Hey,
I'm currently using the built in EXS sampler piano sounds in Logic Pro X on Mac. But they do not sound realistic.
What are the best piano libraries for Kontakt? Or Vsts? Preferrably libraries that does not take 100's of gigabytes on my HD.
Any recommendations?
Best piano libraries for Kontakt?
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- KVRAF
- 2084 posts since 24 Jun, 2006 from London, England
I don't think I'll ever move from Pianoteq for anything piano based - First commercial VSTi I purchased about 10 years ago and possibly still my favourite : https://www.pianoteq.com/
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- KVRian
- 1100 posts since 9 Jan, 2015 from NY, NY
I agree that Pianoteq is a great choice as it's very well modeled rather than sampled, so gives you a more realistic piano response as well as a great sound.
Sweet child in time...
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- KVRAF
- 3231 posts since 18 May, 2003 from Sweden
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- KVRian
- 1100 posts since 9 Jan, 2015 from NY, NY
Yes it does.
Sweet child in time...
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- KVRAF
- 3231 posts since 18 May, 2003 from Sweden
No, it does not. Logic's native plugin structure is AU, end of story.Deep Purple wrote: ↑Sat Feb 09, 2019 5:38 amYes it does.
If you want to complexify (Besos…
) your setup, you can of course host Mac vst:s using some additional AU host plugin such as Plogue Bidule, which in its turn can load vst:s. But what's the point?I suppose the OP just confused the terms VI (virtual instrument) with vst. It happens…
/Joachim
If it were easy, anybody could do it!
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- KVRist
- 424 posts since 28 Dec, 2017
I am not a pianoplayer, but I really like the Una Corda. It is so orignal and has a cool sound.
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- KVRian
- 1100 posts since 9 Jan, 2015 from NY, NY
Well don't get your frilly panties in a twist.Spitfire31 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 09, 2019 5:44 pmNo, it does not. Logic's native plugin structure is AU, end of story.
I didn't realize it takes a wrapper, and some other Mac DAWs can use VSTs natively (Live and Reason, for example).
Now take a deep breath before you get back the interwebs.
Sweet child in time...
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- KVRian
- 1030 posts since 26 Feb, 2018
Best is pretty subjective. Any other requirements in mind? You only said realistic and try to keep the library small.
What's your price range? Or in other words, how important is the piano sound in your production (does it sit at the front or is it a backup track)?
Inexpensive Steinway D:
You didn't say cheap, but usually goes hand-in-hand with smaller libraries:
The Air Mini Grand is the winner IMO as can be had for as little as $10 on sale and appears occasionally in the sales forum here. Also the best sounding grand under 2GB in my opinion after testing about a dozen.
I also very much like Sonivox 88 Ensemble, which is not hard to find on sale or the second hand market. Comes in at about 10gb but there's a lightweight preset that sounds pretty good, and the kit also incorporates a few other sounds like layered strings, so it is a fair use of 10GB.
Addictive Keys Studio Grand comes in at around 5GB and it is also easy to find as a resale because it comes bundled with some hardware. (I'm currently testing it)
Not Steinway D:
Probably the best bet and the last piano you'll need (if you are not a piano player that needs variety) is Ravenscroft 275 at 6GB of space. It is a truly majestic beast and the sound far exceeds the size of the library, it sounds like a 40+ GB library. This is probably the only "small" library that competes at the same level as the big boys, and many would say it rises to the top.
Also, re: pianoteq
I just have to add for the purpose of the discussion: IMO at best the sound is ok. My guess is that they are at least 3 versions away from being able to compete with some of the top libraries. In fact, I bet on a blind test most music end-consumers would prefer the sound of the Air Mini Grand.
So my point is: unless you are a piano player and are looking for a great "feel" (not sound) for when you are recording midi, then the pianoteq can be a great tool. But if you are looking for something to render tracks, IMO pianoteq is not on the shortlist.
What's your price range? Or in other words, how important is the piano sound in your production (does it sit at the front or is it a backup track)?
Inexpensive Steinway D:
You didn't say cheap, but usually goes hand-in-hand with smaller libraries:
The Air Mini Grand is the winner IMO as can be had for as little as $10 on sale and appears occasionally in the sales forum here. Also the best sounding grand under 2GB in my opinion after testing about a dozen.
I also very much like Sonivox 88 Ensemble, which is not hard to find on sale or the second hand market. Comes in at about 10gb but there's a lightweight preset that sounds pretty good, and the kit also incorporates a few other sounds like layered strings, so it is a fair use of 10GB.
Addictive Keys Studio Grand comes in at around 5GB and it is also easy to find as a resale because it comes bundled with some hardware. (I'm currently testing it)
Not Steinway D:
Probably the best bet and the last piano you'll need (if you are not a piano player that needs variety) is Ravenscroft 275 at 6GB of space. It is a truly majestic beast and the sound far exceeds the size of the library, it sounds like a 40+ GB library. This is probably the only "small" library that competes at the same level as the big boys, and many would say it rises to the top.
Also, re: pianoteq
I just have to add for the purpose of the discussion: IMO at best the sound is ok. My guess is that they are at least 3 versions away from being able to compete with some of the top libraries. In fact, I bet on a blind test most music end-consumers would prefer the sound of the Air Mini Grand.
So my point is: unless you are a piano player and are looking for a great "feel" (not sound) for when you are recording midi, then the pianoteq can be a great tool. But if you are looking for something to render tracks, IMO pianoteq is not on the shortlist.
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- KVRer
- 28 posts since 21 Apr, 2018
Give a look at "The Giant" from NI, and the Arturia Piano V.
As a pianist I must say that sounds in general aren't super realistic on vst instruments, but that doesn't mean they don't bring any quality to your scores, indeed I'd say that often they can bring some specifics "sounds" that a "normal" piano wouldn't be able to produce.
As a pianist I must say that sounds in general aren't super realistic on vst instruments, but that doesn't mean they don't bring any quality to your scores, indeed I'd say that often they can bring some specifics "sounds" that a "normal" piano wouldn't be able to produce.
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- KVRian
- 665 posts since 1 Jan, 2018
Though I am neither much of a piano person nor a sample library connoisseur (I don't even have Kontakt), I mostly agree here. I love Pianoteq because it has enough tweakability to produce all sorts of interesting not-quite-piano sounds and because (in the pro version) all the physical parameters can be modified on a per-note basis. But comparing it against even the aforementioned super cheap pianos from Air, Sonivox and XLN, the samples generally sound more natural to my ears. Though, again, I am not much of a piano person and mostly interested in the unnatural things you can coax Pianoteq into doing.jochicago wrote: ↑Sun Feb 10, 2019 4:38 am Also, re: pianoteq
I just have to add for the purpose of the discussion: IMO at best the sound is ok. My guess is that they are at least 3 versions away from being able to compete with some of the top libraries. In fact, I bet on a blind test most music end-consumers would prefer the sound of the Air Mini Grand.
So my point is: unless you are a piano player and are looking for a great "feel" (not sound) for when you are recording midi, then the pianoteq can be a great tool. But if you are looking for something to render tracks, IMO pianoteq is not on the shortlist.
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Funkybot's Evil Twin Funkybot's Evil Twin https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=116627
- KVRAF
- 11511 posts since 16 Aug, 2006
I love the tone of the Emberton Steinway. Beautiful sounding piano, tons of mic positions. Eats CPU for breakfast, so may need to keep your buffer at 128, but it's a great piano. Best I own. There's an update that's been in the works for months with half peddling and sympathetic resonance, but it's already the best sampled piano I've used.
