Originally Posted by: Ben

You will need an iLok USB-key or an internet connection when using iLok Cloud. Machine activation will not be available for our products.

Best, Ben

That's not good. Is machine activation more susceptible to misuse?

So, without a constant internet connection a person is simply going from one dongle (eLicenser) to another (iLok). The dongle seems to be one of the reasons why people don't want to buy VSL products and you really haven't addressed that since a constant internet connection will seemingly be irritating to people. I'm not sure if it will be comparably irritating, but I'm sure it will be irritating to some none the less. 

It doesn't impact me because I'm not bothered by the dongle, but it makes it difficult to be an ambassador for your products because most people don't share my opinion when it comes to dongles.

Thanks for the clarification.

God Bless,

David 

Originally Posted by: beatpete

Paul:

I'd just like to re-iterate how useful it would be to have a third option to have iLok locally on each computer therefore not requiring a dongle OR an internet connection.

I currently use iLok with VI Lab's piano software and it doesn't require a constant internet connection or dongle. You need an internet connection to initially download the license and then after that the software runs on the computer even if it's not connected to the internet. 

I'm sure iLok will work the same way with VSL software. 

God Bless,

David

I really don't know much about this topic, but just a reference, here are my computer specs. 

2018 Mac mini, 3GHz 6-Core Intel I5, 16 GB ram, 1 TB SSD 

Synchron Piano v1529, Latency 64, Preload 16384.

I can run 3 Mics easy and 4 (most of the time) depending on the music. If I open up Synchron Player in MainStage (as my DAW), I can run as many mics as I want as long as I split them up over several channels. 

Maybe this information helps. If not, sorry to waste your time.

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: Andreas8420

We are working on an option to make the Synchron Pianos player utilizing all available cores when it comes to voice processing (like a switch the user can choose to activate or deactivate). But that's a very tricky thing to do. Please give that workaround a try and let me know how that improves performance on your system.

Best Regards,
Andreas

Awesome! Really looking forward to that update. You're doing a great job.

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: cuzzinlouie

... and that the silent key is also a lost cause, even after the addition of the long awaited velocity curve. If the lower left corner represents 0 velocity and 0 gain, why on earth can't we use it to mimic a silent key? How hard can it be to not trigger any sound if velocity stays below a certain threshold?

While I haven't needed a silent key feature, I have also wondered the same thing. 

Thank you for taking the time to engage more on this topic.

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: cuzzinlouie

Do you at least agree that if nobody is saying anything, no improvement will ever be made? If after +-3 years since release, bullet-pointing the features that are incomplete, nonexistent or broken are considered an invalid complaint, I'd like to know why.

I think it's appropriate to make suggestions. The recent Synchron Piano software update is evidence that VSL listens to suggestions and works to improve their products. What I would like to see is the Synchron Piano software be able to support multi-threading so that it performs better with multiple mics. I'd also like to see a record feature implemented. I would think that VSL would appreciate customer feedback like that. 

However, I'm not inclined to question their ethics if they don't implement my suggestions. VSL is the only virtual piano company I'm aware of that gives a full refund if you're not satisfied with their product after you buy it. In this context, I think that the refund policy negates the accusation regarding "questionable marketing pitches" and "misleading advertising." That's why I'm finding it difficult  to see justification in your criticism of VSL. 

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: cuzzinlouie

Why do I complain? For the same reason you complain about me complaining. It's a method of expressing disagreement with something that's been said or done.

Did I complain about you? Did I express annoyance or dissatisfaction with your comments? No, I didn't. I simply inquired why you were complaining so that I might better understand your feelings on the matter. Your response has not helped me to better understand your perspective. 

There is a difference between criticism and suggestions on improvements. I was interested to see if I could find justification in your criticism of VSL's "business" and "advertisement" practices. So far, I can't. 

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: cuzzinlouie

...How come most $99-$200 pianos on the market have had most if not all these things from day one, and VSL refuses to implement them in VSTis that cost 3-4 times as much, 3 years after inception, one piano after another with the same limitations as the previous one? Seriously, what is this?

Until I see a major shift in the way VSL is doing business, I'm out.

Do these $99-$200 virtual pianos sound better than VSL's offerings? If so, then why are you complaining? I would imagine you would be grateful to find something you like at a lower price. Do VSL's offerings (with their limitations) sound better than the $99-$200 virtual pianos? if so, then why are you complaining? I would imagine that you would be grateful to have a product that exceeds all others. 

Personally, I'm grateful there are so many options to choose from that can inspire and enhance my playing experience. Nobody is forcing me to buy VSL products. It's the choice I'm making because I like them the best. Hopefully, you'll find satisfaction with whatever product you choose to use. 

God Bless,

David

Part 3 of my VSL Bösendorfer 280VC Review addressing the new Synchron Piano updates. 

https://youtu.be/KWvbeqvkpYw

God Bless,

David

I'm surprised people aren't more excited about the update. The Velocity Curve Editor is a big deal. We can now customize VSL libraries to our specific controller.  The Half Pedal Editor is nice also. I really like the visual indicator that moves horizontally. The Smooth Attack feature is a bit harder to judge. I really don't notice a difference until around 60%. Anyone else notice that also or is my hearing not so good? 

