Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth?

Author
xxxsoundxxx
Max Output Level: -86 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 240
  • Joined: 2005/11/27 16:40:45
  • Status: offline
2013/01/05 20:56:31 (permalink)

Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth?

  What is the most realistic grand piano that comes with X2?

Sonar X2 Producer E-MU 1212M PCIe Windows 7 64 bit Intel i3 /w/ 6gb RAM AKAI MPK 25 Roland V Drums Focusrite Preamps Behringer Headphone amp Tannoy Monitors
#1

18 Replies Related Threads

    tomixornot
    Max Output Level: -58.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1674
    • Joined: 2011/03/05 11:31:26
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/05 21:00:01 (permalink)
    True piano.

    Albert


    i7 2600K @ 3.40GHz / MB Intel DP67BG / 16GB Ram
    - ADATA 250GB SSD (Boot)
    - Samsung Spinpoint F1 1TB HDD (Samples)
    Audio interface : Motu 828 MK ii
     
    i7 6700K @ 4.00GHz / MB Asrock Z170 / 16GB Ram
    - Samsung EVO 850 120GB / 500 GB SSD

    Audio interface : Roland Quad Capture
     
    Win 10 Pro / Sonar Platinum
    #2
    gbarrett
    Max Output Level: -85 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 258
    • Joined: 2003/11/18 22:21:25
    • Location: Marco Island, FL
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/05 21:01:49 (permalink)
    I use the Steinway Piano with Dim Pro. I usually "freeze" it before I do a final mix as it can be a bit of a resource hog.

    A real musician knows the difference between the music and the notes.
    #3
    Maarkr
    Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 488
    • Joined: 2011/12/10 09:35:33
    • Location: Maine
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/05 21:44:27 (permalink)
    I'm not crazy about either the True Pianos or the pianos in Dim Pro, altho I use them cause I can't afford one of the "good" piano programs... or I'll use my keyboard piano and use fx on it.

    Maarkr
    Studio: SPALT Lifetime/BL Cakewalk, Studio One 3.5, UAD, Z3ta+2, IKM, NI, Waves, iZotope, Melda, Reaper
    i7 3770/Giga Z77 mobo, Win10 Pro-64 w16Gb, MOTU Ultralite MK4, Yamaha HS80M wSub, Live: PX-5S, FA-06, Roland Lucina, Epi Les Paul, Ibanez Bass, Amps, e-drums, Zoom R-16...
    Latest album release, NEW! Counry Classic at http://genemaarkr.bandcamp.com/
    #4
    elsongs
    Max Output Level: -84 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 306
    • Joined: 2010/03/02 16:16:02
    • Location: Los Angeles, CA
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/05 21:57:39 (permalink)
    tomixornot


    True piano.

    True Piano is my go-to piano; it's got a beautiful attack and tone, but the decay is a bit weird...it takes like forever for the note to decay. If it weren't for that, it could sound convincing. 

    Elson Trinidad Los Angeles, CA, USA
    Web: www.elsongs.com
    Twitter: twitter.com/elsongs

    DAWs: Cakewalk by Bandlab, Cakewalk Sonar Platinum x64, Propellerhead Reason 9, Presonus Studio One v3
    OS: Windows 10 Professional 
    CPU: Intel i7 3820 3.6MHz 
    MB: ASRock X79 Xtreme4
    RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3
    Audio: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Generation
    MIDI: MOTU Microlite & Novation Impulse 61
    #5
    garrigus
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 8599
    • Joined: 2003/11/05 17:23:21
    • Location: www.garrigus.com
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/05 21:59:26 (permalink)
    True Piano is the best included with SONAR, but it's not the best on the market. There's a huge selection of 3rd-party piano virtual instruments at different price ranges.

    Scott

    --
    Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com
    * Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
    * Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
    * Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
    * Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview

    #6
    xxxsoundxxx
    Max Output Level: -86 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 240
    • Joined: 2005/11/27 16:40:45
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/06 00:21:27 (permalink)
    I was wondering how true pianos stood up against maybe some piano I haven't discovered yet that comes with X2. I was recording last night and the keyboardist (who's day job is tuning pianos)Didn't have a complaint about it. He was actually commenting /surprised on how the high string note groups are slightly out of tune just like a real piano. I guess it is hard to get the high strings perfect and keep them there and that attributes to the "real" sound true pianos has. Cool.

