Native Instruments vs. Synthogy virtual pianos

For a few months I've been eyeing Synthogy's Ivory virtual-piano software, but have been put off by its pricetag and the fact it outspecs my computer. Imagine my pleasant suprise when I got an email from Native Instruments announcing their rival product:

http://www.native-instruments.com/#/...concert-grand/

I think it compares favorably to the Synthogy, considering it costs a fraction of the price.

http://www.synthogy.com/demos/grandpiano.html

(But boy, the Synthogy really is indistinguisable from a real piano in places. Probably overkill for the kind of music I make!)

NI's bundle of 4 grands costs $190, versus Synthogy's $320, and what's moree, you can buy the Native Instruments pianos separately for $80/pop, which is ideal for me because I'm only really interested in the concert grand.

Sadly, even the NI product outspecs my computer. Either I'd have to buy Leopard off eBay (still going for >$100) or buy a bundle package from Apple with Snow Leopard for $160. Obviously, the latter is a more attractive option, but then I'd still have to upgrade my RAM.

I'm not sure if this should remain a pipe dream until I get a new computer, which might be a long time from now.

Does anyone have any experience running these programs on a Mac?

I'm afraid I can't be of much help (this is the first time I've heard of both of those products), but I am in a similar situation to you.

Early next year I'm planning on switching to Mac, but perhaps plumping for VSL. It seems to fit with what I want. I already have a reasonably good electric piano, so I'm looking for, well, the rest of the orchestra, really. The hours I expect to lose to it...

Why is it that you're just looking for the piano software?

Also, I couldn't tell: is that Native Instruments Vienna related to VSL or no? Judging from the clips, I'd guess no. Comparing the Rachmaninoff samples, the Synthogy sounds far better in every respect.

Originally Posted by Station

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Why is it that you're just looking for the piano software?

Becuase piano music is all I write right now. As well, I'm resigned to the fact that it'll be at least years before something like strings could be captured as well (As well, things like articulation, bowing technique, etc. can't be controlled entirely in MIDI, and would require more work than I'm willing to put in, TBH.)

Also, I couldn't tell: is that Native Instruments Vienna related to VSL or no? Judging from the clips, I'd guess no. Comparing the Rachmaninoff samples, the Synthogy sounds far better in every respect.

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Native Instruments uses the Kontakt software sampler, but they have a player version free for download on their website. Synthogy uses VST or can be operated stand-alone.

Originally Posted by tagutcow

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Becuase piano music is all I write right now. As well, I'm resigned to the fact that it'll be at least years before something like strings could be captured as well (As well, things like articulation, bowing technique, etc. can't be controlled entirely in MIDI, and would require more work than I'm willing to put in, TBH.)
Sadly true. I do somewhat pity those who use VSL or East West or the like for actual releases and whatnot. I purely intend on using it as a learning/recreational tool — it's not often one has an orchestra at one's command — and for demos. Having somehow mastered Sibelius, I figure I might as well go for broke.

Originally Posted by tagutcow

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Native Instruments uses the Kontakt software sampler, but they have a player version free for download on their website. Synthogy uses VST or can be operated stand-alone.
See, that is simply double Dutch to me. Seems I'm destined to be the next Wagenaar, not the next Wagner...

Originally Posted by Station

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Sadly true. I do somewhat pity those who use VSL or East West or the like for actual releases and whatnot. I purely intend on using it as a learning/recreational tool "” it's not often one has an orchestra at one's command "” and for demos. Having somehow mastered Sibelius, I figure I might as well go for broke.

I'm using Lime, which is a notation program for plebes. Honestly, it's worked pretty well for me (I don't need to put things in Gregorian chant notation or other bells and whistles the major notation programs have), but it's a little counterintuitive sometimes, and have found it's a little dicey when trying to beam between staves.

See, that is simply double Dutch to me. Seems I'm destined to be the next Wagenaar, not the next Wagner...

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The NI Vienna is simply a bank of samples, so you need the Kontakt software sampler to play it. Kontakt is available in a commercial version (that works as a VST plug-in for a program like Logic, Cubase, etc.) or as freeware play-only version (kinda like what Acrobat Reader is to Adobe Acrobat.) The Synthogy uses a combination of samples and physical modelling, and you can use it as a VST plug-in, or a stand-alone program that requires no VST host.

i swear by native instruments personally.

I've been a professional studio keyboardist/arranger (and published fiction) writer for over a decade. I've always used NI.

The best package they make is Komplete, which has everything one needs for creating electronic and sample-based music, including the full version of Kontakt -- well worth the money, especially if you buy during one of NI's specials. My first copy of Komplete was about $200 and included Reaktor, Absynth, Pro 5 (I own a real Prophet V and theirs sounds just like it), their B3, Traktor, Battery and Kontakt. Combine that with DP, Logic or ProTools software and you might not need anything else until you start bringing in analog signal.

I tend to use Kontakt and load whichever piano sample library I like at the moment -- EastWest's and Vienna Instruments' Bosendorfers, for example. Haven't tried NI's Vienna or NY Concert Grands because I'm happy with what I have.

If your computer's outspec'd, then I hope you're up to figuring out how to deal with latency. One way is to record your tracks with another sound and play them back -- adjusted for latency -- with your favorite sample library. Unfortunately, that takes the fun out of the original performance.

I hope you'll be playing on a MIDI controller with eighty-eight weighted keys.

Never trust mp3 demos of other people playing because they often involve tricks to make the samples sound better than they are. Recreation of that level of illusion can involve the same extra work as the demo.

To the fellow who wants to incorporate orchestral sounds on his next Mac: Look for seasonal deals on the Vienna Symphonic Library volumes. Miroslav Vitous's orchestral libraries often go on sale as well, and are less money than many to begin with.