Vienna Symphonic Library Forum
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  • VSL mics too far away?

    Hi I have the Steinway piano from VSL and I really like the mic customization. The only issue I have is that I really sometimes prefer the main mics instead of the close mics. I wish there was a way I could just have main mics without any close mics and not have the room insanely far away. It might sound funny but I wish there was a way to get a close but ambient sound with VSL. I'm not sure if anyone else has the same idea as mine but if you do and have a solution then please reply!


  • Hello,

    I do. I use a French company's piano emulation, which is based on a modelled programming as opposed to sampled. Their piano sounds both feel and sound (recorded) much more realistic (I'm a pianist myself) than VSL. Also, they are cheaper and less exhausting on the CPU. You can adjust the mic position yourself, and choose what kind of mics you want to use.

    Best,

    Mika


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    @nycmoomin said:

    [...] Their piano sounds both feel and sound (recorded) much more realistic (I'm a pianist myself) than VSL

    "Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder". 😛


    /Dietz - Vienna Symphonic Library
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    @ MIka: Always nice to hear, how experiences of people can differ from each other. I went just the other way, from the French company's emulation to VSL Steinway, which sounds in my ear more realistic and beautiful (and I'm a pianist too).
    How experiences of people can be different, even opposite ðŸ˜Š. So not a right or wrong, but different.

    @ Elbarn: I get good results with mixing especially mid 2 mics with the condenser clos 1 mics as a base. And I add sometimes a little of the room mic or one of the surround mics. But I don't know if this is the sound you are looking for.


  • It is indeed very interesting how our experiences may differ and also evolve in time.

    What I definitely find better as far as the product of French company is concerned is, as I call it, "playability". I feel more connected to the piano sound and it responds better. VSL Synchron pianos sound more authentic and perhaps "better" (whatever it means) but they are "remote" for me. I feel that I am listening to someone else playing piano (which is in reality the case). I also believe that the level of customization that the French company provides is far superior to VSL. I am very much disappointed that VSL Synchron pianos do not provide full key return and hammer return noise suppression, for instance. I do not even want to mention cost and computer requirement differences. Compatibility with Apple M1 and frequent updates of libraries are other differences.

    Michael