Studio Blüthner 1895
by Vienna Symphonic Library · Keys · Sampled 1895 Blüthner grand
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A sampled 1895 Blüthner grand (193 cm) with patented aliquot stringing, recorded on Stage B of the Synchron Stage Vienna.
It offers condenser, ribbon, sphere, mid, Decca tree and surround mics with Concert, Intimate, Pop, Vintage and other presets, for €195 (about $221) Standard or €345 Full.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Acoustic Instruments. Genres: Jazz, Acoustic & Classical, Ambient & Cinematic, Pop.
Keywords: grand piano, sample-based, vintage, subtle, warm, acoustic drums, cinematic, dark, film & game audio, gentle, modern.
What it does
Studio Blüthner 1895 samples a refurbished historic Blüthner grand, a vintage alternative to VSL's modern concert pianos. VSL calls it "very detailed and clear, yet warm".
- Instrument: a 193 cm (6'4") Blüthner from 1895 with the patented aliquot stringing, an extra sympathetic string in the treble.
- Close mics: Sennheiser MKH 8040 condenser, Coles 4038 ribbon and Schoeps KFM 6 sphere.
- Mid and room mics: Sennheiser MKH 800 and MKH 40 mids, a Decca tree in stereo and mono, and a surround pair.
- Presets: Concert, Intimate, Player, Pop, Ambience and Vintage, plus FX presets.
- Pedals: una corda, sostenuto and sustain, with half-pedalling and re-pedalling.
- Two editions: Standard with 62,232 samples or Full with 124,464 samples.
It was earlier sold as Synchron Blüthner 1895. It runs in the Vienna Synchron Player.
Source: Vienna Symphonic Library product page
When to use it
The Blüthner is the pick for a warm, older grand with character rather than a big modern concert sound. Compared with the Abbey Road Studios CFX Concert Grand, it has less size and projection but a gentler, more delicate treble. Unlike Pianoteq 9, which models pianos and lets you tweak the instrument itself, it is a sampled recording of one real piano with many mic positions to mix. Compared with Keyscape, it is a single, deeply sampled grand at a much lower price rather than a broad keyboard collection.
- Best for: romantic and impressionist classical pieces, gentle film themes and vintage-flavoured pop piano.
- Genres: classical, cinematic, indie rock and 60s/70s-style pop-rock.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a bright, powerful modern concert grand with a wide dynamic range (the CFX Concert Grand or Pianoteq 9).
- Tip: Merriam Music suggests the Concert preset for Satie or Debussy.
What producers say
The one detailed review found treats it as a characterful vintage piano for specific uses rather than an all-purpose grand.
- Merriam Music (a piano dealer, 2022) called it the nicest vintage-sounding VSL piano they had heard and praised the delicate upper octaves, where "the magic really happens".
- Comparison: next to a Hamburg Steinway D it had less projection and a narrower dynamic range, though the Steinway sounded darker.
- Criticisms: limited dynamic range and less size, resonance and clarity than a modern concert grand, so it does not suit every production.
Where to buy
- Vienna Symphonic Library: $221.42 (Standard Edition listed at €195 (Full Edition €345, about $391.75); converted at €1 = $1.1355 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
Tutorials and reviews
- VSL Studio Blüthner 1895 (Scarlatti, Sonata in D Minor, K…
- Blüthner 1895 by Vienna Symphonic Library - Introduction
- VSL Synchron Blüthner 1895 Walkthrough
- VSL Synchron Pianos Blüthner 1895 Introduction
- VSL Synchron Pianos Blüthner 1895, Preset Comparison with Frederic Chopin, played by Guy Bacos
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