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Spectrasonics’ major keyboard collection combines classic vintage instruments with a gallery of unique rarities. Game pc spek rendah.

There’s something reassuringly solid about Spectrasonics. Based in Burbank, California, the company has been outputting state-of-the-art products since 1994, when co-founder Eric Persing released the ground-breaking Bass Legends library (chunks of which live on under the hood of certain keyboard workstations). Having successfully navigated the format upheavals of the hardware sampler era, Spectrasonics scored with their acclaimed Stylus, Trilogy and Atmosphere virtual instruments before hitting the jackpot with Trilian and the multi-award-winning Omnisphere synth, voted SOS readers’ Best Software Instrument in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

While technical innovation and sonic exploration have been a company hallmark from the start, Persing’s background as a session player and producer adds an important dimension to the story. This hands-on studio experience, coupled with a lifelong love affair with keyboards, helps account for Spectrasonics’ instruments being so playable and practical. It also explains the motivation behind the company’s latest offering, which looks set to create a new standard for vintage keyboard collections.

Overview

Spectrasonics’ Keyscape comprises no fewer than 36 keyboard models, ranging from iconic, sought-after ’70s instruments to contemporary retro-styled keyboards. An intriguing selection of hitherto-unsampled historical rarities is also included, along with a leading make of 20th-century concert grand piano. Chupulu kalasina subhavela serial all episodes. There are no organs or analogue synths in this collection, nor are there any licks or phrases: the focus is squarely on multisampled electro-mechanical and acoustic instruments, augmented by a handful of digital ’80s classics such as the ubiquitous and unashamedly synthetic ‘FM Rhodes’ sound.

Lossless audio compression reduces the large sample database (over 200GB in size) to a more manageable 77GB on your hard drive. You can install either the full 77GB collection or an optional 30GB ‘Lite’ menu of essential instruments designed for live performance. If you wish, you can run the full version in your studio DAW and use the Lite install on a laptop at gigs. The Lite version is not sold separately, and since many patches reference multiple parts of the library, you can’t install your own personal selection of instruments.

Keyscape is formatted exclusively for Spectrasonics’ STEAM sound engine, which runs as a plug-in on Mac and Windows systems in all the major DAWs and 64-bit plug-in hosts that support VST/AU/AAX platforms. It’s important to note that while 32-bit hosts aren’t supported for Keyscape, its full panoply of sounds and patches can be loaded into Omnisphere 2, which will operate in a 32-bit host. As well as making Omnisphere’s numerous effects and sound-design features available for Keyscape instruments, this facilitates creative layering of patches from the two libraries.

Colossus Of Rhodes

Keyboardists who have played the real thing (such as myself) often say that sampled emulations don’t quite nail the Fender Rhodes sound. This is understandable given the instrument’s wide dynamic and sonic range, but there’s a more serious underlying issue: vintage electro-mechanical keyboards need regular servicing, and the expertise to reach inside the piano and correct clunky, buzzy, over-quiet, thin-sounding or out-of-tune notes is something they don’t teach on music tech courses. Consequently, some sampled versions display imperfections that would be unacceptable to an experienced Rhodes player.

Happily for all concerned, Spectrasonics care about such things and, being based in Southern California (birthplace of the Rhodes), were well-placed to draw upon a wealth of local expertise when it came to locating and restoring vintage models. A stellar example is Keyscape’s ‘LA Custom Rhodes’, a 1974 73-key Fender Rhodes Suitcase which epitomises the legendary ‘E’ sound perfected by LA keyboard tech Eddy Reynolds in the ’70s and ’80s. Reynolds’ modifications to the preamp circuitry, action and voicing produced a fat, bright, full-toned sound which was hailed by inventor Harold Rhodes as the best he had ever heard.

Having tracked down one of these rare souped-up beasts, Spectrasonics did a great job sampling it: the instrument combines a brilliant, bell-like attack with a rich, warm yet clear sustain, responding to subtle variations of touch with timbres ranging from soft, confidential tinkles to a strident twangy snarl. Blessed with a sound that positively leaps out of the speakers, this stunning, superbly playable and authentic instrument raises the bar for multisampled Rhodes pianos, and strikes me as being as close to perfection as we’re likely to get.

Keyscape’s pride and joy: the ‘LA Custom Rhodes’, featuring the legendary ‘E’ sound perfected by keyboard tech Eddy Reynolds.If one outstanding electric piano isn’t enough for you, you’ll be pleased to hear that Keyscape has more examples up its sleeve. Its ‘Classic Rhodes’ patches feature an immaculately restored, early-’70s Mark I Suitcase model recorded directly from its preamp. (Trainspotters’ corner: the GUI info tab says it’s a 73-key instrument, but the version depicted on the GUI has 88 keys.) Though less tonally sparkling than the above-mentioned LA Custom, the Classic Rhodes shares its bright, well-defined bell attack and full tone, sounds great and plays beautifully. ‘Classic Suitcase’ patches feature the same performances recorded via the piano’s built-in speakers, giving a plummy, bassy and mellow tone which would suit smoky, retro-flavoured jazz ballads of the Donald Fagen variety.

