Pianoteq 9

[teilo]

Full change log:

New instrument: Triple Harp, added to the Harp instrument pack.
Modern and historic grand pianos have been thoroughly updated.
MKII and Vintage Reeds instruments updated.
New 'Sombre' presets added to all grands.
New 'Felt' presets added to historic grands (Kremsegg and Karsten packs).
Improved pluck realism on Celtic and Concert harps.
The CP-80 in KIViR.ptq has been seriously improved.
Metronome sounds improved (4 choices).
Native support for Windows on ARM.
VST2 support removed.
VST3 support now available on Linux (alongside Windows and macOS).
Automatic migration of projects using an older major version of Pianoteq, when that version is not available. Requires host support: Cubase, Pro Tools, Logic Pro (except automation curves), DP, ...
Full compatibility of Logic projects between iOS (using the AUv3) and macOS (using the AUv2), including automation curves.
NKS2 support implemented.
Up to 8 microphones can now be used in the updated Mics & Mix panel.
Pianoteq STAGE users can now access the Mics & Mix panel and modify mixer settings.
FX panel: equalizer now features 5 configurable bands.
FX panel: ping-pong option added in delay effect.
FX panel: low-cut parameter added to the reverb effect.
Global Hammer Hardness parameter added.
Hammer Tone control added (for STANDARD/PRO users, note-edit for PRO users).
Velocity Offset control added (note-edit for STANDARD/PRO users).
Thunder pedal added.
Note FX panel: monophonic mode added, with legato and portamento options.
The main windows can be freely resized by dragging its bottom right corner.
New 'Tall' interface mode, in addition to the already existing 'Compact' mode.
(iOS only) Added support for portrait orientation, and windowed mode.

[Psuper]

I did the "Upgrade any version to Pianoteq 9" as suggested here and confirmed from Moddart support. I now have Pianotteq 9 however all my purchased instruments are now in demo mode and not showing on my account.

I'm sure it will get resolved I just sent another email to them, however posting should someone else be in a similar situation.

[mcbpete]

I did the "Upgrade any version to Pianoteq 9" as suggested here and confirmed from Moddart support. I now have Pianotteq 9 however all my purchased instruments are now in demo mode and not showing on my account.

You should be able to force a license recheck by clicking 'Options' on the top right (on either the standalone or plugin version) -> 'About' tab -> Update license

[Spitfire31]

Modartt must've blown some powerful fairy dust on the electric pianos. I don't remember they were so much fun in v 8, but the 'niners are really something. An hour and a half floated by just like that, browsing the presets and modding a bit.
/JHS

[BBFG#]

I try to get it as close to the end of that offer as I can because they give you any model they may add in a year from that date.

That’s not how it works. Version updates do not restart the clock. Perhaps upgrading from (for example) Stage to Pro might (I don’t know, I started with Studio), but upgrading from 8 to 9 does not, as I’ve had to buy the instruments even within a year of updating.

Your correct that updates do not restart the clock, but version upgrades do. At least they have from Version 4 in every upgrade I've done from them. Maybe not noticeable in all versions though. I have the Full Studio Pro Bundle, so the upgrade has always included the current models and any new model introduced within the year of that. As I said, at least that's how it's worked for me in version 5, 6, 7 & 8.

[Pepin]

Does anyone else notice that v9 seems much slower to instantiate?
I've timed it at 11 seconds, where Pianoteq 8 takes 1 second or less. Happens in multiple DAWs (but not standalone, interestingly).

[teilo]

I did the "Upgrade any version to Pianoteq 9" as suggested here and confirmed from Moddart support. I now have Pianotteq 9 however all my purchased instruments are now in demo mode and not showing on my account.

I'm sure it will get resolved I just sent another email to them, however posting should someone else be in a similar situation.

Did you activate it? It's a new key.

I had 8 Studio. Worked perfectly after activation, and everything was there, including the new Triple Harp.

[jamcat]

I try to get it as close to the end of that offer as I can because they give you any model they may add in a year from that date.

That’s not how it works. Version updates do not restart the clock. Perhaps upgrading from (for example) Stage to Pro might (I don’t know, I started with Studio), but upgrading from 8 to 9 does not, as I’ve had to buy the instruments even within a year of updating.

Your correct that updates do not restart the clock, but version upgrades do. At least they have from Version 4 in every upgrade I've done from them. Maybe not noticeable in all versions though. I have the Full Studio Pro Bundle, so the upgrade has always included the current models and any new model introduced within the year of that. As I said, at least that's how it's worked for me in version 5, 6, 7 & 8.

When I said "update" as opposed to "upgrade" that was merely to distinguish between buying a NEWER version (which I referred to as "update") vs buying a BIGGER version (which I referred to as "upgrade.")

I have Studio as well, and when I upgraded to Version 8, it was past my year of free instrument packs. My upgrade purchase did NOT get me the classical guitar pack which had been released at the same time as version 8.

I even contacted tech support about it, and they told me I would have to purchase it separately (I never did.)

Are you saying you always got all previously released packs you didn't own every time you upgrade for $29, including the classical guitar pack? Did Modartt screw me?

