The 'Italian Grand' has landed [Archive]

JohnGrant

11-06-2006, 05:38 AM

football

11-06-2006, 09:21 AM

Not impressed by these demos thus far.

I own Ivory but don't think I would shell out the extra dough for this add-on unless I hear some impressive MP3's.

They have three demos up right now. It would be great if they had some varying styles on their site as well (Pop, Jazz, Rock, Blues etc...).

Leaves a gaping hole (to make a decision) without at least one or two of these styles.

composernyc

11-06-2006, 12:08 PM

I find myself always going back to the PMI Bosendorfer 290 that I got on sale at EastWest a couple years ago. It has so many variations on sounds with all those filters built in that I never run out of possibilities.

Endorf

11-08-2006, 04:07 PM

I think the sound is better than the sound from the other 3 pianos from "Ivory". Especially the dynamic range is wider.

You are right, the sound is not very realistic! It is not very clear, too voluminous, and has no good attack. The Grand 2 and the pianos from "Sampletekk" are more realistic.

But the is one advantage: it is the first sampled Fazioli F308! WOW! This grand piano is so amazing!!

Endorf

Tommy

11-08-2006, 05:22 PM

But the is one advantage: it is the first sampled Fazioli F308! WOW! This grand piano is so amazing!!

Endorf

I don't think that's entirely correct: if I'm not mistaken, the Roland SRX-02 Concert Piano expansion board is also a Fazioli. The more recent addition to the SRX-family is a Steinway.

Interesting to note that Roland nor Synthogy dare to mention the Fazioli name (Scarbee, anyone?) although Synthogy did mention Fazioli in an earlier press release.

jeffn1

11-08-2006, 06:40 PM

I think Scarbee could have said on the package Sampled from [INSERT] with a prominent disclaimer that the sampling is not a product of [INSERT] and this does no constitue an endorsement by [INSERT] of the sample library.

I think the proper analogy (in the US, at least) is how generic drug/vitamin manufacturers can state "Compare to" an active ingredient from [INSERT NON-GENERIC MANUFACTURER like Centrum].

As far as I know, the sample manufacturer are permitted to sample these instruments and (truthfully) inform purchasers what was sampled, as long as they do not trade on the instrument-maker's trademark. If the potential buyers know the sample library was not created or endorsed by, for example, Fazioli, there should not be a problem, IMHO.

But, then again, I don't practice in the intellectual property field.

jeffn1

Tarkio

11-08-2006, 09:14 PM

I think the sound is better than the sound from the other 3 pianos from "Ivory". Especially the dynamic range is wider.

You are right, the sound is not very realistic! It is not very clear, too voluminous, and has no good attack. The Grand 2 and the pianos from "Sampletekk" are more realistic.

Endorf I have to agree. I think TBO from Sampletekk at $99 (sale price) sounds better IMO.

Endorf

11-09-2006, 04:45 AM

OK, OK. But the "Italian Grand" is the first sampled Fazioli with more than 5 velocity-layers and applicable with every digital-piano:-))

Endorf

howardv

11-09-2006, 06:19 PM

If you want to hear the real deal, it just so happens that I recorded a little F278 this past Sunday afternoon. But I've only had a chance to dump 3 tracks, so far:

http://www.pianoworld.com/Uploads/files/Snowy160.mp3

http://www.pianoworld.com/Uploads/files/Kitten.mp3

http://www.rtpress.com/pw/Solace160.mp3

Also happen to have midi's of all three pieces played by the same player (my wife) if someone with the Fazioli libs cares to render them for an old fashioned Spaghetti-Western shootout.

Howard

fahl5

11-09-2006, 07:26 PM

I have to agree. I think TBO from Sampletekk at $99 (sale price) sounds better IMO.
Shure Pianosound is a matter of taste like nearly nothing else may be. And I personally can't play any piano without being in love with all its possible soundcolours. I admit, at least some pianoranges of the TBO pathetique slow movement Demo have their charme.

