We Can't Decide

[paulhcctt]

Hey Guys,

maybe some of you would contribute to settling a debate. Here are two mp3 clips of some piano music produced from two different sets of sampled sounds. Please listen to both of these and see if you have an opinion on which of these sounds 'better,' and perhaps offer a word or two about why you think so.

<a href="http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/1/26/694126/sample%201.mp3">sample 1.mp3</a>
<a href="http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/1/26/694126/sample2.mp3">sample2.mp3</a>

[JazzCat]

I'd vote but .... you know.... LOL

[rosybud1956]

Hi Paul. I listened to both twice. My preference is for Sample 2 which I find easier on the ears. Sample 1 has a little too much bass for my liking. Cheers Lyn

[midimart]

I prefer the first sample.

It is much crisper and has a little more resonance but then again, both could sound totally different again, given different acoustics... (venue).

[larryc]

I think sample one sounds just like a real acoustic grand piano,
excellent.

[infolena]

My vote goes for sample no 1.
It sounds clearer, has a timbre and a acoustic colour that is better than sample no 2.

Lena

[paulhcctt]

this is gonna be fun.

think i might let this run for a few days

[gibbo]

For me it depends on what other instrumentation is in the mix; if it's going to be mainly piano I'd use the fuller/warmer sample #1, if there's going to be a lot of other instrumentation competing for the frequency spectrum I'd probably use the narrower sound of sample #2.
Does that make sense to you?
Overall, I prefer #1.
Cheers, Dave.

[shyamwestwind]

The first one, any time - its clean and crisp. The first clip actually could sound like the second one after passing through audio filters, EQ adjusts etc !!

[geraint]

I would say 1 for clarity of the piano sound, but if it were a backing for a soloist, I'd go for 2.

[JazzCat]

Paul,
I suggest we do this 'poll' again, with a different section of the tune, not the whole thing... copyrights you know, but a section that includes all 4 instruments, Piano, guitar, bass & drums, And no cheating, record with flat response from the same MIDI file, same panning, and both files recorded as close to unity as possible.
What say you?
I'll suggest it to the other party and see what he says.

[oldsage]

you don,t say which type of piano is being played!it sounded like a yamaha grand,or the bechstein can also sound the same! was it played using dampers on or off?like the others said 1 gives a crisper sound,but 2 gives a more melodic representation,and therefore 1 for playing a solo piece and 2 for a backing or a quieter piece.this isn,t a fair question really,as both have excellent qualities,and have their own place in a musical enviroment. cheers steve

[muso]

I prefer the crisper, wider sound of the first sample.