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I had a bass amp with open baffle; it sounded surprisingly good. But utising closed baffle speakers instead required far less bass volume setting for the same output.

Since I posted in this thread a couple of years ago I've got all the instrument packs, but the Steinway B is still my favorite. They are all great though.

Even though I'm partial to the NY Steinway sound in real life(I'm a new Yorker, so I'm biased?, I prefer the Hamburg in pianoteq. Sounds less artificial. Overall I agree The bechstein and Mistral are probably my favorite overall and the most realistic to my ear in the attack. I have all the modern pianos save for the Steinway B I believe. I am indeed curious about that one.

I wonder if pianoteq has considered using machine learning for it's piano sounds in future revisions. I feel like that could help bring it to the next level.

Having experimented with pretty well all the instruments, I keep coming back to the Blüthner for listening. I love both Steinway Ds, especially the bass of the NY, have enjoyed Steingraeber and Grotrian in the past, but since version 7 listening to the Blüthner brings a smile to my face. Playing the Blüthner doesn't excite me as much as the Steinways and creating a "playing" version (of any instrument) which satisfies and which then renders well with the "listening" version of the Blüthner is still a work in progress. IOW, the bite I enjoy hearing when playing tends to end up too harsh in the treble at forte and above on my equipment.

Too old for a DAW learning curve: a simple midi rendering tidied up by Audacity is all I can manage for creating a half decent library I can enjoy when playing is no longer possible - a situation which is rapidly approaching. Pianoteq has given me so much pleasure, with the auto recording function built in, - after decades of playing grands - in my final playing time.

very best wishes to you, sandalholme. i hope your playing years stretch longer than anticipated

Very best wishes indeed, sandalholme.

I reckon standardization of default mic positioning would bring much needed simplicity!

Dunno about mic standardisation or machine learning, the software is just ruddy brilliant for my personal usage and there’s so much customisation allowed that I can get the sound I envisage..saying that the Bechstein sounds very good that I always go back to it.

Here I’m using the sweet profile with a tad change on condition and reverb and I’m personally rather pleased with the outcome;

Petrof

Many thanks jackopiano and Fleer for your good wishes. Realistically, both index and little fingers won't stand serious piano playing indefinitely and I've had a very good innings. Marriage/family and music have been constants for many decades. Both will remain when performing ceases. I never approached a high level of technique, but the gift of playing is immeasurable and will also remain a positive in terms of "I was able to do that ...." Any significant achievement lives on, even if only in memory.

I'm sorry to hear of your hand difficulties, sandalholme. I hope you can find ways to keep playing and enjoying piano.



jamiecw, that was a very enjoyable performance. Like you, I enjoy the Bechstein very much. I think I'll peruse your YouTube page for some more trreats!

Thank you, Ralphiano. I appreciate your response. This thread, full of positive and different views of the various pianos, with no arguments about which instrument is better/worse etc, has been a delight to read.

I have hand problems, finger joint arthritis and other, and have no doubt from my own personal and ongoing experience that playing on an acoustic action, in my case a Yamaha hybrid, is easier on the fingers than either a normal DP action or a synth type action.

Me too! Me too!(haha) I briefly tried out some Yam and K pianos and found the Millenium action of the Ks to be physically lighter. The pianos too, were more sensitive, and you had to play lightly to avoid too much volume. Those together would put a much easier loading on the fingers and thumbs.
But I found out that all digitals were by no means equal. The action on ES110 is a cheap highly effective solution for me. I can play for long periods on that; I have Pianoteq set to a sensitive touch which produces the lightness in playing.

Am I the only one that seems to love the Grotrian ?

Eq at medium or vintage?

Love that nice round Warm sound of Grotrian.

not that online videos are really much to go by but it really does sound to my ears and limited experience, like a Grotrian Steinweg.

Unfortunately That's all I have to go by I've never had hands on experience with a Grotrian.

Just samples of videos online.

No, you are not the only one. Several posters have already mentioned the Grotrian among their top three PTQ pianos. It has indeed a beautiful sound with a pronounced sympathetic resonance from the virtual bass strings while avoiding being echoey from too much reverb. It is a nice nuance that I don’t hear in other pianos and which Pianoteq has done a nice job to capture.

Me too! It's the most natural, and I like the mic placement which does it for me. Haven't worked out mic placement stuff on PTq yet; it looks like a nightmare.

I'd say it's a toss-up between the NY Steinway and the C. Bechstein. At the moment, I'm leaning toward the Bechstein...