Improvising some big sounds on Pianoteq's new Bösendorfer model

philbestmusic.... Listen to Pianoteq's new Bösendorfer - a massive piano with a tremendous, thick, warm tone.

[@pianoproducer]

Stunning playing as always Phil. You're the first person I check in with when a new Pianoteq model is released. You "get" it and manage to extract the very best from them. Your new studio layout is looking much better too :)

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you!

[@danniielle]

Absolutely beautiful playing! 💖💖 Piano is my primary instrument and I've recently been seriously reconsidering getting Pianoteq. My current go-to VSTi for piano is Keyscape. This Bosendorfer just sounds delightful to me and you really explore the full dynamic capacity of Pianoteq wonderfully here.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you!

[@sallywebber6579]

Thank you so much for your lovely improvisation on the new Bosendorfer. You bring out the amazing qualities of the new model so very well, bless your heart. Don't stop posting and being yourself. All our love, Chris and Sally

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@simonpsweet]

Damn, what a gorgeous improvisation Mr. Best You have got to be the best ambassador for PianoTeq they could ever ask for. I am so thrilled to see the Bosendorfer added to the collection. The first time I played a Bosendorfer was a life changing experience. I have always joked that they must sprinkle some kind of fairy dust on the soundboard, so it was funny to hear you reference "fairy dust" as well. Keep on keeping on Phil, I love what you do.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you so much! I'm not an ambassador for Pianoteq in any official capacity; I try to avoid the role of representative, influencer or gear reviewer. I just enjoy playing with Pianoteq!

[@christree553]

I moved to Pianoteq when they made it available to iOS. It often even exceeds the dynamic response and playability of a real piano or grand. That has some real inspiring quality to it and loads fast as lightning if you use it in your favorite DAW witch I do a lot for composing. But I can’t help it, it always sounds a little too synthetic to me, every preset has that CP-70 vibe to it. I tried ignoring that fact the best I could but even my band members and the audience could hear, so I returned to playing samples on stage, using a NordStage4. I will definitely get my hands on the new Bösendorfer and keep using PTQ, it’s an amazing tool for inspiration but just doesn’t quite meet the standard for me when it comes to a live performance or professional recording, but who knows how far this technology can get in future. Don’t get me wrong I love Pianoteq and all the development that is still in progress!

[@HerrBakran]

Interesting observation about the CP-70-vibe! That is exactly what I have heard when playing my various pianos in the Pianoteq collection. And it tears me apart because the idea and result of Pianoteqs modelling is absolutely astonishing when looking at it from a performer’s view, but when it comes to the sound there are some work left to be done. I don’t know if it’s because the modelling lacks some ingredients (algorithms) to fully reproduce the piano sound in various environments, but sometimes it sounds to clean/synthetic. Of course you’re able to throw in some dirt (equaliser, reverb, tweaks in the modelling and so forth) to make it sound more natural, but tweaking an already synthetic sound won’t take the synthetic sound away. With this in mind, I am willing to admit that the Bösendorfer modell almost has reached the point where the CP-70~vibe has disappeared. So, there is room - and knowledge - for improvement and I hope Modartt are up for the challenge!

[@SirWhiteRabbit-gr5so]

I'm continually amazed at the excellence available digitally today. Over the years my mother donated the family's pianos and the Hammond organ to several music schools as they downsized. I do still have several digital keyboards with midi capability that eventually I'll upgrade with better VSTs. I'm currently relearning piano in my semi-retirement.

[@jvburnes]

Wow that's really beautiful. It has a very graceful, yet mellow character. Almost like a piano from a film score from the 70s. Burnished and beautiful. BTW: Excellent performance.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you!

[@andy-simmons]

Absolutely gorgeous improv. Love this!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks a lot!

[@interrestrial9815]

I have been playing this new sound set for a couple of hours now. Even though I know it is new-and of course, because it is new-it is seductive-I will say this is a wonderful and much-appreciated set of sounds that I can already see fitting in and perhaps dominating certain styles. It is money well spent. Thanks for the review.

