I’ve heard no one else react on this, so maybe it’s user error in this case. Sometimes it feels like I’m getting different performances on some notes out of the walker when using two different mics at the same time, as if it gives me different RRs on the different mics. To my ears it’s more playable, has a warmer tone and the mics mixes better with each other than the walker. I have used Garritan CFX for a few years, bought the Walker this autumn, used it for a couple of tunes and hoped it would me my new sound, but found myself going back to the CFX and using it almost exclusively again. Mercury (very mellow and phat if you start with the "Darker" preset and tweak from there) Noire Felt (I think the non-felt Noire piano is slightly lacking in realistic detail compared to the above but the felt is absolutely gorgeous)Ĭinepiano (glorious tone, needs velocity massaging like Piano In Blue)
Hammersmith (I started with the regular edition but when I upgraded to Pro I found that, for me, the mid mics, at a low level that doesn't introduce any more noticeable ambience, are the magic ingredient that really bring it to life)Įxperimenta Due (I'm gonna cheat and take both the C7 and C3: there's something really crunchy and physical that I love in these) Piano In Blue (indispensable for that vibe) Very interesting list, thanks! My current top 5 in no particular order, with the caveat that I use these for production and so care about tone over playability: Even the grand in GarageBand for iPad isn't too bad especially for the price!Ĭlick to expand.Dammit I only have 6 of those, when is Black Friday again? Honorable Mentions: iPad R275 and Korg Module for iPad. If I was only allowed to have one, any of the 5 would work.
That made me think, what if my M-Audio works well with it? Then NI put Noire at half price a few weeks back so I took a chance. The Yamaha made the library sound better which simply means the default velocity curve works better that with the Native Instruments controller.
Then I listened to a demo of Noire by KeepItSimple and THEN a lengthy demo by Woody's Piano Shack, where he first played Noire with a Yamaha MODX6, then later with an NI A series controller. No metallic C6 range! That was my number one piano for my controller, quite easy to dial in. Still, R275 is great and I'd be happy with it if it was all I had. Got R275, which sounds so amazing in the NAMM demos with that $5K customized Kawai VPC-1, and a friend of mine (KeepItSimple) loves it, but with my M-Audio CODE61 I just cannot get the velocity right (that is the key to your great piano sound, matching the keyboard's velocity to the library and your playing style). Couldn't get past the metallic C6 octave. UPDATE: : after fiddling with the velocity curve on my M-Audio controller, I got the Garritan CFX really dialed in.
I've had no problems working with it on a modest system, using LogicX and running the samples from a 7200rpm SATA hard drive, on a 10 year old Mac Pro 2.8 Quad Core with 20GB ram.īTW, love the Embertone Walker D - the hammer mics combined with the room mics is a thing of beauty!
You really need the full version in my opinion, to get the most out of the Abbey Roads Studios ambience, which adds a lovely 3D-ness to the sound. Today, I'd rate it in my top 5 (out of over 110 sampled pianos I own). I then found myself going back to the more deeply & consistently sampled pianos I have like Ivory 2.5 American Concert D, and Sampletekk's Black Grand Mk2, and then back to the Garritan CFX, which after spending more time controlling the Abbey Roads ambience in the mic mixer & settings, just blew me away with it's clarity, richness & dynamics, and beautiful resonance not found in many sampled pianos. While these are fantastic for getting a certain tone & vibe, I've found playability can be a limiting factor. Top tier sampled piano (very consistent & immediate under the fingers - very responsive to touch) and I really enjoyed using the muted samples included in the sound set, but ultimately the tone was just too clean & a little 'sterile' for my liking & use, so I sold my license.īought the Garritan CFX Full edition soon after release also, and initially loved it, but found myself using it less and less, and moved to the more less-than-perfect character sampled pianos like Imperfect Samples Fazioli & Walnut Grands, and Cinesamples Piano in Blue. I bought the Ravenscroft 275 soon after it was released. I've owned & used all 3, so can offer an informed opinion.