Topic by tmyoung

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Topic: Mason & Hamelin CC2 1975 FXP

https://forum.modartt.com/file/cklnmzy

Mason & Hamelin is the last mainstream US piano production company of concert grade instruments, other than Steinway.  Their Concert Grands are the CC, CC2, and CC94.  The former two are primary competitors of the Steinway D, designed to match it in most technical specs, but their sound is rather different.  In recent years the CC94 has replaced the CC2 in the product lineup; it's a little longer at 9'4" (284cm) instead of the older 9' (274cm).  The scaling is somewhat different, and the action is now made primiarily out of composites instead of wood and felt.  However, "in the wild" the differences are fairly minimal.  Both have a very strong treble, distinct bass, and a lot of projection power.  Both also have a tension mechanism to help the piano keep its shape and tone more consistently over time.

The "feel" of the instrument is a little unusual when compared to other flagship instruments of other brands, because the balance between loud and soft or high and low react differently from instruments like the Steinway D: in some cases that is an interesting advantage, and sometimes it isn't...

This preset is based primarily on a 1975 CC2 but I also used a few reference recordings of a 2018 CC94.

http://masonhamlin.com/pianos/mason-hamlin/model-cc/
https://www.reederpianos.com/retail/images/mhcc4b.jpg

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Reply by DaveL

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Re: Mason & Hamelin CC2 1975 FXP

Thanks!

Kawai ES110, Pianoteq 7 Standard, Electric pianos, Steinway B and D, Bechstein, Bluethner, K2, U-Phoria UMC204HD, Sony MDR-7506

Reply by aandrmusic

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Re: Mason & Hamelin CC2 1975 FXP

Thank you SO MUCH !

I have been thinking of requesting a Mason & Hamlin PTQ model for some time.

I have had the pleasure of making the M&H factory tour a couple of times, since I live barely an hour away from their factory.

.

tmyoung wrote:

https://forum.modartt.com/file/cklnmzy

Mason & Hamelin is the last mainstream US piano production company of concert grade instruments, other than Steinway.  Their Concert Grands are the CC, CC2, and CC94.  The former two are primary competitors of the Steinway D, designed to match it in most technical specs, but their sound is rather different.  In recent years the CC94 has replaced the CC2 in the product lineup; it's a little longer at 9'4" (284cm) instead of the older 9' (274cm).  The scaling is somewhat different, and the action is now made primiarily out of composites instead of wood and felt.  However, "in the wild" the differences are fairly minimal.  Both have a very strong treble, distinct bass, and a lot of projection power.  Both also have a tension mechanism to help the piano keep its shape and tone more consistently over time.

The "feel" of the instrument is a little unusual when compared to other flagship instruments of other brands, because the balance between loud and soft or high and low react differently from instruments like the Steinway D: in some cases that is an interesting advantage, and sometimes it isn't...

This preset is based primarily on a 1975 CC2 but I also used a few reference recordings of a 2018 CC94.

http://masonhamlin.com/pianos/mason-hamlin/model-cc/
https://www.reederpianos.com/retail/images/mhcc4b.jpg

Reply by Zaskar

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Re: Mason & Hamelin CC2 1975 FXP

Whenever i fiddle with all those sliders and values ever so slightly my PTQ sounds like i'm whacking a trashbin.
How does one have the knowledge and the patience to meticulously create those FXPs and share them with pictures and backgroundinfo?

This community and people like you add so much more value to this miraculous piece of software.

Thank you.

"Very funny, Scotty. Now beam down my clothes."

Reply by Amen Ptah Ra

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Re: Mason & Hamelin CC2 1975 FXP

I think I speak jokingly for tmyoung, and for whom he is the man who —from Utah— can create a lot of the most marvelous presets (FXPs) ever, only because I’m saying so...

Sure, others contribute to also a lot of the posted FXPs.

Thank you, sincerely, for your recognition.

Pianoteq 8 Studio Bundle, Pearl malletSTATION EM1, Roland (DRUM SOUND MODULE TD-30, HandSonic 10, AX-1), Akai EWI USB, Yamaha DIGITAL PIANO P-95, M-Audio STUDIOPHILE BX5, Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 DSP.

Reply by jcitron

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Re: Mason & Hamelin CC2 1975 FXP

This is my first post to thank you for this!

Mason and Hamilin pianos have a very special place in my heart. It was my first piano teacher's Model AA grand piano that not only wowed me, but struck that inevitable chord in my heart. I hated practicing, even when I was 5-years old on our crappy Wurlitzer spinet, and longed to own a piano like hers. To me their tone is warm yet clear and definitely not generic like Yamaha or Kawai, and doesn't have that harshness that Steinways sometimes have.

Mason & Hamlin grands are made right here in my hometown about 3 miles from my house. My first piano teacher has, or had a 1905 Model AA she bought from the Mason family in 1946. I'm saying had because she would be 100 years old if she is alive.

When M&H restarted up here in Massachusetts in 1996, the factory looked up extant owners and visited her house and her piano located across the bridge a short distance away in Bradford. They took measurements of her piano inside and out using high-precision calipers and other tools. In return she got a couple of years of free maintenance on her then 91-year old piano.

The early Model AAs were similar to hers but over the years their tone has changed. The last time I visited their factory, I was informed that they have made changes to the design, thus, that explains the tonal changes perhaps. They have changed other processes and materials as well, which very may have changed the characteristics, but they are still very fine pianos. If I had the budget and the space, I would surely have one.

I had the opportunity to try a CC4 at their factory during one of the Piano World tours. It was a nice piano from what I remember, and I put that on the top list of favorites. I thank you again for offering a virtual version of the same model. :-)

Reply by tmyoung

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Re: Mason & Hamelin CC2 1975 FXP

Thank you all for your kind comments!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2xHiPcCsm29R12HX4eXd4J
Pianoteq Studio & Organteq
Casio GP300 & Custom organ console

tmyoung's Website

Reply by budo

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Re: Mason & Hamelin CC2 1975 FXP

thanks so much for the M&H preset.  i had the experience of staying in a B&B once with a beautiful M&H grand that i got to play as much as i wanted.  really a beautiful instrument.  i've enjoyed using the preset.

i saw in another thread that you mentioned some other presets that were (perhaps?) under development, including Stuart & Sons.  i would really like to have a preset for an S&S ... those pianos look like total beasts and i've never seen one in person.  please keep em coming!

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