Joining these 1970s gems is a contemporary Vintage Vibe Electric Piano, a Rhodes clone hand-crafted in the USA since 2011 and endorsed by luminaries such as Stevie Wonder, Greg Phillinganes and Robert Glasper. Keyscape’s deeply sampled reproduction is the official software version: its distinctive ‘tappy’ percussive attack guarantees good rhythmic definition, and its pleasantly upfront, clean, modern tone is a nice alternative to the familiar Rhodes timbres of yesteryear.

Key Bass

Another welcome inclusion is the Rhodes Piano Bass, a cut-down version covering the lowest two and a half octaves of the 73-note instrument. This early Rhodes product was famously played by Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek in the ‘60s, but a revival is long overdue: its ‘Dark’ patch would make an excellent, booming EDM bass sound, and adding the built-in ‘drive’ effect gives it a great, angry edge for aggressive rock productions. Vintage Vibe’s contemporary take on the instrument, the Tine Bass, is also a cool timbre: it sounds not unlike a bass guitar, and can do a passable impersonation of an acoustic double bass. Alternatively, select the Big Muff distortion effect, turn up the treble, and you’re into the classic, scorching fuzz bass sound that enthralled the ’70s prog community.

In the same category are a pair of rare and historic tine-based instruments. Made in the 1960s by an East German accordion manufacturer, the battery-powered Weltmeister Basset 1 can claim to be the world’s first keytar: it’s basically a strap-on keyboard with a neck extension housing a big button for adding (I think) vibrato-like volume fluctuations. The Weltmeister Basset 2 is the tabletop, neckless version of the same thing. Both have an admirably thick, thunky, confrontational tone which would pass for electric bass in a mix, but when played in isolation you can hear the faint metallic twang of the vibrating tine adding a unique and esoteric character.

Reed On

Get your left-hand bass lines going with the Rhodes Piano Bass, another ’60s favourite.From Rhodes to reeds.. the plump, friendly tone of the Wurlitzer electric piano, a standard fixture in vintage keys collections, is beautifully reproduced in Keyscape. Its familiar sound, created by piano hammers striking a flat metal blade (aka reed), consists of a pleasant, mellow chime which turns into a stroppy bark when played loud. Spectrasonics recorded both the Wurli’s built-in amp and speakers and its direct jack output. They also emulated the original mono vibrato, which (unlike the original) can be switched to stereo auto-pan. There are two models: the popular Wurlitzer 200A’s patches feature modelled vintage amps which add suitable angst and bite, though I preferred to wallow in the pure, soft, harp-like tone of the instrument. The rare 1950s 140B model featured on the Ray Charles hit ‘What’d I Say’ has an even sweeter timbre, and owes its immaculate sound to a meticulous restoration job.

Though less fashionably retro, the Hohner Pianet is another idiosyncratic reedy timbre that’s made an indelible mark on pop history — any keyboard to appear on both ‘I Am the Walrus’ and ‘She’s Not There’ is all right with me. Keyscape includes three Pianet types: the mid-’60s ‘N’ model definitively nails the instrument’s iconic sound, while the late-’70s Pianet M offers a somewhat brighter timbre. By contrast, the subdued tone of the Pianet T is reminiscent of a Rhodes Suitcase with the treble rolled off, minus the Rhodes’ sustain and dynamic variation. Only one gripe: though agreeably distorted, the Pianet N ‘Fuzz Face’ patch lacks the sheer brutal nastiness of the real thing. I used to play my Pianet through an Arbiter Fuzz Face pedal and 100 Watt stack, and the resulting savage, ear-shredding racket could empty an auditorium in seconds.

Another esoteric slice of electric piano history is the Weltmeister (that name again) Claviset, marketed in the UK in the 1960s as the wonderfully named Selmer Pianotron. Its metal reeds are plucked by rotating rubber discs, creating a plunky, tonky percussive sound with plenty of attack but little sustain. By no stretch of the imagination could it be described as lush, but it has a certain period charm and bags of character.

Clavinet & Electric Harpsichord

Keyboard nerds (I use the term affectionately) will tell you that Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’ part was played on a Hohner Clavinet C model, rather than the more common Clavinet D6. While I’m sure it would have sounded great either way, my inner geek was excited to learn that Keyscape’s Clavinet is in fact the rare C model, which techs say benefits from simpler preamp circuitry. I had an indecent amount of fun playing this instrument, starting with chordal improvs inspired by its lovely long, super-clean guitar-like sustain, but soon descending into the raving fuzz-wah territory at which this Clavinet excels. If you want to rock out, a number of different overdriven amp and wah models (including Talkbox-like formant shifting) are provided, some of them intensely raunchy.

Keyscape also contains a Clavinet-Pianet Duo, an ambitious concoction which fused a Clavinet E7 and a Pianet T into a single playable unit. You can access the two sounds separately and blend them to taste — I found that subtly mixing in the Pianet adds warmth and bottom end to the edgy Clavinet timbre. Patches featuring the Clavinet’s mute sound have good rhythmic potential, and funkateers can get down with their bad self (assuming their good self doesn’t object) and go bonkers with the auto-wah effects. For more info on these instruments, I recommend Huw Rees’ excellent article ‘Ernst Zacharias & The Hohner Clavinet’ (SOS June 2016).

Further proof of the Clavinet’s staying power comes in the shape of a latter-day emulation called the Vibanet, made by (you guessed it) Vintage Vibe, whose technicians played a vital role in restoring Keyscape’s instruments. First issued in 2014, this is a high-tech facsimile of a classic instrument, and the virtual instrument version included here sounds tremendous — pristine, super-sustaining and filthy when required, like a Clavinet on steroids.