[@PhilBestMusic]

🙂

[@pporcile]

Your demonstrations are standars of quality and beauty of sounds and deep music. Thanks and please keep doing what you do , without you ptq would not be the same. Bless and peace❤❤❤❤

[@PhilBestMusic]

Aw, thanks so much! I just love playing music on the piano and Pianoteq (along with a nice keybed and good speakers) feels close to playing a real one (or 40!).

[@stephenll_musicman]

Thank you for making this video. I really enjoyed your playing and that Pianoteq sound!

[@PhilBestMusic]

My pleasure! Thanks for listening!

[@MrFn65]

Nice demo of the great Bosendorfer Phil! I can’t wait to get it. It’s a lovely improvisation!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks!

[@Paulo-bk3fi]

Beautiful… Thanks so much.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you!

[@thefreereed]

Wow awesome improv, thanks for sharing. I love PTQ.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks for listening

[@jakeperl5857]

Always loved Pianoteq but the new Böse really takes it up another notch...I just can't take my hands off of it 😍

[@revp01]

Amazing demo Amazing playing

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

The universe is listening to me ;) Just the other day I was playing with Pianoteq and went: when will they do a Bösendorfer. This morning I saw their tweet, and now this. Thanks!

[@PhilBestMusic]

All we need now is a Fazioli!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

@@PhilBestMusic My thoughts exactly! Even a real one wouldn't hurt. After all, they're located not that far from me. It wouldn't fit through the door but hey... 1st world problems

[@snurrfint]

@@PhilBestMusic I really want more upright options too. There is already like 10 flagship grand pianos in the product. Bösendorfer is one of the better ones though. A dream would be if they added more upright options to the U4 pack for free like they did with one of the Petrofs I think?

[@PhilBestMusic]

@DarkSideofSynth Angela Hewitt had that problem, I believe!

[@PhilBestMusic]

@snurrfint I do like the U4, especially with the felt pedal on. So I agree, some more uprights would be nice.

[@philhuston9426]

When I described the GM Bosendofer edit to Mr. Hancock, A Bosendorfer endorser, I said On the bottom I like it buttery, and if I lean on it I want to hear the wood and some brass, and up here I like it clean and clear and if I spank it I want it to ring like a bell. He said I'll have some of that and disappeared into the cans for 20 minutes. Something highly unusual for a digital piano. Now that I can have one in Pianoteq (I'm no virtuoso) I'm off to the shop. Regardless of what piano you prefer, there's something intimate with a Bosendorfer, like you can have a conversation with it. Enthusiastic, laid back, magical...It's all there. Thanks for the listen to the piano, not me demo. Wonderful stuff.

[@PhilBestMusic]

😀

[@crnova7]

Just upgraded from version 6 and I am completely back to Pianoteq. Your improvisation is inspiring.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks!

[@ZengHuaXiansheng]

This sounds amazing and I also like your style of improvisation!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@secretfirefox6880]

When I first heard Pianoteq, I was amazed by the fact it did not use samples. Then I heard some samples libraries out there and I thought their sound was just incomparably better. Well, here I am now amazed by this Bösendorfer model that they made! If it sounds like this out of the box when I test this, I am definitely going to consider this for my new piano library. I use Linux, and there aren't many sample libraries which run in here, because they are made for Windows. Pianoteq has a native application for Linux. This is an exciting day indeed.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I love playing all the Pianoteq pianos and have for many years. But I think these things are very subjective. The Roland pianos in my Fantom are great too but I just have more fun with Pianoteq. As for sampled pianos... they do sound really fantastic but just don't respond to my expressive input in the same way as modelled or real pianos. Each to their own!

[@davemurphy1]

Added the bosendofer after watching - stunning.

[@PhilBestMusic]

👍

[@bobmason1361]

Exciting! I was looking to buy Pianoteq, but couldn't decide on the Piano. Now i know. Big thanks for the review.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I'm glad it helped, although I must admit, I'm no reviewer - no comparisons or comprehensive insights. I just share what I enjoy.

