V3Sound Grand Pianos XXL - MIDI Sound Module Review

V3Sound Grand Pianos XXL - MIDI Sound Module Review. See clickable Video Index below.
PianoManChuck is now an authorized dealer for V3Sound - If you're in the USA, contact Chuck for info on ordering a V3Sound module (go to www.PianoManChuck.com)
** Clickable VIDEO INDEX: **
00:00 - Start
00:04 - Intro
03:41 - Back Panel
05:32 - Voice List
05:42 - More Product Info
08:11 - Setting up with Master Controller
08:53 - Piano Sounds Demo
14:21 - Roland Fantom Specific
15:15 - Controller Capabilities
20:27 - MIDI Tool EX (Software)
21:39 - More Sound Demos
25:28 - Even More Sounds
28:46 - Reverb Demo
29:24 - Organs
32:00 - Guitars
32:48 - Synth Bass
33:27 - Conclusion

[@PianoManChuck]

PianoManChuck now carries V3Sound Modules and Control dongles! Get your low price quote now at www.PianoManChuck.com

[@nostgeoffhi-fi]

Hi Chuck, will any keyboard with a usb midi out power the V3 Grand XXL? Thank you!

[@PianoManChuck]

@@nostgeoffhi-fi The V3Sound module gets its power from its own AC adapter, not from a keyboard. Please post all future V3Sound related questions directly at the V3Sound.com site (choose 'support' from their menu).

[@eltonjoel149]

Thanks for reviewing this Chuck!

[@TheA90plyr]

I’m definitely going to look at this

[@kainejoyes2981]

Great video chuck thanks

[@romeou4965]

I agree we need a “guitarist’s helix” for keyboardist!!! Not everyone wants to deal with software, plug-ins, laptops or smart tablets and USB audio interfaces

[@strumboxukulele9324]

Thankyou for this detailed and informative review. Great work!

[@FilipeSalgueiroo]

This sounds wonderful!! I've been looking for so long for something that would sound awesome and wouldn't be super expensive. I guess I've found it!

[@PianoManChuck]

Excellent! If you're in the USA, contact me at my website (www.PianoManChuck.com) as I will start carrying V3Sound in the next month or so!

[@stevewilcoxson7173]

I think it sounds similar to the White Grand but with more definition on the bottom-end. Great find!

[@sean9522]

Great that it can use MIDI jacks. what’s encouraging is when he plunked E4, that note alone sounded rich. That’s not a note or range (tenor) which tends to sound very good in digital piano. I remember the old Muzak recordings which had a piano plunking a melody in that tenor range and how sensational that sounded. A one note monophonic melody from C3-C4 range and it sounded amazing. Great bass? Singing treble? Great. Give me a good tenor note range which can SOLO, you’ve got a winner.

[@brickmissing8295]

Nice little module. Reminds me of my old Yamaha P50m midi sound module and Fatar SL88 controller - about the cheapest 88key piano you could get back then. Shame it doesn’t have controls and a screen on the unit itself but I guess that would push the price up.

[@musikone1780]

Great view Chuck. I doubt if I would every buy this module for two reasons: 1. You have yet another gadget to carry with you along with the extra cables and power. 2. I don't want to have break out the MIDI chart for this device as well worrying about the msb and lsb crap. VST modules with Mainstage DONE!!!!

[@DEEDEEFARRELL]

Chuck you are the best. I actually have this, I had the original version which only had 128 programs and used it live for a show with a Yamaha cp33 as the controller. It was a huge improvement over the built in sounds of the Yamaha. Then when the XXL version came out the company upgraded my module for a small fee (replacing the chip inside). Now I have the XXL version with even more sounds. Here in Scotland you can buy the V3 modules directly from Roy Hendrie, he is a distributor for V3 and did the upgrade for me. I am very interested in the computer software you are using so I'm going to try that out today... Makes selecting sounds much easier. Thanks as always. And can't wait to see what you find at Namm 2020

[@Polkhero]

Did the upgrade change the acoustic piano sounds at all? I also have the original module and was concerned the acoustic piano sounds got "robbed" from all the extra sounds they added.

[@V3SOUND]

The first Grand Piano model from V3SOUND called "3GB" uses only 3 gigabytes of the existing 4GB memory. The Bösendorfer Grand now has one more "ppp" layer. So the grand piano sounds got bigger, not smaller.

