Does anyone think the mid-range on Emotional Piano is too thick/slightly muddy?
Has anyone got more thoughts on the Bechstein Digital, VI Keys, Imperfect Samples Ebony Fazioli or Vienna Imperial ?
I can offer an opinion on VI Labs Ravenscroft, Bechstein, Fazioli and the Imperfect Samples Ebony Fazioli Complete edition:
VI Labs Ravenscroft 275: Top shelf sampled piano, with all features implemented in great detail. The tone to my ears (and others) is a very modern, polished, clean and somewhat clinical sound. Fantastic for some uses, but lacking warmth and character for some of the more 'heartfelt' type tunes I sometimes write & play.
VI Labs TrueKeys Bechstein: Love it, and prefer it to the Ravenscroft. Has more wood/body in the tone to my ears, and not as sterile as the Ravenscroft (but beautifully sampled and programmed).
VI Labs TrueKeys Fazioli: Don't play it much to be honest. An acquired taste, and very dynamic with a huge bass (also very well sampled and programmed). Some have complained about some phasing issues with multiple mic sets, but I haven't used it enough to make a call on that. I have played a real Fazioli (210cm grand) and it was stunning. The overall sound signature is not as complex as a Steinway in overtones/harmonics (more pure fundamental tones) but I found that can be a good thing in an accompanying role with a singer, or in a classical piano trio.
Imperfect Samples Ebony Fazioli Complete: I entered into the Imperfect world with the Basic version, and soon upgraded to Pro and then Complete (yeah, I'm a sucker, but each upgrade offers more velocity layers and mic perspectives). This would be in the top 3 unique, character-filled sampled grand pianos I own (the others being the
ArtVista VGP3 and Malmsjo). If you want to fool a listener into thinking your piano solo was recorded on a real acoustic piano (with less complex piano playing I might add), this should be on your list to investigate (along with the ArtVista pianos). Not just for soft playing though - the Imperfect Fazioli can really 'bite' if you need it to (the website demos don't really illustrate this).
Hope that helps.