This is incredibly helpful, in fact the most helpful video to me up to date when it comes to making a decision whether to get the Synchron Pianos - in my case the Bluethner - or not and which version (full/standard). I had concerns regarding the reverb, but from what I hear in your recordings there's quite a few ways to achieve dry playing. Love the close sound of the additional mics. Thanks a lot for putting this together.
I am stunned! Finally samples that don't sound electro stiff-fake. Incredible!! I'd buy if i got so much money. ;( Even Bluthner which i never really liked it enchanted me beyond believe! You guys rock!!
"It's not a question of better." I'm so happy to hear that. I understand that people have their preferences, they like what they like, and want a winner. But, to be honest, these are musical instruments. They're means of expression. If each of them do their own tone and musical personalities well, then they offer something great for us. And I think each one does that. I so value this presentation. Bravo.
Thanks for your great feedback! You should also checkout the Bösendorfer Upright that was released after this video: th-cam.com/video/G4KaD43HXLk/w-d-xo.html :)
Gosh! This is the best review of a virtual instrument I have ever seen. You read each of these Instruments and exactly know wha kind of music it is for, Stephen. You last advice to buy the full libraries will make me poor lol
Me: Yamaha CFX after raising the volume of the upper keys: "Yeah yeah yeah." Steinway: "Yeah yeah yeah." Bluthner: "What? No way?" Bluthner with effects: "Ohhhh yeah"
Hi Stephen-thanks for doing this. Very helpful in purchasing decisions. Great playing too. Custom Steinway presets are fantastic. If you are ever inclined to sell, share, trade some presets, I’m sure people are interested.
Great demo. Thank you. I have tried both Yamaha CFX and Steinway D-274. My biggest problem with CFX was that was some strange reasons I could not reduce key return noise. Why is it so? As far as Steinway D-274 is concerned, I liked it very much and I am considering getting it (I have only Boesendorfer Upright 130). The problem with Steinway, I have, is that no matter how I adjust velocity curve I have difficulty controlling dynamics in some pieces. It is much different from other VSTs I have. I definitely prefer VSL Synchron sound but Pianoteq is the most “playable” piano VST I have. I would appreciate some advice on these issues. I will try Bluthner soon
Hi Michael, Playing feel has been discussed quite a bit in various forums... I'd check out forum.pianoworld.com/ for some interesting ideas. Did you check the Key Rel. Noise Controller on the PLAY page yet? - Paul
@@ViennaSymphonicLibrary Thank you Paul. I have no problem adjusting key release noise for D-274 or any Boesendorfer but I did not see it for CFX (only pedal release noise)
@@ViennaSymphonicLibrary Paul, I installed Synchron CFX piano again and I definitely do not see “Key Return Noise” adjustment. There is only: MIDI Sensitivity Half Pedal Pedal Noise Concert D-274 and Boesendorfer pianos have: MIDI Sensitivity Half Pedal Pedal Noise Key Rel. Noise Could you kindly comment, please? Michael
My apologies, I overlooked that the CFX, being our very first Synchron Piano, was not recorded with specific key release samples. Sorry about that! I hope the other pianos can balance this somehow... - Paul
@@ViennaSymphonicLibrary Thank you Paul. I will probably get Steinway D-274 (I only have Boesendorfer Upright 130). Just waiting for another promotion 🙂
Did you mention the computer/OS used for playback here? What CPU? GHz/MHz CPU clock? GB RAM? In the Steinway D part, peak CPU ran up to 81% and that's a lot. It seemed a drop out happened at that. It's all beautiful, by the way. My point is, to resolve a matter of understanding the difference between "minimal" versus "desired" computer power - and Mac may differ from Windows a lot, or not, depending on whatever.