[@garys6507]

I have a Roland FP3 wonderful DP any recommended prod to get increased sounds like this as well as run live FB concerts and possibly record id rather not have to run a pc but an ipad instead thoughts....

[@benvanginkel3346]

Hi Chuck, can I use the v3 sonority xxl with the fantom x7, whats the conference, thanks for answering, Ben

[@alanmckean]

How do you switch programs on the V3Sound Grand Piano XXL from a MIDI controller? Do you need to use one of the iPad apps shown on their site to see the voices? Does it have any integration with any of the available midi keyboard controllers? I see on their website that they recommend the little Behringer X-Touch Mini but I would like to control it with a keyboard.

[@nostgeoffhi-fi]

The only keyboards that will work with the V3 module, are pianos with MIDI Channel control and Program change control. Otherwise you need an extra midi controller like the Behringer X touch mini, or the V3 control dongle + app/tablet.

[@bhaveshmistry3255]

Hey man I follow your each & every videos your reviews are really useful to me as I am working in same industry. I am piano & keyboard specialist. I am really very impressed with sound of this product. In my country I don’t get try to some instruments. I am planing to buy this model as it sounds really gorgeous. How dose it work physically I hope no bugs in this device because I had a bad experience buying Dexibell vivo-s7 and that I bought just sawing KZbin videos. It would be great if you reply me. Thank you so much 😊

[@vacation_generation]

Great review. I was looking for a piano module to help me update the sound of my ageing yamaha clavinova grand (from 2010). Its a great instrument and has a reasonable sound in itself (would have been the dog's b***cks in it's day no doubt). However, having gotten used to the power of VSTs (like Ravenscroft 275) and sounds in other instruments I own (like a wonderful Kawai ES920), when I switch to play my Clavinova I can detect and hear it's sonic limitations. Piano modules seem to have dropped off the radar. This device sounds perfect for my needs, I can connect it to my Clavinova via MIDI and AUX sound inputs (L&R), use the V3 as the sound source (saving me about £6K for a Clavinova Grand Piano upgrade), and get a rich modern piano sound.

[@trafalgar1938]

Will this connect to the Yamaha DCX-660?

[@Zoco101]

I saw there was a piano & bass & cymbal patch there. I presume that this is a predefined keyboard split with bass and ride cymbal at the bottom end. Seems to me that such patches would be particularly useful when your controller is the Korg D1, since the D1 comes without its own keyboard split.

[@rayztrack]

@PianoManChuck Nice review, I see that there are pre made layered sounds but can you do customized layer sounds of your own? And would like to control individual volume settings for each layer tru a master controller, would that be possible with this?

[@BrilliantRealEstate]

Thanks for this great overview. Question, I have an old Yamaha piano that I wanted to use to connect to this device, but the keyboard has no screen (for data, settings), how would you be able to choose the sounds on V3? You are scrolling sounds on the Roland.

[@sofiarosales6607]

Same question!

[@Rick-zw7zv]

Is it possible to program a few presets and access those presets with a midi controller keyboard so you don't have to take laptops or iPads to gigs?

[@paulmapp8306]

can it put out audio over USB ?

[@Zoco101]

Can anybody comment on how the Vienna patch compares to the Bösendorfer patch on the Yamaha P-515? Is the Vienna patch much more detailed, and if so, how does it compare to say a mid-range computer VST?

[@VitalMusique]

Hello, thanks for the review. I have an important question : can this device be used WITHOUT any PC ou tablet, or iphone or ... (all those bloody stuff that I do not have !) ? Can you just plug th MIDI cable into the V3 and control it with a (serious) master keyboard like for exemple the A90 Roland (that I have) ? Thanks for the answer,as I could not find an answer on the net ...

[@PianoManChuck]

Yes you can, but you'll need to hook it up to an amplifier/speaker(s).

[@Zoco101]

@@PianoManChuck In some cases you can loop it back into the piano via aux in.

[@sofiarosales6607]

Would this work with a Kawai ES110? It has no screen.

[@CARLTONMOXLEYUnknownpianist]

I'm so anxious I can't wait to see if you mention the screen residence noise noise or the key up noise

[@metamorfosis181]

Hey great review. Do sounds cut off when changing presets and holding notes or pedal down? Also can you somehow program layers and split inside the module. To transmit to it using just one midi channel without the need of a master controller that has zones. Thank you in advance.