Some Clavinet patches include raging wah and overdrive effects — handle with care.Though less immediately recognisable, an electric keyboard in the same sonic ballpark also made an impression in the mid-’60s: the Baldwin Electric Harpsichord, famously played by George Martin on the Beatles’ ‘Because’, championed by UK band Spooky Tooth and often used in TV and film themes of the era. This classic pop keyboard timbre was revived by Jellyfish in the ’90s. Whether used ironically as a knowing period reference or seriously as a contemporary keyboard timbre, its muscular, pure, steely tones still sound absolutely fab.

Pianos

A library of this type needs a good piano, and I’m pleased to report Keyscape has one in its locker: a Yamaha C7 grand, built for the concert stage and flagship of the company’s Conservatory Concert Collection range. This seven-and-a-half-foot beauty is my preferred choice for acoustic piano sessions, both for its hallmark clarity of attack and for its tonal consistency from instrument to instrument. This piano’s sound defaults to open and fairly bright, with 21 patches covering a range of styles from straight, dry studio presentations to lush cinematic washes. Use the ‘Softest’ patch for sensitive ballads, or load the hard-as-nails ‘Unreal Smash’ for melodramatic, crashing, heavy-rock bass accents. A highly effective EQ section is available for further tweaking. Those who prefer a more ambient ‘classical’ piano sound may not appreciate the close miking, but I find it ideal for all manner of productions. Whatever your taste, this is unarguably a handsome-sounding, characterful, versatile, ultra-dynamic and playable piano of the highest quality.

For occasions that demand a less formal piano sound, you could give Keyscape’s Wing Upright Piano a whirl. Considering its age, this 116-year-old instrument has a surprisingly full and sustaining tone and it sounds remarkably tender when played quietly, though the lyricism is compromised by some tappy-sounding high notes. A honky-tonk patch with controllable detuning makes a lovely, autoharp-like timbre, and the colourful, cleverly programmed ‘Octave Stereo’ and ‘Sixties Mute’ patches are great timbres for left-field soundtracks.

Wurlitzer’s popular 200A electric piano — this patch includes a vintage modelled amp.The honky-tonk effect intensifies with the bright, jangly metallic attack of the Wing Tack Piano. The effect is usually created by inserting brass tacks in the striking surface of the hammers, but in this instance it’s achieved by the less damaging technique of suspending small metal rings between the hammers and the strings. Media composers will have fun with the ‘Slow Tremolo’ and ‘Desolate Tremolo’ patches, the latter a spook-tacular, haunted-house ‘piano in the attack’ noise with Eastern European cimbalom-like overtones.

Returning to more familiar and earthly territory, the Yamaha CP-70 Electric Grand is another 1970s classic. Though I played this instrument on stage in the 1980s, it never stole my heart, but there are some (among them Peter Gabriel, Tim Rice-Oxley of Keane and King Crimson’s Jakko Jakszyk) who love it. Whatever your view, it does have a unique and utterly distinctive sound which is reproduced here in admirable clarity. Keyscape’s excellent sampled effort is the tonally brightest I’ve heard, and packs a great set of transformative echo and chorus effects.

Bell Tone Keyboards

In addition to covering the Rhodes/Wurli/Clavinet vintage-keys extended family in depth, Keyscape has a great line in historic acoustic keyboards, some of which have never appeared in sampled form before. You’ll know the celeste from Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’, and may have heard Jacob Collier playing it to great effect at the August 2016 Quincy Jones Prom. Recorded with close and room mics and via its original 1940s pickup, Keyscape’s specimen sounds absolutely exquisite, its pure, high-pitched bell-like tones enhanced by lush echo and tremolo effects which impart a floating, ethereal vibraphone-like flavour. A standout instrument.

Invented in 1860 and an immediate forerunner to the celeste, the Dulcitone makes its eponymous sweet chiming sound via felt-covered wooden hammers striking a set of tuning forks. A surfeit of annoying keybed thumps can be removed with a low-cut filter, revealing a pretty, celeste-like tone. By the simple expedient of adding masses of long reverb, patches such as ‘Soaked’ highlight the instrument’s atmospheric soundtrack potential.

The Chimeatron, a delightfully mad keyboard from the 1930s, is a miniature electric carillon with key-activated solenoids which cause wood hammers to strike small, amplified bell rods (ah, they don’t make ’em like that any more). Its raw tone is a cross between grandfather-clock chimes and tubular bells. However, the real fun starts with the dreamy tremolo of the so-called ‘Vibraharp’ patches, after which things get completely out of hand with the apocalyptically processed ‘Big Bells’. (Warning — do not play jazz chords with this sound.)

Plucked & Wind Keyboards

The steely tones of the Baldwin Electric Harpischord featured on many ’60s records and film scores.Not to be confused with the Clavinet (which it predates by some 560 years), the clavichord is a late-Medieval European stringed keyboard instrument with a quiet, somewhat percussive and unrefined sound created by small metal blades striking the strings from below. Heard in its unadulterated state, Keyscape’s handcrafted clavichord won’t cut the mustard on any sane pop session, but taking another tack, its turbocharged ‘Epic Cinema’ patch sees it transformed into a huge, end-of-days, twanging sub-bass noise which would light up the eyes of a horror film director. By contrast, the Dolceola (a cheap and cheerful, early 20th-century keyboard-activated zither) has a sweeter, folksier, almost koto-like tone. Its usefulness is compromised by some clunky mid-range notes and its D2 pitch is too quiet — the solitary, minor programming oversight I managed to find in this vast collection.

