Modern D vs Pianoteq

dikrek · 2026-03-05T01:51:23+00:00

Hi all, making this its own post - thanks for the feedback on the other thread. It became clear we need a great real performance to compare, not some robotic MIDI file, so I used David's own (obviously I don't have the proper velocity curve but let's see). This is his performance on YouTube: Here are 3 renditions with Pianoteq. debussy-lai-sunken-cathedral-hbd.mp3 debussy-lai-sunken-cathedral-nyd.mp3 debussy-lai-sunken-cathedral-bluthner.mp3 @HZPiano to your earlier point - I feel I can connect with the music with this tone. Still lipstick on a pig? 🙂 @David Lai I didn't try to get exactly the recording tone of Modern D but more the essence. @QuasiUnaFantasia still hear a Wurli player mixed with a synth bass player? @David B compare to v8 and tell me if it sounds better to you. @emily still xylophone? 🙂 @Pete14 constructive comments if possible 🙂

David Lai

dikrek Unreal kind of wooden sound, unpianistic.

HZPiano

johanibraaten

A few years ago I landed at an SK-3 or -5 that was just brand shiny new delivered to the shop I visited.

I was really surprised at how beautiful and balanced it sounded and indeed -- the action was very pleasant.

Cheers!

srodrigo

Solite Are there any other sampled VIs that you'd recommend?

srodrigo

johanibraaten are you saying you've got one of those at home? 😮

johanibraaten

HZPiano A few years ago I landed at an SK-3 or -5 that was just brand shiny new delivered to the shop I visited.

That’s great! The picture I posted is a SK-3, a lovely instrument indeed!

srodrigo are you saying you've got one of those at home?

No, but I wish I had…. This is my teaching instrument at work. However, If I’ll have the chans to get a premium instrument in the future for our home a Shigeru Kawai will be high on the list.

HZPiano

johanibraaten at work

That must be a properly serious teaching environment!

🎶

johanibraaten

HZPiano That must be a properly serious teaching environment!

It is. It’s a nice place to work in.

David Lai

johanibraaten Wow, lucky you for work!!!

johanibraaten

David Lai Thank you David. I’m pretty shure you’ll get an awesome job after studies. And if you’re into teaching that will be some lucky students.🎶

David Lai

johanibraaten Thank you, Johani! I do hope so. And yes, I am into teaching. 🙂

dikrek

@johanibraaten I think this comparison makes it clear what you meant by elements of the tone being closer to the SK-EX.

Here's the excerpt from the real SK-EX, it's of course glorious, sparkly, crazy resonant, and the bass is ridiculous.

https://pianoclack.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/2026-03-18/1773853517-815864-b.mp3

For the rest just jump to 1:52

Here's a modified NY D Jazz Pianoteq version

https://pianoclack.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/2026-03-17/1773784041-335286-debussy-lai-sunken-cathedral-nyd-jazz-2.mp3

And here is @David Lai latest one

https://pianoclack.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/2026-03-09/1773074583-32473-debussy-solo-mix.mp3

Yes David I know it sounds to you like nails on chalkboard, but to the rest of you (perhaps @srodrigo since you've been looking), isn't the Pianoteq version a tad close to the SK-EX one? (very different performance of course).

The bass for me is actually what's weakest in Pianoteq.

dikrek

Totally different piece - here's Rubinstein's version that's better mastered (I think he's done some of the best renditions of this piece):

Compare to Noire - I think Noire sounds great for this one, might be easier to skip to 7:10

https://pianoclack.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/2026-03-18/1773856539-698954-chopin-funebre-noire.mp3

Then compare to Pianoteq Blüthner:

https://pianoclack.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/2026-03-18/1773856569-458114-chopin-funebre-bluthner-studio.mp3

Then NY D:

https://pianoclack.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/2026-03-18/1773856639-882535-chopin-funebre-ny-d-jazz.mp3

David Lai

dikrek "Yes David I know it sounds to you like nails on chalkboard"

Not that sharp, but best put it as "a synth that fails to sound like a piano." The loud parts are bland and unpianistic, with a nasal, wooden tone in the mid range throughout. None of that rounded attacks on Modern D, or the bell-like tone of the Kawai.

locture

dikrek Now I see the issue. You seem to be less sensitive to the resonance of real concert grands than David.

CyberGene

David Lai how do you find the new audio player functionality?

David Lai

CyberGene There's a button that says "play XXXXXX .mp3". That's how it's reading on my end. Tap that, and then an audio player appears near the bottom of the screen where you can navigate through the audio using the progress slider. Hope this helps.

CyberGene

David Lai great, that’s how it should be. I hope this works better for you than the previous rudimentary playback.

David Lai

CyberGene Yes, much better and more consistent. And I can scroll, too! 🙂 Thank you.

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