Piano Shootout | NOIRE vs Ravenscroft vs Keyscape

[@RabihRihana]

Part 2 (2021 version): kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3_ckIigpdeHqpI

[@saboo_tage]

Never mind the libraries, your playing is beautiful!!

[@RabihRihana]

Thanks saboo 🙏🏻

[@flermusikk]

I was using Ravenscroft 275 for a long time, but when I played Noire... Damnnn... That feeling... Idk how to explain, but I felt like I was truly playing something made with soul by itself... The best...

[@SugarTouch]

I agree. Noire feels like you're really playing it. The most expensive and detailed libraries are made for composers and producers and sound like they're on stage somewhere else. Keyscape Classic preset works well for me too but since I bought Noire it's my favourite ! Libraries are hardly divided by composer's toolkits and players "friends" and price doesn't help to choose. You must try it to find your best friend here. Whatever it sounds. Let engineers do their job. It's about playing, not about sounding...

[@maulcs]

@@SugarTouch Perfectly stated, it's the first time with a VST I felt like I was actually playing the instrument.

[@RA-el6zj]

​@@SugarTouch On point. Noire really does feel like you're actually playing it. They really did an amazing job at accomplishing that. Playability is top notch as well, but I wish it had una corda.

[@danielgoodger3691]

I own all of these pianos. I just got Noire the other day. For me, it's not about choosing one over another. They all have a niche. I will say that for me, Ravenscroft still has it when it comes to a plain old concert grand sound. It's lovely, with so much character and range. Noire is beautiful but it's the only piano library I've ever heard that sounds inherently "sad" or melancholic. I like to be able to achieve it if I want to but not have it imposed. So, it's good for certain types of music, perhaps not so much for others. The Keyscape C7 is not the same as the others, it's a shorter piano of a type with a reputation for a different kind of sound. It's brasher and more present. I suppose sometimes you want bit of rough. In day to day usage I actually usually go for the Ivory 2 Steinway D, just because it goes with everything in the varied show I play on. I have 20 pianos in my collection and I see a good reason to own every single one.

[@RabihRihana]

Agreed. Unfortunately i don't share the same thoughts about Ivory. I had the Ivory ACD and deleted it from my SSD. Too cold and the string resonance in it is almost non-existent. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@michaelkaercher]

I think the "sadness" you refer to is related to the mellow setup. I think you should be easily be able to overcome that by adjusting it brighter. In general, I like the sound of each of those pianos.

[@keonphillips348]

It's about preference but Ravenscroft stands alone in my opinion

[@chromaticvisuelle]

What about Pianoteq and Hammer+waves ?

[@pb_jansn]

Thanks for the review.

[@RabihRihana]

- NOIRE default preset: 0:00 - Ravenscroft: 4:16 - Keyscape: 8:31 - NOIRE custom preset: 12:23

[@JPDC624]

This is exactly the kind of comparison that works, where you take the time to individually play each patch, and extensively at that, as well as with a highly talented level of playing... we can REALLY hear what these libraries are about in this manner, so thanks! To repeat myself, Noire and Keyscapes just muddied the decision waters, because they are seriously good libraries. Too bad Synchron isn't returnable...

[@LighthalzenSS]

Noire wins♡

[@96szilder]

I love that on Keyscape they paid much attention on the details of the note, like release or sustained notes resonating with each other. I don't feel this on the other two VST-s, but Noire's sound is pretty nice though.

[@Swizzenator]

Holy moly Batman. Those high key runs are effin nuts. Beautiful nuts. The dynamics on your preset are again . . . . .nuts. Beautiful playing.

[@RabihRihana]

Thank you Mike!

[@LorenzoYearby]

I like Noire, and yes if you listen to them alone you may cannot tell, but man when you hear Keyscape...................Everyone has their preference, but Keyscape is the most authentic to me.

[@donwittbrodt-donsprojects7507]

I keep going back to the Ravenscroft 275 as the best sounding of any I have heard, so far. To be fair, I am a guitar player (for 46 years, now) but I started life as a piano student and enjoy writing music on piano, keyboard and guitar. Thank you for playing all over the keyboard and showing us great examples of what these emulations can do. Wonderful job!!!

[@RabihRihana]

Thank you Don!

[@Perfect_sound]

Noire is pure magic. I tried so many piano patches and it is closer to ideal than the others in my taste. Also chroma piano has interesting sound

[@RA-el6zj]

I agree. It is very good. Only downside is it has no una corda or even a simulation.

[@hvanmegen]

I used to think Keyscape was the best, until I met Noire and Nils Frahm's handpicked beauty...

[@devidasa9637]

Thank you Rabih! For inspiration, I always gravitate to the Noire...and I made a custom preset very similar to yours here. For a "neutral" piano, keyscape for me. All are beautiful.

[@RabihRihana]

Thanks devi!