[@PianoManChuck]

Please go to www.v3sound.com for all v3sound related questions.

[@artmusicguy]

I just got a V3 Sound Sonority XXL General MIDI Sound Module, and I'm happy to say that the notes do NOT cut off when you change programs.

[@metamorfosis181]

@@artmusicguy Thank you very much for reporting your findings. I will consider it again as an option for me. Thanks again 👍🏽

[@ikergastaminza544]

From the way you have set the scene on the Fantom, it seems you are sending to the module the 8 zones information simultaneously (watch 8:58 how all zones are playing simultaneously), just that volume 0 on the "inactive" zones (will play but not be heard), resulting in 8 or 16 voices being consumed per note you are playing (don't know the architecture of the module if consumes 1 or 2 voices to reproduce a stereo sound voices being consumed per note you are playing). It is demonstrating that the unit can handle great loads of note on activity. "Slurring" can be heard, but is expected because of the the amount of notes on transmitted over regular midi (there must be at moments 32 to 48 note on "events", being a slow serial interface, there is a measurable and hearable delay between the first message sent and the last one on "simultaneous" notes played) but how much of it is from the unit's processing of information? we don't know... it would've been nice to have avoided that by selecting a single zone to play for a fair representation of the response of the unit. Interesting machine to overcome the less than spectacular Piano sounds and voice limitations on Fantom-0, not a cheap unit, but with this addition (if any good) you still come way below the price of the flagship Fantom. Would've been nice to hear a couple of single notes in all of it's extension to hear how it decays, a longer more artistic piano piece to see it's playability and expressiveness, long arpeggios sustained to hear the voice consumption given you could output only a single zone, listen to sound bites with pedal on and off, in short, a more comprehensive piano review. This review just made me a bit curious but far from ready to go and buy one. Hint to manufacturer...less options, more quality and lower price (just Ac Pianos & Electric Pianos in a 4 to 6GB sample size and at a price range under $300) you may have a winner....oh...the triangular shape...don't know how practical that is...great product recognition though.

[@elgrupocachedallas9685]

Does any use this with a Kawia ES110?

[@brianpetersen3429]

It seems very complex with too many variables. A good idea that caught my attention because I have been looking for a module that will allow more polyfony when layering piano and strings or pads. I guess a better choice for me would be an old Roland Sound Canvas module, (even though I would like better sounds). Any other suggestions?

[@musikone1780]

Any VST you want and Mainstage.

[@V3SOUND]

CANVAS / V3 GRAND PIANOXXL I don't think you can compare a 25 year old sound module with a 2019 product. The V3 module is 256 polyphonic and has stereo samples in 12 dynamic layers. GRAND PIANO & STRINGS For layering you don't need multi layered strings if you want to use them as a pad for a piano sound. So there is no polyphony problem to mix strings and grand piano.

[@artmusicguy]

Brian - what I've been looking for for years is an updated version of the old Roland Sound Canvas. And I believe this is it. General Midi, with EXCELLENT samples. And everything that could be done with the Sound Canvas can be done with the V3 modules (except instead of having everything on the module, like a tiny screen and tiny buttons, the V3 requires you to have either a master keyboard with a screen like PianoManChuck, or use the extra controller app with a phone or pad.) All the controls are there: panning, reverb, chorus, all 16 channels, tuning, transpose, etc. Just like the Sound Canvas... only it sounds TERRIFIC.

[@aleatharhea]

Did the manual come spiral bound like that? Mine (received today) came loose leaf printout stapled in one corner.

[@PianoManChuck]

Yes - its their way of minimizing costs (saving you money) while at the same time not forcing you to download and view the manual online.

[@monsieurgroove9330]

great video =) do you think the V3Sound Grand Piano XXL Module sounds better than the pianos that come with the KAWAI MP11 (first version) ?

[@PianoManChuck]

That is a matter of personal preference. That's why I have policies relating to questions such as this at kzbin.infoabout

[@dryvur]

When you receive the module and it has 2 line outputs, why would those 2 line outputs not be in stereo? And do the instructions show how to make them stereo?