    Sonar X2 Producer E-MU 1212M PCIe Windows 7 64 bit Intel i3 /w/ 6gb RAM AKAI MPK 25 Roland V Drums Focusrite Preamps Behringer Headphone amp Tannoy Monitors
    #7
    Chappel
    Max Output Level: -52.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2300
    • Joined: 2009/07/11 14:55:32
    • Location: California
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/06 01:04:11 (permalink)
    xxxsoundxxx


    I was wondering how true pianos stood up against maybe some piano I haven't discovered yet that comes with X2. I was recording last night and the keyboardist (who's day job is tuning pianos)Didn't have a complaint about it. He was actually commenting /surprised on how the high string note groups are slightly out of tune just like a real piano. I guess it is hard to get the high strings perfect and keep them there and that attributes to the "real" sound true pianos has. Cool.

    Each octave has twice as many frequencies as the one below it so I guess that means more opportunity to be out of tune, or at least make it more noticeable.
    #8
    Bub
    Max Output Level: -3.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 7196
    • Joined: 2010/10/25 10:22:13
    • Location: Sneaking up behind you!
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/06 01:12:29 (permalink)
    True Piano's sounds really nice stand alone ... but I find it hard to get it to fit in to a mix with other instruments, especially once I start EQ'ing it. Cutting the lows can reveal some funky artifacts in the high end. I usually layer it with my old Korg X5 Piano patch and get some excellent results.

    I never tried layering it with a Dim Pro piano ... might give that a try.



    "I pulled the head off Elvis, filled Fred up to his pelvis, yaba daba do, the King is gone, and so are you."
    #9
    Glyn Barnes
    Max Output Level: -0.3 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 7564
    • Joined: 2009/06/10 05:12:31
    • Location: A Stone's Throw from the Line
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/06 01:24:48 (permalink)
    Unfortunatly the True Pianos "Amber" model that is bundled with Sonar is (IMHO of course) the worst of the models in the full version. "Atlantis" is my favourite.

    Intel i7 3770K @4.4GHz, 32GB RAM, 240GB SSD System disk, 2 x 2TB and 1 x 1TB (with SSD Cache) HDD. Windows 10,  Sonar Platinum. Roland Quad Capture. 
    Music - Switchwater on Soundclick
    Music - Goldry Bluszco on Soundcloud
    #10
    Marcus Curtis
    Max Output Level: -72 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 945
    • Joined: 2007/09/04 22:50:09
    • Location: Tulsa
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/06 07:38:15 (permalink)
    Back around Sonar 8 I got the full version of True Pianos. The amber module sounds good, but the other modules sound good too. I really like the Diamond one.

    I'm sure there are others out there that are better. Sometimes I wonder if True Pianos will come out with an updated version anytime soon. I think it has been a while since a new version was released.  

    http://www.marcuscurtismusic.com/  

    Windows 10 ultimate, Sonar Platinum, AMD Phenom 2 x6 1075T processor 3.00 GHz, (6 cores) 8 gigs of Ram, 

    Audio interfaces=VS-100, Pod X3 live pro, Boss GT-100, Boss GP10
    Midi Controllers=Edirol  PCR 800, roland GR-55.    

    Ozone 7, Podfarm, Th2 Full Version, Melda, True Pianos Full Version, and a whole bunch of free VST plugins which can be found through my site.
     
    #11
    Rasure
    Max Output Level: -79 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 584
    • Joined: 2007/02/06 06:26:21
    • Location: UK
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/06 07:48:47 (permalink)
    I recently bought the Yamaha C7 grand expansion for dim pro with the $20 coupon cake gave us! Very nice.

    http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cgbp/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=10-DSDY1.00-20E

    [ASUS Z97-K 3.30 gigahertz Intel Core i5-4590]
    [16 Gig Ram]
    [NVIDIA GeForce GTX1050 Ti 1920 X 1080]
    [Windows 10 Pro x64]
    [Sonar Platinum x64 Lifetime]
    [Studio One 4 Pro]
    [Notion 6]
    [Waves Mercury + Abbey Road & SSL Collection V10]
    [Mackie Onyx 400f]
     
    YouTube | 10% Off Waves | Rasuresphere II Omnisphere Library & Midi Stems
    #12
    Glyn Barnes
    Max Output Level: -0.3 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 7564
    • Joined: 2009/06/10 05:12:31
    • Location: A Stone's Throw from the Line
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/06 08:34:42 (permalink)
    Marcus Curtis


     Sometimes I wonder if True Pianos will come out with an updated version anytime soon. I think it has been a while since a new version was released.  
    The Atlantis module was added in December 2010 (Version 1.9), that was the last major feature addition, but it's certainly not abandonware, the last maintenance release (Version 1.95) was in Oct 2012.
     