I would also like to comment on VSL Synchron setup issues. It is never discussed in detail. I had great difficulties when trying to use PC (12 core Intel with 48GB RAM) but my old MacBook Air with two core Intel i7 worked fine. I have a specific setup in which I use my digital piano’s Digital Audio Interface. I currently have a better MacBook Pro but would like to understand why M1/M2 is still not natively supported
HI Michael, multi-channel streaming can be very demanding, and here's a "CPU Tip" from Stephen Limbaugh that will help you work around performance limitations: th-cam.com/video/J33_Suyct98/w-d-xo.html Regarding Silicon Native Support: We're on it! - Paul
Thank you for this demo, quite enlightening. Fantastic, simply fantastic playing. I would ask about lessons, but in the immediate future I will not have the time to practice enough. However, for future reference, do you teach? Thank you.
Hi Roy, Glad to see that you like the video. As far as I know, Stephen is quite a free spirit, check out his TH-cam channel here: th-cam.com/users/stephenlimbaugh
#syncroseries Vienna was always the best orchestrated library but with Synchron instruments it's crazy.. And what amazingg piano library ... Absolutely acoustic,its a boon for every genuine musician.. My bestt wishes ...😊👍
#syncroseries Superbbbbb beautiful and natural acoustic pianos... Sychron#syncroseries Superbbbbb beautiful and natural acoustic pianos simply Love the sound and feel... Sychron instruments are a boon for musicians ...
[Edit] Yep. Got the full version and after some serious EQing I've gotten the tube and surround mics together to sound almost the same as the Final Fantasy piano collection. And it sounds incredible. Very happy with the library now (Steinway). Still can't stand the condenser mic, though. The hammer noise is really annoying and it's difficult to find where to EQ it out. No links to any written info for this? I'd have thought it'd be under a knob like "pedal noise" to set how much hammer noise there is (from as low as physically possible using EQ to how it was recorded), based off of some EQ preset like you've done. Otherwise, sounds great - miles above any other piano library I have. Perhaps it's just the condenser mic so close to the hammers in the standard version that irritates my ears so much, using DT 1990 headphones, which really pick out the subtlest of detail.
@@LamondFan For large projects I had a slave machine with 128gb... but that was 4 years ago. Now I have the M3 MBP with 128 so the whole session is on one machine.
@@tomlind861 If you want to hear the pure close mics you can listen to those on the VSL website itself (at least I know that you can with the Steinway). The thing is that nobody really likes a pure dry close piano sound (at least nobody I know). Plus I know of no piano VST that has a completely dry piano sound.
@@mangodsky2809 Yeah. But the Garritan CFX is great, but it doesn't sound so wet. It hits it just right. But you can get a more wet sound if you want with tweaking. Although, I feel like with more tweaking these Synchrons have way more potential. It's just so concerty out of the box.
This is incredibly helpful, in fact the most helpful video to me up to date when it comes to making a decision whether to get the Synchron Pianos - in my case the Bluethner - or not and which version (full/standard).
I had concerns regarding the reverb, but from what I hear in your recordings there's quite a few ways to achieve dry playing. Love the close sound of the additional mics.
Thanks a lot for putting this together.
Thanks for your kind words, Philipp! And we agree, Stephen Limbaugh made a great comparison of our Synchron Pianos with this video!
I am stunned! Finally samples that don't sound electro stiff-fake. Incredible!! I'd buy if i got so much money. ;( Even Bluthner which i never really liked it enchanted me beyond believe! You guys rock!!
Incredible playing mate. A breath of fresh air compared to most demos. You’ve really demonstrated the range and strength of these instruments!
This video helped a great deal in choosing which piano I want from the collection. Thx.
"It's not a question of better." I'm so happy to hear that. I understand that people have their preferences, they like what they like, and want a winner. But, to be honest, these are musical instruments. They're means of expression. If each of them do their own tone and musical personalities well, then they offer something great for us. And I think each one does that. I so value this presentation. Bravo.