[@okay1904]

Wow, 5 years after I listened to this video and made comments, it's incredible to think of how well these libraries have stood the test of time. 5 years is a very long time and there is not that much better out there, for the money. My listening tools have improved a whole lot since then, and I can really hear so much better. The passage of time also has made me think a whole lot more about piano samples, as well as all the time I have played on the piano I use regularly - a Yamaha CP33 stage piano. What are the differences between these pianos. 1. Stereo balance of low notes to high notes. 2. The touch sensitivity also differs. How the timbre changes from low velocities to higher velocities. 3. Of course tone differs, the pianos are not the same. 4. The sense of space differs. It is rather obvious on critical listen that the Ravenscroft "patch" in this comparison is close miked, compared to the Noire. Not a bad thing, just very close like one's ear is right next to the strings. Which may be ok for some things, but a bit more "space" would have made the Ravenscroft sound more natural. 5. The width of the instrument. With the Keyscape, it has its own unique perspective of width, close miked and wider than the other two, which gives it its own unique sound, in comparison. All three of them demonstrate a phenomenal quality of sampling, no noise whatsoever, a massive credit to the huge effort, taken to sample each of them. I did not expect to like the Keyscape piano, but in this comparison, it was the one which stood out to me as - this is a real piano, it fooled me, into a sense of realism, and I wonder why? The timbre range from soft notes to loud notes, in my opinion was the most pronounced, so this was the more expressive piano, to my ears. Just sounded like someone playing a real piano. And not like a piano sample. That variation in tone and expression based on velocity, helped convey the emotion and intention of the piano player best. From warm soft notes to louder notes with added overtones. But of course each of them has its own merits., just something about the Keyscape that touched me more. Could be cos it was the loudest in this recording. It had both the note to note clarity, that was better to me, maybe it was the stereo width that increased this sense of separation. In real life, I doubt if one would hear such a huge width when listening to a piano, at the player position or anywhere else in the room. But these are things that can be fixed with plugins, to further widen or narrow the stereo width. There was something more intimate about the Keyscape, for the kind of music played here. The notes were percussive without being excessively so, remaining very organic. Could also be the obvious overtones on the higher velocities, hard to tell exactly. The Noire custom preset, was not NOT bad, approximating some of the intimacy and stereo width and dynamic tonal variety of the Keyscape, but with more depth and distance from the listener, not as close miked sounding as the Keyscape. All lovely expositions, and this video demonstrates that there are excellent tools out there, that will suit most kinds of music. I still loved the Keyscape the most but the NOIRE custom preset was also very exquisite. Great music by Rabih, as always.

[@RabihRihana]

You never cease to make me smile with satisfaction when I read your breakdowns. People who are passionate about this can totally relate and I'm no exception. Keyscape does have this "extra" body and presence to it due to what I believe are the effects within the patches. Spectrasonics infuse their signature tape saturation in pretty much every patch in Keyscape C7. This plus the fact that the piano itself is a unique C7 due to the special felt installed in it. Add to that Spectrasonics genius engineering and voila!

[@alrick3000]

NOIRE sounds warm and intimate, but gets easily drowned out. Keyscape sounds full and easily cuts through a mix, but lacks a tiny bit of warmth.

[@Perfect_sound]

Keyscape sounds to round!

[@KRISNAMUSIK]

NOIRE much more awesome sounding , AMAZING

[@kevincourcey813]

thanks for this. Keyscape sounds better than expected but perhaps a bit compressed. The Noire (which I own) seems quite beautiful as well when played by someone who knows what they're doing...;)

[@StopchangingMyHandlePunk]

For now i will grab noire... Keycape is amazing used it sometime ago at a friends studio, budget only permits Noire as its on sale right now for 75$ and I shall adhere...will get Keycape later...If only I could also buy ur playing skills damn !!!!!

[@hojung8945]

All the piano sounds besides, your playing is amazing!

[@RabihRihana]

HOJUNG Thank You!

[@jacobsmith1877]

I really love the definition on Noire and the expansive sound, but the warmth and mid bite of Keyscape kind of wins for me here comparing the default sounds. Ravenscroft sounds too thin for my tastes. The custom Noire preset is amazing. Combined with your playing it is just a perfect tone. You play kind of like Tigran; just beautiful.

[@RabihRihana]

Thank you Jacob! First time I hear of Tigran, had to google him. I'm a big fan (actually a fan boy) of Aziza Mustafa Zadeh. Please check her out!

[@nikolacelic6408]

I was thinking of Tigran Hamasyan as well! :)

[@pianoproducer]

Really enjoyed this Ribah - both your playing and the comparison, especially when you went to the trouble of playing each piano, instead of the usual same MIDI file played back with different pianos approach. Now you need to go back to that improvisation with your favourite and produce a new track - it's a lovely theme you've explored there.

[@pianoproducer]

Just listening again and I think that last Noire take is very close to a keeper!

[@RabihRihana]

Thank You Graig, appreciate the words. At the end, that's what it all comes down to: Finding the right one to trigger the inspiration :)

[@RabihRihana]

@@pianoproducer Noire is great. I should have included much more variations, like for example my custom preset on the Ravenscroft. But then the video will be too long. Too many options, too many possibilities.

[@echosynthe5i5]

Noire... what a nice piano

[@keysbythenumbers]

Ahhhhhh, the Ravenscroft is so refreshing. Keyscape is good too. NI has yet to produce a piano VI that does not sound like a sampled piano. Great sound but immediately but the eq settings when played hard give it away everytime!

