It is essentially a plugin that is most commonly used on a DAW (eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'thrivepiano_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',111,'0','0']));Digital Audio Workstation) program that allows you to create virtual instruments and, subsequently, make music. Arguably the king of all virtual instruments, this brand makes just about everything from synth sounds in Massive to guitar amp modeling in Guitar Rig, with hundreds, if not thousands of different options in each software. You don’t actually need a real piano to play one - Just plug in your midi controller, set up your software, with or without a DAW, and you should be making sweet music in no time! The Garritan Abbey Road Studios CFX Grand Piano ... 2. >XLN sure did put its foot in this one as it went only for the crème of the crop to develop this software. Read next: Review: Baby Audio – Spaced Out VST Plugin. Alicia’s Keys is another great sounding piano VST plugin at a budget-friendly price. 1.1.1 Sound; 1.1.2 Overall; 1.2 2) KeyZone Classic – Windows & Mac. Hopefully, we have cleared the air about a lot of your questions about VST's throughout this article, but it’s understandable if you have some more. This is without a doubt the best free piano VST plugin out there. Therefore, it would make sense to select a piano VST that is best appropriate. Posted on by . All plugins have high-quality sound and piano DSP engines. Their soft piano plugin is still a go-to piano sound for many professional composers. It’s impossible to have a software version of each of the existing pianos however the piano vst plugins have tons of variants available to help you get a professional sounding tone. Best Free Piano VST Plugins Keyzone Classic. Let’s get right into it… 5 Best Piano Plugins Plugin Name Format … The 16 Best Free Piano VST/AU Plugins! On the other hand, modeled ones are more synthetic, but still have the potential to sound amazing. Afterward, although it depends on the developer and the software, you may be able to use the VST without the Internet. There will be few people who rip on it, but for a free option, it is easy to use and gets the work done. however also find use in video editing software like Sony Vegas.. Don’t let anyone fool you, you can still find sweet piano sounds for absolutely free, and these are some that you should give a shot. Spitfire Audio makes some of the best sample libraries, especially for Film Score and composing. So we decided to try and test the very best virtual instruments, in search of the most realistic emulations of Piano plugins available. Well, that will depend on how you approach it, but probably the most well regarded and most complete piano VST is the Pianoteq from Modartt. Sound Magic Piano One. It may not have some of the extra goodies that the paid software has, but the most important thing is that it is precise, gets to the point, and sounds great. There are millions of real pianos available and each has its own characteristic tone. It is sampled from the Steinway Model D concert grand piano, which is one of the first choices for many pianists, and is famous for its superb sound. Garritan CFX Concert Grand. Due to that, my opinion is, this plugin can use for any type of music. ... Well, a “VST” is a software plugin format that uses your computer to emulate a real or imaginary musical instrument or effect. Despite having no price-tag, this VST can stand up to some of the paid options. Just keep in mind that an internet connection may be necessary for any software updates and other possible benefits. Piano. If you want some more options you can check out my favorite MIDI keyboards here.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'thrivepiano_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',106,'0','0'])); Once you have a MIDI controller, you can search for piano VST's to use. Before we get started with the best virtual studio technology (VST) piano plugins out there, it's important to note that the results are completely dependent on the physical digital piano you're using. XLN’s Addictive Keys offers warm, realistic piano sound without taking too much space and other resources on your computer. Coming from a company called SampleScience, you can be excused for expecting a high-end, feature-laden plugin. Although most VSTs are compatible with many of the most-used DAW, if you’ve verified that the file path is correct, there is a chance that the VST is incompatible. Keyzone Classic is an all-round piano plugin. It actually combines the sounds of five of the best electric pianos out there today. The Synthology Ivory II Grand Piano is: As one of the most realistic and responsive VST's, it's no question that it is one of the best piano software plugins you can get. check out my favorite MIDI keyboards here. DSK The Grand. Alicia Keys is one of the popular piano vst plugin libraries and it is one because of a reason. The DSK Grand piano is the best free piano VST that and it is definitely useable. Toontrack is well-known for producing their EZDrummer and Superior Drummer Software, which have helped countless producers around the world create high-quality drums for their songs. 