What's a good sampled piano plugin??

[glokraw]

A lot of work has been done improving an older lib, that is sfz based, and any quality sfz capable player should work.

https://www.ir.isas.jaxa.jp/~cyamauch/N ... randPiano/

The sample sets themselves run in the 1.6 gig range. I tried a couple and was happy playing them, nice to have a new free option. I have NI's Noire and other Komplete pianos, and some SampleTank pianos, all are very nice.
Cheers

[Gribs]

Teletone’s “Golden Age Grand” is really good and Kontakt Player compatible. They have a sale only for black Friday, but if you sign up for their newsletter you can get a 10 percent off coupon code.

I agree with NI Noire being really good. Teletone’s grand and Noire also have some modified options that are cool for sound design or lo-fi type things. Heavyocity has both grand and upright Kontakt Player libraries (and others) that have some fun granular type processing options, too. Those should be only bought during one of their frequent 50% off sales.

There are some other really good piano libraries out there that require the full version of Kontakt, like various pianos from Sampletekk.

My old Keylab 88 came with a copy of Pianoteq Stage, and for practice or having fun without starting up Kontakt, I think it is great. I keep updating it (twice so far) and also bought their EP library and like that, too.

[BBFG#]

I have Piano in Blue. And while it's good, would not recommend it unless you're already entrenched in the NI Kontakt way. It's a NFR license and I'm finding I don't really want NI on my systems for now. Something to consider for any plugin you haven't decided to live with and take the inevitable loss.

And the NI libraries that have been mentioned that I owned were good until I played then for awhile and found the spots where they are atrocious in expression.

[Mr Arkadin]

I like UVI Keysuite. Covers a lot of ground.

[_leras]

The old Roland 'rave' piano. Just classic for dance music.

Alicia's Keys is an excellent sounding piano for playing, though might be considered slightly on the soft side for some things.

I really think it depends on what you want it for. Dance music wants a different piano than accompanying a jazz singer, and different again if you're playing Rachmaninov.

Perhaps some of these hyper real sonically wonderful piano sample libraries can find a use, but for me a lot of these are great sounding to mess around with but don't sonically fit when I want a piano in my music.

[telecharge]

The old Roland 'rave' piano. Just classic for dance music.

Roland JV series?

[MusicisFUNdamental]

I use Keyscape still quite often even though it's a very dated plug in. For more character, I've been digging the Postcard piano from teletone audio I believe but sometimes doesn't trigger regularly (clean it up in post), and for piano soundscapes, LOVE lost piano from Westwood. I am probably looking for a new piano plug myself soon but Keyscape is used the most still by me. I am sure there are more updated, better but depends on what your needs are and sound you are looking for.

[Examigan]

MonasteryGrand is free from Melda Production.
The audio examples they have on their site sound good.

[Gribs]

I like UVI Keysuite. Covers a lot of ground.

For the OP, UVI has a 50% off any single item thing going on right now.

[DCrown]

Air Mini Grand

[Alexander_D]

Just purchased Keyscape. And wow. It's sounds really warm and good. So update my favs:
1) Keyscape
2) Steinberg Grand
3) Ni Noire & Claire
4) Ni Grandeur

[strovoknights]

I recently had the opportunity to listen to the IK Pianoverse Max, and I found its tone truly impressive.
However, I usually use the Arturia Piano V, as I value the balance between convenience and sound quality.

[BBFG#]

I recently had the opportunity to listen to the IK Pianoverse Max, and I found its tone truly impressive.
However, I usually use the Arturia Piano V, as I value the balance between convenience and sound quality.

I believe the Arturia Piano is modeled like Pianoteq and maybe not what the OP is asking for. (Although I agree, they are good.)

[SMH]

I thought you could buy Kontakt instruments and play them with a free player? Or was that ages ago?

Not all Kontakt instruments can be played with the free version.

Stuff like that just makes me not want to use Kontakt.

[SMH]

I have The Grand v1 (on CD-ROM!!) but obviously it's 32 bit and I'm not even sure I can still install it. Might get V3. But kinda expensive- do they ever do sales or have coupon codes? I'm not in a big hurry.