In a class of its own is the 1960s Harmochord harmonium, which dispenses with traditional pedal power and instead uses a modern invention called ‘electricity’ to blow air through its reeds. This rich, deep and mellow reed organ works very well for song accompaniment. Alternatively, you can use its octave-coupled patches for accordion-like lead lines, or dial up the amazing, heavily tweaked ‘Dronescape Deep’ patch for deranged psychedelic sound-design excursions.

Digital Keys

A trio of 20th-century digital instruments bring us full-circle back to Spectrasonics’ co-founder’s early career. The MKS-20 Digital Piano, developed by Eric Persing in his former gig of Chief Sound Designer for Roland Music, won plaudits for its organic, easy-on-the ear electric piano sounds. These are carefully replicated in Keyscape, along with a very nice vibes patch and a decent CP-70 Electric Grand emulation.

Also included is the late-’80s MK-80 Digital Rhodes, decried at the time by traditionalists who resented the grafting of the Rhodes name onto a synthetic digital instrument. (I can see their point, and so too could Harold Rhodes, who apparently hated it.) Such grievances aside, the MK-80’s bright, tinselly tone could come in handy as the ‘fairy dust’ layer in a composite keyboard sound. The third of Keyscape’s ‘vintage digital’ offerings is the JD-800 ‘Crystal Rhodes’, a polished, pleasantly tinkly factory patch created by Persing which became a fixture in ’90s pop.

General Points

Hybrid Duo patches feature the combined sound of two keyboards, creating some unique sounds. Shown here: clavichord and Wing upright piano.Keyscape provides multiple presentations of each of its 36 instruments, giving users a grand total of 450 patches. Twenty three of them are hybrid ‘Duo’ patches which illustrate the creative possibilities of layering a pair of complementary instruments (for example, grand piano and clavichord). You can customise a patch’s numerous controls and effects and save the results as a user patch. However, as is often the case with virtual instruments, you can’t perform edits at sample level.

Many of the library’s electric pianos feature the miked mechanical sound of the keys, which can be added to the main samples to add realism or increase the attack. In the same spirit, sustain pedal noises are included as a separate layer, while release triggers are employed throughout. I felt the volume level of the release samples often bordered on the intrusive, but depending on your taste they can easily be turned down, up or off.

Conclusion

There is a perception that old keyboards, like wine, get better with time. Unfortunately, it’s wrong: like the human body, ageing instruments suffer from bits falling off, loss of function, poor co-ordination, stiffness and general decrepitude, and so need regular doctor’s visits to remain operational. Given that, we should count ourselves lucky that a company has taken so much time (10 years, apparently) and trouble to restore an unprecedentedly large collection of vintage instruments, some of them well over 100 years old, to a state of vibrant musical health.

As you can probably tell, I think Keyscape is a magnificent, authentic, definitive and inspirational library which is unlikely to be surpassed in my lifetime. All these great, classic sounds, with none of the blemishes — a keyboardist’s dream, and a brilliant resource for producers and composers of all stripes.

Effects

Rather than providing a standard set of effects for all instruments, Keyscape supplies special controls and effects processors tailored for each patch. These include effects typically paired with the keyboard model in question, so you’ll find stereo tremolo and phasers for electric pianos, wah-wah for clavinets, chorus for vintage digital sounds, etc. Amp models for electric instruments are similarly matched: for example, some 1970s Classic Rhodes patches feature a modelled Fender Twin Reverb amp. Vintage distortion pedals such as the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff and Arbiter Fuzz Face have also been analysed and replicated.

Evoking the glory days of poor-quality audio, some instruments have a nicely distressed lo-fi option (one even includes vinyl crackling), and there’s a cool, non-vintage Color Shift knob which messes with the instrument’s harmonic structure. Overall, the effects menus are carefully chosen to provide the most useful parameters for each instrument: what you can’t do is (say) add wah-wah to a celeste, but your audience will thank you for that (although users of both Keyscape and Omnisphere 2 can open a Keyscape patch in Omnisphere and add Omnisphere’s wah-wah to the patch).

While I can live without the vertigo-inducing stereo tremolo implemented for the electric pianos, I loved the chorus and reverb effects, which transform the dry Rhodes samples into lush, magical, sparkling stereo soundscapes. I wish a stereo delay had been included throughout, but that effect is a standard plug-in in all DAWs (and in Omnisphere). Effects can easily be turned on or off, and you can create your own settings and save them in a user patch.

