I'm thinking about taking one of these short improvisation ideas and orchestrating it for my next video. Let me know which of these you'd like for me to orchestrate!
The Signature Grand is for me the most realistic one, also in terms of placement of the instrument inside the virtual stage. It comes nearest those DG-recordings (or others with classical music). The Maverick has quite character, also the gentleman. I played myself some Frescobaldi (!) on the Maverick, and surprisingly it worked great in my ears. As I uploaded Bach with the Signature Grand, the UA-cam AI thought it was Martin Stadtfeld with his Sony Recording, but it was really just me. I didn’t know his recording before, it’s actually quite different. But it speaks for the sound-quality of the Signature Grand that this copyright claim came up. Thanks for the comparison and the playing- always very interesting stuff!
Thanks for a great comparison! In my opinion, there’s really no competition for the SSSG here. It just excels with its detailed realism and immersive sound. I got it on sale a couple of weeks ago after hearing about it from you, and I really love it! My only gripe is that it is quite CPU hungry on my system, but you don’t seem to have that problem on yours. My other go-to piano is NI Noire, which has a lovely warmth and intimacy and sounds realistic through its entire dynamic range (most other VIs sound flat or artificial in the lower dynamic levels).
Thanks, Karl. I've heard good things about Noire -- A lot of my students love using it. I haven't upgraded NI Komplete in several years, but eventually I'll get it!
Wonderful improvisations! The Simple Sam Signature Grand has a great tone, but there's some distortion sometimes (e.g. at 5'48 and 10'07). Is there a way around that?
What controller are you using? You're pretty adept at controlling it. I never really feel very comfortable at a Midi keyboard, and I have never found one that responded like a piano. I own a lot of piano VSTs, but the SSS never ceases to capture my attention. The 1955 Walker, on the other hand, I don't really get along with. I used the Ravenscroft 275 for years, but I find it a bit too sterile somehow. Another one that I really like when I hear it is the old Vienna Imperial, but I like it less when I play it. My new favorite is the Garritan CFX.
Thanks, Jett. I'm actually using a Yamaha p-120 that I got over 15 years ago. I really can't stand playing on most controllers, so whenever this p-120 dies on me, I'll probably invest in a stage / gig piano instead of a controller.
@@AlexHeppelmann I purchased the VSL Synchron Bösendorfer when it came out, but I returned it within the 14 day window. It was nice, but it wasn’t $600 nice. I think the Garritan CFX is pretty close to the same quality, and you can get it for $140 if you do it right. I bought the old Imperial from someone on VI-C for $100. The SSS remains my best piano purchase for the money.
I'm thinking about taking one of these short improvisation ideas and orchestrating it for my next video. Let me know which of these you'd like for me to orchestrate!
really great to listen too Alex, I like the idea starting around 16:00 in.
@@41Fingers Thanks! I can definitely try to orchestrate that idea!
The Signature Grand is for me the most realistic one, also in terms of placement of the instrument inside the virtual stage. It comes nearest those DG-recordings (or others with classical music).
The Maverick has quite character, also the gentleman. I played myself some Frescobaldi (!) on the Maverick, and surprisingly it worked great in my ears. As I uploaded Bach with the Signature Grand, the UA-cam AI thought it was Martin Stadtfeld with his Sony Recording, but it was really just me. I didn’t know his recording before, it’s actually quite different. But it speaks for the sound-quality of the Signature Grand that this copyright claim came up.
Thanks for the comparison and the playing- always very interesting stuff!
Thanks for a great comparison! In my opinion, there’s really no competition for the SSSG here. It just excels with its detailed realism and immersive sound. I got it on sale a couple of weeks ago after hearing about it from you, and I really love it! My only gripe is that it is quite CPU hungry on my system, but you don’t seem to have that problem on yours.
My other go-to piano is NI Noire, which has a lovely warmth and intimacy and sounds realistic through its entire dynamic range (most other VIs sound flat or artificial in the lower dynamic levels).
Thanks, Karl. I've heard good things about Noire -- A lot of my students love using it. I haven't upgraded NI Komplete in several years, but eventually I'll get it!
Would you mind to make a little video about how you're improvising? Because it is really beautiful :)
I was thinking that at some point I'll do a live stream and play a bit of piano, maybe answer some questions then too!
What about the 17 pianos with the same variation. As a confront piece?
I may do something like that eventually! Thanks for watching!
Wonderful improvisations!
The Simple Sam Signature Grand has a great tone, but there's some distortion sometimes (e.g. at 5'48 and 10'07). Is there a way around that?
Thanks! That distortion you're hearing is a setting that can be turned off completely.
@@AlexHeppelmann That's good to hear. No reason left not to buy it then! Keep up your amazing videos Alex!
What controller are you using? You're pretty adept at controlling it. I never really feel very comfortable at a Midi keyboard, and I have never found one that responded like a piano. I own a lot of piano VSTs, but the SSS never ceases to capture my attention. The 1955 Walker, on the other hand, I don't really get along with. I used the Ravenscroft 275 for years, but I find it a bit too sterile somehow. Another one that I really like when I hear it is the old Vienna Imperial, but I like it less when I play it. My new favorite is the Garritan CFX.
Thanks, Jett. I'm actually using a Yamaha p-120 that I got over 15 years ago. I really can't stand playing on most controllers, so whenever this p-120 dies on me, I'll probably invest in a stage / gig piano instead of a controller.
I've heard good things about the VSL pianos -- they're just so expensive, and I'm pretty happy with the SSS for now!
@@AlexHeppelmann I purchased the VSL Synchron Bösendorfer when it came out, but I returned it within the 14 day window. It was nice, but it wasn’t $600 nice. I think the Garritan CFX is pretty close to the same quality, and you can get it for $140 if you do it right. I bought the old Imperial from someone on VI-C for $100. The SSS remains my best piano purchase for the money.
@@hittjett Most of the time you can get SSS for $50. That's insane for how good it is