Suggestions for Software Piano instruments

[Baldo]

I'm possibly looking for a software piano to connect to my old Technics SX-P50 Stage piano. Any suggestions would be welcomed. I have decent mixer and speakers so should be able to get a nice rich deep sound.

I have both a PC and a MacBook Pro so wither of those could be used for this.

I have checked out pianoteq as recommended by one of my other posts here. I would would love to hear of other applications that might also be very good. Even though I just want a piano sound initially I suppose something that can also do Synths might be nice but not necessary.

Many thanks once again for any help here.

[blinddrew]

Are you looking for a standalone application or something that can be played through a DAW? If the latter then it's worth checking out the options from Spitfire LABS. Mostly more experimental than standard sounds but there are various piano options in there that might be of interest.

[RichardT]

I have 7 or 8 sampled pianos, plus Pianoteq. My favourite by a long way is Noire by Native instruments.

To run it you need the free Kontakt Player software, also from Native Instruments.

[Baldo]

I would essentially use it via my PC (which has a nice Juli@ sound card with ASIO drivers). I dont use it as a DAW.

I use a MacBook Pro running Logic Pro for the DAW (when I hook it up!!), and the audio interface for that is a nice Apoogee Duet, beautiful sound.

I have been playing around with Pianoteq and I must admit that the Steniway D piano sound does sound a lot better than the sound I get from my Technics.
I assume that that will just cost me the price of pianoteq since it includes two instrument choices.

[sonics]

Such an oft-trod path!

From your other thread we know you like a "Steinway". What sort of Steinway. Bright, bold modern classical? What is you repertoire, playing style, ability?

There are some dozen or so good pianos in my collection, and many, many more on the market.

Assuming a classical grand piano, but not too warm (i.e. discounting Boesendorfers) for use in solo playing, I like:
EastWest (Steinway or Yamaha C7)
Garritan (Steinway)
Ravenscroft
Ivory II
AcousticSamples Yamaha C7
8Dio Steinway (1969)
(I've think I've forgotten a couple since I'm not at the studio computer.)

Those to me are the most realistic for a range of classical and jazz styles.
The absence of Pianoteq indicates that, although it is indeed an excellent product, there is something too dry about the sound for me. It's a little too perfect, even when the imperfections are added. Like a meal with a subtle but essential ingredient missing.

This is all very personal. Play all the demos you can.

Good luck in your quest, brave Sir Baldo!

[RichardT]

I find Pianoteq a bit strange. Sometimes it sounds a bit clanky to my ears.

I would definitely recommend listening to some good sampled pianos before you make a final decision.

[N i g e l]

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

If you want somthing more down to earth, LivingRoom Upright Piano is nice

https://www.soundonsound.com/news/livin ... keypleezer

[Peevy]

I find Pianoteq a bit strange. Sometimes it sounds a bit clanky to my ears.

Same here. Hard to pinpoint, but it doesn’t sit right with me. Something about the overtones?

I keep returning to the Galaxy Vintage D. It’s pretty old now, but I find it sits well in a busy mix and stands alone well in something more sparse. This was the review in Sound On Sound back in 2010:

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/galaxy-vintage-d

[sonics]

I keep returning to the Galaxy Vintage D.

That's a lovely piano indeed. I felt it didn't work as well solo compared to some newer pianos, so it lost its place in my "squad"!

[ajay_m]

The best classical piano I've heard is Embertones, which is sampled from a Steinway. More a jazz piano but Alicia's Keys is also very playable. Most of the rest I've looked at have one or two notes that jump out and become very annoying over time.

[MaestroMikeT]

I’m a classically trained pianist, doing mostly modern jazz/classical original pieces. And although there’s really no substitute for a real grand - it’s not just the sound but that inexplicable connection between keyboard feel and response, and the infinite sound timbres being generated - I have come to the conclusion that, from my own collection of piano recreations, two stand out:
- the sampled engine on my Nord Piano 3 (better, the different pianos in Nord collection) together with their great keybed;
- an ancient but extremely musical modeling plugin, 4Front True Pianos, to wich I recur over and over again. It’s really old by today’s standards, but very well coded, and very tweakeable. And really inspiring, wich I have as one of the top qualities such a plug-in or library must have.

[sonics]

- an ancient but extremely musical modeling plugin, 4Front True Pianos

Thanks for that reminder. I recall having one or two of their models. I also remember liking them, but assumed they would have been surpassed, so didn't install them on my latest system. Is that the product with gemstones for names? I'll have to see if my installers can be found. 32-bit, I suppose?

The Nord is excellent, but pricey of course. Earlier versions weren't that good, IMO.

If you had to use a sample library, do you have any favourites?