Instruments

Acoustic Pianos

• LA Custom C7 Grand Piano *
• Wing Upright Piano
• Wing Tack Piano
• Mini Student Butterfly Piano

Electric Pianos

• Rhodes — LA Custom *
• Rhodes — Classic Mark I *
• Rhodes 1946 Pre-Piano
• Vintage Vibe Electric Piano
• Wurlitzer 140B *
• Wurlitzer 200A
• Hohner Pianet M
• Hohner Pianet N
• Hohner Pianet T
• Weltmeister Claviset

Electric Grand Piano

• CP-70 Electric Grand

Key Bass

• Rhodes Piano Bass
• Vintage Vibe Tine Bass
• Weltmeister Basset 1
• Weltmeister Basset 2

Clavinets

• Hohner Clavinet C *
• Hohner Clavinet-Pianet Duo
• Vintage Vibe Vibanet

Plucked Keyboards

• Clavichord
• Dolceola
• Electric Harpsichord

Bell Tone Keyboards

• Celeste
• Chimeatron
• Dulcitone

Wind Keyboards

• Harmochord

Toy Piano

• Toy Piano — Classic
• Toy Piano — Glock
• Toy Piano — Grand
• Toy Piano — Saucer Bell

Vintage Digital Keys

• MKS-20 Digital Piano *
• MK-80 Digital Rhodes *
• JD-800 Crystal Rhodes *

* Included in ‘Lite’ install option.

Mini Pianos

If you’re in the market for a toy piano, you’re spoiled for choice in this library. Keyscape has four, ranging from the archetypal childish plinky-plonk of the so-called ‘Grand’ and ‘Classic’ models to the esoteric tones of the ‘Bell Saucer’ and ‘Glock’ instruments, which use, respectively, a bell tree and miniature metal bars as their sound sources.

The 1946 electric Rhodes Pre-Piano, handmade by Harold Rhodes with piano students in mind, also has a toy-piano-like sound. In a similar vein, Wurlitzer’s 44-key Mini Student Butterfly Piano was designed for children to play, but has a more grown-up, recognisably pianistic tone. Both of these rarities have been lovingly restored, a testament to the makers’ commitment to rare historic instruments.

System Requirements

Keyscape’s minimum requirements for all users are 8GB of RAM and a 2.2GHz Intel dual-core processor or higher. The full version requires 80GB of free hard-drive space, while the ‘Lite’ install needs 30GB.

• For optimal sample-streaming results, Spectrasonics highly recommend a solid-state drive.
• Mac users need OS 10.9 Mavericks or higher, AU, VST 2.4 or AAX-capable host software.
• Windows users need Windows 7 or higher, VST 2.4 or AAX-capable host software.
• Both platforms require a native 64-bit host to run Keyscape. However, Keyscape patches can be played within Omnisphere 2, which will operate in 32-bit hosts.

Pros

• 36 meticulously sampled keyboards in one package is a hell of a good deal.
• Contains some of the best vintage keys multisamples you’ll hear.
• Rare historical instruments add some great, esoteric timbres.
• Integrates seamlessly with Omnisphere 2.

Cons

• The sheer, head-spinning number of creative options can cause dizziness.

Summary

Brought to you by the makers of the Omnisphere 2 synth, Keyscape is a collection of 36 vintage, contemporary, retro and rare historic keyboards (including a modern concert grand piano), all lovingly restored by specialist technicians. The library contains no organs, analogue synths, licks or phrases, but don’t let that put you off: the quality, diversity, playability and creative potential of the included instruments is staggering.

information

Are you looking for the best piano VST plugins to use in your own productions?
If so, you may quickly realize that there are seemingly endless choices when it comes to piano VST plugins. Each one has their own strengths and weaknesses.
However, choosing the right VST to fit with your production style is key.
Each piano has its own timbre with each timbre being best suited for different production styles. For example, the type of wood used in a piano can make a huge difference in the way a piano sounds.
Therefore, it would make sense to choose a piano VST that is best suited to your production style for best results.
So to help you find it, we’ve listed out 25 of the best piano VSTs for 2017.
And to get us started, let’s first go over whatmakes a piano VST the best out there.

Things To Consider While Searching For The Best Piano VST

Before getting into any of the features of the various piano VSTs, it’s important to remember that there is not one piano VST that will suit every producer.
Your music production needs differ from others, and you will need to take that into account when considering the features that you’re looking for.
For example, if you’re producing trance, you may want to look for a slightly more realistic sounding piano VST plugin.
This is just one of the many elements to look at, though.
Here are some of the most important considerations:

• Type (Sampled vs. Synthesized piano VST)

• Customizability

• Price

• Compatibility (Windows vs. macOS)

Why is the type of piano VST important?

Piano VST plugins come in two types. They’re either synth or sample based.
Understanding the benefits of a synth based vs. sample based piano VST will help you decide which one is the right for you.
Synth based piano VST plugins tend to have a smaller file size, are more customizable, and don’t require a software sampler in order to run. However, they tend to sound less realistic than sample based piano VSTs.
On the other hand, sample based piano VSTs often sound much more realistic and high quality.
One detraction of a sample based piano VST would be that file size can be huge. In addition, they often have limited customizability and a sampler software may be needed.

How does customizability affect my choice?

Sometimes having more customizability is a good thing. You may want to pick a piano VST with more features available if you’re looking to create a unique sounding piano.
In other cases, a traditional piano VST is all that you need to get the job done. If you find yourself in this situation, having less clutter and fewer settings can get you started producing faster and benefit your workflow.

What’s a good price for a piano VST?

The good news is there are plenty of amazing piano VST plugins out there.
Want even better news? Some of them are completely free.
But if you don’t mind spending some cash, there are a wide range of paid piano VST plugins for you to choose from. In this case, the amount you should spend will depend on your situation.
If your production is ready for a higher quality piano VST, then spending some money may be in your best interest. On the other hand, if you’re just learning how to produce music, it may be better to start off with a free piano VST.

