Grandioso

[mal7]

Hi everyone,
I have just received Michiel\'s Grandioso....and after several hours of playing, I must say it is everything I had hoped for...Beautiful tone and wonderfully expressive. A \"big\" rich, and resonant sound. A huge improvement on Steinway B, (my previous favorite),which in comparison, now sounds \"tinny\".
Thanks Michiel...a job well done!
(BTW I am using a Roland XV88 as a controller, played through Mackie HR824\'s)

I have also ordered Kip\'s Bosendorfer Imperial which I expect any day. aahhh...life is good :-))))

[Rob Elliott]

I couldn\'t agree with you more on the Grandioso. It is warm and very expressive.

Which sample in the library do you use for solo work? Orchestral?

[mal7]

I am mainly using the stock 4 layer \"Grandioso Classic\" for jazz trio playing, and the 8 layer sustain program for solo work. Both excellent :-))
Which do you prefer?

[Michiel Post]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the compliments!
The library is now added to the TASCAM on-line shop.

Michiel

[ChrisAxia]

Hey Guys,

I know I\'ve said this before on another thread, but don\'t forget to try the 16 velocity patches. These are the only ones that can access the real \'ppp\' layer.

Chris

[Rob Elliott]

Chris,

The 16 layers sample is somewhat strange at the very top end (\'chunking sounding\'). Have you found this to be true?

[ChrisAxia]

Hi Rob,

I\'m not sure what you mean by \'chunking\'. Good word though! I\'ll have to play the 8 and 16 layers and compare. Thanks.

Chris

[mal7]

I know what you mean by the \"chunking\" sound in the 16 layer. After comparing all 16 instruments over several hours, I have settled on instrunent 0 PMI Steinway D classic. Next is the 8 layer with release. Both of these are very playable...

[Rob Elliott]

Mal7,

Good to hear I\'m not imagining it. Having said that - the \"classic\" pno simply is the most musical sampled piano on the market.

What do you \'hear\' as the difference with the classic and the 8 layer sustain?

Thanks

Rob

[mal7]

Hi Rob,
Very negligible difference to my ear. I agree that the 16 layer is the least playable, due to the top register problem.
The 8 layer has more velocity groups than the \"Classic\" so is probably more expressive and suited for classical/new age. I mainly play jazz piano, so will stick with the classic. So realistic, and a pleasure to play..
And you? What style do you play, and what are your preferences?

[JoE]

It\'s good to see that this grand piano has so many happy users. I\'m really close to ordering it. Could anybody who owns it please say a few more words about the sound of the individual instruments of the library? Are they very similar to each other?
How close is the library\'s sound to a recording of the real thing, and how authentic does it \'feel\' ? (I hope this question makes sense..) Is it a vast improvement over the Steinway B? - Thanks!!

[mal7]

Hi Joe
The sounds of the various instruments are very similar. Main difference is amount of velocity layers.
The recordings are very accurate. I have played a Steinway D on several occasions, and this one does justice to \"the real thing\". Very warm and expressive, but also cuts through a mix...
A huge improvement on Steinway B (which previously was my favorite)
As I said before, I would thoroughly recommend it.

[Fogwall]

Anyone having compared this one with Wizoo/Steinberg\'s The Grand VSTi? I have myself The Grand and it is fabulous although not perfect.

[Deep White]

I don\'t own either, but have listened to the demos of both.

IMHO the Grandioso v.s. The Grand is like wood v.s. plastic. So I\'ve deleted The Grand\'s demo mp3 and put the Grandioso on my shopping list.

But again that\'s just me.

[eliam]

The grand vst has nothing to do whatsoever with the grandioso or the imperial grand, which are, imo, the present standards of quality.

[Rob Elliott]

To further support the kudos about this Library. Try playing this piano in a good set of headphones - you will not want to stop. Great sample sounds really often become catalyst for writing (new colors on your musical palette). I can\'t get my Yamaha D7 - Diskclavier to sound this good \'recorded\'!

Rob

[mal7]

And almost as good as headphones, try the Mackie 824 studio monitors, with EV\'s for bottom end. Grandioso indeed sounds grand :-)

[Aqua Tarkus]

Mal,

What are EVs?

Tarkus

[mal7]

Electra Voice S200 speakers. I use a separate amp, and graphics set to bring out the low frequencies. Compliments the Mackie 824\'s very well.

[Van Sotraidis]

Based on these reviews and the demos, I think I\'m sold. Who has a good price on the Grandioso?

Thanks,
Van

[guitar_man]