Finally❤❤ I really wanted your opinions on these and now i have them Thanks man

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Thanks!

Incredible playing on the end of that Fazioli sample. Seriously just awesome.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

thanks! Fazioli felt great

Thank you for your detailed explanation and demonstration

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Thanks!

One more excellent comparison of these pianos - probably the most revealing , side by side comparison, in one video on KZread. and the musicianship is fantastic. The major variable is the mapping of velocity sensitivity to the keyboard controller. And this is what makes these piano's sound different, from one KZread reviewer to another. Definitely some of the best recorded virtual pianos on the market. Aspirational gems

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Yeah they are gems, thanks for watching!

Gorgeous playing as always, Sam! I've been in a honeymoon phase with the VSL CFX since I picked it up last year. Wish I had the budget for all the others, also! They all play as responsively as Pianoteq and sound SO good. By far the most responsive sample libraries I've tried.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Yeah they are freaking fantastic

Nice review and awesome playing - really love your style. I have all of these VSL pianos, and agree that they are probably the most realistic virtual pianos currently available. One tip - don’t be afraid to play around with the microphone mixes to create your own custom sound blends as these can sound way better than the stock factory presets. One of the best things about these pianos is how flexible they are in terms of sound. Also, just FYI, I believe it’s pronounced “Booze-endorfer” rather than “Boys-endorfer.” 😊

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Yep! Playing with the microphone settings are great. I try to keep my reviews simple, but yeah I would tell anyone to do that. I’m just a old southern Texas boy, I don’t know how to pronounce these big words 😅

Really happy that you finally got to try these. I have been on the fence on purchasing the CFX for a little while now as I feel it is the best of the bunch, although that Fazioli did sound impressive. It sounded like a Ravenscroft but with more body to it. The Bluthner was beautiful too. I have a lot of time for Bluthner pianos, they are really beautiful instruments. We have a showroom in London and I could not pull myself away from there. The uprights are fantastic too. Great tone and dynamic range funny enough.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Yeah, I’m partial to the Steinway hamburg. Fazioli and cfx both felt great though.

@deyvidpetromusic

5 ай бұрын

@@SamTheBeardGuy Hamburg Steinway's are very nice. When I was in Frankfurt when my wife was living in Germany they had a showroom there and they are absolutely stellar, better than the American version in my opinion as it is less dark and more clinical. The Model B has always been my favourite. I think it is the perfect piano. Surprisingly enough that is the most accurate piano in Pianoteq too. I was astounded when I heard the Model B in the showroom to how close Pianoteq sounded to it. Can you get the Steinway to sound more dry as it sounded more wet than others on the same settings?

You definitely need to record these songs. Really nice.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

I do have an album out!

I am glad you decided to go this way (I was one of the people recommending them!)

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

thank you :)

Yes man, Finally!

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

😀

Yessss, finally. Thanks for the amazing playing and review! I have a few questions: Are you adding some extra effects / plugins to the pianos or is it just the raw VSL piano sound? Also what are your thoughts regarding Garritan CFX and these, are even comparable to you?

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

I will sometimes run the slightest bit of SPL Iron, gives it just a tiny bit of compression and maybe 5% added width, but I'm never adding anything that makes the products sound different than how they come out of the box.

Man... i have the Steinway and I'm really happy with it but the imperial is just perfect❤ warm and clear

@SamTheBeardGuy

4 ай бұрын

Imperial is great haha. So is the steinway.

I wonder... Would you be able to try to get a Pianoteq model (for example, an Steinway D) as close as possible to the VSL one?. And do an A-B comparison of both?. I guess that would answer plenty of questions!

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

I think I'm getting ready to do another comparison video soon, people keep asked for VSL comparisons haha

Legit some of the best pianos I've ever played, what do y'all think?

@marianogringaus

5 ай бұрын

I´ve tried and I loved them instantly. I have a question: Which could be "the best" Steinway, I look for a close recorded VST... and this os Vienna Symphonic Library it has not this close dry clean sound as I want. (the CFX instead yes sounds closer) Ivory 2 or Ivory3? Have you tried them? BTW I love your playing man. A real pleasure

@raananberger6830

5 ай бұрын

It would be nice to see battle of the Steinways - VSL vs Ivory vs Pianoverse

@GR-gy7mh

5 ай бұрын

You really need to check out Ivory 3. Their Continuous Velocity to Timbre feature with the new RGB engine is outstanding. Endlessly smooth velocity to timbre change as you play.