But what I ever suffered with most of the Pianos - real pianos included - that even having certain inspiring aspects in certain ranges of the piano colours, more often all Pianosamples and every Piano has other ranges being awfully dull, harsh, loud, thin, metallic or what ever might be missing to any imagined ideal Pianosound.

So IMHO there is no ideal Piano in reality. But there is an endles bunch of different sounds a Piano should contribute in every single piece of music.

Each piece has its own ideal Pianosound. None may ever let you hear "the" real Piano sound, but only how far the sounds of a Piano may follow the musical language of this certain piece or/and playing style.

I personally seldom felt that much invited to play that much colourful and singing Pianomusic as i felt by the Ivory Pianosamples.

Cheers
Steffen

Tommy

11-09-2006, 07:36 PM

I personally seldom felt that much invited to play that much colourful and singing Pianomusic as i felt by the Ivory Pianosamples.

Cheers
Steffen

It's strange, but I've had the exact same thing with Ivory. This thing made me realise why I love this instrument so much and made me fall in love with it again. Only owning a stage piano, this felt - and with headphones - sounded like a wonderful grand. Mind you, it might have happened with an other sample library too (and meanwhile I'm saving for a real Steinway), but this was just magic. When playing that Ivory Steinway (and only that one), I just can't stop.

I haven't had any hands-on experience with the Italian Grand, but I'm definitely anxious to try it and see wether it lives up to my high expectations.

On an other side: I can't make Ivory sound good for live stagework. I somehow always prefer the sound of the SRX-02 for stage performance (and the ease of mind of not having to worry about a computer and a hard drive).

fahl5

11-09-2006, 07:57 PM

I haven't had any hands-on experience with the Italian Grand, but I'm definitely anxious to try it and see wether it lives up to my high expectations.

As far as I can I would say, dont worry, this Italian definitly can sing and dance at once.

Steffen

Nick Batzdorf

11-09-2006, 08:51 PM

Whew. Tough crowd.

Journeyman

11-09-2006, 08:53 PM

I keep coming back to your "gang rape" analogy. You nailed it on the head.

JamesIII

11-09-2006, 10:25 PM

Like many of us here, I too, am a pianist and truly like Ivory's sound quality. To me it is hands down the best piano library currently available. I've listened to the competition's demos and am not as impressed as I am with Ivory. I've used Ivory on my own projects and have "fooled" the best musicians at the Aspen Music Festival with this library. However, this is a subjective debate and at the end of the day, you just have to go with what your ears prefer.

Tommy

11-10-2006, 06:35 AM

Like many of us here, I too, am a pianist and truly like Ivory's sound quality. To me it is hands down the best piano library currently available. I've listened to the competition's demos and am not as impressed as I am with Ivory.

To be honest, I wasn't that impressed by the Ivory demos too and some other demos from other libraries are far more convincing.
But playing the thing is something else. Is it the best in recorded music? I don't know, and there's probably a better library out there for every style. But it is a whole lotta fun to play.

Chinablu

11-10-2006, 12:32 PM

If one is not classical-oriented, the Italian Grand demos on Synthogy site could sound unsatisfactory, but to me it sounds one of the best sampled pianos around.

Compare the Ivory/Messiaen (http://www.synthogy.com/demo/Messiaen.mp3) demo with this extract (http://www.google.it/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starzik.com%2Fmp3%2Ftitres%2F Pr%25E9ludes_Nos._1_8___Un_reflet_dans_le_vent-218736.html&ei=G5pURczCLI2o-gK6zvTXDw&usg=__YtqXC8dS0SkiG8pwVzPrYCcSMN0=&sig2=77quXyYdwmQxdGZ1gLCLxg) of the same piece from a commercial CD recording.

The Italian Grand looks a good "synthetic" piano, isn't it?

Perhaps some jazz/pop/rock demos will give justice to this remarkable piece of software.

