Thanks very much for your input. I was already playing around with the condition slider trying to emulate Jon Schmidt so I was kinda sorta a bit on the right track... Now I can do some more focused experimentation.

Out of curiosity, what kind of headphones do you have?

Hello Mr. Spice,

Regarding headphones, I have been using AKG K-702, the studio version of the model 701, since 2005.  I only wish my wife would like them as much as I do.  You see, these are open backed 'phones, so anyone in the same room can hear faint signal noises coming from them.  As a result, my wife is convinced I am ruining my ears by playing these headphones too loudly; no amount of explanation about open-backed headphone operation will convince her otherwise.

Cheers,

Joe

Greg

Out of curiosity, what kind of headphones do you have?

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Regarding Steven Cravis:
1) My first impression is that a the sound is awash in way too much heavy reverberation.
2) The audio sounds as though it has been post processed through some type of multiband compression, with heavily applied EQ.  Certain notes, especially the Db below middle C and the Gb below that have been given way too high bass emphasis.
3) Listening through headphones, I suspect that panning is applied to the extreme -- where about Gb above middle C is in the center of the soundfield, but only 1 to 1-1/2 octaves higher ... results in the sound being panned very hard to the right, and any notes within about 1-1/2 octaves below middle Gb ... are panned heavily to the left.

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Regarding Jon Schmit:
1) The sound has enhanced reverberation, though not as extreme as in the Steven Cravis video.
2) The dynamic range is very compressed, such that if I were to reproduce this with Pianoteq, I would probably lower the dynamic range slider to less than 20dB(!).
3) The panning is even MORE EXTREME than the Stevin Cravis video.  In fact, it seems the center of panning is around C# an octave ABOVE middle C, and then the sound gets extremely panned hard right in the octave above, and extremely hard left in the 2 octaves lower than that C# an octave above middle C.
4) Tuning-wise, I believe this was a real piano used in the video.  Why? Because it is far out of tune in terms of unison widths!  If you are going to emulate this with Pianoteq, then move the Condition Slider at LEAST 1.00 to mimic this effect.
5) I think the sound was also post-processed with some type of multiband compressor with elevated EQ in the bass and treble regions.
6) My impression is that the sound is so compressed, you would do well to move the Dynamic Range slider to some very low value such as 10dB!

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Yiruma:
1) Slightly elevated reverberation.
2) Exaggerated panning based on keyboard position.
3) Somebody went to great lengths so that you would hear the "hissing sound" of the dampers -- possibly Garritan Steinway?
4) Reduced dynamic range:  If the dampers sound as loud as they do -- and they are supposed to be soft in a real piano -- then that means the "quiet passages" are much too loud -- this reminds me of greatly reduced dynamic range.
5) I hear post-processing in the audio, something like an "exciter" plug-in.

I was wondering if someone could help me try to create the piano sounds for 3 different pianists. Any help would be appreciated.

1. Steven Cravis - Through the Kaleidoscope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD5mocaumJs

2. Jon Schmidt - All of Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fAZIQ-vpdw

3. Yiruma - Maybe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wg_JpVHkio

Any help would be appreciated.