Is there a worthwhile budget Piano VSTi or sampler+soundset?

[quincy]

I am currently learning to play the keys, teaching myself with a full tutorial course purchased from the net (surprisingly worthwhile actually), and I'd just really like a nice piano VSTi to use for practise. I have tried a few bits and bobs but there are just too many for me to want to download and try every single option.

I'm open minded to a self-contained standalone or VSTi, or indeed a sampler plus a decent soundset. But as I say, there's an awful lot of options and i'd really like to keep the price reasonable. The demos of NI Acoustik Piano sound great, and the price is reasonable since the price shift (good work NI) but there are so many other options all over the price range.

Any advice gratefully received. Under $200 would be good, Under $100 would be brilliant, but basically i'll make a stretch on the price if its really expressive and worth the green.

Cheers

[DaveL60]

Well, you didn't specify the environment (guessing most likely Windows). This link provides the 56 items identified in the KVR database as Piano/Keys for you to scan through. I can't claim to have tried many of them.

Another option would be one of the ROMplers. Something like SampleTank Free should provide a pretty decent piano for nothing more than the cost of downloading it. That would give something to play with now and allow leisure for exploring other options while you're learning.

DaveL

[Goseba]

Wusikstation has some good piano sample sets.

[joshhunsaker]

~$200

http://www.sampletekk.com/products.php?cat=44

http://www.pianoteq.com/

http://www.truepianos.com/

~$50

http://michielpost.tradebit.com/files.php/6008

free

http://smatni.tripod.com/safwanmatnivstplugins/ (prova)

http://www.sf2midi.com/index.php?page=sdet&id=6514

http://failedmuso.blogspot.com/2007/08/ ... ascam.html

[rockstar_not]

Try looking up the Akai Splendid soundfont. It's a wonderful sounding piano soundfont for free. It's a pretty big download, so be prepared for some time in DL land.
http://www.soundcreationsinc.com/tech/s ... endid.html

72 MB for just one font. No reverbs or anything - take care of that yourself.

Also try the Warren Trachtman freebie soundfont.

[joshhunsaker]

there are many many more on sf2 midi that are also fantastic. you'll need this for them:

http://www.terrywest.110mb.com/take1.html

don't forget the download manager to split up the files for downloading - www.sf2midi.com can be very slow on many occasions.

http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/

you also may want this format conversion software if want to do some editing
http://www.programmersheaven.com/downlo ... nload.aspx

[griels]

In terms of expressivity, I'd say Truepianos and Pianoteq are top of the heap. They certainly have a liveliness missing in most big sample sets, due to their modelling of pedal behaviour/sympathetic resonance.

Have to say I have a soft spot for the ArtVista VGP too - has a very lively quality - but this is only judging from mp3 demos...

[joshhunsaker]

for anyone else that wants it...
here's the kawai retuned piano soundfont that is probably the best sounding free option (next to the infamous akai piano)

http://www.wikifortio.com/871397/Kawai+retuned.SF2