piano vst with best sound quality

The daily advancement in the technology of digital music is making the musicians work simple and at the same time more creative than the earlier days.The virtual studio technology is one of that which made it easy.You cannt always carry your musical instruments where you want to, but using this you can make them at your fingertips that's why the virtual studio technology made revolution in the digital music production.Now there are so many vst plugins available in market.But to choose the better ones from them is the typical task to do.When comes to piano vst it is even hard to find out the best one suits your musical style so to make your work easy i am giving information about some good piano vst that can sound well.

Synthogy Ivory:

Ivory 2 is the next generation of ivory piano vst from Synthogy.Its new custom engine and fresh graphic interface and expanded sample sets let the performers do more expressive than ever.One of the many features added to the new Ivory 2 piano vst is Sympathetic string resonance,a long sought after but elusive characteristic of real pianos that Synthogy approaches in a completely unique way, realizing the true complexities and subtleties of sympathetic string excitation.This feature gives an unprecedented new level of realism.Synthogy included some of the features such as half pedaling,pedal noise,lid position,tuning tables to provide even greater detail and control.The effects like real ambiance,Chorus,EQ are designed with world class quality.All 88 keys individually sampled in up to 18 dynamic levels (plus Bösendorfer extended low octave).You can also adjust different presets with dozens of user adjustable presets.Ivory 2 is providing powerful sound sculpting capabilities using the features like Timbre Shifting, Parametric EQ and new Synth Layer controls.

full review about Synthogy Ivory 2 here

Features of Synthogy Ivory Grand Pianos:

• Over 77 Gigabytes of stunning, Acoustic Grand Piano sampled instruments:

  - Bösendorfer 290 Imperial Grand

  - Steinway D Concert Grand

  - Yamaha c7 Grand

  (Each piano can be installed separately)

• Up to 18 discrete velocity layers with Sample Interpolation Technology for ultra-smooth velocity and note transitions

• Harmonic Resonance Modeling for the most realistic Sympathetic String Resonance possible

• Half-pedaling

• Synthogy’s exclusive, powerful 32 bit Sample Playback and DSP engine, engineered specifically for recreating the acoustic piano

• Sustain Resonance DSP for realistic Damper Pedal response

• World class digital FX including Real Ambience, Chorus and EQ

• Customizable User controls for Timbre, Stereo Width and Perspective, Velocity Response, Mechanical Key Noise, Lid Position, Tuning Tables, and more

• Timbre Shifting, Parametric EQ and new Synth Layer controls for powerful sound sculpting capabilities

• Expertly tuned and regulated pianos in world-class studios and concert halls

• All 88 keys individually sampled in up to 18 dynamic levels (plus Bösendorfer extended low octave)

• Incorporates exclusive Sample Interpolation Technology used for ultra- smooth velocity and note transitions

• Real Release samples, Soft Pedal samples, and Pedal Noise enhancements

• Optional synth pad layer for modern/pop combinations

• Dozens of user-adjustable presets

East West/ Quantumleap pianos:

East West/Quantum pianos is the collection of world's finest grand pianos.These are recorded in the EastWest studios with 3 mic positions for each piano.This virtual instrument includes four of the world's finest grand pianos finest grand pianos: a Bechstein D-280, Steinway D, Bösendorfer 290, and Yamaha C7.All these four are sampled at upto 18 dynamic levels from a variety of mic positions.The 24-bit, 44.1kHz samples run exclusively on EastWest's Play 64-bit audio engine, which works in plug-in and single stand-alone mode on Mac and PC.The QL Pianos Play engine contains some global controls that help you fashion the piano sound you need.

You can find the full review about East West /Quantum Leap Pianos here

Features of East West/Quantumleap pianos:

• The most detailed piano recordings - EVER!