I'm so thrilled with this software update. It's nice to have more control especially with the Velocity Curve Editor. Thanks VSL.

God Bless,

David

Here is a follow-up of my initial review addressing some comments about the volume and percussiveness of the 280VC.

280VC Review Part 2

God Bless,

David

Here is my review of this beautiful sampled piano. You guys did an amazing job and I feel its a real privilege to own this. It has dethroned the Bösendorfer Imperial and has become my primary piano. However, I'm not getting rid of my Imperial. It's what made me fall in love with the Bösendorfer sound. 

VSL Bösendorfer 280VC Review

God Bless,

David

Thank you Paul and VSL for creating another beautiful sample library in the 280VC. I've got about 7 hours of time with it now and I'm quite certain it's going to replace the Bösendorfer Imperial as my number one piano. I had to use the edit feature to tame some of the higher frequencies, but I think that has to do more with the recording process and not the overall character/tone of the piano. 

The 280VC is a real winner. It has the full bodied presence typical of a Bösendorfer with an aggressive attack that is both clear and warm. What an inspiring library to have. I'm thankful I made the sacrifice to get it.

God Bless,

David

This makes my heart sad because I love love love the Bösendorfer Imperial and I use it daily, but I can't afford another library (not at this time).

I wish I could trade-in some of the VSL samples that I don't use anymore, e.g., Steinway and CFX. I thought the Bösendorfer Imperial ended my search for a sampled piano and now this comes out. I actually have every VSL offering (except the Vienna Imperial) and I just can't come up with another 400 dollars at this time. Sorry. 

God Bless,

David

P.S. I would happily trade the Steinway, CFX, Blüthner, and Bösendorfer Upright to try this new Bösendorfer 280VC. It's not that the others are no good, I just don't have a use for them after getting the Bösendorfer Imperial.   

I've had the same problem. Without changing any settings on my computer, the update caused performance problems running the same patches. I switched back to the previous version  (1.1.1508) and all is right with the world again. 

What was wrong with the previous version that it needed to be updated? 

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: Paul

Hello David B, 

Please check the explanation by Andreas8420 right above your posting. 

v2 contains those all-new samples.

I'm not referring to the large sample updates, but the smaller Bösendorfer Imperial Stereo mics update O1 v2 release on 7/8. It's only 1.5 KB and came out a week after the original update. Thanks.

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: David B.

I noticed that there is a Bösendorfer Imperial Stereo mics update O1 v2 release on 7/8. 

I don't see a changelog for the v2 update. What does it fix? Thanks.

David

Yes, no, maybe so? 

VSL?

I noticed that there is a Bösendorfer Imperial Stereo mics update O1 v2 release on 7/8. 

I don't see a changelog for the v2 update. What does it fix? Thanks.

David

Originally Posted by: johnstaf

The Activity Monitor mentioned in my other post is the built-in MacOS utility. It doesn't show any extra activity on the drive when using Synchron Pianos. It usually shows external SSD activity as well as that of the system disk. The Synchron CPU meter works.

I see. Thanks for the clarification.

Originally Posted by: johnstaf

Thanks Matt. That's great to know. I wasn't sure if I was getting a reasonable speed or not.

I'm looking at getting a new SSD, and I might try the T7. Maybe a 2nd T5 with half of the mics on it would work well.

Synchron Pianos gives me a read speed 380 with my Samsung X5 (thunderbolt 3/NVNe) external SSD. I just ordered a Glyph Atom Pro (Thunderbolt 3/NVNe) from Guitar Center. I should receive it next week.

Reviews indicate that the Glyph Atom Pro manages heat very well with sustained advertised speeds. The reason I bought it is because I need more SSD space and I wanted the best performing T3 SSD on the market. The Samsung X5 has been sufficient (although it does get pretty hot). 

I'd like to know why your activity monitor (in Synchron Pianos) is not registering any CPU activity. Can any VSL techs answer that?

God Bless,

David

This video by Paul explains it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fNbobzNrgQ&feature=youtu.be

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: cuzzinlouie

I think I may be missing something.

The panning issues have not been addressed, nor have they been mentioned in the release notes...Anyway, looking forward to the panning fixes, as these currently keep me from enjoying this otherwise great sounding VSTi.

Thanks

The panning issue has been resolved. It's resolved by downloading two improved mic samples (mid1 and mid2) to replace the original ones. 

The smaller update files address the clicking issues and whatever else is in the secret sauce the makes the Bösendorfer Imperial awesome! 

God Bless,

David

The links in the email worked fine for me (Safari/Mojave). 

I really appreciate the detailed steps and video demonstration VSL provided. It made the process easy. 

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: Martin

Unfortunately, Jordan doesn't remember.... Here's what he said:

"Oh man – I realize I didn’t save a project for the piece I did. I basically called it up- tweaked the sound to taste and filmed it!!!!"

Best, Martin

I understand. Thanks for looking into it for me. 

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: bbelius

 

If you buy a SSD make sure to format it with AFS...

Best, Ben

Do you mean HFS or APFS? Or does it not matter? 

Thanks,

David