Hello,
Thera are a lot of user presets for D4, Bluethner, even for the K2, but nothing for the U4.
Why?
I am tempted to upgrade to the standard version and take the promotional offer, but I don't know which add-on to choose between Bluethner and U4.
For those who own the U4, what's your opinion about it? How is it considered in quality in comparison with D4 and Bluethner?
Thanks
SK
I cannot really compare the two in terms of quality... the U4 ist quite nice, and the Blüthner is as well. I like both, and I use both. They are just completely different instruments: the U4 really sounds "like an upright", and Blüthner has this very nice, warm sound of the Model One concert grand. It's apples and oranges, really.
I have both as well. If you are looking for a beautifully rounded grand piano sound the Bluthner is my favorite, even over the D4. The U4 is definitely convincing as an upright piano. So it is indeed apples & oranges.
I'm new to Pianoteq (and new to playing piano too), but I can tell you that I adore Bluethner for the sound and for how easy it is to modulate the sound of this piano. It's so easy to "close" the sound and then to make it explode at will I actually regret that when I bought Stage I picked piano pack (D4 + K2) - if I could change that I would pick electric instruments and then I would update to Standard to get Bluethner. I would have all the instruments I need. Right now I'll have to pay additional 50 euro for Bluethner as I'm about to upgrade to Standard (I'm about to make this call) and get W1R2 pack with it.
Both the U4 and Blüthner add-ons are worthy instruments in the Pianoteq 5 lineup. What type(s) of piano/keyboard repertoire do you play? I would suspect that your choice of add-on instrument, if constrained to only one of the two choices, may lie in how you intend on using the instrument:
If you play a lot of pop, rock, and/or jazz repertoire then your choice (of U4) should be fairly simple, because a fine upright will supplement what you already have in terms of existing grand pianos.
If you play classical repertoire nearly exclusively, then the Blüthner would be the wisest choice of the two add-on instruments.
Food for thought,
Joe
The Blüthner is definitely my favorite of all the Pianoteq models, but I really like playing with the demo for old time gospel and ragtime. It is probably my next purchase.
Most of time I play classical pieces, but I am a beginner. I play the piano for 1 year.
For me the logical choice could be the U4, because I already have the D4 and K2 which are grand pianos models.
I just wonder if my learning or progression in the piano could be disturbed by playing on the U4, because of its smaller dynamic range...
Otherwise, in terms of sound, I like the demo of the U4. I even believe that it has the first place on my room because it is more intimate than the grand pianos models
The dynamic range is just a matter of changing a slider in Pianoteq... and I wouldn't worry about it anyway. The U4 is a great instrument, and it is something 'different'. It was actually the extension I bought directly after my Blüthner addon. For some types of music it's just more authentic, and also having options to choose from never hurts and makes things interesting.
Most of time I play classical pieces, but I am a beginner. I play the piano for 1 year.
For me the logical choice could be the U4, because I already have the D4 and K2 which are grand pianos models.
I just wonder if my learning or progression in the piano could be disturbed by playing on the U4, because of its smaller dynamic range...
Otherwise, in terms of sound, I like the demo of the U4. I even believe that it has the first place on my room because it is more intimate than the grand pianos models
As someone whose demos are accepted and present on Modartt's website, I sincerely believe you will be extremely happy with the U4's sound, dynamic range and overall playability. One of the reasons it sounds "different" is that the soundboard of an upright (even a modeled upright) is vertical, whereas soundboards of every grand piano are horizontal. This means that the upright piano's sound board is "in your face", rather than hearing primarily reflected sounds of a grand piano, whose soundboard is essentially parallel to your line of sight and hearing.
In the end, it is the piano performer who is able to coax beautiful sounds out of a piano -- not the other way around. When Vladimir Horowitz was still alive and performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City, not once did he motion for his Steinway D piano to take a bow, when he was accepting applause from his live performances.
Cheers,
Joe
I got it with the upgrade promotion. It is lovely and very inspiring. It would be interesting to have some user demos and preset for U4.