• Load any piano or mic position individually (each piano is approx. 60Gbs)

• 3 positions are included per piano for maximum flexibility

• 10-18 velocities per note of sustain and sustain with pedal

• 8-12 velocities per note of repetitions and repetitions with pedal

• 5-8 velocities of soft pedal and soft pedal with sustain pedal

• 16 velocity staccato on every piano

• Repetition samples taken from 180 BPM performances for a TRUE repetition sound and not simply an alternate take.

• Software detects true repetitions

• Resonance - pedal resonance recorded for every note at multiple velocities, as well as with the soft pedal down

• Proprietary resonance captured on the Bösendorfer

• Release samples with software envelope follower

• Articulations on each piano include

• a. sustain

• b. sustain with pedal

• c. repetitions

• d. repetitions with pedal

• e. soft pedal

• f. soft pedal with sustain pedal

• g. staccato

• h. release trails

• Recorded in a proper piano environment with vintage Neumann microphones, Meitner AD converters and a vintage 8078 Neve console
• Stereo swap possible in software
• Mic position mixing in software
• Lid position simulation
• Articulation matrix for quick and straightforward loading
• Most powerful streaming engine available with highest polyphony counts
• 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.

Garritan Steinway:

The Authorized Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Piano is a piano vst that is endorsed by and developed in collaboration with Steinway & Sons, maker of the world's finest pianos.This software instrument accurately captures the distinctive sound of the hallmark and legendary Steinway & Sons Model D concert grand piano - with unprecedented authenticity and musicality.it comes in two versions: Basic & Professional. The Basic version, ideal for students, musicians, and educators, is a lighter version that offers the Under the Lid listening perspective. The Basic version is available in downloadable format, just download and play.it is powered by the robust and reliable ARIA Instrument Engine.

You can find the full review of Garritan Authorized Steinway here

Some of the important features of Garritan Steinway.

• Created in partnership with Steinway & Sons
• The very finest concert grand piano—the Steinway Model D Concert Grand hand-picked by Steinway & Sons
• Overseen by Steinway & Sons' most accomplished master technician
• Sustain/Sostenuto/Soft pedal support
• Proportional sustain pedaling
• Multiple-stage tracking release triggers to provide the natural release of the hammer from the string (Pro Version)
• Sustain resonance and sympathetic resonance using convolution-based DSP modules
• Adjustable mechanical noises
• Adjustable velocity curves
• Recorded soft pedal samples including releases
• Adjustable polyphony
• A variety of historical tunings and Scala files
• Aria Instrument Engine by Plogue included
• MIDI playback and record in standalone
• Ambience reverb and 3 band EQ
• Graceful Copy Protection (no dongles or challenge response)
• Many more compelling features

Steinberg Grand 3:

The Grand 3 covers everything an artist is looking for in a virtual piano suite. Of course, it features five premium piano models with an overwhelming sound quality, but it also focuses on the intricacies: flexibility through different microphone positions, compatibility through multiple format support, and usability due to the range of included tools.

The unparalleled tone of a Yamaha C7 grand was recorded in its whole beauty and musical range. Its incredible sound, resulting from the tonal projection and long sustain, and response with super realistic playing behavior delivers the musical equivalent of perfection.The wider register of the Bösendorfer 290 Imperial grand adds to the piano’s timbre which has intricately been sampled to give the artist the required control when playing the softest pianissimo through crescendos to the reserves of power needed for the loudest fortissimo. This virtual piano model shines in every musical aspect, providing the exuberant sound quality and assertiveness of its corresponding real piano pendant.

You can find full review of Steinberg Grand3 here.