[@bobmason1361]

@@PhilBestMusic perhaps I meant... Thanks for the early demonstration and your thoughts and fine playing of the new piano 👍😉

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks!

[@aziazitube]

Wonderful in all aspects ! 👏👏👏👏 As a user of pianoteq, would appreciate very much the exact parameters of this specific Bösendorfer sound you play … so wonderfully…

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! It's the default preset Bösendorfer VC Warm with a little multiband compression (Waves C6 - Piano B preset) to contro things a little.

[@aziazitube]

@@PhilBestMusic thank you! I really appreciate your playing, the sounds of the pianoteq, and it is the most “undigital” digital piano sound… And your answer. Thank you.

[@aziazitube]

@@PhilBestMusic thank you again… for your awesome playing, and the sound of the pianoteq which i find as most “undigital” digital piano sound… And for your attention and answer. Some spontaneous of mine , if fine with you : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5SphJSLpNqXodUsi=vsE_-seBEeuQyvkJ

[@TechM3X]

Sounds facking amazing! 🤯

[@PhilBestMusic]

;-)

[@amitev]

Thanks for the playing! I personally find the Bösendorfer really nice for jazz. P.S. when you play, all pianos sound great.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Aw thanks!

[@newgale1]

I love your pianoteq videos. Thanks for all the inspiration and information. Can you tell me what headphones you use for pianoteq? Thanks

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! The headphones are very cheap Sennheisers. I normally use my in-ear Shure SE 535s but I sometimes get ear infections :-( and can't use them!

[@seok84]

Wow! I do prefer this one more than the concert d ! Nice!

[@PhilBestMusic]

My prefernce is the other way round! Each to their own, of course!

[@jonasaras]

You say that about all the Pianoteq models!

[@PhilBestMusic]

I definitely do not say the same thing about every model. I have my preferences and this one is not my favourite. But there's definitely something about Pianoteq overall that I like a lot - more than the Roland sounds in my Fantom, for example. But these things are of course highly subjective.

[@maximuswilliam318]

I have a question on auxiliary notes How do we add auxiliary notes when we change harmonic blocks If I play a C block and tag it as a home, it is clear that D, F, A, B, are the auxiliary notes But If I change harmonic block let's say G block as my away block from C home block Which one are the auxiliary notes? A, C, E, F, (no sharps or flats) or A, C, E, F# (one sharp)

[@PhilBestMusic]

Either! It depends on the diatonic block you're currently in. Also, we can have chromatic auxiliary notes too, which can sound very fruity.

[@maximuswilliam318]

@PhilBestMusic Thanks! I understand now :)

[@pekkalaine-loungevibes74]

Hi! And thanks for this and other great videos. Truly Amazing improvisations which proves me that biggest part of piano sound is playing itself. 👏👏👏 May I ask you a question about Roland Fantom: how would you rate this as a piano(teq) controller? I am thinking of switching from Nord to perhaps back Roland and Fantom is my one option. Not of course only because of piano keys but other specs (synths, sequencer etc.) too.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! I really like my Fantom: the sounds, the key action, it's all great! But I do think these things are subjective. Yamaha, Kawai, Nord, etc. - there are so many good instruments out there. I don't try them, though, as I just stick with what I like.

[@gregsaddie]

The 280vc that's being modelled..is a little different then the Imperial Grand..

[@wout123100]

what i would love is a kb with pianoteq included, as an engine,so you can play without computer.

[@PhilBestMusic]

That would be nice!

[@benjaminpeternorris]

I have a feeling it already exists - unless it was some kind of kickstarter project.

[@lshwadchuck5643]

I resisted Pianoteq for years because I felt that way. I went for the VPC1 partly because it has no engine at all.

[@ampac]

@@benjaminpeternorris which models are you referring to? There are several keyboards from different brands (and VSTs) that do include modelling, some to complement sampling, others as the primary sound generator, but none that I am aware of uses pianoteq engine and its instruments. However, apart from licensing and other constraints, it would be completely straightforward to build a keyboard with pianoteq as sound engine using current technology.

