Shigeru Kawai dropped (Page 2 of 2)

Is it the opinion of longtime Pianoteq users that although the latest model (as now the Shigeru Kawai) is often applauded as the most advanced, realistic, finest model- that when, a little later the other models are updated they are then all essentially equal in refinement, depth of modelling etc and it is then a matter of personal taste which you prefer? Or do in some way the more recent models continue to hold an advantage over the others?

I don't think the SK-EX is the "most advanced, realistic" Pianoteq piano. IMO, it is on the same level and as playable as the other pianos packs recently released. This SK-EX has a particular timbre and sound quality, but that difference is likely a result of the acoustic instrument that was used as a reference, and not because the model itself is "more advanced".

Pianoteq's pianos are "revoiced" usually every major release to take advantage of the engine upgrade. However, the models of the older pianos were originally designed for older Pianoteq engines, almost 10 years ago. I seriously doubt that all piano models are completely rebuilt from scratch every time the engine is improved. Moreover, the more recent pianos also benefit from the accumulated experience of Moddart's team and may also be derived from better samples. As such, the newer piano packs likely have an advantage - and IMO that is noticeable in the playability and response of the newer instruments.

@ac
”I don't think the SK-EX is the "most advanced, realistic" Pianoteq piano”.

In my opinion it is the most advanced, for the reason, the physical model at the heart of pianoteq is constantly refined. They have been doing it 18 years now and it is the ”job” all the time.
Well. that’s what I think about it.
I love Kawai.

Best wishes,

Stig

So, it's over for VSL pianos ?

Some have no sense of humor...

Kawai is my favorite piano in pianoteq. I also have VSL D274 full and modern D and I would gladly sell them for 60% of the store price.

In my opinion Kawai is a well copied instrument in pianoteq because the acoustic shigeru piano is a weak sounding instrument.

I remember testing acoustic pianos side by side in the store: Yamaha C7, Steinway b211, d274, Grotrian, Bluthner and Kawai Shigeru. All pianos except Kawai had a magical sound. If I had enough money I would not buy an acoustic Kawai.

I don't mean to say that the shigeru is a bad instrument. It's just that others can make better instruments.

I too have been using Bluthner, but the BA Recording preset, also with adjustments. I'll check out the AB presets to see if I prefer them.

Well, if pianoteq tone was already 100% perfect, piano sampled VST would be dead by now. But it's close enough to perfection to make a lot of people buy it or even retire most samplers.

I'm curious about the hybrid approuch you like so much.
What if a given piano sampler, used in this hybrid option, have not a lot o velocities per note, or if the sampler do not have a algorithm do create some intermeriary note layers between, let's say, 16 recorded velocites?
How the hybridization would feel, respond to playing?

Do you believe the hybrid could be extended to not just the ressonances, but also some of the notes decay?

After peeking at it for a couple of years, I finally purchased Pianoteq 8 this evening. The Steinway D is great. However, the Shigeru Kawai is AMAZING. One of the best VST pianos I've heard. Can't wait to start recording with it. I highly recommend it as part of your setup.

Ok, that's enough.
After so much eulogies I think Modartt must name a special preset up to the positive user's reaction.

So, the preset name, for proper represent this fair recreation of a high standart japanese instrument, and also represent the power of it, must be:

Shigeru K. Hadouken

"Hadouken or Hadoken (波動拳, Hadōken, IPA: [hadoːkẽꜜɴ], literally "wave motion fist" or "fist of surge")."

:-)

Hi folks, I'm in love with this new piano, just uploaded a new video featuring the player preset, I'm happy to share it with your permission, enjoy !
https://youtu.be/JEHuhEiFc84?si=-dVB-y2qou6k4gDq

As an owner of Kawai's NV10S (a fairly recent top end digital piano).... this Pianotec Kawai is vastly better sounding than Kawai's best SK-EK samples.

Who in their right mind would use the built in sound

I’m pretty sure that’s the Ryuyo. Ryuyo is the location of Kawai’s Grand Piano factory.

@aWc
@Qexl
Followed your advice and thoughts in the other thread.
Shigeru Kawai is a real beauty indeed.
Kudos @Modartt

I love the new Kawai and for me the sound with headphone is magnificent. But with monitors (Focal shape 40) I also find the sound too harsh, I tested a studio simulator plugin (NX wave) and the same phenomenon of Harshness appears.  Is It possible to keep the brilliance without the harshness ? I tried equalization without good results...

I suggest you experiment with a gentle dip in the EQ, starting around 700-800  hertz up to 4khz.

Unfortunately many loudspeakers often have harsh resonance around the presence region. Around this point is also the crossover where the top of the working range of the bass/mid driver meets with the bottom of the working range of the treble or tweeter unit. Both of these tasks are a tough call for their respective sizes of drive units, this is why some high-end loudspeakers have gone three way. Unfortunately three ways also have their own technical integration problems. 

Headphones normally use a single coherent drive unit per ear. Those are small and light and are not required to make large excursions to recreate bass in a large space such as a living room. So that's why you don't typically hear those harsh resonances over headphones. Those are actually errors of the loudspeakers themselves, not the recordings.