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

The VSL team uploaded a nice video to their Youtube channel of Jordan Rudess playing the Bösendorfer Imperial. How can I get his settings so that my VSL Bösendorfer Imperial will sound like his? Can the VSL team retrieve his settings since they have access to him and I don't? Thanks for the help. Below is the link to the video.

https://youtu.be/2AkEFvO_MIA

God Bless,

David

There might be a small group that feel the need for a silent key feature, but I'm sure close to 100% of users would benefit from a velocity curve editor and a functioning sympathetic resonance. The velocity curve editor being the most important. 

God Bless,

David

I'm downloading the video right now and I'm kind of worried because I might feel the "need" to upgrade to the full library. So far I'm happy with the standard library, but I know what happens when Guy plays, he makes everything sound better. 

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: Paul

Hi David, 

Right now, our Voucher Offer is a great option to save money. Simply add 4 x 100 EUR Vouchers in your basket, the 4th one will be free. 

This way you can save an additional 25% (even on current and future special offers). 

Best, 
Paul

I realized how silly my question was since I already have the other VSL pianos. Therefore, I purchased the Bosendorfer at the introductory price. I got the standard version and so far I'm really happy with it. It has a nice warm and mellow sound to it. Thank you Paul and VSL team for another great offering.

God bless,

David 

Originally Posted by: Paul

Hi lumcas, 

New products are usually not part of the bundle and come with a very introductory price (especially in combination with our Voucher Special!!). 

In this case, the Bösendorfer Upright will be added to the Synchron Pianos Bundle after the introductory period. 

Best, 
Paul

What will save me more money if I already have the CFX, D, and Bluthner? Would it be best to buy during the introductory price or wait tell after when it will be bundled?  I'm going to opt for the standard version this time. Thanks for the help. Also, the new piano sounds great.

God Bless,

David

Originally Posted by: PaoloT

Originally Posted by: David B.

I think the bass is really where the vintage sound of the piano is most present. It seems a little weak because I'm used to the massive sound of the VSL CFX and Steinway, but overall I'm very happy with the Bluthner.

David, do you find close chords played in the middle-lower range sound clearer, less muddy than in more modern pianos? Paolo

Hi,

There is an additional clarity in the lower resonance (to my ears), but it lacks the deep, rumbling, resonant power of the larger modern concert CFX/D models. I think Mozart and Bach would sound great on it. 

The Bluthner is very smooth and easy on the ears. I even noticed less brain/ear fatigue after playing for an extended period yesterday. 

God Bless,

David

I played it all day today and I like it. The mid/upper register is really clear and beautiful. That extra string for resonance makes a difference. I think the bass is really where the vintage sound of the piano is most present. It seems a little weak because I'm used to the massive sound of the VSL CFX and Steinway, but overall I'm very happy with the Bluthner. It's a beautiful period piano and I'm glad they chose the smaller studio to record it in. The smaller studio and piano provides a nice contrast to the bigger CFX/D concert grands. It's nice to sit down and have a variety of beautiful VSL pianos to choose from.

Thanks to the VSL team for making this available and for offering such a nice discount for those who own the other models. That's good marketing and it helps the consumer to feel even better about the experience. My 1TB SSD is almost full now with VSL pianos. I don't know what I'll do if they release another model. 

God Bless,

David                                                                                                                                                                     

Originally Posted by: Paul

@wolfgang: You can tell by looking at the sample content. You will see a file called "SY-Steinway-D_Patches_Update01.vsynvolume" (see attached screenshot), which overrules the existing "SY-Steinway-D_Patches.vsynvolume" (newer file wins).

Best,

Paul

Can we delete the previous "SY-Steinway-D_Patches.vsynvolume" file, or do we need to keep it with the rest of the sample content even though the Update file has now usurped it? Thanks.

God Bless,

David