VSL Synchron Bösendorfer Imperial

This thread is dedicated to my favorite sampled library, VSL Bösendorfer Imperial. I've owned every VSL Synchron piano at one point and this has remained my favorite. The warm and even tone makes it soothing and relaxing for me to play. It can be intimate and still have plenty of power when needed. I don't feel like I'm having to fight the piano to control the sound like I do with some of their other offerings. The full library provides great versatility by allowing different mic options to accommodate different songs/styles.

Here is my most recent recording. My arrangement of a praise song written by Donna Carline.
Mics: condenser, ribbon, tube, and main.

God Bless,
David

This is also my default piano VST, which I can play for hours without fatigue. Other VSTs are harder to my ear.

Thanks for sharing your experience and settings! 👍🏻

Jose EB5AGV This is also my default piano VST, which I can play for hours without fatigue. Other VSTs are harder to my ear.

I've been wondering for some time if I've grown tired of the ES8 built-in piano sounds or I just developed some kind of ear fatigue.

Unfortunately, I'm suffering from very annoying tinnitus that are growing louder and louder. The medical specialist anyway has ruled out any medical condition although further exams are planned.

I used to love the Kawai SK ConcertGrand but now it sounds very weird to my ears. I rather prefer the "older" EX ConcertGrand although not really in love with it.

Should I explore the route of high quality VST? Upgrade my headphones? (Currently Sennheiser HD598SR)

Just making peace with myself and stay clear of the impossible quest for the perfect sound?

What would you reckon?

Jose EB5AGV Does it require a dongle to active the license?

nhanzero Does it require a dongle to active the license?

For now it does, but sometime this year they are switching to iLok which will have the option of activating the license via a constant internet connection. It's really a bummer that they are not going the machine activation route where you only need to connect to the internet once to activate the license.

So you'll have three options.

• Constant internet connection to activate and use license.
• iLok dongle to activate and use license.
• Keep using the current eLicenser dongle until it's not supported anymore. No idea how long eLicenser will be supported after the switch to iLok, but there is supposed to be considerable overlap.

God Bless,
David

David B Thank you, I hate dongle with a passion, I might have to find something else.

I like the possibility to use the software on any of my computers without number limit. For that, the dongle is convenient. Let's see how many licenses you get without it, I am afraid I won't be able to use the dongle protected software as I do now in 5 or 6 different computers (why I have so many setups is a long story)

Jose EB5AGV iLok still allows you to use a dongle if you want.

David B

Is this the full library?

Tyr Is this the full library?

Yes.

I change the mics around for different songs/styles. Sometimes I choose less ambiance with just a couple close mics. Sometimes I'm looking for a more full-bodied sound like in the song above. The full library offers that versatility.

God Bless,
David

Johnstaf Yes, but not forever. They have told that for some time the dongle will keep working. Nobody knows how much. But I guess it is not a cheap system to maintain so it won't last long

Jose EB5AGV Yes, but not forever. They have told that for some time the dongle will keep working. Nobody knows how much. But I guess it is not a cheap system to maintain so it won't last long

There are no plans to phase out iLok dongles as far as I know. VSL is moving to iLok, where the dongle is an option for those that want it.

eLicenser isn't run by VSL so the licenses should be good for a very long time on the current dongle. They might even outlive VSL.

Oops, sorry, I mixed eLicensers with iLok. I only have a hardware eLicenser and some software iLok licenses. I was referring to eLicensers being not maintained in the long run

Jose EB5AGV I wonder how long Steinberg will maintain the dongle as an option. Many studios won't have their computers connected permanently to the Internet, if at all.

Johnstaf Yes, it could be a problem for Steinberg. I have also a current Cubase Pro license and would hate if I can't use it at least on 4 computers (not simultaneously)

Johnstaf Wait a minute? Is steinberg also moving the elicenser dongle to constant internet connection. Nowadays you just need to connect the computer with the dongle to the internet when installing a license for the first time… And you may even do that in a different computer, and then transfer the dongle to the other computer, I believe.

vagfilm No, the dongle should be present to start and while the software is running. Its LED pulses if it is alive

vagfilm It looks as though will have a choice between the dongle or computer-hosted license. Steinberg already do this with some software. When Dorico was new you could move your license once between the dongle and your computer. I don't know if this is still the case or if you can do it several times.

Johnstaf In VSL's case you will still have your eLicenser dongle -I assume they won't let you use "soft" eLicenser. Old licences won't have to be cancelled in order to get an iLok licence so you can probably use both. That's the impression they gave when they announced the changed.

Jose EB5AGV No, the dongle should be present to start and while the software is running. Its LED pulses if it is alive

I know that… I asked because I thought that Johnstaf was saying that the elicenser dongle was also going to require constant internet connection (like the iLok license agreement with VSL will apparently require). But I think I may have misinterpreted what Johnstaf said:

Johnstaf I wonder how long Steinberg will maintain the dongle as an option. Many studios won't have their computers connected permanently to the Internet, if at all.

You were probably saying that studios prefer the dongle because it allows them to have the computer offline, but I read it as if you were saying "steinberg will discontinue the dongle because studios will not like to have their computers always online". Sorry if I misread…