Also, Garritan CFX. A grand Yammie grand.

For me, once I tried PianoTeq 5 I have not looked back: haven't touched any sample based piano since then. There is something about the playability that draws you in: it just feels 'right'. Their electric pianos are pretty sweet, too, and the free vintage models are icing on the cake.

aquatorium
For me, once I tried PianoTeq 5 I have not looked back: haven't touched any sample based piano since then. There is something about the playability that draws you in: it just feels 'right'. Their electric pianos are pretty sweet, too, and the free vintage models are icing on the cake.

Did you get the Bluthner? Apparently that's the best acoustic one, but I don't have it (yet).

Not yet, as I am more than happy with the K2 and D4. 

Wow - thanks for all the responses!  I bought the HammerSmith before all of these, here's my impressions.
 
Keep in mind - this is the light version...
 
1.  It takes are really long time to load.  My computer isn't the fastest in the world, but I've never had a problem.  I have some EWQL instruments, some Heavyocity instruments and Omnisphere and they all load MUCH faster.  Might be something with my system, but that was my first impression...  30 seconds to a minute...  Uses about .58mb of RAM.
 
2. It sounds great!  I immediately loved the way it played.  The room mics are awesome.  I've been using the stripped down version of Addictive Keys (the one that came preloaded with Sonar when I bought it a few years ago) and this sounds much better!
 
@emeraldsoul - I still need to hear how it sounds in a mix.  I don't have the familiarity with Steinway or Yamaha enough to have a preference - but I immediately recognized that this sounded different than the C7 at the school where I work.  In my home, I have a Yamaha upright. 
 
All in all - I think it was definitely worth the $57 I paid!  It was the right price point for me...  And well worth every penny.

It's actually much more than .5 MB - it was still loading!  It takes a long time to load each preset!

Yeah if you got Hammersmith for $57, that's kind of a no brainer.
 
Beyond the  Impact Soundworks PEarl, I'd also recommend the Pianoteq if you sprung extra for the Bluthner but all that amounts to three hundred bucks or some such.
 
 
Enjoy!
 
-Tom

mikebeam
Anyone use the Hammersmith from Sonicouture?  Seems pretty good and with the 35% discount, it's reasonably priced.
 
I'm working on a score for an independent film and need a decent piano.  Any other recommendations?  I don't want to break the bank.  I was thinking about some of NI's products, however it pains me to buy their stuff when it's not during their 50% off sales...
 
Something under $100 would be good.  About $50 would be awesome!
 
Hammersmith is $83ish with the discount... 

I have quite a few pianos at this point - Hammersmith is my favorite.  I do still like the True Pianos that we got with Sonar quite a few years back.  I upgraded to the full version and got more "flavors" and those sound pretty good, but the Hammersmith is in a higher league.  James and Dan at Soniccouture really put a lot of effort into sampling their instruments right and it shows.

There are 2 versions of the Hammersmith.  The extra mics and positions are really worth it if the price works for you.
 

HAMMERSMITH AVAILABLE AS:

STANDARD EDITION

• 21 Velocity Layers With Anti-Repeat
• True Sustain Sampling
• 2 Mic Positions
• CLOSE: M49 Pair
• ROOM: M50 TREE

PROFESSIONAL EDITION

• 21 Velocity Layers With Anti-Repeat
• True Sustain Sampling
• 6 Mic Positions
• CLOSE: M49 Pair or D19
• MID: KM133D Pair or MK4 Pair
• ROOM: M50 TREE or KU100 HEAD

 

Yeah - I went with the Standard one.  I'm not disappointed!  It's really awesome.  Seems to sit right in the mix well too.  I can't imagine ever needing something else...
 
I only paid $57 for the standard version - I'm confident I'll get my money's worth.