    When Atlantis was added it was billed as a "TruePianos 2.0 technology preview module Atlantis" indicating there was an update in the pipe line.

    Intel i7 3770K @4.4GHz, 32GB RAM, 240GB SSD System disk, 2 x 2TB and 1 x 1TB (with SSD Cache) HDD. Windows 10,  Sonar Platinum. Roland Quad Capture. 
    Music - Switchwater on Soundclick
    Music - Goldry Bluszco on Soundcloud
    #13
    Marcus Curtis
    Max Output Level: -72 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 945
    • Joined: 2007/09/04 22:50:09
    • Location: Tulsa
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/07 10:18:52 (permalink)
    Glyn Barnes


    Marcus Curtis


     Sometimes I wonder if True Pianos will come out with an updated version anytime soon. I think it has been a while since a new version was released.  
    The Atlantis module was added in December 2010 (Version 1.9), that was the last major feature addition, but it's certainly not abandonware, the last maintenance release (Version 1.95) was in Oct 2012.
     
    When Atlantis was added it was billed as a "TruePianos 2.0 technology preview module Atlantis" indicating there was an update in the pipe line.

    Thank you Glyn for sharing this information! I have not updated True Pianos at all. I have the same version since the day I purchased it. It has always worked well for me with no problems what so ever. Even in windows 7.


    So I logged in and seen the latest version 1.95 and I saw the extra module (Atlantas) There seems to be a version with the atlantas Module (1.92) The other modules are updated too 1.4


    I check for driver updates and software updates on a regular basis. I don't know why it has never dawned on me to check for a True Pianos update. I am still using version 1.5 and it has been working fine with no problems.


    I am downloading the Atlantas module now and I am excited about trying it out. Thanks again!


    This Forum Rocks!

    post edited by Marcus Curtis - 2013/01/07 10:50:43

    http://www.marcuscurtismusic.com/  

    Windows 10 ultimate, Sonar Platinum, AMD Phenom 2 x6 1075T processor 3.00 GHz, (6 cores) 8 gigs of Ram, 

    Audio interfaces=VS-100, Pod X3 live pro, Boss GT-100, Boss GP10
    Midi Controllers=Edirol  PCR 800, roland GR-55.    

    Ozone 7, Podfarm, Th2 Full Version, Melda, True Pianos Full Version, and a whole bunch of free VST plugins which can be found through my site.
     
    #14
    daveny5
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 16934
    • Joined: 2003/11/06 09:54:36
    • Location: North Carolina
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/07 10:29:42 (permalink)
    Dimension Pro - Digital Sound Factory Classic Keys - Grand Piano - Concert Grand Piano is my favorite although I also have the DSF Steinway (purchased separately) that works in Cakewalk Sound Center and True Pianos. True Pianos is a modeled Grand Piano, not a sampled Grand. 

    Dave
    Computer: Intel i7, ASROCK H170M, 16GB/5TB+, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, Sonar Platinum, TASCAM US-16x08, Cakewalk UM-3G MIDI I/F
    Instruments: SL-880 Keyboard controller, Korg 05R/W, Korg N1R, KORG Wavestation EX
    Axes: Fender Stratocaster, Line6 Variax 300, Ovation Acoustic, Takamine Nylon Acoustic, Behringer GX212 amp, Shure SM-58 mic, Rode NT1 condenser mic.
    Outboard: Mackie 1402-VLZ mixer, TC Helicon VoiceLive 2, Digitech Vocalist WS EX, PODXTLive, various stompboxes and stuff. 
    Controllers: Korg nanoKONTROL, Wacom Bamboo Touchpad
    #15
    Swiller
    Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 110
    • Joined: 2012/04/25 16:19:21
    • Location: West Wales UK
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/07 11:45:25 (permalink)
    Marcus Curtis


    Glyn Barnes


    Marcus Curtis


    Sometimes I wonder if True Pianos will come out with an updated version anytime soon. I think it has been a while since a new version was released.  
    The Atlantis module was added in December 2010 (Version 1.9), that was the last major feature addition, but it's certainly not abandonware, the last maintenance release (Version 1.95) was in Oct 2012.

    When Atlantis was added it was billed as a "TruePianos 2.0 technology preview module Atlantis" indicating there was an update in the pipe line.

    Thank you Glyn for sharing this information! I have not updated True Pianos at all. I have the same version since the day I purchased it. It has always worked well for me with no problems what so ever. Even in windows 7.