4. This is the fourth-best piano VST plugin and the most compatible VST piano instrument for Cubase 5.1 or higher versions which I found at the moment when I am writing this article. Iowa Grand Piano Made by the craziest free instrument maker - Bigcat Instruments, Iowa Grand Piano delivers a beautiful and sophisticated sound. Trust us. Check Current Price. It doesn’t have too many features, which is why it’s so small, but it does have basic control options which are nice for those who don’t want to be too overwhelmed. 1. This is what you should know about the Upright #1 software: While it’s unfortunate that it is unclear which upright piano it was sampled from, what is apparent is that it is still a wonderful sounding instrument in digital form. Virtual instruments are now more popular than ever, so we are checking out the best piano VST plugins available in 2021 Nonetheless, now that our quick, general overview of what VSTs are is done, we can start getting to the different software choices out there. For grand piano VST sounds, the Synthology Ivory II is probably as good as it gets. 3. They are often .VST files and can be downloaded online, often in the form of packages. Recorded in the Bauhaus-designed Funkhaus recording complex to capture this unique piano, handpicked by the artist, custom intonated, and augmented with a felt damper. Adjust the room, keys, pedal, resonance, and noise the way you want to. What you get with Room Piano, however, is a lo-fi, single-velocity character instrument. Versillian Studios VS Upright #1 is brilliant and natural-sounding which automatically makes it one of the best free piano VST plugins. When you think about Yamaha grand pianos, the 9-foot CFX concert grand is as good … 1. Even free plugins are sometimes great, and we will be looking at several later. On top of there being paid and free software for piano, most of these VSTs can be standalone, which essentially means that they don’t require a DAW to use. This one is also a lot more ‘lively-sounding’ than the other options out there, likely due to the fact that it’s a physically-modeled piano, rather than sampled. The best piano VST plugins in this software are terrific and you’re going to love working with them. Versilian Upright No. Studio Grand lets you explore the various possible sounds you need to strengthen the foundation of your song and be unique in every way. Containing a new integrated engine called ‘Noire Engine’ will treat space and time differently to explore new possibilities. One of my favorite examples of a premium high-end piano plugin is the Native Instruments collaboration with Alicia Keys aptly titled “Alicia’s Keys” which runs within Native Instruments’ infamous Kontakt sampler, which retails at £89, and that’s not including the Kontakt 6 software itself, which itself retails at a hefty £359. In today’s popular music landscape, in fact, the piano is an absolutely essential instrument for any musician or producer to have. These are the best piano VST plugins that money can buy, and they will serve you well for a long time. Nevertheless, it is an amazing piece of software for what it was designed for. But premium is the way to go for professional productions because of how good they sound and how tweakable they are. Noire is the virtual replica of Nils Frahm’s concert grand, sampled in a legendary space. The DSK Grand piano is the best free piano VST that and it is definitely useable. The 4Front piano is a quality, full-bodied upright piano plugin and is great for capturing a live feel in your own productions. This free VST plugin version of the full product is missing a few features of the paid version, such as mechanical noises and multi microphone perspective support, but these aren’t huge downsides. These are the best piano VST plugins that money can buy, and they will serve you well for a long time. A VST is a virtual ‘plugin’, that is used to generate or manipulate audio in some fashion. PianoTeq 6 – Best Modeled Piano Plugin. Overall, it has a lot of utility and will get the job done. These are the Fender Rhodes MK I, Fender Rhodes MK II, Wurlitzer 200A, … SampleScience – Room Piano. And if you're not a programmer, you would have to hire someone to help you out with all of the code that goes into your plugin. Atmos is one of those free piano plugins featuring a Grand Piano that has been sampled from C2 to C9 and also has been processed with two types of reverb, distortion, and delay. Versillian Studios VS Upright #1 is brilliant and natural-sounding which automatically makes it one of the best free piano VST plugins. Here is the best piano software you can get in 2018. While a great piece of software will cost money, you can find some solid ones for free. The 88 keys of the VST plugin make it most popular among musicians. With the evolving technology and introduction of piano vst plugins, it’s possible to recreate the same effect of a real piano in the software version. Best Piano VST Plugins. A VST is a virtual ‘plugin’, that is used to generate or manipulate audio in some fashion. 