It's that time again - what are your top 3 acoustic samples?

[Projet Xion]

For me White Grand XL is definitevely the best "all around" grand piano.
I use a lot Italian Grand too in XL format. It has one of the best sustain (with White Grand).

[afroskully]

Thanks Gambold... I love these threads every so often as it gets me to re-evaluate what i'm using and try some other samples i tend to gloss over.
White and Amber XLs have been my go to's with the bambino and recently the felt piano just for something to mess around with at home (never live). I've never had the Bright on my board for more than a quick listen, but maybe it's time to load it up for a gig to see what it can really do.

The Bosie and the Velvet have been the ones i've tried out live the most, while always eventually taking them off to try something else.

[Gambold]

Subjectively the "Grand Imperial" is definitively the best piano for everything.

[PScooter63]

I can’t specify a top three. For any given three-hour gig, I use many, each for the personality they impart to a given chart.
If I had to give up ANY of the following, I would sulk. In no specific order:

White
Silver
Imperial
Italian
Grand Lady
Black Upright
Grand Upright
Bambino

(I am oddly averse to Royal 3D in a live band setting. I’ve tried it twice, and removed it both times within two weeks. It just doesn’t speak to me. Yes, my band’s PA/monitoring is stereo, it’s not a mono-summing thing.)

[IanzKeys]

For me...

When playing In a band: White L.
In a trio or solo: White XL
And for something a bit different (usually Cold Play related): Bambino.

[bluetrain]

I've only used Royal 3D XL, which came default on my NS3. Been very pleased with it, so haven't really wanted to explore other options. Sounds like I should give Silver and White a whirl. For those who favored others besides Royal, what about the Royal led you to choose another? I see some mention of "cutting through a mix in a band" which wouldn't be a concern for me, as I do all my work with headphones in my home.

[agcohn]

I've only used Royal 3D XL, which came default on my NS3. Been very pleased with it, so haven't really wanted to explore other options. Sounds like I should give Silver and White a whirl. For those who favored others besides Royal, what about the Royal led you to choose another? I see some mention of "cutting through a mix in a band" which wouldn't be a concern for me, as I do all my work with headphones in my home.

The Royal 3D is a beautiful sounding sample. For me the overall sound profile just isn't distinct enough from the White Grand for me to have both loaded. I prefer the richness of the White, while others might lean toward the sound of the Royal. They are both great standard grand piano options.

The other samples I have loaded besides the White (Bright/Amber/Grand) were chosen specifically because they sounded different from the White.

[PScooter63]

I should have tempered my comments earlier… if it’s solo piano, or perhaps in a chamber/classical setting, the Royal 3D shines, and it would be on my short list…
Regardless, having this many great samples in one box is downright luxurious!

[Frantz]

Btw , who knows which manufacturer and model is the white grand sampled from ?

[harmonizer]

I'm still in single speaker mode (using only one powered speaker, and output to our covers band's mixing board), and I'm never going to change that, and I have not yet justified an upgrade from my old Electro 3. When I play in our 7 piece covers band, I play piano parts that are not the feature part, parts that are simple, where the main requirement is to punch through but not step on the rest of the band noises. So for now my covers band go-to AP sound is not in my Electro, but is in my Roland FA-07.

I know Nord has a much better solution available for me with my single speaker/line mode via the White Grand, which I will be able to enjoy whenever I upgrade to a newer Electro or Stage.

Just during the last 2 months our covers band finally retooled its lineup and played our first 2 live indoor gigs since COVID started. If I see more definite signs that we will hold together I might spring for a Nord upgrade.