Compatibility

Ah..yes, compatibility.
Compatibility is always important when it comes to software.
We always recommend that you check if the software you’re considering downloading or purchasing will work with your operating system and digital audio workstation (DAW).
It’s also important to check whether a VST will require the use of an iLok (license management) in order to run.
If everything checks out, you should be good to go with your newest piano VST!
Now that you know what to look out for, let’s get started going through 25 of the best piano VST plugins we’ve found for you!

Jump straight to the free piano VST plugins section of this article - Click Here

Best Piano VST Plugins: TruePianos [$69 USD]

Main Features:

• Digitally sampled

• Five piano modules

• Multiple presets

• Windows and macOS compatibility

While other plugins may cast a broader net, TruePianos is designed to focus solely on the piano.
It comes with five different modules which represent five different types of pianos. Each module comes with different presets which allow you to change the piano’s character with ease.
And although not as customizable, TruePianos makes for a great VST for getting started quickly.
It, of course, has the standard settings such as reverb, velocity control, and output level available.
In addition, TruePianos uses a method of digital sampling, rather than synthesis or regular sampling. This allows you to save space on your computer while still maintaining a relatively realistic piano sound.
Interested in learning more? Take a listen to their demos here before deciding to purchase.

Option 02:Piano in Blue [$99 USD]

Main Features:

• Three microphone positions

• Sampled 1949 Steinway Model D Concert Grand

• 8 Velocity layers

If you’re looking for a story behind the VST you’re using, then Piano in Blue has you covered.
Piano in Blue was sampled from a Steinway Model D Concert Grand, which was formerly housed in the historic Clinton Recording Studios. While housed there, the piano played a role in many influential recordings over the years.
Just before the recording studio was shut down, CineSamples came and sampled the grand piano. And now, it’s available for your use.
There are three different microphone positions that are adjustable to allow for replication of an in-person experience at the recording studio itself.
Additionally, you can find more standard settings such as reverb, low/high pass, and more.
If you want to learn more about Piano in Blue, visit the website here.

Option 03:Pianoteq [Starting at $129 USD]

Main Features:

• Synthesized

• Highly customizable

• Three versions

Pianoteq is a force to be reckoned with.
There are three different versions made for different purposes, but they all use synthesized sound which sounds highly realistic.
Pianoteq Stage 6 is their ‘starter’ version, which allows for musicians to quickly choose from a selection of beautiful instruments.
Their standard version allows for sound shaping with an array of complex settings such as editing hammer hardness, noise, and strike point.
In Pianoteq Pro 6, their highest tier, note editing is also featured which allows for note by note adjustment of more than 30 parameters.
If you’ve been producing for a while and love using the best piano VST plugins, Pianoteq would be great to upgrade to.
To see the incredible customizability that comes with Pianoteq, check out their website here.

Option 04:Addictive Keys [$89.95 USD]

Main Features:

• Sample based

• Multiple pianos

• Fast processing speed

If you want to get the most out of the money you spend, Addictive Keys will help you achieve that goal.
It’s a sample based piano VST with amazingquality sounds and is still relatively affordable.
In addition, there are multiple piano packs that you can add-on that allow you to use an array of pianos in your production. Examples can include the “Modern Upright”, “Studio Grand”, or “Electric Grand” packs with each having its own focus.
Within the plugin itself, there are multiple settings available that let you fine tune your sound.
For example, there are various pedal adjustments that can be made as well as tweaks to pitch, filter, microphone types and positioning, and volume envelopes.
Addictive Keys also includes a small suite of audio effects that include a phaser, tremolo, basic filters and an equalizer.
To learn more about what Addictive Keys has to offer, click here!

Option 05:Alicia’s Keys [$99 USD]

Main Features:

• Single grand piano sample

• Budget-friendly price

• Visualized interface

Alicia’s Keys is another great sounding piano VST plugin at a budget-friendly price.
It utilizes a grand piano sample and does a great job of it. Unfortunately, the file size is rather large and may require more processing power than other piano VST plugins.
The settings are very easily used and are sorted by various tabs such as room, keys, and pedal. Each of these tabs have settings that are clearly and distinctly shown as seen in the image above.
Alicia’s Keys sounds great, is relatively affordable, and has an easy to use interface. If these traits are high on your priority list, then this may be the right piano for you.
But if you still need more information on Alicia’s Keys, visit Native Instruments.

Option 6:The Giant [$99 USD]

Main Features:

• Single Klavins Piano Model 370i sample

• Cinematic mode

• Budget-friendly price

Similarly to Alicia’s Keys, The Giant is another piano VST created by Native Instruments that features quality sound for a reasonable price.
Additionally, The Giant also has a very simple, intuitive interface. Features are large, and it’s easy to tell what each setting does.
The main difference?
Aside from sampling the largest piano in the world, The Giant also features a cinematic mode which can be a huge help if you’re scoring a film.
To learn more, visit Native Instruments.

Option 7:Ivory II Grand Pianos [$299 USD]

Main Features:

• Multiple pianos sampled

• Extensive settings

• Realistic sounds

Remember how file space can be an issue? Well, Ivory II Grand Pianos takes the cake on that. It requires a huge 22 GB of free space at least.
However, this plugin may just be worth the loss of space.
The samples are extremely realistic sounding in this piano. Additionally, with the vast number of settings available, you’ll be able to fine tune with ease until you get the exact sound you want.
It is a little pricier than compared to other piano VST plugins, but if realism is what you’re looking for, you’ll definitely want to look further into the Ivory II Grand Pianos.

