Re: Decisions, decisions (Piano Library)
Agreed that the nuances of the larger samples get lost in live band music. Really comes down to personal ease of use for me. I deleted samples i simply don't use. 90% of the time I use the same piano so yes I use the XL for that but any other pianos not the case.
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Re: Decisions, decisions (Piano Library)
Rusty Mike wrote:Paul, I’m happy to share my experiences and thoughts if you find them helpful. You can look up my posts on various other threads where I’ve offered some input on pianos, EQ, amplification, etc.
I will try and see if there is any relevant information in your other posts, should such a question arise.
I do have some quickies of which I am not sure if they justify creating a new thread?
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Re: Decisions, decisions (Piano Library)
hilbilly parade wrote:Agreed that the nuances of the larger samples get lost in live band music. Really comes down to personal ease of use for me. I deleted samples i simply don't use. 90% of the time I use the same piano so yes I use the XL for that but any other pianos not the case.
I estimate that 2 (XL) Grands would be suffice, although I am looking at trying to squeeze an (XL) Upright on as well (I can't fit 3 XL Grands unless I literally wipe everything else within the Piano Section).
However, I have no idea how good the Uprights sound on a gig, and in general; and if I would actually have much use for it? I would have automatically assumed that a player would choose Grands over Uprights (I mean, do you really purchase a Nord to use it as a Upright piano simulator!?). Perhaps if you are in a rock & roll band?
Last edited by monsterjazzlicks on 19 Dec 2019, 20:21, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Decisions, decisions (Piano Library)
I play a lot of big band and small jazz combo stuff. I find the Amber Upright to be ideal for almost everything. It's one of my XL's and I could play it all night.
The nice thing about the uprights is that they have great mid voices and singing treble, but the bass is relatively subdued. You're not interfering with the bass player but your left hand is still very present. Before the Amber came out, I used the Queen Upright. But the Amber is, to me, just a great sounding piano.
I understand the Black Upright is a favorite among some blues pianists. And the Blue Swede has a great personality and a small memory footprint. I'm personally not fond of the Baby or Bambino uprights, but I can see where people might like them.
The nice thing about the uprights is that they have great mid voices and singing treble, but the bass is relatively subdued. You're not interfering with the bass player but your left hand is still very present. Before the Amber came out, I used the Queen Upright. But the Amber is, to me, just a great sounding piano.
I understand the Black Upright is a favorite among some blues pianists. And the Blue Swede has a great personality and a small memory footprint. I'm personally not fond of the Baby or Bambino uprights, but I can see where people might like them.
Mike from Central NJ, USA
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Tools: Ten fingers, two feet, middle-age brain, questionable judgement and taste
Current Nords: Piano 5 73, Electro 6D 73
Ownership History: Electro 2, Electro 3-73 SW, Electro 3HP, Electro 4D, Stage 2EX 76HP
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Re: Decisions, decisions (Piano Library)
Rusty Mike wrote:I play a lot of big band and small jazz combo stuff. I find the Amber Upright to be ideal for almost everything. It's one of my XL's and I could play it all night.
The nice thing about the uprights is that they have great mid voices and singing treble, but the bass is relatively subdued. You're not interfering with the bass player but your left hand is still very present. Before the Amber came out, I used the Queen Upright. But the Amber is, to me, just a great sounding piano.
I understand the Black Upright is a favorite among some blues pianists. And the Blue Swede has a great personality and a small memory footprint. I'm personally not fond of the Baby or Bambino uprights, but I can see where people might like them.
Actually, having a second detailed listen, the Amber does sound like it has great potential.
Yes, the Black Upright does sound like the contender for 'blues' gigs - albeit not a model I would use. Blue Swede is not one I would use either, and a definite no towards the Bambino. Not so sure about the Baby as it sounds quite OK thru my reference speakers.
(Edit. The lower-end of the Baby does not suit my taste at all!)
Last edited by monsterjazzlicks on 19 Dec 2019, 23:07, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Decisions, decisions (Piano Library)
LewTheKeysGuy wrote:Yamaha monitors are rather nice, used to own two pairs, 1 x hs5 pair, 1 x hs8 pair and DT990 Pro's so respect to you on your choice.