5. Garritan Instant Orchestra Piano Virtual Studio Technology. The plugins are still free, but consider getting a subscription if you use them often. But premium is the way to go for professional productions because of how good they sound and how tweakable they are. Change the room and recording setup to your taste and start recording. However, in most cases, you can run your VST just fine on one, especially if it supports a standalone option, as many of the ones here do. Since there are so many piano software versions available including the free ones we have done the research for you and shortlisted 7 of the best piano VST plugins in 2021 for music producers & singer/songwriters. Thankfully, with technology, fantastic piano tones can be achieved by taking up minimal space in your home, and of course, not costing nearly as much as an actual acoustic piano. One of the best things about the EZKeys grand piano is that it is not CPU intensive at all. It utilizes a grand piano sample and does a great job of it. These are the Fender Rhodes MK I, Fender Rhodes MK II, Wurlitzer 200A, Fender Rhodes Suitcase, and Hohner Pianet-T. This plugin includes 5 different types of piano sounds. Here is a list of the best free piano VST plugins that not only sound great, but which are also both suitable for beginners and experienced producers, be it to create extremely realistic piano sounds or to add some ambiance to a film. For a great rendition of a Yamaha C7, a well-regarded concert piano that’s found everywhere, from studios to concert halls, look no further than Piano. The Best 10 FREE Piano VST Plugins for PC/Mac – with download links The Best 10 Free Piano VST Plugins for PC/Mac Whether you just want to pull up a simple sound that works straight from the patch, or you’re looking for a sophisticated recreation of a concert grand to bake into a complex production, there are a great many free piano VST and AU instruments out to meet your needs. Check to make sure, and if it is not, consider finding an appropriate DAW that supports it. In fact, there is a chance that some of these may include both grand and upright pianos and even more!eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'thrivepiano_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',107,'0','0'])); The following software will cost you some money, but they are well worth the value. We’ve been in your shoes. Virtual instruments are now more popular than ever, so we are checking out the best piano VST plugins available in 2021 The Velvet 2 VST from Air Music Technology is an electric piano plugin with a good amount of versatility. They have a couple LABS pianos, and the Soft Piano is our favorite. Piano One. 1. One of my favorite examples of a premium high-end piano plugin is the Native Instruments collaboration with Alicia Keys aptly titled “Alicia’s Keys” which runs within Native Instruments’ infamous Kontakt sampler, which retails at £89, and that’s not including the Kontakt 6 software itself, which itself retails at a hefty £359. A piano has 88 notes, it's capable of producing a wide dynamic range, and there's a lot of elements making up the sound that we all ubiquitously know as the sound of a piano. Pascal Faruq Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may get a commission at zero cost to you. Graduated from the Conservatory in Amsterdam and currently studying at the Conservatory in Haarlem. It is sampled from the Steinway Model D concert grand piano, which is one of the first choices for many pianists, and is famous for its superb sound. This piano is perfect for pop,RnB or dance music creation. Alicia’s Keys is: Even though the sounds are geared towards R&B and Pop, you can still probably find a modern sound that you’re looking for with a little bit of tweaking, but if you’re looking for an old-fashioned vibe, you might be better off with one of the instruments from The Definitive Piano Collection. However, since this article is about pianos, we're going to focus on that type of VST specifically. Sounds based on three types of pianos - Concert, Vintage, and Upright, which NI refers to as The Grandeur, The Maverick, and The Gentleman, respectively. The piano is one of the most used instruments in modern-day music and has been one for a long period of time. Spectrasonics are giants of the virtual instrument world; their Omnisphere synth changed the... 2. Sample-based VST's for pianos will sound the most realistic because they’re literally taken from a real-life instrument. The presets include Yamaha and Steinway grand pianos, as well as electric piano and Rhodes. These are some general questions that people have when it comes to all VSTs, not just midi piano software. It is available for both Windows and Mac (32 and 64 bit). 1.2.1 Sound; 1.2.2 Overall; 1.3 3) The Grand DSK Piano – Windows & Mac. The piano is so common on musical recordings today that you must have a good piano VST plugin for your recording projects. LABS is an ongoing series of free software instruments made by musicians and sampling experts in London. Very simple to use plugin It’s only one of many piano plugins that Sound Magic offers, but it’s the only free VST package. Studio Grand plugin is a perfect recreation of the classic Steinway Model D concert grand piano and is well known for its character and unique sound. 