Option 8:The Grandeur [$99 USD]

Main Features:

• Single classical concert grand piano sample

• Easy to use interface

• Budget-friendly price

If you haven’t already guessed from the way the interface looks, The Grandeur is another piano VST plugin created by Native Instruments. With that said, it’s also very budget-friendly for the quality that you’ll receive.
And similar to other Native Instruments piano VST plugins, The Grandeur too has a simple and easy to use interface. Tone, space, and other settings are easily seen and adjusted with simple twists of a knob.
In this case, a classical concert grand piano has been sampled allowing you to produce great sounding contemporary music.
If you’re interested in learning more, visit Native Instruments.

Option 9:EastWest Quantum Leap Pianos [$530 USD]

Main Features:

• Subscription plan option

• Multiple pianos sampled

• Extensive settings

EastWest Quantum Leap Pianos is another amazing paid piano VST plugin that comes with four different sampled pianos.
If you’re a fan of the Bechstein D-280, Steinway D, Bosendorfer 290, or Yamaha C7, you may just be a fan of this plugin as well.
It comes with multiple settings for you to adjust according to your needs and even includes the ability to edit microphone positioning for further flexibility.
Additionally, other settings available include envelope adjustment, articulation, ambience, and much more.
If that’s not enough, hearing about their subscription plan may help. Unlike many other paid plugins, Quantum Leap Pianos does not require you to pay in full.
Instead, you also have the ability to subscribe for a monthly fee until you make a decision on whether to purchase or not.
For more information, visit EastWest’s website.

Option 10:Cinematic Studio Piano [$69 USD]

Main Features:

• Single Yamaha C7 grand piano sample

• Simple interface

• Four microphone channels

As you may be able to tell by the name, Cinematic Studio Piano is a fantastic plugin for cinematic production.
Using a Yamaha C7 grand, this piano allows you to create quality cinematic music while including only the settings that matter most, such as microphone channels.
There aren’t too many settings that are available, but there are just enough to allow for some level of fine tuning.
To get a better understanding of the strengths of Cinematic Studio Piano, visit their website here.

Option 11:Keyscape [$399 USD]

Main Features:

• Wide variety of sampled pianos

• Custom controls

• Hybrid ‘duo’ sounds

Have you ever wanted to have a huge selection of high quality pianos to use at your fingertips? Then Keyscape is that selection.
Sampled pianos include the Wing Upright piano, Rhodes Classic Mark I, Wurlitzer 140B, and many more.
Not only does Keyscape have a huge selection of pianos to choose from, but it also has something known as ‘duo’ sounds. This allows you to combine two instruments to create an entirely new sound.
In addition to the large library, Keyscape also has an easy to use interface, similar to piano VST plugins released by Native Instruments.
The bulk of settings are contained in various tabs at the bottom of the program and are adjusted with ease.
If this plugin sounds useful to you, make sure you visit Spectrasonics for even more information.

Option 12:Eighty Eight Ensemble 2 [$149.99 USD]

Main Features:

• Single Steinway CD 327 grand piano sample

• 16 dynamic levels per key

• Multiple instruments

The Eighty Eight Ensemble 2 appears to be a favorite among many producers, and we aren’t surprised.
The sampling was done well and with focus on accuracy. This allowed for a very realistic sounding piano VST plugin.
In addition to being able to create piano sounds, the Eighty Eight Ensemble 2 can also be used for sounds such as strings, synth pads, and choral pads.
Whereas many plugins may have settings available on different tabs, the bulk of settings on the Eighty Eight Ensemble are all seen on the home screen.
To learn more, visit SONiVOX.

Best Free Piano VST Plugins: 4Front Piano

Main Features:

• Hybrid sampled

• One piano module

• Light CPU usage

• Windows & macOS compatibility

Just like TruePianos, 4FrontPiano is another great plugin, because it will quickly get you started making music.
There is only a single piano module and no settings available for you to edit, truly making it ‘plug n play’.
The timbre created represents an upright home piano, made through a hybrid process of sampling and synthesis.
Due to the hybrid process used and there only being a single piano module, 4FrontPiano is extremelylightweight. This makes it easy on your computer while still being able to produce a realistic, natural sound.
It’s also available completely for free on both macOS and Windows.
Download and learn more here.

Option 14:DSK AkoustiK KeyZ

Main Features:

• 3 types of piano

• Basic settings

• Light CPU usage

If you’re looking for a piano VST plugin that can replicate a grand piano, then AkoustiK KeyZ has you covered!
You can easily choose from the three different pianos and quickly proceed to adjust the reverb, flanger, envelope, and filter according to your needs.
It has a very simple interface that is easy to pick up and use.
For more information, or to learn more about their other products, visit DSK Music.

Option 15:Keyzone Classic

Main Features:

• Replication of multiple pianos

• Sample based

Keyzone Classic is another simple and free piano VST that is also highly rated.
It’s sample based and pulls sounds from the Yamaha grand piano, Steinway grand piano, basic electric piano, and Rhodes.
Featured in a simple fashion, you’ll have the ability to edit attack, decay, sustain, and a limited number of other settings. This helps with keeping the interface simple while still retaining some measure of sound shaping ability.
In addition to having a great interface and amazing sounds, Keyzone Classic will also run on both macOS and Windows.
Visit bitsonic for a free download!

