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  • Question about Bosendorfer Imperial

    V
    V

    Hi all,

    I just bought the "Bosendorfer Imperial" instrument. I'm a happy user of several VSL libraries so I thought I couldn't go wrong with VSL.

    However, I don't find the sound very pleasing. It sounds harsh to me, metallic. Not very warm. However, I hear nothing but praise on this forum about the instrument so, could anyone tell me which of the following is probably true?

    1. The real Bosendorfer really sounds like that. It is a very bright sound with a percussion like touch, very good for classical music, but not very suitable for pop. I have to find another instrument for my "dreamy ballads".
    2. There must be something wrong with my setup, because you all disagree and find the library very warm (although I wouldn't know how you could screw this up. Listening on Beyern Dynamic DT880 studio headphones, using the RME Fireface 800).
    3. I'm right, the sound of the libary isn't warm enough and the library is a bit of a disgrace to VSL's usual level of quality.

    Would anyone care to choose door nr. 1,2 or 3?
  • michiM
    VSL Team
    michiM

    we have two different piano libraries: here: http://vsl.co.at/en/211/442/478/449/671/388.htm you could have a listen to a lot of audio demos of the Bösendorfer Imperial. this should give you an overview, what kind of sound is achievable.

    if you are looking for another sound, you should try our Vienna Imperial: http://vsl.co.at/de/211/442/478/1701/1305.htm 

     

    all the best, michael
  • J
    J

    I use the Bosendorfer and I love it.  I think it sounds fantastic.  Most Pop ballads use Steinways or Yamahas, if they're not using digital, for piano parts. The Bosendorfer creates a naturally bright sound ideal for Classical but can still be used for Pop music by adjusting the eq.

    There may in fact be something wrong with your setup.  It shouldn't sound "metallic."  Are you sure your not looping some how so that you are actually hearing phasing?

    Did you listen to the demos?  Do they sound metallic?    

  • V
    V

     Thanks Jasenssmith,

    I listened to the demo's from the Bosendorfer and the Vienna Imperial. To my taste, they indeed sound too bright, too percussion-like  for what I need to do with it.

    I have a basic setup: Cubase 5, one midi track with the VSL VST instrument as a midi target. No effects, equalisers or anything. I do normally use Altiverb for reverb, but even if I turn it off, it sounds the same (worse even, since the reverb sort of cloaks the brightness a little bit).

    I'm glad you say that mostly other grands are used for pop. It confirms what I was thinking. This is good news in fact: it proves that sampling techniques are so powerfull these days, that they are capable to capture the total character of the original instrument. I probably wouldn't prefer the real Bosendorfer either! [:)]

    Just too bad I didn't listen better to the demo's. I thought I couldn't go wrong with VSL but I never fully realised that there are big differences between the original grand piano's being sampled.

    Well, thanks guys. I'm off searching for another library, maybe a Yamaha library.

    Anyone know of a good library  suitable for pop?

    Vincent
  • DietzD
    VSL Team
    DietzD

    Hmmm ... I can't find this metallic:

    -> [URL]http://vsl.co.at/Player2.aspx?Lang=1&DemoID=5501[/URL]

    BTW - don't mix up the "Boesendorfer" and the "Vienna Imperial", they are two different products. :-)

    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library