[@musikone1780]

I own Keyscape and really like it, However, I am looking forward to getting NOIRE as it sounds even better.

[@garyreeve522]

Have them both ....personally not much out the beats Keyscape. Noire is very nice but different. nice to have them both.

[@marcuswilespage]

NOIRE sounds really nice, but there’s something a little synthetic about it. Not necessarily even in a bad way. Just don’t think I could use it as my go to piano.

[@marcuswilespage]

Keyscape sounds the most real to me

[@razzerraw1108]

I trust these comparisons! Extremely accurate, I never heard them this clear before! This is exactly how they sound! I've subscribed to your KZbin Channel, I just discovered you today and I like your style, I hope I can hear some Ballad Jazz to !

[@RabihRihana]

Thank You!

[@razzerraw1108]

@@RabihRihana Can I also ask, hows the De-noise feature for Keyscapes normal grand? Does it remove noise all the way? Does it also loose it's magic sound? This is one of my current draw backs of getting it !

[@RabihRihana]

RazzerRaw it works pretty well. Actually they recommend doing it and they show it as tip on the splash screen when you launch keyscape. I wouldn’t say It loses its magic sound. One think you can do is use it when recording so it doesn’t bother you then turn it off when rendering your track!

[@d2ruben]

Dang!!! After finishing the video, subscribed!!!

[@RabihRihana]

Thank you!

[@I21-v7s]

It's hard to choose! Wow! I love the warmth, presence and jazz vibe in the Keyscape; I love the classic character of the Ravenscroft but I love that Noire custom piano that you played at the end. Wow! it sounds with more definition and depth than all others. Can you share what did you do in that Noire custom piano? Wow!

[@RabihRihana]

Thanks. Just choose the Fortepiano snapshot. It's virtually identical to my patch.

[@I21-v7s]

@@RabihRihana Thank you very much!!!

[@JPDC624]

I second the motion, Rabih. Your custom Noire was pretty amazing and the Keyscapes was a huge surprise! In this test those two are winners for different reasons. However, had you used your favorite custom preset in the Ravenscroft then the water would have gotten really muddy. The Close mic on the R275 is“tinky” but when you combine it with the room mic and tweak a couple things, then it becomes a serious contender. Brilliant demo btw, dude, you were shredding it! 😎

[@RabihRihana]

PD Thanks man. Arghhhh you have a point regarding trying different combinations in the Ravenscroft, that’s what I actually used to do in the past, but lately, those close mics are what seem to inspire me the most. Weird....So I guess that sums it up that the Ravenscroft close mics are very niche sounding because you’re not the first to say this.

[@JPDC624]

@@RabihRihana And to my surprise, that Noire sounds better each time I listen, ESPECIALLY your preset (You can bag the stock preset, just present yours everytime). Through the iLoud near-fields it sounds great. NI has produced a serious piano patch. And Keyscape! Where did that come from? Not even heard of it I don;t think, and it has such a great upper range.That's a problem, it makes the search and decision that much more impossible, lol!

[@RabihRihana]

PD Keyscape is the chameleon hahaha

[@JPDC624]

@@RabihRihana Yep!

[@JoelEmmanuelMusic]

I found the close mic to be the most natural sounding, and it sounds good with a decent amount of room mic blended with it. Edit: And German Church reverb at 25%. The highs just sparkle!

[@stenaldomehilli8809]

Thank you for playing so nicely and for maintaining a similarity between the libraries in terms of what you played. When one sits in front of an upright or grand, despite one's level of playing, the detail that the piano brings as soon as you press one note is very obvious. To my ear Kyscape represents that splendidly. The default patch on NOIRE recalls me (just a little perhaps), the Super-natural engine in Roland... Melancholic, and with base standing out well, however too metallic when played beyond mezzo-forte. It'll never make a listener with a gifted ear to confuse it with a real piano. So it might be beautiful, but not real. The ravenscroft sounds considerable, and I love the staccatos you hear from A5 and above. Loved hearing these... thanks and all the best!

[@RabihRihana]

Interesting observations about Noire Stenaldo and thank you for your comment! Cheers!

[@deyvidpetromusic]

Ravenscroft is a nasty beast. It literally morphs into anything you want it to be. I didn't like it at first to be honest with you. I purchased Pianoteq but then started to find that it really irritated my ears after a while. So, I then purchased Keyscape which I love the warmth of the LA Custom C7, but man I have just revisited the Ravenscroft 275 and I have fallen in love with it, it is such a beautiful instrument and so dynamic.

[@RabihRihana]

Ravenscroft is a marvel. I think many pianists like it because it nails exactly the dynamics of a real piano, it doesn't exaggerate the dynamic range, it's just perfect.

[@deyvidpetromusic]

Yeah you have to give full credit to VI Labs for such an amazing job and also to the guys at Ravenscroft for building such a magnificent instrument. The problem I find with Keyscape sometimes is that it is to compressed sounding and isn’t open enough even on the Natural preset.

[@RabihRihana]

@@deyvidpetromusic That's because it's a custom C7 with custom hammer felts. It's incredibly realistic but no matter what it will never "open up", especially down at the lower range of the keyboard.