Option 16:Salamander Piano

Main Features:

• Sampled Yamaha C5 grand piano

• Easily used

• Light CPU usage

• Clear sound

The Salamander Piano VST is one of our favorites, because it has such a unique sound.
It’s great for use in multiple ways and can easily cut through a mix.
Some settings are available such as attack, decay, and sustain. At the same time, it’s quite limited, which makes this VST simple and easy to use.
It’s easy on the processor, and for those who play piano, the interface may make you feel at home.
For a free download, click here!

Option 17:Skerratt London Piano

Main Features:

• Single upright piano sample

• Light CPU usage

• Simple interface

As you may be able to tell from the photo, there are only sixsettings available. This makes the Skerratt London Piano VST one of the most simple and easy, free piano VST plugins to use.
Featured are core settings such as attack, decay, sustain, release, volume, and pan ability.
Due to the simplicity, it’s also relatively lightweight and should run smoothly on most computers.
To download on macOS or Windows, visit this link.

Option 18:DPiano-A

Main Features:

• Simple tuning controls

• Velocity control

• Lightweight

If you’re not satisfied with any of the simple, lightweight, and free piano VST choices we’ve listed yet, you may want to consider trying DPiano-A.
The settings aren’t overwhelming, and it comes with different piano presets allowing you to choose the type of sound you want.
The interface has a digital feeling, similar to an electronic piano or MIDI keyboard. So if you own one of those, this design may interest you.
If you have a Windows computer, you may want to consider trying it out here.

Option 19:City Piano

Main Features:

• Simple

• Light CPU usage

• Single Baldwin baby grand piano sample

• 4 Velocity layers

Similar to the DPiano-A, the City Piano is another lightweight, simple, and free piano VST plugin.
However, the City Piano has a focus on the Baldwin baby grand piano sound.
If your production requires that instrument specifically, then this would be a great pickup to get started with.
Featured are core settings such as attack, decay, sustain, release, volume and panning.
It’ll run on macOS or Windows, so feel free to click here for a free download!

Option 20:General

Main Features:

• Extremely simple

• Single acoustic piano sample

When we say that the main feature of the General is simplicity, we really mean it.
There are no settings that are adjustable within this free piano VST plugin, so you’ll have to rely on external audio effects to edit any details.
On the plus side, you’ll be able to get started producing right away knowing that you have a great quality piano VST plugin to work with.
For a Windows download, click here!

Option 21:Iowa Piano

Main Features:

• Single Steinway grand piano sample

• 3 Velocity layers

• Simple interface

• Lightweight

The Iowa Piano is fantastic for live performances. It’s simple, easy to use, and is sampled from a Steinway grand piano.
Similar to other free piano VST plugins that we have mentioned, external audio effects may help with editing the output due to the shortage of adjustable settings within the VST. However, that’s also what makes it great for live performances, since it’s readily useable.
Again, similar to other free piano VST plugins, settings featured include attack, decay, sustain, release, volume and pan ability.
For a Windows or macOS download, click here.

Option 22:Japan Piano

Main Features:

• One setting

• Sample oscillator

• Simple interface

Interestingly, this free piano VST only has one setting which acts like a sustain pedal when adjusted.
Settings aside, Japan Piano comes with a basic grand piano sample, making this another great VST to use out of the box.
For more information, click here!

Option 23 :Jazz Baby

Main Features:

• Single upright piano sample

• Extremely simple to use

Jazz Baby is another fantastic and free piano VST plugin. Although it has the term “Jazz” within the name, this piano VST can be used for other genres as well.
The sound comes from an upright piano and is ready to go out of the box. As with other plugins that have been mentioned, external audio effects may be required for editing of the sound.
Click here for a free download!

Option 24:MDA Piano

Main Features:

• Synth based

• Simple

• Lightweight

This piano VST plugin created by MDA allows you to use a synth to recreate a piano’s sounds.
It’s relatively simple to use and is just as light on the processor.
The interface looks a bit more dated, but if you’re used to such interfaces, then this plugin may help you feel at home.
For a free download, click here!

Option 25:The Grand

Main Features:

• Simple

• Lightweight

• Single grand piano sample

The last on our list of the 25 best piano VST plugins is The Grand.
As with many of the other free piano VST plugins we’ve mentioned, it’s simple, lightweight, and easy to use.
The Grand utilizes a sampled grand piano and has 4 velocity layers per note. In addition, it also comes with a typical ASDR envelope and a reverb.
You can take a listen and learn more here.

Conclusion

Finding the best piano VST plugins is important for your workflow, and it will ultimately help you produce higher quality music.
In order to find the best piano for your needs, we’ve gone through a few important factors to consider such as:

• Type (Sampled vs. Synthesized piano VST)

• Customizability

• Price

• Compatibility (Windows vs. macOS)

With there being such an endless number of piano VST plugins available, we hope that you’ve found the information we’ve put together useful in picking the best one.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on our list.
Have you used any of the these pianos before?
Do you feel that an unlisted piano VST plugin deserves a spot here?
Let us know in the comment section below!
P.S. Having the best MIDI keyboard can be as important as picking the best piano VST!