under the fingers this piano does not give the desired result in software responsiveness, evenness of tone and resonance. Too much for more than 300 euros with discount and partial use. I wish it was just a first impression.

clavierhaus As to the digital side of it, please move to PW where product manager Paul Kopf is available to answer questions in this regard.

Can we invite him here too? Or is he already a member?

CyberGene If he's here, I'll send him a PM… He has a great voice, I do have to say. 🙂

clavierhaus Many thanks for all your hard work in preparing the piano. Also, people here are passionate so don't take personally any comments. Piano Vi's become like beloved children.

I've tried th piano and the sampling was pristine and the piano well balanced which reflects greatly on you and your team's expertise.

I think it made sense to record it in the smaller room in this instance as it really fits the pianos overall vibe.

guys please share some audio samples and presets, i'm personally excited to hear different pieces with different settings

Pete14

ben (from vsl) once said the stage a pianos have up tp 80-90 layers per key and stage b ones have less, so it's probably 60 or above which is fine imo

If you play a note with the sustain pedal up, and then press the pedal (while still holding the note), does it switch to the pedal down samples? Does it work the other way round? The previous Synchron pianos can't do this, but the old Vienna Imperial can (using the 2SUS button). With the Synchron pianos you can have an unrealistic mix of up and down samples on different notes at the same time.