3. There will be few people who rip on it, but for a free option, it is easy to use and gets the work done. Sampling a piano is a lot of work. If you like collections, Native Instruments, or NI for short, has got you covered. We review the year's best piano VSTs including Modartt Pianoteq, Vienna Imperial, Garritan Abbey Road CFX Concert Grand, Synthogy Ivory II Studio Grands & more. Keyzone Classic also sports common parameters you would find on … The Studio Grand by Addictive Keys is one of the more affordable grand piano plugin alternatives out there. There are a lot of reasons someone may pick EZKeys; one of them being that it is an excellent tool for songwriting. All you need is a computer, a midi keyboard, and at least one VST to get going - this guide will select the best piano software plugins of this year, and hopefully, help you find the perfect one!eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'thrivepiano_com-box-3','ezslot_10',104,'0','0'])); For those who happen to be completely new to audio production terminology, a VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology. These are traditionally used in DAWs (digital audio workstations) like Fl Studio, GarageBand, Pro Tools, etc. For the Definitive Piano Collection, here’s what to expect: Similarly to Addictive Keys, you can buy each piano individually, but the entire bundle is designed to help you save while having a vast library at the same time. This softsynth is modelled around 31 carefully sampled and mastered Piano samples. It doesn’t have to be anything big or fancy; for beginners, a 25-key MIDI controller will be sufficient. If you just want to experiment, you might want to get a free or budget-friendly plugin, but if you are looking for high-end sounds and customizability, be ready to spend some more cash. We know that, finding great Piano emulations can be extremely difficult. The majority of piano libraries and plugins are sample based. PianoTeq6 has been creating some massive waves in the keyboard community. As one of the prime choices for piano software that gets talked about often, it’s understandable that its quality will correlate with its colossal file size. Cheap plugin: Plugin Alliance Lindell 7X-500 At just $29 USD (at the time of this writing) Plugin Alliance’s digital recreation of the popular Lindell 7X-500 series module is a charmingly inexpensive way … Adjust the room, keys, pedal, resonance, and noise the way you want to. Do a great job with the 16 velocity layers. An award-winning Piano VST that can be used in both standalone modes and as an instrument plug-in in VST/AAX and also AU hosts. Read More » Mosaic Keys is a perfect combination between the warmth of electric keys and the organic moving sound design to keep you creative while writing a song. Garritan CFX – The most accurate samples of the magnificent Yamaha CFX 9-foot concert grand. Best FREE Piano VST Plugins. When trying to search for the best piano VST plugin, you probably going to run into two different types out there. Finding the best piano VST plugin is very important for your work process, and it will at last assist you with creating more excellent music. This instrument contains 6.9 GB of content including 3000 individual samples with 12 velocity layers. There is a difference, and this will be specified when we examine each of the options in this guide. Major Chords, Minor Chords, Seventh Chords, Augmented Chords, Diminished Chords, Major Scales, and Minor Scales in one convenient PDF. Because it is powerful, this makes it a nominee for the best piano VST plugin. You get an entire library of all ... 2. Of course, this beast of a VST will consume over 70GB of disk space, so keep that in mind, but if you’ve been reading up until this point, it’s probably to be expected. This oscar-winning composer worked together with Spitfire Audio to record the in-house grand piano at the Hall at AIR Studios, one of the best scoring stages in the world. The articulation of your playing will really translate – and if you have a good enough MIDI controller, it can be almost as realistic as the real thing. In today’s popular music landscape, in fact, the piano is an absolutely essential instrument for any musician or producer to have. The Spectrasonics Keyscape library is one of the most versatile libraries... 2. Read More : The 17 Best Free Piano VST Plugins. That's one reason why they are so expensive. This instrument contains 6.9 GB of content including 3000 individual samples with 12 velocity layers. This is currently a lot of people’s favorite plugin for pianos. Some of these will be entire collections or individual instruments, with some even allowing you to expand if you wish. Image Credit: Native Instruments The first ones create piano sounds from scratch, allowing for a lot of tweaking, while the second ones keep the realistic sound of a real piano. When it comes to plugins, you generally get what you pay for. So, to help you discover the best VST, we have compiled a list of the best piano VST plugins. If anything, if you’re going to use it with a DAW, just make sure that it can access the plugin, and it should be fine. This debate has been going on for quite some time as to what you should prefer and which of the two is superior. The Best 10 Free Piano VST Plugins for PC/Mac . 99Sounds – Upright Piano. 1.3.1 Sounds; 1.3.2 Overall; 1.4 4) Versilian Upright – Windows & Mac. Cinematic Studio Piano. Not only do you get a great acoustic piano sound. From the makers of Omnisphere, Spectrasonics has produced a VST that is meant to satisfy the needs of not just pianists, but fans of other keyboards as well.