Modartt has announced the release of Pianoteq STAGE for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. The other versions of Pianoteq have been updated to v4.0.3.

Formerly known as Pianoteq PLAY, Pianoteq STAGE is based on the same recently refined acoustic model as in version 4 of Pianoteq Standard and PRO. It includes the same instruments, sound and playability. The interface is scaled down, tailored to focus entirely on playing rather than sound adaptation or specialized studio recording.

Pianoteq STAGE offers the same refined physical model as in version 4 of the Standard and Pro version, including the new grand piano D4 where a Steinway D from Hamburg has served as reference. Designed with care, each note is adjusted and voiced up to perfection.

Optional add-ons:

• Electric pianos and clavinet.
• Rock piano YC5.
• Chromatic percussions.

The free add-on KIViR offers a unique collection of historical instruments: cimbalom, harpsichords, pianofortes, early pianos, CP80 electric piano.

Convolution reverberation
Pianoteq STAGE makes use of a new convolution reverb unit that simulates real acoustic surroundings, from small studios to giant cathedrals, enhancing the sound quality and listening experience.

New effects
New effects that benefit the electric pianos but also other Pianoteq instruments are included, such as delay, chorus, flanger, amplifier and compressor. Also included is a mallet bounce effect, especially adapted for the chromatic percussion add-on instruments (vibes, xylophone, marimba, cimbalom, etc.).

Price: 99 € ($129).

The upgrade from Pianoteq PLAY to Pianoteq STAGE is priced at 29 € ($39) and is free to all Pianoteq PLAY customers who purchased or registered after 1 January 2011.

Listen to "D4 in action" and download the trial version at www.pianoteq.com.

Changes in Pianoteq v4.0.3:

• Renamed Pianoteq PLAY to Pianoteq STAGE.
• Fixed issue with some real-time MIDI messages (MIDI clock etc) on Mac OS.
• Undo/redo behaviour when a slider is being dragged should now be really fixed.
• Fixed magnification issue with the spectrum profile note-edit.