Ivory 3 German D vs CFX Concert Grand

The primary distinction between Ivory 3 German D and Garritan CFX Concert Grand lies in their foundational instrument and underlying sound generation technology. Ivory 3 German D is based on a German Steinway Model D concert grand and introduces a hybrid RGB Engine, aiming to combine the responsiveness of modeling with the authenticity of sampling. In contrast, Garritan CFX Concert Grand is a thoroughly sampled recreation of a Yamaha CFX grand piano.

Sonically, these differences manifest in their characteristic tones and library sizes. Ivory 3 German D presents a clean, modern, and balanced sound associated with the Steinway, utilizing its innovative RGB Engine for expressiveness within a 42 GB library. The Garritan CFX, emphasizing its sampled nature and recording at Abbey Road Studio One, offers a bright, clean, and balanced modern character with a substantially larger 133 GB library of samples.

Therefore, choose Ivory 3 German D if you prioritize the distinct voice of a German Steinway Model D paired with a hybrid engine offering advanced responsiveness, all within a more compact library. Opt for Garritan CFX Concert Grand if you seek the expansive detail of a Yamaha CFX grand recorded in a prestigious studio, delivered through a purely sampled approach that results in a significantly larger data footprint.

Products Compared

Insights from Real-World Use

Ivory 3 German D

  • Ivory 3 German D excels in dynamic range, allowing for unrestricted fortissimo, which is its strong suit.
  • The spectral modeling and sampling, especially the tamber shift, make Ivory 3 German D sound nice and covered.
  • Ivory 3 German D's modeling makes playing more musical and expressive.
  • Ivory 3's awesome effects are amazing, offering quality usually found elsewhere.
  • The dynamic range of Ivory 3 German D, from true fortissimo to very soft, is highly appreciated.

CFX Concert Grand

  • IMHO, the sound quality of VSL is way above Garritan. At least when I tested them with my Hifiman Sundara headphones. Yesterday I played for 30 minutes using Garritan until my ear got used to it, and
  • All I can say is this: after extensive research a year or so ago, I found lots of people talking about Ravenscroft, and once I listened to the examples on their site I decided to buy it, and still gla
  • The CFX Concert Grand is worth it, feels great, is well-priced, well-done, and highly recommended.
  • The CFX Concert Grand is an awesome library, ranking among the top three with Keyscape and Pianoteq, perfectly excelling in its category.
  • The CFX Concert Grand is recommended for its authentic recording, making it ideal for piano lessons or college courses.

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