Acoustica Pianissimo:

Pianissimo is a Virtual Grand Piano, delivering the rich, warm sound and expressiveness of a classic grand piano. It operates as a VSTi plug-in, or runs as a stand-alone application.Pianissimo uses a combination of sample playback and advanced physical modeling to create a stunning acoustic grand piano sound. Starting with 250 MB of high quality samples of a Steinway Model D grand piano, Pianissimo uses complex signal processing and programming to recreate the warmth, response, and playability of a real grand piano. This warm, natural sound is then paired with a professional studio-quality reverb algorithm to add the depth and ambiance of a real acoustic space. Add in modeled sympathetic resonance, incidental mechanical hammer sounds, remarkable control over tone and velocity response, 256 voices of polyphony, and incredibly low CPU usage, and Pianissimo might just be the best sounding, most playable virtual piano ever.

You can find full review of Acoustica Pianissimo here

Pianoteq:

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. Pianoteq can be run in standalone mode and as a VST/AU/RTAS plugin.

You can find full review of Pianoteq here

Features of Pianoteq 3 are:

• Pianoteq is a physical modelled virtual instrument
• Includes 3 grand pianos K1, C3, M3
• Free add-on collection of beautiful historical instruments
• Optional add-on instruments: electric pianos, vibraphones, clavinet, celesta, glockenspiel,...
• Unique adjustable physical parameters: unison, hammer hardness, soundboard,... *
• Progressive variation of the timbre (uses all the 127 MIDI velocities)
• Control of the dynamics in timbre and volume
• Realistic sympathetic resonances, including duplex scale
• Microtuning, supports Scala format
• Adjustable mechanical noises (sampled or modelled)
• Built-in graphic equalizer
• Built-in graphic curve for key velocity, note-off and pedal
• Four pedals: sustain, sostenuto, harmonic, una corda
• Progressive sustain pedal, allowing partial-pedal effects
• Effects: tremolo, wah-wah, reverberation, limiter
• Variable lid position
• Five adjustable microphones *
• Multi channel - up to 5 channels *
• No quantization noise (32-bit internal computation)
• Installs and loads in seconds
• Extremely small file size (approximately 20 MB)
• Excellent for use on modern laptops
• Extended key range (105 keys = 8+2/3 octaves) for the grand pianos K1, C3 and M3
• Mac OS X 10.4 or later, Windows XP/Vista/7, Linux x86

The Acoustica Pianissimo has the important features like:

• Features 250MB of high-quality, quadruple-strike samples from a Steinway™ Model D grand piano, enhanced with acoustic modeling technology to produce a rich, warm, expressive, and highly realistic grand piano sound.
• Ultra-professional integrated studio reverb creates a highly realistic ambience that places the piano within a true acoustic space.
• Unparalleled sample programming creates a fluid, dynamic, expressive tone without identifiable velocity switching or other digital artifacts.
• Advanced sympathetic resonance modeling recreates the subtle shimmer of piano strings when the damper pedal is depressed.
• Adjustable incidental piano sounds, including mechanical noises from damper pedal and key release, for an unparalleled level of realism.
• 256 voices of polyphony and low CPU usage make Pianissimo ideal for solo piano performance, studio compositions, and live performance.
• Adjustable piano lid, velocity curve, tone controls, sympathetic resonance, reverb, and chorus effect allow you to tailor the piano’s tone and response to fit your playing style.
• Works in all major digital audio recording software packages (including Mixcraft™) as a VSTi plug-in instrument.

• Stand-alone version features metronome, two-track sequencer, and ability to mix down recordings to WAV, MP3, WMA, or OGG Vorbis audio files

4 Front tech..Trepianos:

When the instrument blends transparently with the musician's hands, reality becomes music.

TruePianos VSTi was designed with exactly this in mind giving the inspiration an instant GO as soon as you touch the keyboard.Following the tradition, they have optimized the instruments for a real-time performance. The CPU usage is low even for 96khz host sampling rates, and for advanced polyphony we support dual-core CPUs, spreading the load symmetrically.

TruePianos has multiple modules and offers an intuitive control to match your playing style.

The full version of TruePianos currently contains four piano modules with a multitude of presets, and also comes with one year of free upgrades and e-mail support.

You can find Full review of True pianos here

Some books on piano technique & technology