[@PianoManChuck]

Line output pairs are stereo - one output for left, the other for right.

[@dryvur]

@@PianoManChuck thank you

[@CARLTONMOXLEYUnknownpianist]

And do they have iOS app for the iPad

[@V3SOUND]

Find all informations about APPs here: www.v3sound.com/en/e-controllers.html PC App - is done by a Germany company iOS - we offer a free layout for the iOS App MIDIDESIGNER2 Android - is in development

[@LubomirVelev]

Chuck, how about the V3 Sound Grand Piano XXL Module connected via USB to computer's DAW and using it with 16-part multitimbral? Is it possible? That's my biggest concern before ordering. I was unable to find that information.

[@PianoManChuck]

Please go to v3sound.com to ask any/all technical questions.

[@slamkid361]

I wonder if the NI S88 will interface with this?

[@jokeyman2943]

I always go to you first when I want accuracy and honest evaluations.. i'm torn though about every acoustic simulation I've auditioned-there are so few that have a realistic attack-most are way to clunky-as if the full harmonic spectrum of the attack was glossed over for many of these sampled pianos. This one sounds more like the best Kawai's, Nords which seem to have the most realistic attack and sustains so far, of all I've auditioned-I have yet to audition the newest Casios thoug-the S60000 and 7000's, but have the PX560, which also seems to have too much of a brittle attack to my ears. i play classical and jazz repertoire quite a bit and have been spoiled by growing up on Steinways in my college days. Would you say this module is up to the best digitals currently on the market? I have listened and listened until my ears are tired...! I value your opinion-I am also not interested in soft pianos either-pianoteq, etc. also does not impress me much. I actually still tend to favor my Fusion's "Holy Grail' for much of my classical work, and even an old P50m Yamaha which to my ears is not terrible, but again a little too brittle in the attack, even with filter/eq mellowed down. Thanks-I am Jokeyman at the Casio music group.

[@PianoManChuck]

Ah yes, Jokeyman! Much respect for your quality posts on the Casio forums. The V3Sounds' pianos are sampled from Steinway D and Bosendorfer Imperial 290 - the rest are variations, and definitely one of the best sounding modules out there! As for the 'modeling' portion of those, that applies to string & sympathetic resonance, pedal functions, etc. See www.v3sound.com/en/e-product-grand-piano-xxl.html for more details. The pianos on the new Casio's (PX-S7000, 6000, 5000) are excellent (Steinway Hamburg), and the PXS7000 is the only slab digital I'm aware of that also includes a Bechstein sample. The only thing about the new Casio's is that if you're a concert pianist or serious classical pianist, the short pivot point may not be what you're looking for in that the very last portion of the keys (closest to the fallboard) requires a bit more pressure - more so than your PX-560. Other than that, I can highly recommend these to anyone and everyone other than the most serious classical pianists. However, I very highly recommend that you physically try it out for yourself before dismissing it.

[@jokeyman2943]

@@PianoManChuck Thank you for the additional information. I will study this module, looks like it might be just what I am looking for. Glad you mentioned the new action on the Casios-the shallower action would definitely not suit my style of playing, I imagine Casio is trying to keep their more authentic grand piano action with a longer key throw and depth primarily for their more expensive Grand Hybrids. One other question-comparing the newest Dexibell Vivo piano module-costing considerably more-and I've watch and listened to your review for that, how would you say the sound quality compares to the V3? Going back to Generalmusic days-I was a big fan and player, still have my Equinox-the Dexibell module looks interestingly similar to the much older GEM RP-X piano module, one of the earliest (I think) to using modeled piano samples for resonance and damping with their "Drake" architecture.

[@izikshtemer]

Isn't sound good enough on fantom X ?

[@Kougeru]

absolutely

[@fairweatherfriends.]

FYI Actual playing starts at 9:00. 🥱

[@darenarthur875]

Could it be used with a Kawai VPC1 .Not having a screen .

[@V3SOUND]

Find here solutions to call up sounds. The simplest unit is the Behringer XTOUCH-MINI 49,- $. www.v3sound.com/en/e-controllers.html

[@jimsuber6784]

Does it work with px-5S ?????

[@PianoManChuck]

Works with any MIDI capable keyboard.

[@musikone1780]

$422, no thanks! Hope to see you in a few weeks at NAMM.