[MrJubbly]

Can I ask other Pianoteq users to test something?

Are you still able to open instances of previous Pianoteq versions in your DAW? (if so, please state which DAW and format VST or VST3, etc.)

I am beta testing FL Studio 25.2 (beta 1), which has introduced some additional support for IPluginCompatibility (automatic migration from VST to VST3, for plugins that support that feature). This required me to do a fresh rescan of all my plugins.

However, subsequent to that, I have now installed Pianoteq 9 and now, FL Studio is also automatically migrating the previously installed versions of Pianoteq (v5, v6, v7, v8) to Pianoteq 9. Meaning I can no longer load those earlier versions.

I need help in narrowing down what might be causing the issue, before submitting bug reports to Image-Line and/or Modartt.

If other users of other DAWs are still able to load instances of previous Pianoteq versions, after installing Pianoteq 9 (as was always the case for me before), then that pretty much narrows this down to an issue just with the current FL Studio Beta and its Plugin Manager (which also retroactively affects earlier releases of FL Studio, hence why I need help from other DAW users here.)

Thanks.

[BBFG#]

I try to get it as close to the end of that offer as I can because they give you any model they may add in a year from that date.

That’s not how it works. Version updates do not restart the clock. Perhaps upgrading from (for example) Stage to Pro might (I don’t know, I started with Studio), but upgrading from 8 to 9 does not, as I’ve had to buy the instruments even within a year of updating.

Your correct that updates do not restart the clock, but version upgrades do. At least they have from Version 4 in every upgrade I've done from them. Maybe not noticeable in all versions though. I have the Full Studio Pro Bundle, so the upgrade has always included the current models and any new model introduced within the year of that. As I said, at least that's how it's worked for me in version 5, 6, 7 & 8.

When I said "update" as opposed to "upgrade" that was merely to distinguish between buying a NEWER version (which I referred to as "update") vs buying a BIGGER version (which I referred to as "upgrade.")

I have Studio as well, and when I upgraded to Version 8, it was past my year of free instrument packs. My upgrade purchase did NOT get me the classical guitar pack which had been released at the same time as version 8.

I even contacted tech support about it, and they told me I would have to purchase it separately (I never did.)

Are you saying you always got all previously released packs you didn't own every time you upgrade for $29, including the classical guitar pack? Did Modartt screw me?

I did. I don't understand why you didn't, but I'd be surprised if Modartt screwed you. They've been on my best of best developers for years now. I'm just missing the last Kawai and Bosendorfer. Of course, their demo things really helps me build my a-minor/d-dorian chops.

I also have been hoping for them to improve the electrics more and it appears they have.

[jamcat]

I'm just missing the last Kawai and Bosendorfer.

Let us know if you get those free when you upgrade.

[Fannon]

Modartt must've blown some powerful fairy dust on the electric pianos. I don't remember they were so much fun in v 8, but the 'niners are really something. An hour and a half floated by just like that, browsing the presets and modding a bit.
/JHS

How would you describe the change on the electric pianos? On the grand pianos I couldn't hear that much different (but not trained too much on the details), but I think the electric pianos sound now better to me.

[electro]

Really want to check out the improvements to the Electric Pianos (MKII).

Where did they say the Electric Pianos got updated for V9?

[BBFG#]

Really want to check out the improvements to the Electric Pianos (MKII).

Where did they say the Electric Pianos got updated for V9?

https://www.modartt.com/pianoteq_changes
9.0.0 (10/14/2025)
New instrument: Triple Harp, added to the Harp instrument pack.
Modern and historic grand pianos have been thoroughly updated.
MKII and Vintage Reeds instruments updated.
New 'Sombre' presets added to all grands.
New 'Felt' presets added to historic grands (Kremsegg and Karsten packs).
Improved pluck realism on Celtic and Concert harps.
The CP-80 in KIViR.ptq has been seriously improved.
Metronome sounds improved (4 choices).
Native support for Windows on ARM.
VST2 support removed.
VST3 support now available on Linux (alongside Windows and macOS).
Automatic migration of projects using an older major version of Pianoteq, when that version is not available. Requires host support: Cubase, Pro Tools, Logic Pro (except automation curves), DP, ...
Full compatibility of Logic projects between iOS (using the AUv3) and macOS (using the AUv2), including automation curves.
NKS2 support implemented.
Up to 8 microphones can now be used in the updated Mics & Mix panel.
Pianoteq STAGE users can now access the Mics & Mix panel and modify mixer settings.
FX panel: equalizer now features 5 configurable bands.
FX panel: ping-pong option added in delay effect.
FX panel: low-cut parameter added to the reverb effect.
Global Hammer Hardness parameter added.
Hammer Tone control added (for STANDARD/PRO users, note-edit for PRO users).
Velocity Offset control added (note-edit for STANDARD/PRO users).
Thunder pedal added.
Note FX panel: monophonic mode added, with legato and portamento options.
The main windows can be freely resized by dragging its bottom right corner.
New 'Tall' interface mode, in addition to the already existing 'Compact' mode.
(iOS only) Added support for portrait orientation, and windowed mode.

[electro]

Thanks. Lets see if they posted any new sound demos