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  4. Vienna Imperial - Help optimizing the sound quality?

  • Vienna Imperial - Help optimizing the sound quality?

    H
    H

    Hello there! I am experimenting with my newly bought Vienna Imperial, trying to achieve best possible sound quality with the limitations of my equipment.

     

    Starting out I was not able to get a decent overall sound quality. What i did figure out, is by increasing the sample rate from 441000 to 96000, the sound had a much bigger punch and expression to it, with a clearer resonance and reverb than ever. I still have to "omit release samples", and keep reverb amount quite low, as these settings still gives the sound a mechanical, slightly unpleasent feel.

    Might there be something I have missed out on, when it comes to optimization? I assume that since increasing the sample rate from 44,1k to 96k made such giant improvements, maybe if I had a sound card with 192k compability, the sound would finally become as good as it is made to be? Now I know I'm not just having unreal expectations, I know how good this VST can sound, especially by noticing the different in 44,1k to 96k. Hope someone could give me a clear answer on what would be needed to be done to make the best out of the VST, maybe all I need is a card with a sample rate of 192k?

     

    I'm playing on a keyboard hooked to a external sound card (Fast Track C400, max 960000 sample rate) with a midi cable.

    I run the VST on a Asus with 16GB ram, Intel i7-4700HQ 2.4GHz processor, 64 bit system and SSD disk. My system easily runs it loaded with full polyphony, 2sus and full samples.
  • M
    M

    The VSL Samples are all stored in 44.1KHz at 24bit resolution on your HD, so switching to a higher sample rate will definitely not bring you any improvement if you use the VSL-Player alone.

    What you might gain: if you use additional plug-ins like reverb outside the VSL-Software, then the quality of the reverb might improve, as this will be calculated in real time at the higher rate.
  • Beat KaufmannB
    Beat KaufmannB
    last edited
    last edited

    @Hoto said:

    ...Starting out I was not able to get a decent overall sound quality. What i did figure out, is by increasing the sample rate from 441000 to 96000, the sound had a much bigger punch and expression to it, with a clearer resonance and reverb than ever.

    Hi Hoto

    Congratulation to your new Library! As mentioned above by MassMover, the Library comes with a sample rate of 44,1kHz.

    If you transfer it to 96khz you probably get some little faults (distortions etc.) which seem to make the result more punchy.

    By the way: Try 88,2kHz (2x 44,1kHz). It is easier to change the samplerate simlply 2x so you should get less faults ... the result sounds probably less "punchy". The other way round 44.1 x 2.1769 = 96kHz = more faults = more... 

    So if you want to have more punch I recommend to take an audio effect where you are able to adjust the amount of the punch.

    All the best and a lot of fun with your Imperial.

    Beat

    - Tips & Tricks while using Samples of VSL.. see at: https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/vitutorials/ - Tutorial "Mixing an Orchestra": https://www.beat-kaufmann.com/mixing-an-orchestra/
  • H
    H

    Thanks for the answers Beat and Mass! Interesting to hear it is supposed to be run at 44100 sample rate... Actually I see now that I am getting even better sound quality with my built in soundcard for my Computer, but here I get no different qualities in the ranges of 44-192k, just overall really good! I guess my external sound card could be a bit outdated then, I will continue to investigate!

    Thanks again!

    If anyone reads this thread and have noticed improved sound with higher sample rates, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
  • J
    J
    last edited
    last edited

    Hello,

    I am Jens, from Germany. I am a passionate user of VSL products since 2008. I run into this thread here, because I also look for solutions concerning a better sound quality of the Vienna Imperial on my system.
    The problem I have is: my Vienna Imperial sounds pretty bad in the mid frequencies range, thats already from the pure and dry sample sound, within all three positions close, player and distance. It always sounds like flat, nosy, like spoken into an empty can of beans.... I don't know how to describe. And that is only with the piano sample library (not at all with the other VSL instruments I have). I did compare to Vienna Imperial Sound Examples and I wonder "how do they achieve this sound?". I can't get close to it. I even talked to a recording engineer, and even he says "I wonder how poor the Imperial sounds". Together we tried quite a lot with EQing, reverberating, compression, different Vienna Imperial presets ... and so on, but no way...
    So please can anyone give some hints or suggestions what to do? I mean my studio equipment is not guilty!!! for poor  sound because the Imperial Examples as reference sound files sound great, as I expect to sound like.

    Did anyone experience something like I described? Any suggestions on that?

    Best Greetings - Jens.

    @MassMover said:

    The VSL Samples are all stored in 44.1KHz at 24bit resolution on your HD, so switching to a higher sample rate will definitely not bring you any improvement if you use the VSL-Player alone.

    What you might gain: if you use additional plug-ins like reverb outside the VSL-Software, then the quality of the reverb might improve, as this will be calculated in real time at the higher rate.