Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards What piano VST should I choose?

I've already tried some, like synthogy ivory ii but it was only couple of pianos to play like bosendorf, yamaha c7, steinway concert d
From all those pianos I definetely put steinway concert far higher than others. I really aim for something like that steinway with that nocturne-ballade-ish sound but the problem with this is the dynamics. There is fortissimo barely noticable, it doesn't really scale the stronger i press key the louder it sounds from some point. Also, the higher notes seem to be pitching too much
Other pianos are crap to be honest... I also tried The Grandeur or Keyscape but they sound so flat imo... What would you suggest? Maybe just change settings? Could you share some? :P

If you are interested in new releases, Production Voices must be completing their Steinway D "Concert Grand"

http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2655965/re-steinway-d-concert-grand.html

I would suggest trying Pianoteq 6 (there is a demo version) and/or Garritan CFX - depending on whether you like the modelled or sampled sound. Personally, I have and enjoy both.

Osho

Could you give me settings you use for garritan? I noticed that changing settings give A LOT but i am not skilled enough to do that properly.

I really like the Grandeur. What does it mean when you say it sounds "flat"?

As for other Steinways ... the Vintage D got lots of attention here when it was new years ago. Newer VST pianos have come along, and all talk about the Vintage D has faded.

But I still have it, and I use it, and I love it. It does NOT have the dynamic problems that you've noted in the other pianos. This one has a BIG range. I highly recommend it.

If you like Steinway and you want big dynamics, this is the one.

Check out Bechstein Digital Grand by ... Bechstein: https://www.bechstein-digital.com

Nobody is.

You just have to do stuff and see how it sounds.

Yeah but I'd really appreciate if you took screenshot of your the grandeur, cfx garritan or synthogy ivorry 2 settings, just to have some starting point..

I don't know if I have the 'best' settings but I can do this over the weekend.

Osho

I'd appreciate it

I use Philip Johnston's settings, which you can find here: http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2599260 (Pictures of the settings are halfway down the page.)

I modified the velocity curve and dynamic response to match my keyboard better.

If the problem is getting it loud enough and with sufficient dynamic contrast, then ensure that the dynamic range is turned up and, frankly, that the volume is turned up. Philip has his at 89% on the CFX, mine is also around there at 90%, and it really does give a very wide dynamic range; noticeably wider than any of my other instruments.

Here are some images. A few notes:

• I started from Philip Johnston's settings and changed a few things to suit my preferences.
• I change two things often. I recommend you try these settings out yourself to see which ones you like.
  • Ambinet mic - I often dial these down a lot when I want to hear more dry sound - especially when practicing for long hours - where too much reverb can be tiring for ears
  • Dynamic range: I change from 50 to 80 depending on my mood and the music I am playing.
• AT 48kHz sample rate and 64 buffer size, I feel there is no lag or latency. It feels very easy to connect to and play as if I am playing a real piano. I don't have any dropped notes etc.

Osho

I see it's $80 to buy the Lite, and then 100 to upgrade, but 200 to buy the Concert Grand to begin with. What am I missing?

Sometimes there's a difference because of a sale on Lite, but they're is usually a sale on full to make up the difference.

I was going to price arbitrage an upgrade from Lite to Upgraded Full when Lite was on sale for $59, but as it turned out Full was also reduced to $159 so I ended up just getting Full in the first place.

My opinion is: don't look at too much on opinins, cause everyone have a different requirements and goals. Choose YOUR the most favorite sound, timbre (I mean - german, austrian, american or japanese) and find the best one each them.
Personally I regret, that I did't buy long time ago Ivory Grand Pianos just for Hamburg Steinway - it's my beloved tone.

Quick answer: take a listen to what's available on YouTube and make a judgement.

Here are some of my opinions from my experience:

Garritan CFX Lite - I currently use this one and got it on sale for about $54. It's a nice piano with great sound. Maybe will upgrade to full someday but for now, I'm happy.

Ivory Keys - the American and Vintage D piano is nice. If you can afford it, it's definitely worth it. Classic Steinway sound.

Imperfect Samples (Fazioli) - Nice sample but like the name of the VST, it's not perfect. There are some noise in several keys at certain velocities. Also, it seems the company is not too active anymore.

PianoTeq - Definitely one of the best software emulated piano VST and each generation gets better. Doesn't take much disk space and computer requirement isn't high. They have a free demo available. But if you have a good ear and want the best sound or realistic piano sound, PianoTeq might disappoint. For me, it still sounds “emulated".

Does anyone own the PV Death Piano library?
https://www.productionvoices.com/product/death-piano/

It's on sale for $39.

I'm fairly new to VSTs. I assume you are referring to Galaxy Instruments Vintage D?
http://www.galaxy-instruments.com/vintage-d.html

Thanks.

Yes, Galaxy Vintage D.