    So I logged in and seen the latest version 1.95 and I saw the extra module (Atlantas) There seems to be a version with the atlantas Module (1.92) The other modules are updated too 1.4


    I check for driver updates and software updates on a regular basis. I don't know why it has never dawned on me to check for a True Pianos update. I am still using version 1.5 and it has been working fine with no problems.


    I am downloading the Atlantas module now and I am excited about trying it out. Thanks again!


    This Forum Rocks!

    is this update available to all x2 owners,  if so, how do you update it? i cant see anything obvious in the store.

    I7 3700k 3.5-3.9ghz, 16gb 1600 ddr3, 240gb ssd sata3, 2tb sata 3 hd,  2gb gt640 nvidia graphics, win 7 he, sonar x2 prod, a500pro, jd800,the magnificent juno 106, virus c, basstation rack, mpx1, xv5050, maschine mikro 1.8 with massive, kontakt,reaktor, mc505 groovebox, tlaudio 5021, 01x, Scarlett 8i6, prs ce24, squire classic vibe 60s.... tele,strat,jazz bass, blues jr 3 navy vintage 30 edition, orange ad5, line 6 ld15 bass amp, akg condenser mic, krk rokit 5, ns10s. Lots of thatchers gold.
    #16
    Glyn Barnes
    Max Output Level: -0.3 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 7564
    • Joined: 2009/06/10 05:12:31
    • Location: A Stone's Throw from the Line
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/07 11:48:54 (permalink)
    Swiller

     

    is this update available to all x2 owners,  if so, how do you update it? i cant see anything obvious in the store.
    No - it's an update to the full version of True Pianos.


    Intel i7 3770K @4.4GHz, 32GB RAM, 240GB SSD System disk, 2 x 2TB and 1 x 1TB (with SSD Cache) HDD. Windows 10,  Sonar Platinum. Roland Quad Capture. 
    Music - Switchwater on Soundclick
    Music - Goldry Bluszco on Soundcloud
    #17
    Marcus Curtis
    Max Output Level: -72 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 945
    • Joined: 2007/09/04 22:50:09
    • Location: Tulsa
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/07 14:22:40 (permalink)
    like Glyn says, It's only available to those who purchased the full version. I am sure that X2 has the latest Sonar version already.

    The full version has 4 more modules. The Sonar version only has the amber Module, Which is basically a Grand Piano model.

    http://www.marcuscurtismusic.com/  

    Windows 10 ultimate, Sonar Platinum, AMD Phenom 2 x6 1075T processor 3.00 GHz, (6 cores) 8 gigs of Ram, 

    Audio interfaces=VS-100, Pod X3 live pro, Boss GT-100, Boss GP10
    Midi Controllers=Edirol  PCR 800, roland GR-55.    

    Ozone 7, Podfarm, Th2 Full Version, Melda, True Pianos Full Version, and a whole bunch of free VST plugins which can be found through my site.
     
    #18
    Luteman
    Max Output Level: -84 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 335
    • Joined: 2006/12/04 05:48:05
    • Location: UK
    • Status: offline
    Re:Sonar X2 what is the best/favorite piano synth? 2013/01/07 15:42:23 (permalink)
    xxxsoundxxx


    . . . He was actually commenting /surprised on how the high string note groups are slightly out of tune just like a real piano. I guess it is hard to get the high strings perfect and keep them there and that attributes to the "real" sound true pianos has. Cool.

    As I understand it, piano tuners deliberately tune the upper octaves progressively sharper relative to absolute pitch. This is to allow for the fact that the harmonics produced when a piano string is struck do not have a simple arithmetic relationship to the fundamental.
    So for example if the note A (440Hz) is played, on most instruments the 2nd harmonic would be exactly 800Hz, the third harmonic would be 1200Hz, etc. Piano strings produce harmonics which are very slightly sharper (a function of the way the bridge deflects slightly when the string is struck then quickly returns to its original position).
    If the notes of the upper octaves were tuned to their 'correct' frequencies, they would sound flat in comparison to the harmonics produced by the lower strings. Sharpening them slightly compensates for this. One reason why early attempts at synthesized piano tones were not convincing.



    For those who were interested :-)

    Chris
    SONAR Platinum, Windows 7 Pro 64bit, Core2Quad Q6600, 8GB, 2 x SSD, M-Audio Fast Track Ultra, M-Audio Axiom 61, Behringer FCB1010 MIDI pedalboard, Stephen Haddock 8-course lute, some guitars, a mandolin and a bass

    #19
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1