[@deyvidpetromusic]

Rabih Rihana no, which is why I feel it is better suited for jazz and moody stuff like cinematic. I would love to know how the guys at Ravenscroft make that piano so dynamically versatile...

[@RabihRihana]

David P Osborne VI labs worked closely with Ravenscroft pianos makers to make it happen. Ravenscroft 275 software is officially endorsed by the Ravenscroft pianos people. They’re so proud of it you can even see it listed as an alternative digital option to buy on their website...and that alone says a lot.

[@colors41]

This comparison doesnt really matter. Ur playing is really really good.

[@RabihRihana]

Thanks:)

[@YoungBlaze]

@@RabihRihana im new to your channel! How long have you been playing amazing like this?

[@RabihRihana]

YoungBlaze Thanks for visiting. Been playing since I was 8 years old :)

[@d2ruben]

Rabih Rihana we probably won’t make it sound like you do then! 🤣 but, loved your playing... thanks

[@PeaceNinja007]

THANK YOU!!!! It’s about damn time I see someone test the lowest dynamics possible @3:33 I currently own Keyscapes and it sounds gorgeous.. BUT!’ There’s no dynamic range control on it. I play warmer, more intimate music so I need to soften it up and lower the high-end velocity. But this comes at a cost. I lose the lowest possible velocities. I can’t get any quieter. Not only this but it messes with the other velocities, making me adjust my technique and play very uncomfortable and insecurely. I use a Kawai CA58 as my controller, not the best action, but it has a very broad velocity spectrum that I can’t take full advantage in Keyscapes 😔 I didn’t have this problem with Ravenscroft. I didn’t have to adjust my technique to achieve the right sound I need. But Ravenscroft isn’t suited for warm, intimate melodies. It doesn’t really mix well with relaxing background tracks as well as Keyscapes (all my opinion, of course ). Also, Keyscapes tends to have this annoying hiss sound that can’t be removed no matter how much I try. I might just have to give Noire a shot! 😊

[@SpectrasonicsVIDEO]

Keyscape does indeed have a dynamic range control. In addition to the velocity curve, each patch has a Velocity knob in the performance section. Turning that up will give you a LOT more dynamic range and quieter soft dynamics.

[@PeaceNinja007]

@@SpectrasonicsVIDEO I’ve messed around with the velocity curve. But when I put it too low, the dynamics are off. It goes too low where it’s barely even audible. And then when I play normally, it pops really loud. It’s all uneven. Im now using Noire and the dynamics and control flow much smoother.

[@RabihRihana]

I set it around 2 o clock and then in addition to that I set my controller velocity curve to hard. Try that.

[@marcuswilespage]

Excellent playing!

[@RabihRihana]

Thanks Marcus.

[@catsven1973]

You’re absolutely an excellent pianist !

[@RabihRihana]

Cat Sven Thank you!

[@barbrojavert]

Do you have a standalone of NOIRE or do you have it in a DAW? Is there e difference?

[@sptheegoat]

Amazing!!! Is there anywhere we can download your custom Noire preset?

[@RabihRihana]

Thanks SP. Just use the "Pianoforte" snapshot and that's it. My settings on top of that were basically just velocity related to my controller etc.

[@sptheegoat]

@@RabihRihana Fantastic! Appreciate you!

[@tperry5839]

Keyscape sound nice but needs a mic adjustment too close sounding IMO fantastic playing

[@PankajChoudhury]

Amazing. Could you please help me on the sound? my NOIRE sounds bit dark and not brights as yours or it should be like a grand piano sounds. Not sure what's wrong I'm doing! I have MODX6 and from Kontakt I set the velocity as harder. But when I'm directly hitting the notes from the software itself using mouse pad just to check the sound, its sounds as expected ...

[@RabihRihana]

Sounds like something with your velocity curve inside the MODX. Make sure you're using a linear curve. Also raise the volume in kontakt to 0. The default presets load at -6 which is too low in my opinion.

[@Metalpazallteway]

Have you played the Pearl Grand? I also heard good things about it

[@RabihRihana]

I haven't sorry. Yes I hear good things about it. Plenty of choices nowadays!

[@simbaking6338]

Surprisingly Noire sounds better than Keyscape here...or is it just your awesome technical playing?

[@RabihRihana]

Haha the good thing is that we have so many options nowadays. Noire may sound better to you and others, while Keyscape wins according to others ears. Sorry for the late reply.

[@alexclusivity.]

is it me or does the noire sound similar to the motif's full concert grand?

[@RabihRihana]

I don't think so....but man you just took me 2 decades in the past, back when i had a motif 7 :(

[@thedecaygaming9315]

Is noire really quiet for anyone else too or just me?

[@ishta]

Noire for sure. I have Ravenscroft and stopped playing it after I got Komplete 13 which included the Noire

[@theflyingpiano4547]

Can you please share the noire custom preset with me? I love it. Thanks man

[@RabihRihana]

The Flying Piano Just use the Fortepiano snapshot and copy the same exact settings you see at 12:30. That’s all I did.

