Looking for Grand piano VST for Sonar X3

True Pianos is bundled with X3. It's quite capable albeit it's a cut down of the full product - you only get the Amber module

For a free/donationware grand, take a look a Piano in 162 by Ivy Audio.
 
http://ivyaudio.com/Piano-in-162
 
If you don't have the full Kontakt, you can use the SFZ version. This is a BIG library, almost 6 GB. Samples taken from a Steinway Model B.

If you want a good piano and use it in sonar look to xln audio.I think they have the best one in pianosound

Hi. In the newer versions of SONAR, you (at least I did) get a Demo version of Addictive Keys, which is (in my opinion) are quite good. There is also some free ones besides what has been offered.
All the e best.

Zargg71
Hi. In the newer versions of SONAR, you (at least I did) get a Demo version of Addictive Keys, which is (in my opinion) are quite good. There is also some free ones besides what has been offered.
All the e best.

I have Addictive Keys (and all 4 AKpaks) and was just playing the grand this morning, followed by AAS' Lounge Lizard (Riders On The Storm patch). I was doing a test to reverify a feeling I had after posting in this thread:
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Imperfect-Samples-Pianos-Half-Price-m3391575.aspx
 
and yup, I prefer playing modeled velocity-sensitive instruments vs. sampled ones. The AK Grand feels like its got only 3-4 velocity levels. LL responds beautifully to the weight of the key press. I can't wait to play Sound Magic's Fazioli Rose VI. It'll be here Wednesday ($99 in a box via Amazon; $169 online).
 
The problem with many free and paid sampled VIs is the lack of richness (number and quality) of the samples and the  poor quality of the sampling and sample-creating processes. They can be great starters and can often sound pretty good. But the limitations can start to drive you nuts after awhile.
 
And back to sample-based VIs...there are quite a few that are fantastic...and expensive...and BIG. I read a post on here recently where the poster had NINE 2 TB hard drives for samples. Holy crapola!
 
Good modeled VIs are small, load fast and change between presets fast. I have all of AAS' VIs except Tassman. Just a joy to play.
 
If I enjoy playing the Fazioli Rose as much as I hope to, I'm going to have to get their (Bösendorfer) Imperial Grand.

TheMaartian
and yup, I prefer playing modeled velocity-sensitive instruments vs. sampled ones. 

We may be in a minority but I agree. Whether the sound is EXACTLY the same or not matters less to me than the potential for expressiveness. I haven't used a sampled Rhodes sound since Lounge Lizard came out.

I don't mean to call seniority here, a lot of it is personal taste, but as a full time professional pianist I agree that Ivory is excellent and easily better than 99 percent of other stuff (of which I have a lot, including Addictive Keys and NI Komplete Ultimate). PianoTeq is worth checking out too though. It's different but can sound really alive.

kevinwal
One thing about having a tin ear, I save a boatload of money. I like TruePianos. Sounds like a piano to me. 

Hah ha!!
 
Agree completely

Pianos are my bread and butter, and I agree with those that are saying True Pianos is a good choice. They have a great modelled sound, and the hit on your CPU is so low you could host a piano quintet without breaking a sweat. However, I do think to get the best 'Grand Piano' sound from TP you will have to pay for the Atlantis module. (hint: it's worth it). Whenever I am starting to write or record a piece, I almost always use True Pianos, and often never bother switching to another instrument. This is a great sounding piece of software and I think Sonar is a much better piece of software from having this program in it.
 
If you are looking for an good all round Grand Piano sound for free, look no further than the pianos installed with Dimension Pro (or Rapture Session now). They are not necessarily the best out there, but if mixed with other instruments as part of a band, the sound is more than passable. (and they're free!)
 
I will add that if I want a true piano sound I will mic up the acoustic piano. There is no comparison as far as I'm concerned, I've yet to hear a model or sample that comes close when compared side by side to a real acoustic piano.
I will then add, that the wording here is important. You notice I wrote "when compared side by side". That's because sometimes it is almost impossible to tell just by listening to a piece on it's own, whether it's a real piano or a software one when played and mixed well.