Thanks for your great feedback! You should also checkout the Bösendorfer Upright that was released after this video: th-cam.com/video/G4KaD43HXLk/w-d-xo.html :)
@@ViennaSymphonicLibrary Do you by any chance have the name of the melody starting at 14.13? That's gorgeous.
Thank you for this video!
Gosh! This is the best review of a virtual instrument I have ever seen. You read each of these Instruments and exactly know wha kind of music it is for, Stephen. You last advice to buy the full libraries will make me poor lol
Me:
Yamaha CFX after raising the volume of the upper keys: "Yeah yeah yeah."
Steinway: "Yeah yeah yeah."
Bluthner: "What? No way?"
Bluthner with effects: "Ohhhh yeah"
Incredible playing. Also, at first I thought you were the guy who did the voice for Triborg in Final Space.
Great comparison! Could you somehow share the settings/presets to "eq some of the hammer noise out"?
Hi Stephen-thanks for doing this. Very helpful in purchasing decisions. Great playing too. Custom Steinway presets are fantastic. If you are ever inclined to sell, share, trade some presets, I’m sure people are interested.
Which piano / piano keyboard is he using? Thanks
Great demo. Thank you. I have tried both Yamaha CFX and Steinway D-274. My biggest problem with CFX was that was some strange reasons I could not reduce key return noise. Why is it so?
As far as Steinway D-274 is concerned, I liked it very much and I am considering getting it (I have only Boesendorfer Upright 130). The problem with Steinway, I have, is that no matter how I adjust velocity curve I have difficulty controlling dynamics in some pieces. It is much different from other VSTs I have. I definitely prefer VSL Synchron sound but Pianoteq is the most “playable” piano VST I have. I would appreciate some advice on these issues. I will try Bluthner soon
Hi Michael, Playing feel has been discussed quite a bit in various forums... I'd check out forum.pianoworld.com/ for some interesting ideas.
Did you check the Key Rel. Noise Controller on the PLAY page yet?
- Paul
@@ViennaSymphonicLibrary Thank you Paul. I have no problem adjusting key release noise for D-274 or any Boesendorfer but I did not see it for CFX (only pedal release noise)
@@ViennaSymphonicLibrary Paul, I installed Synchron CFX piano again and I definitely do not see “Key Return Noise” adjustment. There is only:
MIDI Sensitivity
Half Pedal
Pedal Noise
Concert D-274 and Boesendorfer pianos have:
MIDI Sensitivity
Half Pedal
Pedal Noise
Key Rel. Noise
Could you kindly comment, please?
Michael
My apologies, I overlooked that the CFX, being our very first Synchron Piano, was not recorded with specific key release samples. Sorry about that! I hope the other pianos can balance this somehow...
- Paul
@@ViennaSymphonicLibrary Thank you Paul. I will probably get Steinway D-274 (I only have Boesendorfer Upright 130). Just waiting for another promotion 🙂
I just wonder about the max voice/mic and per key? Do I need to turn it up?
Where is it possible to try them in real ? (France) et what about the latency ? Thank's.
Did you mention the computer/OS used for playback here? What CPU? GHz/MHz CPU clock? GB RAM? In the Steinway D part, peak CPU ran up to 81% and that's a lot. It seemed a drop out happened at that. It's all beautiful, by the way. My point is, to resolve a matter of understanding the difference between "minimal" versus "desired" computer power - and Mac may differ from Windows a lot, or not, depending on whatever.
Does Keyscape still have the noise reduction issue where there is faint white noise in the background still?
Hey, could you possibly share your custom preset on Steinway? I really would want to experiment with the sound.
Que software utilizas para grabar?. Gracias.
I would also like to comment on VSL Synchron setup issues. It is never discussed in detail. I had great difficulties when trying to use PC (12 core Intel with 48GB RAM) but my old MacBook Air with two core Intel i7 worked fine. I have a specific setup in which I use my digital piano’s Digital Audio Interface.
