Modern D vs Ivory 3 American Concert D

The core distinction between VI Labs Modern D and Ivory 3 American Concert D lies in their rendering engines and depth of sampled detail. While both are premium grand piano libraries capturing a Steinway Model D for classical and film scoring, Modern D employs a purely sampled approach with extensive individual samples for realism, whereas Ivory 3 utilizes a hybrid engine that blends sampling with modeling.

Modern D includes a significantly larger sample library at 34,615 samples, incorporating specific details like 2,500 release trails per mic position, sampled Una Corda, Muted Strikes, Half Pedal, and Silent Strikes, focusing on granular sampled authenticity. Ivory 3, in contrast, highlights its Real-time Gradient Blending (RGB) Engine and "Continuous Velocity" for seamless dynamic transitions, suggesting a more algorithmic approach to realism, and features fewer microphone positions at four compared to Modern D's five.

Choose VI Labs Modern D if a meticulously sampled approach with dedicated samples for numerous articulations and behaviors is paramount. Opt for Ivory 3 American Concert D if the "Continuous Velocity" and hybrid modeling engine for smooth, dynamically continuous response is a higher priority.

Products Compared

Insights from Real-World Use

Modern D

  • The Claire had a nice upper range, but it really felt dead in the lower mid range. The Modern D sings throughout all the registers. IMO, it's the best virtual piano on the market today.
  • I just picked up the Steinway D, I must say, I was veeery hesitant. I own some other vilabs pianos, The Ravenscroft among them, and feel like those instruments did not live up to their hype. That said
  • I purchased it today after listening to this excellent demo. It sounds pretty realistic and may work better in my pop-rock tracks than Ivory American D or the Keyscape C7 I've been using. I had to bri
  • It sounds very nice, but (to my ear) not as good as my custom C. Bechstein DG preset on Pianoteq, so... for now, I'll keep my wallet in my pocket.
  • Modern D's playability is awesome and better than Garritan CFX and Fazioli.

Ivory 3 American Concert D

  • Each piano has a unique tone signature, suitable for different songs.
  • I listened to the review twice and what my uneducated ears heard was Ivory 3 sounding a bit more airy with ambiance baked in. The piano seems a bit more open.
  • It sounds slightly hollow in the mid highs. It’s missing some weight that makes it sound really static.
  • American D is brighter (halfway to a Yamaha), while German one is darker.
  • I listened to the review twice and what my uneducated ears heard was Ivory 3 sounding a bit more airy with ambiance baked in. The piano seems a bit more open.

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