VILabs / Modern D

[Lawrence]

My first efforts with a new piano are usually attempts to create a warm vintage sound that is somewhat similar to my favorite for "Days of Wine and Roses" stuff (someone at VI-C coined that phrase and I found it pretty apt.)

Anyway, I regenerated a ballad from a few years ago, used a little eq, a bit of the internal "clean room" reverb preset and Satin and this is how it came out. I think it's probably too muffled for most, but I like it. My feeling so far about the modern D is that it can be pretty versatile. Anyway:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ubymerww ... 9gx0p&dl=0

[tack]

Yeah, as predicted, a bit muddy for my tastes. Lovely tune though.

The clipping distortion in places (e.g. 0:26, 0:33, 0:52, etc.), is that an artifact of your processing, or is that in the samples? If the latter, which mic(s) are you using?

I'm finding I'm preferring the Close U87 mics with an external reverb, and I am experimenting with (not sure if I prefer it) with timbre set to 1 to liven things up a bit. Above that it kind of comes off the rails for me.

[Lawrence]

Yeah, as predicted, a bit muddy for my tastes. Lovely tune though.

The clipping distortion in places (e.g. 0:26, 0:33, 0:52, etc.), is that an artifact of your processing, or is that in the samples? If the latter, which mic(s) are you using?

I'm finding I'm preferring the Close U87 mics with an external reverb, and I am experimenting with (not sure if I prefer it) with timbre set to 1 to liven things up a bit. Above that it kind of comes off the rails for me.

Probably over-Satined. Didn’t hear it, thanks for letting me know, will go back and listen!

edit-a bit less....still hearing the distortion?

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9behjefo ... zo650&dl=0

[Ashermusic]

It sounds great, but I'm pretty happy with the choices I already have.

[Lawrence]

I have to say, generally speaking the Modern D has turned out to be a fine purchase for me. At this point I'm usually kicking myself for wasting money, but not this time.

I started out with the default and messed with it and that was fine, however now having gone through the presets (which has been instructional) I have to say the Modern D has handled everything I've thrown at it in an admirably simple manner. Nice clean clear interface, good variety of presets allowing for cinematic (read "muted"), bright pop, classical, bread and butter clean/warm/bright...there's really enough of everything. All in all, an enjoyable, useful purchase.

There will never be the "final" piano, but this one is as versatile an instrument as I'll need for a good while. Desert island stuff.

[Ashermusic]

I have to say, generally speaking the Modern D has turned out to be a fine purchase for me. At this point I'm usually kicking myself for wasting money, but not this time.

I started out with the default and messed with it and that was fine, however now having gone through the presets (which has been instructional) I have to say the Modern D has handled everything I've thrown at it in an admirably simple manner. Nice clean clear interface, good variety of presets allowing for cinematic (read "muted"), bright pop, classical, bread and butter clean/warm/bright...there's really enough of everything. All in all, an enjoyable, useful purchase.

There will never be the "final" piano, but this one is as versatile an instrument as I'll need for a good while. Desert island stuff.

So does it replace the venerable ArtVista Virtual Grand as your "go to"?

[Lawrence]

Yes. I am starting new projects with Modern D and regenerating some old works, though there will be times when I’ll go back to the VGP 2 for its automatic “golden tone.”

Among the far too many pianos I have, I still have a deep affection for the Spitfire Felt when called for, there will be occasional uses for the Abbey Roads “Mrs. Mills” and the vintage sound of the AcousticSamples “Old Black Grand.” I’m fond of the Embertone “Walker”, but Modern D supplants it for me.

Btw, the Spitfire Felt combined with Eventide’s Blackhole ‘verb is something I really love for “cinematic”, whatever in heck that means. Maybe “atmospheric ambient” might be a better description.