You inspire me

@SamTheBeardGuy

26 күн бұрын

thanks!

Muito bom! o Fazioli tem um som maravilhoso.

Having almost all the Vsl pianos, the Ravenscroft, the Garitan CFX, Ivory 3, etc..., I find that the great strength of the Vsl pianos is the mastery of the nuances of playing on the VPC1. The new Ivory 3 is very good too.

@marianogringaus

5 ай бұрын

Hi Nico. Can I ask you which Steinway is the best for you? Thanks in advance

@Nico-rw2tl

5 ай бұрын

@@marianogringaus Hi, it's not really easy to answer this question... I would say the truth lies between Vsl and Ivory 3. The main criticism I will make of the Synchron VSL is that the pianos are too far away and rather surgical when used as a solo practice piano. Despite all their qualities, I have a hard time feeling connected with them and I know that this is a criticism that comes up very often about them. Their Steinway does not escape this problem, and I also find it very/too percussive to play (it's a feeling, it may be different for you...), but it really has a stunning sound. The Ivory 3 Steinway D is a success, more connected but less powerful/majestic than the VSL, but it is now the one that accompanies me, it is really very pleasant to play. If you just have to upgrade to get it, go for it without hesitation. In the end I really can't say which is the better of the two even if I'm currently leaning more towards the Ivory 3 because it totally depends on the piece we're playing and our sensitivity of the day, that's why my answer won't really help you because the solution is to have both... Sometimes I love the Ivory 3 more than anything, I change songs and I immediately hate it! :D One thing is certain though, there are clearly big technical differences between the VSTs available for sale, I really find VSL and Ivory 3 (not Ivory 2!) well above the others. The piano is my passion, it's a big part of my life, I want the best in VST and after having bought a certain number of them, it's difficult to say anything other than the best costs more... So, I am waiting with great impatience for the day when Pianoteq will be able to make its pianos sound like all those, this research will finally be over..!

@marianogringaus

5 ай бұрын

@@Nico-rw2tl Thanks man for your answer! I really appreciate it. Ivory 2 is not good? I have 3 VST Pianos: The Ravenscroft, The Grandeur and The Noire. I am composing piano solo pieces, soft, reflexive simple and delicate music and I look for a piano sound for them. Thanks again. I could play the demos of VSL and the Steinway sounded too far away for me.

@--Maloy--

4 ай бұрын

Hello, I have the VPC1 too, and when I use it with VSTs I bought, the sound is harsh, not really pleasant. When I use a Kawai NV5S, the sounds of the VSTs like pianoteq or Ravenscroft, are really different, not harsh anymore, rounder. I am asking myself if my VPC1 is working well. I have tried many velocity curves without success. Would you have any advice?

I own Garritan CFX and VSL Steinway. Both are awesome "go to" pianos I use all the time! I "think" I prefer the Steinway with a bit more "air" and "space" and the CFX in a bit more intimate/close settings... Hard to say if that is the VSL vs. Garritan difference, or the difference in the pianos themselves and how they are ideally suited. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the VSL CFX vs Garritan CFX if you get around to it someday. Thanks for these AWESOME reviews. It's also SUPER excellent that you have updated thoughts on some of the main piano VSTs each year. It has been a blast to see how your opinions have developed over time. GREAT channel!

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! Yeah I think the CFX vs Steinway thing is more pianos than software. I'm afraid to compare the Garritan CFX to the VSL CFX because I might not be able to decide haha, but I keep getting asked this question so I might have to.

@peterjrmoore3941

3 ай бұрын

garritan i find less clear tho inspiring; i started preferring the vsl D for practicing because greater clarity, but now i almost exclusively use thr vsl

Cool Sam..thanks. I think it’s pronounced with the “ahh” sound for the A’s in Fazioli and Hamburg.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! I didn't even realize Hamburg could be said different haha. I'll probably stick to my Texas pronunciation of that one.

The 280vc is perfect for my test❤

I’ve been wanting to get that fazoli

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

It's incredible

Also, if you had to only use one, do you think you would choose this CFX or the one sampled by Garritan?

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Don't make me choose hahaha. They're both great, similar features. I might do a video comparing.