[@krzemian]

Would you make a comparison between NOIRE vs Garritan CFX Grand? These are the two I'm after. As a side note, I find Keyscape surprisingly good in this comparison. So far I didn't enjoy the highs of it, finding them artificial.

[@RabihRihana]

Yes I will. No time frame when but please turn on notifications so you can notified when I do:) Meanwhile, please check my “Lucidity” music video, it has the Garritan CFX.

[@krzemian]

@@RabihRihana Cool, will wait (& will check :) ), thanks

[@YoungBlaze]

Noire and wavesfactory mercury for the win

[@muamarhafidz570]

I'm new on this. What DAW can I use for this VST? Are they available for any software or just for specific software?

[@RabihRihana]

All 3 will run in any DAW as plugins but they need their own "hosts". Noire needs Kontakt, Ravenscroft needs UVI Workstation and Keyscape has its own self-titled host. Basically, once you buy any of them, just follow the instructions and read "system requirements" and you'll be fine. Be careful though, all 3 need a powerful computer to run, especially Keyscape! So it's better to check the "system requirements" of each one before you do anything.

[@reziahamed6654]

The sin is in your fingers Rabih... You can easily make any piano sound good i'm certain... for me..1. Keyscape sounds more Authentic.... 2. Ravenscroft sounds pretty lush and warm... 3.... Noire is up there with the new update i guess but still has its own way of talking... Whats your take if you were to choose one ? Many thanks for your time spent on these to enlighten us all... Lovely pieces... Exceptionally insane talent..🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@RabihRihana]

Thank you Rezi. Appreciate the words! We're spoiled for choices those days but there's something about the Ravenscroft that makes me sit and play and (most importantly) compose on the fly for hours!

[@deyvidpetromusic]

Your playing sounded more inspired by the Ravenscroft also.

[@RabihRihana]

lol busted!

[@PianoScoreVids]

@@RabihRihana haha

[@PianoScoreVids]

Does it feel right to play the noire? Does it feel like the grandeur or even a bit better? The best feeling I know of so far is Pianoteq (not talking about the sound)

[@RabihRihana]

Gamma1734 It plays fine. It actually has more velocity layers than The Grandeur. I wouldn’t compare sampled pianos with Pianoteq in terms of playability hence Pianoteq will win every time. Sound wise, I’m not a Pianoteq fan:)

[@PianoScoreVids]

@@RabihRihana actually i bought the garritan cfx recently and must say that it feels absolutely amazing to play. Of course it's using the fact the hiding clarity in the reverb will make you feel better while playing, but luckily the sound is really good as well. Thanks for your answer. I was thinking of buying this one due to the 50% off right now, but i would use it 95% for classical music only, so i guess for that it's not really worth buying it.

[@RabihRihana]

Gamma1734 With the Garritan Full you got everything you need! Amazing piano library.

[@PianoScoreVids]

@@RabihRihana i got the lite though. Do you think full is really worth it? I am just playing classical music.

[@RabihRihana]

Gamma1734 no, unless you really want those ambient mics.

[@synchronizerman]

I am trying to figure whether it would be better to save for Keyscape or to get the Noire. I suppose that in terms of specs, Keyscape is better though. Either way, would you be willing to release your custom Noire preset? Thanks!

[@RabihRihana]

Oh man that's a tough one, Keyscape is amazing....and more expensive. But you have to remember that you're getting other instruments along with the C7, not to mention the hybrid sounds. Noire has also just been recently updated and they added tons of new snapshots. My custom preset is basically a slight variation of the "Pianoforte" snapshot, i'm sorry i don't remember what i fiddled around but you can start with that snapshot and it should get you there!

[@PaulsonJeanty]

Great playing man.

[@RabihRihana]

Thanks! Sorry for the late reply, been having issues with receiving comments notifications.

[@PaulsonJeanty]

@@RabihRihana *Np. Can you let me what your keyscape preset is if you don't mind?*

[@RabihRihana]

@@PaulsonJeanty Hi Paulson. It's the "LA Custom C7 Grand Piano" preset. First preset on the list. All i did was tweak the velocity curve to fit my controller.

[@PaulsonJeanty]

@@RabihRihana *ok got it, thanks maestro*

[@12Keys]

My noire is a bit quiet, and standard dB is -6.

[@RabihRihana]

I always raise it to -0.1 in kontakt. YMMV, just make sure it doesn't clip inside your daw and you're good.

[@greggrant8878]

could you upload this somewhere in flac or some other high res format please?

[@RabihRihana]

Greg Grant I have to check if I still have the session in my DAW. I switched daws since the video was published and this being an “improvisational jam”, It’s highly likely I didn’t keep it. I only keep sessions/projects of original compositions. Will check my old daw’s archives!

[@greggrant8878]

@@RabihRihana thanks. Anything in high quality of Noire would be awesome

[@violamoonshape4428]

Hi Rabih. Thank you for this great video. Which controller keyboard have you used for this?

[@RabihRihana]

Hi Viola. I’m using my old Casio CDP digital piano for this video.

[@RabihRihana]

Sorry for the late reply, sometimes I don’t get notifications on comments!

[@violamoonshape4428]

@@RabihRihana Thank you, Rabih. Amazing.

