By TotcProductions
On 11th January 2006
Version: 1.0
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TotcProductions
1 of 1 people found
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USER INTERFACE: Another plain, simple, yet non-obstructive GUI from 4Front. Suited in white, black, and grey, it almost
looks as if it's taking your order at a classy restaurant. Since software hasn't made that advance though, the GUI instead
provides a straightforward answer to what the plugin was meant to do. Very effective and almost relaxing when I just want
to compose rather than worry about the parameters. It scores a 10 for simplicity and efficiency.
SOUND: The quality of the sound produced by the 4front Piano Module is really a matter of taste. Personally, I find it to be
full bodied, perfectly recorded, and extremely unique. It's remeniscent of an old tack piano. Sort of like the one the beatles
used at Abbey Road studios, except how it would sound now all these years later. I've used this vsti in several tracks and
have always been pleased with the results. It's full of character and really gives a song a "Distinctive" sound that seperates
it from the rest. Every key is recreated perfectly, so well in fact, that you can actually hear the key press down. I've also found it to be great for emulating piano lines played on old vinyl records. Add izotope's Vinyl plugin
to the insert rack and I think you'll be very happy with what you hear. Despite me being obviously happy with the sound of this
plugin, I have scored it an 8 due to the fact that it may be a little misleading to a few users. One might download it with the
expectation of getting a typical clean grand piano sound and be unhappy with the chunky, phased sound of this particular piano.
It's not for everyone is all i'm saying.
FEATURES: This category does not really apply. The 4Front Piano Module is simply that...a piano wrapped in the VST SDK
so it can be easily used in your VST setup. No knobs, no buttons, no hastle. Just plug-and-play.
DOCUMENTATION: N/A
PRESETS: This is another category that doesn't apply as it is a single preset player.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Although I've never needed it for this particular plugin, I've always found 4front's support to be top notch.
They have always been approachable and willing to go that extra mile to help me out.
VALUE FOR MONEY: It doesn't cost a thing aside from some of your bandwidth. With how much I've used it, I'd say it far surpasses
any value, especially considering it's free.
STABILITY: 150%. Low CPU consumption, no clicks, cracks, or clunks and most importantly, no crashes. I've used this plugin in more than
a few hosts, and on many occasions. It's never given me a problem.
OVERALL: If you want a piano with personality, download this immediately. Or, if you are looking to recreate a vintage type of sound, again, you
might want to check this out. It's a great piece of work, provided at no cost to you. In my opinion, you can't go wrong. I will continue to use it in
my compositions and samples. |
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Last edited by TotcProductions on 12th January 2006
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By Tea
On 17th June 2004
Version: 1.0
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Tea
5 of 5 people found
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This is a strange little VSTi. Part of the 4Front suite that also includes the E-Piano and Rhode[s], it offers a no-frills workman-like, chunky, slightly hallucinogenic bar-room piano-type sound that is great for bashing out ideas for songs.
Unlike the mda piano, which is really more of a sound for fitting into a mix to represent a piano, the 4Front Piano actually offers some pleasure to be had from playing it for its own sake. It has a slightly dirty, crappy, worn-out kind of sound with a strange little twinkle to it which reminds me of wasps buzzing round a pot of honey or people rattling jewelry over a corpse. Really.
The quality of the sound is pretty consistent right across the range, with no notes overpowered by others when playing two-handed chords, and while in a mix it can be a bit fuzzy, it nonetheless has a unique sound that, while not authentic (I use free soundfonts and sfz for that), is nonetheless part of the piano-family. I recommend giving it a go.
User inteface:
Simple, elegant.
Features:
It makes a sound like a piano. That's it.
Documentation:
None, and none needed.
Presets:
None, and none needed. This is what it does. How many presets does a piano have?
Customer support:
You won't need it, but programmer George Yohnge gives the impression of being pretty approachable.
Value for money:
Yes.
Stability:
It has it. |
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By dor-x
On 26th February 2004
Version: 1
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dor-x
1 of 2 people found
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This is the best free piano mudule, I've heard, better than mda, Sampletank free, or even that light version of Plugsound that came with CM. It's simply more convincing to my ears.
If I want to just fool around or lay a quick keyboard part, that's the module, in fact, I put it on the default setting so I can begin bashing right away. And I find it acceptable that it has not a single knob, cos pianos don't have that anyway, and If I really need I can process the sound with another plugin.
One more: The sound is a little reverby and, some claim, out of tune, so it might be difficult to mix it, but based on personal experience, it's not, it slides right in. |
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By bandasound
On 4th February 2004
Version: 1
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bandasound
2 of 5 people found
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I think this little Piano has a nice sound. Has large potential in recording a fast thick piano sound. Its simple and i know i only have to pull this up for fast piano tracks...very utilitarian "free" plug....and i think it would rival a large percentage of OK hardware synths on the market...and the best plug available by 4 Front |
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By VicDiesel
On 11th October 2003
Version: 1.0
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VicDiesel
2 of 2 people found
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I don't think this instrument should be judged against expensive gigabyte sampled instrument. It's fairly small, free, and is a one-sound no-gui instrument.
So what's the sound worth? Tastes differ. This piano has a softer, rounder sound than the MDA piano, which I find somewhat thin, and the Sonic Reality pianos which I find very metallic. I haven't been exposed to anything more expensive.
The sound of this module is not perfect. There is clear noise when the notes decay, but in a mix that's in audible. With a little hi-shelf boost and low-shelf cut I find this an excellent instrument. I like this mellow sound. But I don't make dance music.
GUI: there is none. Docs likewise. Presets the same.
The author is active on kvr, so that means there is something resembling support.
Hey, it's free? Watcha got to lose? One more sound in your toolbox if you haven't found the perfect piano yet. |
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