Hi Sam how do you prefer this over the Noire VST, I havent touched anything else since I got noire its just too good

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

They're just so different. The Noire is the CFX, which VSL has a CFX, but besides that, the piano tones are a lot different

@andy-simmons

5 ай бұрын

FWIW, I tried all the VSL pianos last year when they briefly had a free trial available. I figured I'd end up with anything except the CFX since I already had Noire, but the VSL CFX blew me away. The dynamics are really something you have to play to appreciate -- the timbral control is unreal. Anyway, I only had the money for one, and I ended up with the CFX. It complements Noire very nicely. I still use Noire all the time and it's wonderful especially for softer performances or when you want a darker tone, but the VSL CFX plays like an absolute dream and is noticeably more realistic, especially during technical performances.

@williamlandry5652

5 ай бұрын

Damn that sounds crazy thanks for the info, how much is it, there website is a little convaluted, and do you have any videos of you playing it?@@andy-simmons

Wow, what a walkthrough! 👍 What 88-key controller are you using?

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Korg D1!

@JPDC624

5 ай бұрын

@@SamTheBeardGuy Nice!

Would love to hear some spitfire stuff

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

I have a handful of olafur arnalds piano videos!

Should i get the standard library or full? and whats the differences I didn't really understand.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

My understanding is you get more advanced mic placements with the full library. I'm going to do another review probably soon with some of the additional mic settings.

@kob79jd

12 күн бұрын

Hi. I am no pro, but I have 6 VSL pianos with one one (the Steinway) the full mike set. I have purchased all on sale, and I am totally comfortable with buying the standard of the piano you lust after. Then waiting for a sale on the full (many more mike options) version. I also have Garritan, & Keyscape, but for absolute quality of sound I like VSL best. I esp. Love the smaller Busendorfer and the Bechstein for intimate sound. But for large grand piano sound, I prefer theyFazioli 308.

Would love to hear Ivory 3 vs these.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

I’ve been trying to get them to send me the ivory haha

@richardpenrose1968

5 ай бұрын

@@SamTheBeardGuy Ah ok 👍🏻

You should spend some time getting to know them. I mean in a review you should be able to tell what things do. For example how timbre shift is a pitch shifter or how the different mic options behave. In these libraries (at least the steinway and the bösendorfer that i tried) the full version is waaay different because it includes the ribbon and the tube mics that capture the body of the piano. The condenser mic in the base version is also great, I agree these are the best piano libraries even with just that, but those two mics give them warmth and body that the condenser mic lacks. I know I sound critical, but I’m not trying to be, I will never be able to reach quarter of your musical knowledge, I just would have really loved to hear you play it with a better mic setup as beautiful as it was even with the basic presets. And yes, this is the only sampled library that I found to be just as playable as pianoteq. But it sounds better. (Tho the best is using pianoteq with this as a sympathetic resonance engine, because that’s a lot better than the built-in one imho).

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the feedback! My stance on doing reviews is I like to review them how they come out of the box, and also how I would use them in my workflow. With a library like this, I have to decide if I'd rather play a ton on the pianos, or spend more time tweaking settings and mic positions. I typically opt to just play more. My review style isn't for everyone though haha, it's impossible to make everyone happy.

@eriong.7446

5 ай бұрын

@@SamTheBeardGuy I'm glad you didn't take it as an attack because I really didn't mean it that way. (but I was afraid it sounded a bit like that) :) I couldn't wait for you to try these out, so when I saw the notification that you finally did I tapped on it as fast as I could. I just thought that to really do these justice you need to hear the difference between the full and the basic version. Those presets in the surround to stereo downmix folders use the full microphones. Try the player Sur to Stereo preset in the Steinway D, and compare it to the room-mix player preset, in my opinion it's night and day. Thank you for all your reviews, you have helped me a lot with purchasing decisions. I've already felt these were the best but to hear it from you is the confirmation I was waiting for :)

If you had to pick a vst for these songs which one would you pick? kzread.info/dash/bejne/X392ypWfnZnNdtI.htmlsi=Y_-dBa4VDBuM5WyD kzread.info/dash/bejne/gYqDytWYhLbdo7Q.htmlsi=WXd19R2Nfcw2tXtS

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Probably an upright haha

@SBboredom

5 ай бұрын

@@SamTheBeardGuy lol but which one? You’ve reviewed many vsts on your channel 🥲. I’m thinking about getting a vst, but I can’t afford too many of them. I just want a really good sounding pack that I can go to for most pop song covers. I’m also I really huge fan of sympathetic resonance lol :)

If you had to choose your two favorites what would they be? 🤔

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Out of these, I would say the Fazioli and Steinway Hamburg. CFX and Bosendorfer are up there. Honestly they're all great haha

“What a beautiful name” “goodness of God” 🙌

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

:)

Thanks a great deal for playing through these. For some reason I cannot fully put my finger on, I really didn't like the sound of these pianos, they all sounded very cold. especially after listening to them for some time.

