craigfowler
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 03:23:19
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☄ Helpfulby meh 2013/07/20 10:57:18
piangio
I found Scarbee ALICIA'S KEYS absolutely perfect for me. Very tweakable and cheap...
It *is* a nice sounding piano, but I don't think it's one of the more flexible ones out there. If a 'brittle attack' is the problem, though, then AK could be just the ticket. I love it, but it's not a rock and roll piano IMO. In that vein, I'll repeat a more specific plug for Pianoteq, as it allows you to model things such as hammer hardness (at least, the standard version does - not sure about the stage/basic version) which makes a tremendous difference. Interesting to hear Glyn's comment about the Sampletekk black - I have been meaning to check that out as I, too, love the Old Lady and Emperor libraries. Glyn - do you find that Black sounds very different from the Old Lady, being that they're both samples of Steinways?
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 05:18:15
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craigfowler
- do you find that Black sounds very different from the Old Lady, being that they're both samples of Steinways?
It's different, it sounds brighter. I think the samples are the same as the older "Black Grand" but it has scripts and a interface that makes it easier to tweak the sound.
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icontakt
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 07:59:04
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Love Sampletekk's White Grand but I'm no pianist so don't trust me :) (audio demos are available on their site)
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joden
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 13:38:16
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One still needs to load up Kontakt to use them. No separate VSTi...and the free player has many limitations for many 3rd party sound libraries that only run in "Demo Mode" (ie the sound cuts out after 15 minutes) so you are forced to buy the full version player.
If the free player allowed you to play any purchased 3rd party soundbanks fully, I would not have such an issue with it. Same as the requirement for dongles. When players are using a laptop on stage with limited USB port resources, having to "waste" one on a dongle is annoying.
Just my view :)
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Bigdogs
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 15:09:47
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joden
One still needs to load up Kontakt to use them. No separate VSTi...and the free player has many limitations for many 3rd party sound libraries that only run in "Demo Mode" (ie the sound cuts out after 15 minutes) so you are forced to buy the full version player.
If the free player allowed you to play any purchased 3rd party soundbanks fully, I would not have such an issue with it. Same as the requirement for dongles. When players are using a laptop on stage with limited USB port resources, having to "waste" one on a dongle is annoying.
Just my view :)
All the Kontakt Player compatible libraries that I've bought appear to offer the full Kontakt flexibility. Demo mode is for products that don't offer Kontakt Player versions, and just run as demos. My reading of the Sampletekk offer is that it will run fully, not in demo mode Simon
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joden
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 15:40:15
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Hmm okay Simon...not saying you are wrong but the ones I tried (purchased, not pirated) only run in demo mode. And all 3rd party progs have to provide a Player version ;) and these are sold as fully functional sound libraries. They only run in the full purchased player version though.
This is a restriction placed by N.I. by the way not the 3rd part sound developers. Designed no doubt to force people into buying the full version. Like most other products these days, mostly spin to drag you in and then hit you with the "ahh... buts" so they can extract their full measure. That's business for you :)
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craigfowler
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 16:46:56
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I think you're talking about two separate Sampletekk products. The White grand requires full Kontakt; the Black Grand does not (the original sample set did, but the repackaged version is NI'd and ready to go)
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joden
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 17:26:35
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Okay yes you are probs correct on that...can you rate (your personal view is fine  ) the Black, against True Pianos? As I wrote earlier the "honkyness" between c3 and 4 is really starting to bug me.. It is not overly noticeable but I do notice it!! It is so hard to tell from online MP3 demos, and with no demo of the actual VSTi... thanks
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icontakt
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 20:39:31
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Tak T. Primary Laptop: Core i7-4710MQ CPU, 16GB RAM, 7200RPM HDD, Windows 7 Home Premium OS (Japanese) x64 SP1Secondary Laptop: Core2 Duo CPU, 8GB RAM, 7200RPM HDD, Windows 7 Professional OS (Japanese) x64 SP1Audio Interface: iD14 (ASIO)Keyboard Controller/MIDI Interface: A-800PRODAW: SONAR Platinum x64 (latest update installed)
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craigfowler
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 21:29:42
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joden
Okay yes you are probs correct on that...can you rate (your personal view is fine ) the Black, against True Pianos? As I wrote earlier the "honkyness" between c3 and 4 is really starting to bug me.. It is not overly noticeable but I do notice it!!
It is so hard to tell from online MP3 demos, and with no demo of the actual VSTi...
thanks
Sorry bud, I don't have either of 'em. I can tell you that the other Sampletekk libraries I have are outstanding, and at the price you can get Black Grand for right now (50% sale just began), it's a bargain. It's not a *new* sample set, but it's a good 'un from what I've heard. I've got two other Steinway libraries by them, and they're both very, very good.
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joden
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/05 23:13:24
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/06 00:47:53
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joden
Okay yes you are probs correct on that...can you rate (your personal view is fine ) the Black, against True Pianos? As I wrote earlier the "honkyness" between c3 and 4 is really starting to bug me..
