A sad state of affairs indeed.
After 20 years, they can't get it right in hardware of software.
Don't feel bad Braincell, I also got suckered into thinking QLPianos would be perfect.
They are overbloated and cannot possibly have all of the layers triggered unless you want to record and use a sequencer to go back and edit the dynamics to trigger the desired layers.
Hardly worth the time.
But the pictures looked really cool.
I can use SampleTekk Pianos and have a more satisfying experience than any of the big Romplers I wasted coin on.
But therin lies the problem.
I have great Pianos for ensemble performances that can cover Jazz, Rock & basic Classical styles.
But true Barrel House, New Orleans style, Blues, Jazz and Ragtime require a 3rd hand....hence the sostenuto pedal. Seems these " developers " have never heard of that, or the una corde pedal either. Fine, I can live w/ that.
Sadly PTeq has their pedals functioning perfectly, but they have programmed their instruments by using scientific calculations and nifty slogans. Their ears are out to lunch though.
I would love for SamplTekk and PTeq to combine their efforts and give us a Piano that sounds great and has the pedals working.
A friend of mine down in Vegas bought the " Authorized " Steinway because he knew most developers can sample the sounds w/o much difficulty, but was falsley told the instrument had the pedals, and they even had pretty pictures of polished pedals, etc.
He was shocked he bought the " Greatest " Piano ever made, then he recieved an answer to his question on how to use the pedals. They told him that somehow in the rush to release the instrument they forgot to implement the pedals, but they would update that feature in an upgrade. That was back in 2008, he still hasn't recieved a fix for that, but they are hard at work on fixing other numerous features that also don't work.
These big developers have great online websites and forums, but if you complain there, you will be bannished.
Fair warning, if the developer doesn't have downloadable demo's and just has some mp3 demos ( MIDI Files usually ) with some silly name like Concert Pianists tend to use, save your money.
After having a stick broke off up my ass about 6 times now I have given up.
My 80 dollar Black Grand while not being perfect, sure makes these Terabyte sized Goat Fucks look silly.
There are forums full of satisfied musicians that have recieved free copies and also post MIDI File demos to show their total happiness with the " Ultimate Piano."
I am surprised there hasn't been the " Ultimate Liberace Baldwin " w/ a jpeg of Candles and little mirrors, and forum threads full of little suck asses saying " Yes, that's definately a Baldwin Piano.".........
Here's a good question that's sure to draw attacks on " Piano " forums.
Just say, Jeez Guys, I have been playing Grand Pianos for decades and I cannot tell by a recording who is the artist, or if it's a Steinway or Yamaha, or Braunschweiger. Could you please elaborate. Then come the attacks, and of course the " Pros " who can give you an example of why it's a Steinway, etc.
I recently played a Roland RD 700GX, and the 300GX, both sound the same, just more zones on the 700. But I was going to buy it on the spot as the sound was the best I have heard to date. Several different models, and the EPianos were not immation but in house Rolandish types and they were very nice.
But 2500 USD.........fawgeddaboudit.
Maybe as Nostrodamus said everything will start happening in 2012.
or maybe a dedicated 10 TB RAID array