I currently have a better MacBook Pro but would like to understand why M1/M2 is still not natively supported
HI Michael, multi-channel streaming can be very demanding, and here's a "CPU Tip" from Stephen Limbaugh that will help you work around performance limitations: th-cam.com/video/J33_Suyct98/w-d-xo.html
Regarding Silicon Native Support: We're on it!
- Paul
The beginning of an incredible Interstellar arrangement...
Thank you for this demo, quite enlightening. Fantastic, simply fantastic playing. I would ask about lessons, but in the immediate future I will not have the time to practice enough. However, for future reference, do you teach? Thank you.
Hi Roy, Glad to see that you like the video. As far as I know, Stephen is quite a free spirit, check out his TH-cam channel here: th-cam.com/users/stephenlimbaugh
THE BEST SOFTWARE IN THE WORLD 100%Nothing is like this 100%
I did not like Synchron strings, however, i enjoy using your pianos. They are best on the market!
#syncroseries
Vienna was always the best orchestrated library but with Synchron instruments it's crazy.. And what amazingg piano library ... Absolutely acoustic,its a boon for every genuine musician.. My bestt wishes ...😊👍
Great Demo. I love these pianos, but they don't run on Linux which I use exc;exclusively.
what software is that for the midi?
Hi, Stephen is using Logic Pro X.
#syncroseries
Superbbbbb beautiful and natural acoustic pianos... Sychron#syncroseries
Superbbbbb beautiful and natural acoustic pianos simply Love the sound and feel... Sychron instruments are a boon for musicians ...
what composition sounds on 12:02
It's an original I did for a radio program. :)
Impressive
[Edit] Yep. Got the full version and after some serious EQing I've gotten the tube and surround mics together to sound almost the same as the Final Fantasy piano collection. And it sounds incredible. Very happy with the library now (Steinway). Still can't stand the condenser mic, though.
The hammer noise is really annoying and it's difficult to find where to EQ it out. No links to any written info for this? I'd have thought it'd be under a knob like "pedal noise" to set how much hammer noise there is (from as low as physically possible using EQ to how it was recorded), based off of some EQ preset like you've done. Otherwise, sounds great - miles above any other piano library I have. Perhaps it's just the condenser mic so close to the hammers in the standard version that irritates my ears so much, using DT 1990 headphones, which really pick out the subtlest of detail.
Great video, Stephen! Can you tell us what CPU your system was using?
Sure. It is a 2019 MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz i9 with 8 cores. Also got 32mb of RAM.
@@stephenlimbaugh That's a powerful machine. Very helpful. Thanks.
@@stephenlimbaugh 32mb of RAM in this decade? Haha.
@@LamondFan For large projects I had a slave machine with 128gb... but that was 4 years ago. Now I have the M3 MBP with 128 so the whole session is on one machine.
probably the best piano sample library ever created..??
If "ever" only refers to the past: Probably :-)
Acoustic100% all aspects there
I'm thinking of getting yamaha and Steinway but i need a freaking discount😭😂
Two piano libraries = 940£💀
Don't despair! New offers on the way, and who knows, maybe some pianos will be included with our Black Friday Offers...
- Paul
@@ViennaSymphonicLibrary that's actually some good news
Thanks❤
Sounds clanky and fake to me. At the level of Garritan CFX.
tooooo much wet far mics...
For me too, I know you can get a dry sound too but why are there no demos?
@@tomlind861 If you want to hear the pure close mics you can listen to those on the VSL website itself (at least I know that you can with the Steinway). The thing is that nobody really likes a pure dry close piano sound (at least nobody I know). Plus I know of no piano VST that has a completely dry piano sound.
Turn it off.
@@mangodsky2809 Yeah. But the Garritan CFX is great, but it doesn't sound so wet. It hits it just right. But you can get a more wet sound if you want with tweaking. Although, I feel like with more tweaking these Synchrons have way more potential. It's just so concerty out of the box.