Since I started using GP I’ve been thru quite a few piano VSTs, but neither I, nor my bandmates, have been very enthusiastic about my piano sound.
I think I started out with an
XLN Addictive Keys piano
then went for the
Arturia piano that I got for free with my Keylab MK II
and, in fact, ended up using the old
True Pianos Diamond model.
Time for a new free concert in a park during Molde International Jazz Festival, and I thought it was time to get things in order.
Som time ago I bought a bundle from IK Multimedia, so I own
Pianoverse with all 9 pianos.
Thought it sounded good, but it ended up being to CPU heavy for my laptop.
Ended up downloading
Pianoteq.
For the first time my Keylab started to sound like a grand piano, and my bandmates also noticed the difference. Now I’m going to buy their Stage option. I know it’s all about personal taste, but wondered if someone had some advice on what Instrument Packs to choose.
I’ve more or less decided to go for the pack with the two Steinways for my jazz gigs.
However, I also play some pop and rock now and then.
Would the Rock Piano YC5 be the best choice for those non-jazz gigs?
I checked it. It is great. I think I end up with the Steinway D pack, and the Bösendorfer instead of the Rock Piano YC5.
By the calibration I understand it you mean the setting velocity part. I’ve already found some recommended velocity parameters for my Keylab, that I’m going to try, on Modartt’s forum.
Meh - I would strongly encourage you to do your own calibration. It’s not just the keyboard. Your own playing style is relevant - when you’re asked to play a few notes “quietly”, your style might make your velocities slightly different than somebody elses.
I have found the BBE vsts add a lot to make pianos cut through a mix. I always add harmonic and sonic Maximizer”s from BBE Sonic sweet to piano Vsts. Negligible CPU use too.
I’ve been using Native Instruments pianos for many years. Over that time, I’ve often listened to the old sounds and looked for something new. So I got Pianoteq, but I wasn’t entirely convinced by its sound. Two years ago, I started mixing Native Instruments pianos with those from Pianoteq. For me, that’s the perfect solution for really rich and powerful piano sounds. Both providers are good on their own, but together they’re a force to be reckoned with. That’s just my opinion. Everyone hears differently.
Regarding the different packs: I bought them all. Especially since these classic old pianos (Kremsegg Collection) were inspired by the museum in my small town. Unfortunately, the Kremsegg Instrument Museum closed in 2018, and the instruments probably ended up in a state-run depot. I think you can get by with just a few packs featuring grand pianos. I use the YC5 more for rock ‘n’ roll.
Seriously? Ever since I discovered years ago what a stereo mix of a piano sounds like with in-ear monitors, switching back to mono would be a sacrilege. But maybe you’re just referring to the settings in the plug-in. I’d have to try that to see if I can detect any improvement there as well.
Okay. You’re sending your keys to the PA and into your in-ears in mono? You wouldn’t believe how much better the listening experience is in stereo through in-ears. I mix my keys into stereo through GP and send them to my in-ears. I get the band mix in mono, though. I recently added the Haas effect to that channel in GP. It simulates the stereo effect of the band. If you do an A/B comparison, you won’t want a mono mix anymore.
I’ve tried a lot of vst pianos. To cut the mix, I was really surprised by Korg Triton VST (Toto : Hold the line, Journey, Styx). For « acoustic » gig, I like Pianoteq, Noire, Keyscape.
Most of the time I use the onboard pianos on my Casio PX350. For VST plugins, I like Sampletekk Black for jazz (available for cheap during sales around twice a year). But, I mostly use Pianoteq because of the smaller ram footprint, even though I still prefer the sound of sampled pianos to Pianoteq.
This is my favorite… of all pianos I like Korg’s the best for live performance. The SGX stuff is very very good and cuts through mixes very well. I’ve tried Pianoteq, Kontake Grandeur/Noire/others — Yamaha, many many others. But something about Korg’s pianos I just really like.