Evening Lew,
Yes, I spent ages trying to decide on what would be most complimentary to my wants and needs, and Yamaha seemed to win in more than one instance. I don't have a bad word to say about them. In fact my very first synth (back in 1986) was the Yamaha 'DX21' (and it still one of my favourites). He is a quick composition/demo I made on it 3 or 4 years ago (in case you are interested to hear my style of playing). The 'solo' towards the end was obviously over-dubbed after laying down the initial theme and bass:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhBMlox8zUg
The best ever, by far, phones I owned were the Senheisser 440's, but they are long discontinued. That particular design is simply no more by any manufacturer.
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Re: Decisions, decisions (Piano Library)
monsterjazzlicks wrote:I would have automatically assumed that a player would choose Grands over Uprights (I mean, do you really purchase a Nord to use it as a Upright piano simulator!?).
In fact, I think many do, and not limited to R&R. Nord has a great set of upright samples!
I see and hear a lot of Nords being used on stage or in videos and recordings, and the amount of uprights being used is surprisingly high. It's a sound that appears somewhat trendy (and has been for a while) also in jazz, singer/songwriter, some church music, gospel, etc.
The Amber is also a favorite of mine. The mellow can be really nice too. The baby will cut through any busy mix in styles where it fit (and not annoy the bass player).
So try some of them out
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Re: Decisions, decisions (Piano Library)
baekgaard,
You're right about uprights being used in surprisingly high numbers. When I listen to the radio, I mostly listen to an Adult Album Alternative station, and I realized only recently how many detuned uprights I was listening to. The Bambino (XL) has accordingly become my current favorite upright, followed by the Black. When I play Keith Emerson's piano coda in The Sheriff, or even when I want to play a little Scott Joplin, I may use the Saloon for a hoot (I can only take so much of that sound, however, even though it's not as jangly as the Baby). On the other hand, though, several of the uprights sound to me like they're trying to be grands, and so I don't get particularly excited about them - I'd just rather play a grand. Just my opinion...
You're right about uprights being used in surprisingly high numbers. When I listen to the radio, I mostly listen to an Adult Album Alternative station, and I realized only recently how many detuned uprights I was listening to. The Bambino (XL) has accordingly become my current favorite upright, followed by the Black. When I play Keith Emerson's piano coda in The Sheriff, or even when I want to play a little Scott Joplin, I may use the Saloon for a hoot (I can only take so much of that sound, however, even though it's not as jangly as the Baby). On the other hand, though, several of the uprights sound to me like they're trying to be grands, and so I don't get particularly excited about them - I'd just rather play a grand. Just my opinion...
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Re: Decisions, decisions (Piano Library)
baekgaard wrote:I see and hear a lot of Nords being used on stage or in videos and recordings, and the amount of uprights being used is surprisingly high. It's a sound that appears somewhat trendy (and has been for a while) also in jazz, singer/songwriter, some church music, gospel, etc.
Hi baekgaard,
Actually I tried a couple of uprights with a Fretless-Bass SPLIT in the LH, and it sounded quite good! A bit more 'punchy' than the Grands in this particular scenario. I also felt that I could hear the 'panning', from L to R, more clearly on the Uprights than on the Grands.
Paul
Last edited by monsterjazzlicks on 21 Dec 2019, 16:46, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Decisions, decisions (Piano Library)
LewTheKeysGuy wrote:Ah yes, fond memories of the DX series, the DX27 was pretty much the first FM synth i studied on, what a swine to program. loved it though for those characterful bells as used by Jean Michel Jarre on ethnicolour. I've always fancied owning a DX7-IIFD but never got around to taking one on in the old studio.
Afternoon Lew,
I tried a 'DX27' but preferred the 'DX21' because you could SPLIT and LAYER, it had separate L&R OUTS, and a built-in CHORUS FX. But the former has an extra circa 60 presets and so it's swings and roundabouts.
Paul
Last edited by monsterjazzlicks on 21 Dec 2019, 17:06, edited 1 time in total.
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