I prefer the Black, as I said its my go to piano these days, with some of the other Sampletekk pianos as alternatives. I seldom fire up True Pianos since getting the Sampletekk stuff. That said, I do like the Atlantis module in the full version of True Pianos, but not as much as Black, Old Lady, The Emperor or Estonia.
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joden
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/06 01:23:27
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Thanks Glyn Barnes - very helpful. Let me ask you, do you also hear the "honkyness on the TP's aropund C3-C4? Or is it just me?
But I am definitely going to check out the black now :)
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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/06 04:06:20
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joden
Thanks Glyn Barnes - very helpful. Let me ask you, do you also hear the "honkyness on the TP's aropund C3-C4? Or is it just me?
I am away an the moment and can't check. I was just not that impressed with the Amber module, but I can't remember any specifics, I will not have used Amber for so long now.
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joden
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/06 13:58:31
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Glyn Barnes
joden
Okay yes you are probs correct on that...can you rate (your personal view is fine ) the Black, against True Pianos? As I wrote earlier the "honkyness" between c3 and 4 is really starting to bug me..
I prefer the Black, as I said its my go to piano these days, with some of the other Sampletekk pianos as alternatives. I seldom fire up True Pianos since getting the Sampletekk stuff. That said, I do like the Atlantis module in the full version of True Pianos, but not as much as Black, Old Lady, The Emperor or Estonia.
Thanks again for your recommendation of the Black - I bought it, well at $49!!! Bargain. And sadly, to me, it IS a bargain piano. Quite a good deal less satisfying that the TP's Atlantis module. Even the Diamond module runs rings around it. JMO and others reading this of course YMMV!!! I find it quite dull and lacklustre TBH. And only a single patch (preset) no variations at all. I was the one who bought it so I accept it is my call, but oh well it might get used somewhere I guess :) Cheers
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thepianist65
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/19 15:32:45
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Pianoteq is my new go-to piano, and I am a pianist by training. Full version does allow tinkering in a thousand ways, but even the included presets are outstanding. Because it's physically modeled, there is almost no CPU load when running. Also runs stand-alone quite well, too. Fun to play, complex, versatile, and the add-ons, such as the Rhodes/Wurly and Vibes are also great. I have heard the new Bluthner is wonderful, but I haven't sprung for it yet. I recommend this highly!
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joden
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/19 15:52:31
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As is True Pianos (modelled) And with all the modules and all the tweaking one could "seriously" want in the real world (forget paper specs) and at the price it is one of those "killer apps" so to speak. imo as good as PianoTeq but at a fraction of the price. I dabbled in others including the "Black" but still always come back to True Pianos.
Forget the Amber module that comes with Sonar - it is pretty crappy. Get the full version and all the other modules, especially Atlantis - sweet!!
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meh
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/20 11:04:23
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Thanks to all I have learned alot.
I guess I am just stuck on the CP-70....It has the "right" hammer sound for me(or the one that I have gotten used to) It does not have the Body of a 6, 8, or 9 foot grand and unfortunatly no MIDI to couple with some of the mentioned "plug-ins". But I have learned alot from all of you.
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jm24
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/20 23:15:14
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One of the best sounds:
Yamaha PRS, in a house hallway, with a couple of crappy microphones.
"""It seems that no matter what piano True, SI Electric or Demension, it's like the attack is too brittle for lack of words.....
They don't seem to fit in the mix with other "live" instruments."""
If all sound bad::: Check for clipping, your speakers, ears,....
Use voxengo span and the CW analyst to clarify what is bothering you.
use some eq on the bad frequencies.
Use the transient shaper.
The included pianos work for most all but way subtle piano work, where layers and velocity response are alone in the world.
Otherwise, after all the other 36 tracks are mixed, eq'ed, reverbed, compressed and maximized, it don't sound like no piano anyway.
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BBFG#
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/21 00:26:38
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DSF (Digital Sound Factory) makes two 'high-definition' pianos for Dimension.
Steinway & Yamaha C7 $99.00 each
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rcrees
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/21 14:13:02
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lapieuvre
You have to look at Quantum Leap Pianos. They are on special these days.
+1 Take a look and listen at the EastWest site. Not cheap, but not the most expensive either. If you're having issues with all the "included" piano plugins you probably have a refined ear. With QL Pianos, you have your choice of loading any of 4 beautifully sampled pianos... or all four if you have the space. Best, Rob
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jscomposer
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/21 14:36:57
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Be careful with EastWest's Piano's, you need tons of Ram, but they are excellent. EastWest also has a great Steinway and Bosendorfer in their Goliath VST, which I what I use for all of my piano sounds.
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joden
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/21 15:48:06
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EAST WEST = needs a dongle 
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konradh
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/21 15:58:00
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You will never regret buying Ivory II. Ivory II Grands is fantastic, and if you can live with one piano, get their American D.
I know I said this above but I feel very strongly that it is as good as anything out there.