:)

fahl5

11-10-2006, 08:27 PM

Compare the Ivory/Messiaen (http://www.synthogy.com/demo/Messiaen.mp3) demo with this extract (http://www.google.it/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starzik.com%2Fmp3%2Ftitres%2F Pr%25E9ludes_Nos._1_8___Un_reflet_dans_le_vent-218736.html&ei=G5pURczCLI2o-gK6zvTXDw&usg=__YtqXC8dS0SkiG8pwVzPrYCcSMN0=&sig2=77quXyYdwmQxdGZ1gLCLxg) of the same piece from a commercial CD recording.
:)
Thats a nice Idea: compare Ivory and the "real" thing here comes George Cziffra with "chasse neige"

http://preview.mp3sugar.com/f/227510.mp3

and this is Claudio Arrau with "chasse neige"

http://preview.mp3sugar.com/f/199179.mp3

and this is Boris Berzofsky with "chasse neige"
http://box.dk/Magellan/pages/include/play.jsp?storeId=10801&clip=%2Fclips%2F55%2F98%2FDEA809600012_64_30.mp3

compared with Ivory
http://www.synthogy.com/demo/Chasse_neige.mp3
In deep respect for the Masters Cziffra Arrau and Berzofsky I confess I like all pianosounds each in its own way....

best Steffen

Chinablu

11-11-2006, 01:37 PM

Thats a nice Idea: compare Ivory and the "real" thing

Congrats for your demos, Steffen.

Any news regarding the availability date of the Italian Grand in Europe?

Ilio doesn't ship to Italy; MidiMusic (Turin, Italy) doesn't list it yet, and I wasn't able to either find it at Bestservice (Germany).

Thank you,
Roberto

fahl5

11-11-2006, 05:14 PM

Congrats for your demos, Steffen.

Any news regarding the availability date of the Italian Grand in Europe?

Ilio doesn't ship to Italy; MidiMusic (Turin, Italy) doesn't list it yet, and I wasn't able to either find it at Bestservice (Germany).

Thank you,
Roberto
Hi Roberto,
Thanks for your kind regards.

Sorry, that I dont know anything more about availability, since I was just glad to be a betatester of this beautiful balanced and allover singing sampleset.

For Availability it would of course be more informative to ask Synthogy directly for any news.

best Steffen

droah

11-11-2006, 08:25 PM

Hi,

The Italian Grand is available from Time + Space UK
I received an e-mail from them a few days back
Their service is second to none and highly recommended.

I would like to take this opportunity to say hi to all in this forum
This is my first post. I hang around her very often for many useful tips and
advice.I am not a professional musician and unlikely to contribute anything
useful

My interest is chiefly in sampled piano libraries of which I have more
than I need.

Nickie Fønshauge

11-12-2006, 09:14 AM

sampled piano libraries of which I have more
than I need.
Hi and welcome. It looks like you will fit in quite well here ;)

Dup

11-18-2006, 03:54 PM

Hello,
Thanks forthese new demo : please me and sound great
Really not convinced by the first demo
so I Need new feedback from user before to buy it...
Best regrads
Dup

Mega

11-21-2006, 10:42 PM

I dunno.... I've been waiting for a real advance on existing piano samples and, like everything else that's come out in the last couple of years, this instrument sounds very, very far from "real."

JG

Hi...I just received my order of Italian Grand, and once again I am quite impressed with Ivory's production values. While it may or may not have the organic quality of classical music recordings that JohnGrant seems to be looking for, Ivory has once again captured the sonorous qualities of a particular piano, in this case the extremely rich silky sound of a Fazioli and has done so with excellent sound quality and expressive dynamics. My main issue with Ivory is that the 32 bit samples use up so much disk space and memory that would be better used with less bits plus real sustain pedal samples. Yet even though better DSP simulation or real sustain pedal samples would improve the product, each Ivory piano is a highly satisfying and musical experience because of the excellent sound quality and the very successful capture of the different sonic characteristics of the different pianos.