[@jonassouzasilva5561]

Que som lindo Brother. Parabéns, top top 👏 👏 👏👏👏👏👏

[@RabihRihana]

Jonas Souza Silva Thanks.

[@catsven1973]

Rabih the part you play on the Noire in the beginning of the video .. what music style is this ?!

[@RabihRihana]

Cat Sven it’s the just some improvisation I come up with on the fly.

[@catsven1973]

There’s a Moroccan music called Chabi which means pop that have the basics based on ancient Andalousian music .. The piano part you played sounds like it.. I recently recorded a song in that fashion i feel that the way you improvise will fit well in between lyrics parts, because you sound naturally in that style .. If this interest you, and also you got a soft to record .. (I’m not pro by the way) it’s purely artistic !

[@RabihRihana]

Cat Sven send me an email to [e-mail]

[@ArgoBeats]

Hey Rabih, what's your favorite VST library at this time? VSL CFX?

[@RabihRihana]

Garritan CFX. But I’m currently exploring all the rest of the VSL pianos thanks to the 30 day trial. I have a feeling a new favorite will surface!

[@ArgoBeats]

@@RabihRihana thank you, Rabih. And beautiful music as always...

[@RabihRihana]

Welcome!

[@MrElectik]

Noire is a new virtual piano reference

[@YoungBlaze]

Huh

[@rjw8631]

hey rabih: excellent shootout. i saw your earlier demo of the pianoteq and was wondering how you rank it vs these three. which is your overall favourite? thanks, rob

[@RabihRihana]

For jazz, nothing beats the Ravenscroft for me, it has a bark that fits like a glove with the oriental licks i tend to do with my right hand and the bass is nasty. At this point, it's like picking needles out of haystacks to be honest with you. There's also the Virtual Grand 3 Steinway B which i've been revisiting this week and it sounds stunning. I'll post an improv video with it when i can.

[@rjw8631]

@@RabihRihana thanks rabih. btw, which iPad are you using and does it handle the ravenscroft without any trouble? i have an iPad 4 but have not yet tried ravenscroft on it.

[@RabihRihana]

@@rjw8631 iPad Pro 2017. Ravenscroft works flawlessly and they keep updating the app to improve performance. Not sure about minimum requirements though, so you might wanna investigate this if you're using iPad 4.

[@MyronDavismd]

Keyscapes sounds more like a real piano, to me.

[@alexanderdelacruz9249]

Where do I find the custom preset in Noire ? 🙏🙏

[@RabihRihana]

Hi, you can just use the "Fortepiano" snapshot and it will get you very close. I just tweaked it a little to add more mechanical noises and tweaked the response a little bit to fit my controller. Nothing too drastic....so start with that!

[@alexanderdelacruz9249]

Rabih Rihana oh I see, tnx 🍺

[@oumuamuao9496]

Don't look at the instrument, just listen with your ears!!

[@nikolacelic6408]

Uhh.. very hard desicion, all three have their fortes. My personal conclusion is that choosing right library always depends on the context. There is no perfect library for all musical context.. But in this case with your music style and approach Keyscape sounds more suitable to my ears beacuse of his delicate, vibrant, detailed and present sound. Ravencroft would be probaby be more suitable for classical genre and Noire for atmosferic, lush and not overplayed kind of perfomance. Just putting my thoughts out. :)

[@ignatius3079]

It would have been even better if you were using the same reverbs or if you played the libraries without reverb on. Personally I use Keyscape however I would say that noire won this one. Would love to hear all of them without reverb as the stereo field and proximity changes depending on how the reverb is set

[@RabihRihana]

There's no reverb on Noire. Proof? Go to 4:11. Is there was reverb, you could hear it ring out. You might be confusing the resonance from the pedal-down samples on the high registers with reverb.

[@ignatius3079]

Rabih Rihana no amount of resonance can make a piano feel like it’s been put in a room unless of coz it was done in the sampling process (applying different mic positions and adding a room sample)

[@ignatius3079]

Rabih Rihana it literally sounds like there reverb on all of the sounds

[@ignatius3079]

Rabih Rihana but oh hey maybe you are right

[@RabihRihana]

Ignatius Thets a different subject. You asked if I added 3rd party reverb to Noire, I answered and I gave proof. Pedal down samples on high registers can definitely create that effect and yes of course you’re going to hear the “room in the samples”.

[@hjsworld3299]

The higher notes in the chosen keyscape piano sounded better than the others. I would put Keyscape on nr1, but in general they all are great. The Noire custom version was dreamy and belonged nicely to the piano piece that you were playing (which you are doing well :-) )

[@RabihRihana]

HJS World Cool, thanks! There are so many variations I wanted to try on each piano but then the video would be 3 hours lol.

[@YoungBlaze]

@@RabihRihana i would have been so awesome to show a side by side video of you playing live too! I would pay for that!

[@RabihRihana]

YoungBlaze check my other video, there are live ones of me playing:)

[@saulholguin9251]

Anybody else think this was Michel Camilo playing?