[@christophwindheuser3252]

Wonderful music and demo, Phil! Can you say something about your setup? Are you using any sound processing other than Pianoteq, like, EQs, reverbs, postprocessing etc.? When I play Pianoteq myself (with no other sound post-processing) it always sounds a bit dry and artificial. So I am wondering if you use some post processing for this recording. Thanks!

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thank you! In this instance, I'm just using the Bösendorfer warm preset with very light post-processing using Waves L3-LL. I generally find Pianoteq's pianos sound slightly thick or woolly, so I put them through Waves C6, Piano B preset. I tend to use presets whenever I can, with only slight tweaks to avoid the sound engineering workload and have more time for making music.

[@FrankLeisterMusic]

@@PhilBestMusic I also find most of Pianoteq's piano sound to be too heavy in the bottom-end and lower-mids. So I always have FabFilter EQ on the Pianoteq track using a Tilt Shelf EQ crossing over at 677 Hz... with +3 on the top side, and -3 on the bottom side.

[@rudymahdeo8823]

Hi Plil, nice playing . What is that new keyboard you are using ?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Thanks! It's a Roland Fantom 8 EX.

[@jenstornell]

Do you know a good Pianoteq piano for the Disney ballad sound? Ballad but light. Like Dont Stop Belevin?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Try the YC5 using stereophonic rather than mics! Then EQ it: cut the bass, lift the upper mids! Finally, add a smooth chorus! Make sure there's a bass part! If the piano alone does the bass it'll be very light.

[@maximuswilliam318]

I have a question on changing harmonic blocks I have doubts if I practicing the right things. If I change harmonic block for example: C block (as home) to Am block (as away). If I change harmonic block, do I need to feel that they are working together? or they are just separate sounds that it just happens that we relate it? It is hard to pinpoint my concern here and I ask because for example a C block (home) sounds different in C block (as away). I didn't feel C block as the C blocks sounds in the C diatonic block of no sharps or flats if it is used in G diatonic blocks of one sharp. That's all Hoping for a feedback.

[@PhilBestMusic]

I don't really understand what you're saying here. What I do understand is the clear relationship between doubt and overthinking. Clearly, you're overthinking!

[@maximuswilliam318]

@PhilBestMusic I'm just confused if I am going to think in terms of individual harmonic blocks or harmonic blocks in the context of diatonic blocks. For example, an F harmonic has auxiliary notes G, Bb, D, and E, and it sounds like you are in a one flat diatonic blocks (key signature), which F block is home. I don't know if G, B, D, and E, can be auxiliary notes of an F block. However, if that's the case, the F block may no longer sound home in a diatonic block of one diatonic blocks, but it sounds like away in a diatonic blocks of no sharps and flats. But I am not sure if this stuff that I am thinking is right.

[@PhilBestMusic]

You're right, if I understand what you're saying OK. Read the material carefully! It is explained. Any diatonic block contains 6 harmonic blocks and any one of them can be home (making the other 5 away). So in a diatonic block of 0#/b (all the white keys), if F is home, the tonal flavour is lydian; if G is home, it's mixolydian; if C is home it's the favourite mode of the classical western tradition during the 18th century and still popular in a lot of music but not as prevalent as we might imagine - ionian. Maybe you're still thinking in keys...

[@maximuswilliam318]

@PhilBestMusic Maybe music is not major (ionian) or minor (aeolian) always. Maybe it can become a mixolidian or lydian or any mode as the music goes. By the way Thank You Very Much for making me understand this.

[@PhilBestMusic]

Not maybe, definitely. The concept of key is very misleading indeed.

[@gregsullivan7408]

Can Pianoteq sound like the piano in "New York State Of Mind" yet?

[@PhilBestMusic]

I'll let someone else answer that...

[@nugzar.paitchadzepaitchadze]

it is pianteq's preset right ?

[@PhilBestMusic]

Yes, no changes!

[@alvinyoung911]

@@PhilBestMusic Which preset? Thanks

[@PhilBestMusic]

The first one, I think: called "warm".