The HostBaby Blog

Not everyone has room for a nice black satin baby grand piano in their home studio, but most of us have a computer with more than a few gigabytes of harddrive space.  These days you can buy a midi keyboard for under a hundred bucks.  So what’s stopping you . . .the sound?

Musicians are often skeptical of synth sounds and are wary of creating music that sounds artificial–and rightfully so.  Luckily today’s midi sounds are not your Dad’s midi sounds.  Infact, some must  be heard to be believed.

Whether you are a composer, songwriter, recording artist, or all of the above, a midi keyboard and a good sound library can help you reach new levels in music production.

While sampled piano is not 100% realistic, nowadays it’s quite close. Many sample developers have been increasing the standard of virtual instrument libraries in the last few years.

Piano is one of those instruments that has taken decades to perfect.

When some of the first high quality sampled piano libraries came out, they weren’t cheap. But thankfully today there are a few options out there, some more expensive than others.

We’ve listened to some of the more popular piano libraries on the market to come up with these options. But Make sure to do your own research! It’s not just the sound, but the playability, the expression, the feel. Check out all the features and reviews, and then you can make your decision! For any assistance or advice you can check out the various music production forums on the web, such as VI-Control.net

NOTE: These are not listed in any particular order. There is no “best” piano library out there, as each user will have a different needs. This really applies to all sampled libraries.

Emotional Piano (www.tonehammer.com) – $149.00
Platform:  Mac/PC
Format: Kontakt (compatible with Free Kontakt Player)

“We’ve spent years searching for just the right one to capture. With ears pressed to wood and eyes hovering scant inches above strings, we tested literally hundreds of them before finding this one special piano. The sound of a piano is defined by a thousand things, from the lacquer on the wood to the hardness of the felt in the hammers. Our goal was purely sound: a soft, deeply resonant, rich, warm and soulful sound. We had no concern for brand, model, design or pedigree. We’re not even going to mention the model and brand of the piano we chose for this library. Not because it is important, but because it is truly irrelevant. With all preconceived notions and expectations aside, this piano will either speak to you or it won’t.” – Tonehammer

Alicia’s Keys (www.native-instruments.com) – $119.00
Platform: Mac/PC
Format: Kontakt (compatible with Free Kontakt Player)

“Together with Danish sample specialist Thomas Skarbye (better known by his company name Scarbee) and impulse response expert Ernest Cholakis, Alicia Keys has created a virtual piano that meets her professional standards and embodies the soulful sound that has become her trademark as a superstar. This is the piano sound that has helped Miss Keys win multiple Grammys and reach the top of the charts.” – Native Instruments

Quantum Leap Pianos (www.soundsonline.com) – $349.00
Platform: Mac/PC
Format: Play (sample player included with package)

“This collection includes four of the world’s finest grand pianos: a Bechstein D-280, Steinway D, Bösendorfer 290, and Yamaha C7. The PLAY interface includes impulses from the same hall the producers used to record Symphonic Orchestra and Symphonic Choirs so the pianos can blend with those collections.”

Seven Seas Grand Piano (www.sampletekk.com) – $199.00
Platform: Mac/PC
Format: Kontakt/EXS24/Halion/Gigasampler (choice of format upon purchase)

“Super detailed multisampled Grand Piano No less then 93 unique samples per recorded note. Over 4400 samples! Incredible sound and response Super realistic playing behaviour Probably the most refined sampled piano on the market today The most dynamic sampled piano – period. Recorded at OAL Studios in Stockholm Sweden Instrument used: Yamaha C7 Grand © System Requirements • PC P4 3GHz with 2 Gb of RAM or similar Mac • DVD reader • One of the following samplers: Gigastudio 3, Kontakt 1.5/2, HALion 2/3, EXS24 MkII v.6″

Galaxy Vintage D (www.galaxypianos.com) – $155.00
Platform: Mac/PC
Format: Kontakt (included with package)

“Galaxy Instruments’ ‚Vintage D’ virtual grand piano is based on samples of a vintage Steinway D, a true legend of its class. This Steinway D was built in 1920 in Hamburg in the German factory of Steinway & Sons. It is located at Bauer Studios in Germany, where some of the world’s greatest pianists have recorded legendary albums, among them”

Ivory Grand Pianos (www.synthogy.com) – $349.00
Platform: Mac/PC
Format: Custom (sample library has it’s own dedicated plugin that’s included)

“Ivory Grand Pianos is a multi-platform plug-in that recreates the sound and playing experience of 3 of the world’s great concert grand pianos: the Bösendorfer Imperial 290 Concert Grand, the Steinway D Concert Grand, and the Yamaha C7 Grand. Recorded in the finest concert halls and studios with state of the art equipment, each piano is sampled with extreme attention to detail by award winning sound designer, Joe Ierardi.”

Pianoteq (www.pianoteq.com) $99.00
Platform: Mac/PC
Format: Custom (sample library has it’s own dedicated plugin that’s included)

“Pianoteq is a high-class virtual piano software offering superb dynamics, natural resonances and unique physical parameters. The powerful innovative features of Pianoteq, based on physical modelling and real time sound generation, make it the natural choice for demanding musicians including composers, producers and keyboardists. Pianoteq features also other instruments such as harpsichords, electric pianos, vibraphones, historical instruments, etc.”