Absolutely agree - these pianos are THE best out there!!! But WAY out of my price range! Standard Library is $1,667.49 and the Full Library is $3,023.00!!!!! I think for now I'll stick with my PianoTEQ and Keyscape...

@ElectroPanPipes

5 ай бұрын

That’s for everything they do. They are 250 euro Standard for most.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Stay tuned for a video coming out this Friday.

@maxmeier532

Ай бұрын

@@ElectroPanPipes what do you mean by that. On their website even just ONE piano is 315€ and that is the standard library, full lib is alsmost 600€, again, for ONE Piano..

With those file sizes, definitly not a writing piano but what you would load up when you're ready to bounce. Unless you Got RAM and CORES out da ass

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

It's definitely a more CPU and RAM intensive piano haha. Thanks for watching!

are u buying all these libraries ?

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

no haha, fortunately they sent them to me to review.

@blackorangegraphite

5 ай бұрын

​@@SamTheBeardGuyyou got a lifetime license or just a trial?

These sound great but wow, they are extremely expensive. It would be nice if there was some sort of subscription service or rent-to-own. I can't ever justify paying that much for a piano when there is amazing options for far cheaper.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Stay tuned for another video coming out from me on the VSL stuff. They're releasing something soon you might like.

As you have said, your reviews are not technical and focused on piano playing. As a matter of fact it is almost exclusively to show your great piano playing skills. There is very little about VSL Synchron pianos. Nothing about options and setup. As a matter of fact you literally said nothing about Bösendorfer 280VC! I will definitely keep coming to your channel but it will be for piano lessons. Thank you, Michael Ps. Do you play often on acoustic grand pianos, if I may?

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

Yeah every review is different. You're right, I'd rather focus on the playing, because that tells me what I need to know about the piano. I don't need to showcase the sympathetic resonance slider to know what that does, same with timbre, midi velocity settings, etc. The value of a library for me is how well it's recorded. Hammer and Waves is a good example, I spent a ton of time talking about the settings in that one because it offers unique settings, same with Pianoverse. Thanks for watching though! I probably play on an acoustic 2 or 3 times a month these days, it's not as much as I'd like, but I'm not around them as much as I used to be.

It's a pity that they require an iLok dongle or iLok cloud. You don't want to play live with these.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

I’ve been playing with an ilok live multiple times a week for years and have never had an issue.

@blackorangegraphite

5 ай бұрын

I do not doubt that. I use a laptop with 4 USB ports, and I don't want to waste them on additional USB hubs or license dongles to access my software. It's unnecessary software protection.

@2006Opelcorsa

4 ай бұрын

Hi sam. I admire the way you review these piano’s. It is a pity but i struggle with the installation procedure of these piano’s. The vsl synchron is so terribly complicated to install. Don’t you think so?

The full library is over 3 grand, what the actual F.

@SamTheBeardGuy

Ай бұрын

Well it's every single piano, you can buy the individuals for much cheaper. But yeah they're expensive, but they're probably the most realistic recorded pianos on the market.

I paid thousands of dollars for this crap. Never again if they're giving them away.

@SamTheBeardGuy

5 ай бұрын

They’re not giving them away haha. A lot of companies send me products in exchange for a review, this isn’t uncommon.

@ElectroPanPipes

5 ай бұрын

Haha there’s KZreadrs who get given every synth I own. That’s 10’s of thousands! It’s how reviewers work these days, it’s compensation for walkthrough/review. It’s harder than people think

@maxmeier532

Ай бұрын

@@ElectroPanPipes well, but intended or not by the reviewer, if you stuff for free, you feel an obligation to company. You will never go as hard in the critique as you would if you had to pay for it and pay for all the stuff. Every reviewer who gets free stuff for reviewing (regardless whether they have to return it or not) has a business model that relies on getting stuff to review without paying for it. That's a dependency.

@ElectroPanPipes

Ай бұрын

@@maxmeier532 Literally nobody questioned this though.? OP just said he bought this stuff. Reviewer didn’t. It’s a given that any sales pitch has a motive