[@davidlai1996]

Hi, great demo! I loved Noire, I can never get tired of listening to that sound! I have, however, one thing I don't quite like about this library -- it has no soft pedal (AKA una corda) samples. As a clssical musician, I would love it if a Kontakt library would also have a beautiful una corda set of samples in addition to a beautiful tone over all. Are there such libraries on the market for Kontakt? If it has such a rich tone as the Noire or Grandure, it would be a dream-come-true! Thanks!!!

[@RabihRihana]

Hi thanks. Check out Walker 1955 Concert D for kontakt. It has una corda samples.

[@davidlai1996]

That's great, but it's too big in size in my opinion!!! I prefer something similar to Noire -- with lots of playability and not too demanding. Also, I checked out the KZbin videos of the Walker 1955 Concert D, and dare I say, the piano sampled is a bit Out Of Tune!!!

[@RabihRihana]

@@davidlai1996 Yeah it's pretty big. Honestly, i can't think of any Kontakt pianos at the moment that use an optional soft pedal. I use Garritan CFX when i want to use soft pedal. Its una corda samples are the best in my opinion....

[@davidlai1996]

Yeah, it's pretty good -- I've heard videos on it, from you as well. Going a bit off topic -- is it a library that I can just open and play? If it's like that, I may give it a run. I may not need so many microphone positions, so light is pretty good for me.

[@RabihRihana]

@@davidlai1996 Yes start with the light. You can crossgrade later:)

[@rumhave9632]

Buying keyscape. Thanks.

[@kaii7147]

i need some advice on system requirements for noire i have a i5-4200u processor backing around 2.3/2.4ghz with 16gb RAM and a 256gb SSD i know the requirements for noire are much lower than what i have but do you think this is enough processing power to run noire smoothly? i run cakewalk with plug ins and my cpu handles it fine with a 128ms buffer time. but oddly kontakt seems to use so much cpu when used straight through the driver i currently only have the free hybrid keys and my cpu seems to range between 30/40/50% usage but when i add it as a plug in via the DAW it drops to use of only 15/20% playing complex pieces. im really anxious about paying out alot of money for noire to have it be unable to run correctly. im new to vsts/daws and everything, but noire is extremely captivating ive always been a fan of the steinway model D but this vst really makes the CFX shine so well its such good value for money considering keyscape is alot more money. i really want the vienna imperial borsendofer vst as well but i know for a fact my computer wont handle that lol.

[@YassDavid]

Most pianist cares more about speed rather than a good composition. To me chords progression comes first then solo and speed.

[@johnnovie3168]

Keyscape all the way!

[@synthplayer1563]

Very very nice playing. But if you are a player you must play them by yourself. There is always interaction between playing and the sound. So for me it's no basis to decide. Out of a speaker they all sound very good.

[@RabihRihana]

It's just a spontaneous improvisational shootout. I like them all. Too many choices those days. But at the end, nothing beats a real acoustic piano.

[@ArgoBeats]

Out of this world playing Rabih... have you tried Garritan CFX? Would love to hear your opinion about that.

[@RabihRihana]

Thank you. Of course i have the Garritan CFX. You can hear me play it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZuckpKudrmrY8k

[@humanambassador]

both perfect oh my god

[@YoungBlaze]

Both? Out of 3 examples tho

[@Gamez4eveR]

there are only 2 winners: production grand 2 and garritan cfx grand

[@ivancaragia9993]

Who wrote this music??

[@RabihRihana]

I did :) just some improv. Sorry for the late reply Ivan but I seem to be having problems getting notifications on comments!

[@ivancaragia9993]

Rabih Rihana all is well! Thank you! We spoke then and i’ve learned that this improv is..your music. But it’s good that everyone interested knows it🙏🏼 Cheers!

[@natureambience1388]

I'm on the Noire side!

[@sylver1085]

NOIRE

[@schlonzschuppe4516]

korg t1 wins.

[@reverie2116]

Excuse the bad, I have a big question, according to you between Ivory II and all the Native Instrument pianos which ones are the best, because I have all those of the NI except Noire and I ask myself to take the others too .. this is consuming me I have been hoping for some time to help me

[@RabihRihana]

It's a big responsibility to give you an answer because Ivory pianos are not cheap and if you took my word for it there is no guarantee you will like them. But i tell can tell you this and it's only a personal opinion: Ivory ACD > All other Ivory pianos.....and.....Noire > All other Native Instruments pianos.

[@reverie2116]

@@RabihRihana I thank you, it was a really clear answer, I think I'll try them and then based on what I have to do I'll act, thank you very much

[@RabihRihana]

You're welcome.

[@musikone1780]

You need to ask this same question in other reviews besides this one.

[@RabihRihana]

@@dasd7612 I wish they offer them separately.

[@okay1904]

The unfortunate challenge is that rarely will anyone hear more than 10% of the excellence in these wonderful expositions(instrument and your excellent piano skills), because the quality of reproduction, at the listeners end, through their headphones and speakers is poor. This also applies to many who think they are listening accurately on high end headphones and studio or hifi speakers, however expensive. Cos the manufacturers have sold all of us a lie....the promise of accuracy, unfulfilled - same goes for the acoustic treatment manufacturers, almost as if a car maker just sold you car tyre and an engine., then expected you to make a car from it. Everyone has acquired at least one headphone, or speaker which they thought was good enough. That's millions of unethical sales - and the manufacturers must know that their products are unfit for human use..! This also applies to many musicians, their own monitors are not able to accurately reproduce their intentions to their own hearing, accurately. Particularly applicable to this age of digital samples where the speaker system determines what you actually hear, no matter how good the sampled instruments. Apple Airbuds anyone... The audio industry needs to be regulated to ensure they do not sell substandard audio speakers to unsuspecting buyers who cannot tell the difference.