Konrad Current album and more: http://www.themightykonrad.com/ Sonar X1d Producer. V-Studio 700. PC: Intel i7 CPU 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM. Win 7 64-bit. RealGuitar, RealStrat, RealLPC, Ivory II, Vienna Symphonic, Hollywood Strings, Electr6ity, Acoustic Legends, FabFour, Scarbee Rick/J-Bass/P-Bass, Kontakt 5. NI Session Guitar. Boldersounds, Noisefirm. EZ Drummer 2. EZ Mix. Melodyne Assist. Guitar Rig 4. Tyros 2, JV-1080, Kurzweil PC2R, TC Helicon VoiceWorks+. Rode NT2a, EV RE20. Presonus Eureka. Rokit 6s.
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joden
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/21 16:03:42
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REALLY expensive though Konrad - for not a lot of gain over the lower priced options imo - and you need a DONGLE !!!!
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Kev999
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/21 23:44:08
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Dimension Pro's piano samples sound very clunky and you need to use notch fitering to get rid of horrible resonances and mechanical sounds. But despite this they seem to sound great in a mix, so I use them a lot.
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Jaijam78
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/25 12:18:43
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Have you tried mixing 2 pianos? I like to use the true pianos and dimension pro 9ft grand I think. Spread a little, add some breverb. Also you can mess with the options etc in true pianos.
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musichoo
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/26 10:39:27
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I agree with konradh who had suggested the Ivory II. I am a pianist by training and I use the Ivory II and I like it's Steinway sample the most (+- 30Gig samples with 18 velocities). The included Amber piano in Sonar is pretty decent and I use it for new age sounds. Again like some other suggestion in this thread you will benefit much by changing it's EQ and reverb setting (Sonar's EQ and reverb, not the vst's setting). The Dimpro's stock piano is about 285MB Yamaha grand sampled in only 3 or 4 velocities and it's dynamics are not realistic enough. I had also purchased the DSF volume 1 grand Piano expansion and the result wasn't any better. I have heard the DSF Yamaha and Steinway demo and felt is it is not to my expectation. To be fair, the price the only 99USD each.
For EP sound I used Applied Acoustic's lounge lizard4. It is based on physical modelling and it's expressiveness outclass the Sonar's included SI EP. Another plus is it uses very little CPU resources.
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dcumpian
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/29 08:10:57
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joden
REALLY expensive though Konrad - for not a lot of gain over the lower priced options imo - and you need a DONGLE !!!!
It's around $120/piano. You spent $49 for single patch, and didn't like it. Each piano in Ivory II has many variations, and it is very tweakable. Regards, Dan
Mixing is all about control. My music: http://dancumpian.bandcamp.com/ or https://soundcloud.com/dcumpian Studiocat Advanced Studio DAW (Intel i5 3550 @ 3.7GHz, Z77 motherboard, 16GB Ram, lots of HDDs), Sonar Plat, Mackie 1604, PreSonus Audiobox 44VSL, ESI 4x4 Midi Interface, Ibanez Bass, Custom Fender Mexi-Strat, NI S88, Roland JV-2080 & MDB-1, Komplete, Omnisphere, Lots o' plugins.
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konradh
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Re: Suggestions for piano plugins
2013/07/29 11:16:47
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To each his own and I won't keep plugging Ivory but $179 for a Steinway and $30-40 for the dongle doesn't seem bad considering the quality (and considering the price of the real thing). Keep in mind that Ivory has on board EQ, reverb, the ability to choose the number of velocity layers (to manage memory) and some other effects and tweaks as Dan points out. (It even has some synth doubling, chorusing, and other stuff I never used but that is interesting.) Just this week-end I was re-doing piano and orchestration for a vocal cut in another studio and Ivory added incredible expressiveness compared to whatever was used originally. The July Sound on Sound reviews Ivory American D (American Steinway--I have Ivory II Grands with the Gemrna Steinway, Bosendorfer, and Yamaha C7). In the review, there is a sidebar that rounds up all the comparable products from other manufacturers and it is a pretty nice summary of the top contenders. I promise this is my last post on this thread! (Now, somebody needs to bring up acoustic guitar plug-ins so I can get on my RealGuitar soapbox.)
Konrad Current album and more: http://www.themightykonrad.com/ Sonar X1d Producer. V-Studio 700. PC: Intel i7 CPU 3.07GHz, 12 GB RAM. Win 7 64-bit. RealGuitar, RealStrat, RealLPC, Ivory II, Vienna Symphonic, Hollywood Strings, Electr6ity, Acoustic Legends, FabFour, Scarbee Rick/J-Bass/P-Bass, Kontakt 5. NI Session Guitar. Boldersounds, Noisefirm. EZ Drummer 2. EZ Mix. Melodyne Assist. Guitar Rig 4. Tyros 2, JV-1080, Kurzweil PC2R, TC Helicon VoiceWorks+. Rode NT2a, EV RE20. Presonus Eureka. Rokit 6s.
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