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Re: New Astoria Grand: Where Does It Rank
Posted: 22 Dec 2025, 10:25
by Nordine
It’s a shame. I would have expected a Bright version of the Soft Piano version, a revised version of the Grand Lady D, a CFX Yamaha, or a new Clavinet.
Re: New Astoria Grand: Where Does It Rank
Posted: 22 Dec 2025, 13:20
by cbluff
Sounds very nice on my Elector 5D 61.
Cuts through the mix.
I'll use it over Grand Lady D,
Re: New Astoria Grand: Where Does It Rank
Posted: 22 Dec 2025, 13:47
by Rusty Mike
Nordine wrote: 22 Dec 2025, 10:25
It’s a shame. I would have expected a Bright version of the Soft Piano version, a revised version of the Grand Lady D, a CFX Yamaha, or a new Clavinet.
As I keep telling my wife, expectations always lead to disappointment.
Re: New Astoria Grand: Where Does It Rank
Posted: 22 Dec 2025, 17:12
by maxpiano
Rusty Mike wrote: 22 Dec 2025, 13:47
Nordine wrote: 22 Dec 2025, 10:25
It’s a shame. I would have expected a Bright version of the Soft Piano version, a revised version of the Grand Lady D, a CFX Yamaha, or a new Clavinet.
As I keep telling my wife, expectations always lead to disappointment.
Re: New Astoria Grand: Where Does It Rank
Posted: 22 Dec 2025, 21:43
by SteveNordP3
Initial reaction - it sounds really good. I doubt it will replace White for me, but it’s very tasty as a mellower sound (though for me, changing the touch in the Nord Grand with my particular hammer fists achieved a brighter tone). I really like it. Probably will work great for solo stuff - not so great with others, but it’s a good one to have in the tool kit.
Side note / the upgraded Sound Manager is much better.
Re: New Astoria Grand: Where Does It Rank
Posted: 23 Dec 2025, 12:16
by Nordine
Rusty Mike wrote: 22 Dec 2025, 13:47
Nordine wrote: 22 Dec 2025, 10:25
It’s a shame. I would have expected a Bright version of the Soft Piano version, a revised version of the Grand Lady D, a CFX Yamaha, or a new Clavinet.
As I keep telling my wife, expectations always lead to disappointment.
Hahahahahahha!!!
Re: New Astoria Grand: Where Does It Rank
Posted: 26 Dec 2025, 21:39
by Gambold
>a revised version of the Grand Lady D<
That's probably the oldest and most-made request on this forum. It should be clear by now that we will never see it, so we should stop asking for it.
I don't think Clavia has those old keyboards just lying around. To get a revised version of the Grand Lady D, they'd have to go out and find that model, and one in pretty decent shape to make it worth the effort. They aren't going to do that...just like we won't see another Bosendorfer, Fazioli, or Kawai.
Re: New Astoria Grand: Where Does It Rank
Posted: 01 Jan 2026, 17:58
by kirsty
This must be the first sample since the Royal 3D that actually has made me want to play it more.
The Imperial/Lady D are my main AP goto's and this is a totally different twist. A more mellow sound but not so mellow it becomes unplayable/unusable like say the Soft Grand or Velvet. It has a really pleasant tone across the keyboard and is a delight to play, very expressive. I noticed it has a lot of sustain compared to a lot of the other samples which decay very abruptly.
Its a keeper for now and will try it out live soon and see how it might fit in.
Still ever baffled by the love for the White Piano - I still havent managed to find a combination of settings which make it sound pleasant to my ears yet - conversation for another thread!
Re: New Astoria Grand: Where Does It Rank
Posted: 01 Jan 2026, 20:33
by Rusty Mike
kirsty wrote: 01 Jan 2026, 17:58
. . . The Imperial/Lady D are my main AP goto's . . .
. . . [Astoria Grand] has a really pleasant tone across the keyboard and is a delight to play, very expressive. . .
. . . Still ever baffled by the love for the White Piano . . .
I think it’s purely a matter of what fits one’s ear. I like the Grand Lady D but find the Imperial too thin and fragile in the upper register. I’ve never gotten along with the Royal 3D.
I can attest to what others hear, but the White Grand works well in my situation with my amplification. It just seems to suit my environment. Your ears obviously hear differently.
I like the Astoria Grand in the home studio, and am eager to get it out to rehearsal on Jan 5.
Re: New Astoria Grand: Where Does It Rank
Posted: 01 Jan 2026, 22:39
by cphollis
kirsty wrote: 01 Jan 2026, 17:58
This must be the first sample since the Royal 3D that actually has made me want to play it more.
The Imperial/Lady D are my main AP goto's and this is a totally different twist. A more mellow sound but not so mellow it becomes unplayable/unusable like say the Soft Grand or Velvet. It has a really pleasant tone across the keyboard and is a delight to play, very expressive. I noticed it has a lot of sustain compared to a lot of the other samples which decay very abruptly.
Its a keeper for now and will try it out live soon and see how it might fit in.
Still ever baffled by the love for the White Piano - I still havent managed to find a combination of settings which make it sound pleasant to my ears yet - conversation for another thread!
The reason the White Grand is my go-to sound is that it sits cleanly in just about any live band mix: well-defined without being obnoxiously bright. I would not play it solo. I can't say that about many of the other piano samples, which I think are far better for solo and light acoustic work.