TAXI.com

Just found this for all those (including me) who are looking for the ultimate piano...http://playivorys.com/modules.php?name=Piano_compare

Hey Dave, You probably know of this already, but have you listened to the Ivory Italian Grand? I got to play a Fazioli grand here in Montreal and I believe the Ivory sample is the same model in a studio at SUNY Purchase in New York. What a sweet ride!!!! Here's the link. http://www.ilio.com/synthogy/ig/index.html#demos

That was very kind of you to post that Dave. I only listened to the 1st demo song, with each of the sounds. Strangely enough, the 1st Roland was my favorite, for that quiet piece. I've just been allocated the funds to pick up a few sound libraries, and a better piano is the first thing I'm looking for. When tracks get big and busy, piano wise, I find almost anything'll do. But in the quieter moments, where the sustain pedal thump can be heard, and how those tender notes ring to me, those are the most important qualities I base my decision on, to purchase something new. I was quite sold on going to Ivory, but I'm gonna do some more research now... thx pal

Have you ever heard of True Pianos, they're pretty great and not too expensivehttp://www.truepianos.com/

The Italian Grand for Ivory sounded and felt pretty great when I tested it at the Road Rally. I know cr7string picked it up.My new favorite, though, is the Sampletekk 7CG for Kontakt (you have to have Kontakt to run it which isn't such a bad thing). It doesn't have the bells and whistles as far as the interface like Ivory does but with the editing and effects in Kontakt you can do pretty much the same kinds of things. They had a group buy over the holidays and apparently they do them every once in a while so I would suggest looking at their stuff as well, particularly if you already have Kontakt.My 2c, as usual!Mazz

I am such a sucka for Ivory, it's pitiful. The Italian Grand is lovely, as is the Steinway (it practically plays itself! Well, not really, but it sounds like it).I've been reading that Ivory doesn't work with Mac Leopard though. Does anyone have problems?

Just to point out, the list is incomplete and doesn't have most of my personal favorites, like the Sampletekk 7CG and Black Grand, and the PMI/Sampletekk Emperor.Other more recent high quality offerings such as the ArtVista VGP or ProAudio Vault Bluethner are also missing, but instead he has a large number of older samples and hardware.Another caveat is that a midi file will tend to sound best on with the sampleset it was recorded on (due to the tactile feedback the player received when performing), and using that midi file without any adjustments may not show other sample sets in their best light.These are just things to keep in mind when listening to these examples...as usual it all has to be taken with a grain of salt.A further, and perhaps the most important, point is that we have heard both stellar and not so stellar sounding recordings done with e.g. Ivory...so even on something as straightforward as a piano, the user's skills have a huge influence on the sound of the final cue.There's a similar site which has been around for much longer; there is just one (custom) demo there but it's performed on a much larger number of samples:http://www.purgatorycreek.com/(you have to click on "Digita Piano Shootout")matto

Another thumbs up for Ivory. I added the Italian Grand after hearing it at the Rally at the ILIO booth.There is enough tweekability in the program to change eq and effects etc. Sounds good in a track or exposed. One of my intros to a new library was a solo piano track done with Ivory. The track was signed to the library.I have gotten in the habit of recording a piano track and then going back to "audition" other pianos to see what sits better in a track.When I found that the guy who did the sampling was a former Kuzweil sound designer and he had done their pianos I felt very confident in the purchase.Chuck

shameless butt-kissing bump, because once again, Matto displays his considerable expertise. And thanks for the extra link!Quote:... a midi file will tend to sound best on with the sampleset it was recorded on (due to the tactile feedback the player received when performing), and using that midi file without any adjustments may not show other sample sets in their best light.These are just things to keep in mind when listening to these examples...as usual it all has to be taken with a grain of salt.... the user's skills have a huge influence on the sound of the final cue.There's a similar site which has been around for much longer; there is just one (custom) demo there but it's performed on a much larger number of samples:http://www.purgatorycreek.com/(you have to click on "Digita Piano Shootout")matto

Here's two pieces recorded recently with Sampletekk 7CG (both with a touch of Plate 140 reverb from UAD-1 card):Solo Piano: http://www.johnmazzei.com/song/1Piano/Strings: http://www.johnmazzei.com/song/0FWIW.Mazz