[@RabihRihana]

I agree with you. Unfortunately, it's the hard truth. Or like the METALLICA song: Sad but true. But at the end of the day, our job as producers is to present the material to the public as "flat" as possible (as in no coloration) and as true as it gets to the acoustic source. With sample libraries, obviously that "job" starts with the developer then continue to us who are using those libraries and presenting them. With acoustic instruments, and in this day and age, it's becoming extremely rare to hear a piece of music without a hurricane of reverb slapped to it. The average listener has become numb to anything real and they got used to this. This is a really long and complex subject to address to be honest with you Okay1. FWIW, i myself use Sonarworks Reference (not promoting it) and i can't live without it. I slap it on the back end of every session i open now in my DAW. It flattens every monitoring equipment i'm using (headphones or monitors) and give me the true sound of the source without lying to me. And even after that, i go and listen to my track on every single equipment i have (iphone, laptop, car, earphones). I even send the track to friends and family to listen to it. Of course, this is the case when i'm making a track for my album and not posting a shootout on KZbin :) Good talk Okay1. Thanks for visiting.

[@musikone1780]

It's all a conspiracy to rape us out of our money. Raped just like I was raped by aliens at area 51.

[@allexfenty]

If NOIRE had the same stereo spread on the higher notes as Keyscape it would have won. Keyscape wins. Listen to the separation in the notes.

[@Prizm44]

The higher notes on the Keyscape are panned further right than on the Noire, which I found a little annoying when listening on headphones. I think I prefer the stereo balance of the Noire.

[@exphila]

@@Prizm44 any ideas why they panned the higher notes to the right?

[@SpectrasonicsVIDEO]

@@exphila The high notes in Keyscape aren’t panned. That’s simply the natural stereo field on the notes in the stereo mixing. Exactly the way the acoustic sounds with that type of mixing configuration

[@fernandoaiello4362]

All of them sound amazing, but KEYSCAPE is like being in studio room in front of a real piano

[@zoozeonja158]

Keyscape is a cheaper product than others. 36 instruments included for $399

[@amusicians2cents]

If you are trying to think that way, then you should say it correctly. Keyscape is a bundle that includes this Yamaha C7 piano sample library, so technically Keyscape is the most expensive, but if Spectrasonics would sell the Yamaha C7 separately then it would be cheaper of course, but they don't do that.

[@vstories9019]

Of the three, the sound of my own piano is better. It's ...

[@mariogonz]

Keyscape the best.

[@zoozeonja158]

Keyscape is a cheaper product than others. 36 instruments included for $399

[@meaviad]

Keyscape wins. flawless victory. fatality !

[@rasolzamini8678]

play the same line on all 3 so we can here maybe midi file ...

[@RabihRihana]

That's not how i roll man. Each piano is different and it may inspire me differently than the other piano. Sometimes you hear the same lines, sometimes not. It depends how each piano inspires me.

[@rasolzamini8678]

@@RabihRihana ok keep up the good work.kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaC8gnWDfcyEns0

[@RabihRihana]

How did you know i like Aziza?

[@rasolzamini8678]

@@RabihRihana i didn't. But I'm glad you liked it. I'm your big fan

[@RabihRihana]

@@rasolzamini8678 Thank you for your support. I love Aziza.

[@straizys]

Just got this Noire.. I own only Garritan CFX .. and I've heard Keyscape and Ravenscroft is as good. But jeez Noire is absolute piece of shit in comparison to Garritan.. absolutely useless as for a professional pianist. It can sound ok for some flat dynamics, but if you want to make more you can see how little this piano can do

[@RabihRihana]

What is it you didn't like about it? Is it the sound or the dynamics? As far as dynamics, it has 21 velocity layers across the entire keys, that's 2 more layers more than the Ravenscroft. And yes i agree, Garritan CFX is still hard to beat in terms of playability.

[@straizys]

@@RabihRihana Honestly I just tried Keyscape few days ago I was shocked I was expecting it to have as same as good dynamic range as garritan or at least smth similar.. but it's so narrow that it's absolutely useless for performance unless you really try to adapt to the instrument and play everything without dynamics almost

[@RabihRihana]

Yeah the problem with Keyscape is that you got to have one of the supported controllers which they calibrated to play it with. If you don't have one from the list, it won't neither play or sound right. But still, Garritan CFX is still king in terms of dynamics. There's a reason why i chose it for my upcoming solo album!

[@straizys]

@@RabihRihana kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHLCqotnmqp6bqs&feature=emb_title i wish i could play anything for a 2sec like that keyscape

[@RabihRihana]

Nice playing man. Garritan sounds great. Nice view as well!