I had seriously considered a move to Garritan's CFX product given the astonishing authenticity that this (perhaps the best) sampled product delivers...

Just to share my experience:
Me too, I bought the Garritan CFX for its sound (check the videos of Philip Johnston)

It's now a big disapointment for me.
It sounds good but the samples are noisy.
Also, the way it manages the RAM seems to cause some dropouts on my system.

Everytime I play a sampled piano I come back to Pianoteq.
They achieved a very high level product, not perfect but sufficient to act as a substitute for a real piano.

So glad to hear that Alex

In life, we are always evaluating (Venn diagram awareness bubbles) everything. No harm in trying many things - but so glad to know you still find Pianoteq to your liking

For me, sampled pianos (most sampled instruments) are still stuck in the early 90s.. good - but never break free of "swampy" sluggish phrasing etc. Not alive. (some sound good for 'production' reasons.. but this 'sheen' is achievable in a DAW with some time learning basics of production too.. nothing is better to me, than a good piano performance 'on tape' - anything can be made of it later). But these days, the defaults are getting so good (and tools) that I spend much less time in my DAW.

No matter your instrument of choice, I'm very happy to have experienced your amazing progress Alex - much appreciate your excellent approach and efforts, both yourself and your supportive family. So great to see.

Hoping your piano-related life is fulfilled with Pianoteq into the future - and wishing you and your family a marvellous new year!

Thank you, Qexl, and belated happy new year to you too.   

Let's hope that it's a better year than 2020 ;-)

I use the NY Steinway Model D at the moment ... Just the regular one.

Thanks,

Alex

The NY Steinway D setting with Medium Hall / A is astonishing and delivers a game changing sound.

Alex,

Which preset?

Thanks,
Lawrence

@Qexl
”…..sampled pianos (most sampled instruments) are still stuck in the early 90s.. good - but…..”
I agree. I have a Roland keyboard Arranger Workstation, and thought it had the best pianosound for me, until I found Pianoteq 2013. Have not used the sampled piano since then.

In life, we are always evaluating (Venn diagram awareness bubbles) everything. No harm in trying many things - but so glad to know you still find Pianoteq to your liking

For me, sampled pianos (most sampled instruments) are still stuck in the early 90s.. good - but never break free of "swampy" sluggish phrasing etc. Not alive. (some sound good for 'production' reasons.. but this 'sheen' is achievable in a DAW with some time learning basics of production too.. nothing is better to me, than a good piano performance 'on tape' - anything can be made of it later). But these days, the defaults are getting so good (and tools) that I spend much less time in my DAW.

No matter your instrument of choice, I'm very happy to have experienced your amazing progress Alex - much appreciate your excellent approach and efforts, both yourself and your supportive family. So great to see.

Hoping your piano-related life is fulfilled with Pianoteq into the future - and wishing you and your family a marvellous new year!

(Yep, and apologies, click-bait... but the message is genuine!)

I just wanted to say that I *LOVE* Pianoteq 7.

I had seriously considered a move to Garritan's CFX product given the astonishing authenticity that this (perhaps the best) sampled product delivers...

...however:

Pianoteq 7 really nails it.

The NY Steinway D setting with Medium Hall / A is astonishing and delivers a game changing sound.

Fantastic work Modartt - You really raised the bar this time around.

(I have not played with the 'instrument blending' functionality... Just so pleased with the NY Steinway sound.)

Alex

I share the same feeling of satisfaction. Congratulations on the beautiful sincere and exciting statement!

I just wanted to say that I *LOVE* Pianoteq 7.

I had seriously considered a move to Garritan's CFX product given the astonishing authenticity that this (perhaps the best) sampled product delivers...

...however:

Pianoteq 7 really nails it.

The NY Steinway D setting with Medium Hall / A is astonishing and delivers a game changing sound.

Fantastic work Modartt - You really raised the bar this time around.

(I have not played with the 'instrument blending' functionality... Just so pleased with the NY Steinway sound.)

Alex