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I'm looking for a FREE Acoustic Grand Piano VSTi that is as good as the Forte. Has to be VSTi so I can use it in my host to play live. Yes I know I can use RB/BIAB as a host for Forte.
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You might want to check out the demo version of Pianoteq. This VSTi is not exactly free ... yet compared to its professionalism, its amazing versatility and yet small footprint, you may find it a virtually free treat. Plays terrific with BB and RB.
Martin
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this really is an incredible sound - but comes with a big price tag (think BIAB Everything pak for the first time). There is a lite version for much cheaper which if you want a great piano sound is probably worth it as I heard nothing better.
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My go-to freebie piano is the small, tiny, unobtrusive, and really good sounding mda Piano. That, and a number of other good ones, are at VST Planet.
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2025 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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John, There are many good piano soundfonts that can be used in the sfz VSTi. sfz can be downloaded here: http://www.cakewalk.com/Download/sfz.aspxFor live playing, I would recommend Warrent Trachtman's sampled Steinway http://www.pianosounds.com/freesoundfont.htmThere is also the huge but lush sounding Splendid soundfont. I can't find it anywhere hosted right now - but send me a PM and I'll send you a CD with it on it. Alternatively, I can upload it to Yousendit.com and provide a link for you to DL it. There's also the free Kontakt player from Native Instruments which I'm nearly certain has a good acoustic piano, amongst other instruments: http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/kontakt-5-player/Yet another choice is Sampletank free. First patch is acoustic piano if I remember correctly. I have used it mixed in with other instruments with good effect. You might have to adjust your velocity curve a little - I seem to remember it has a very light response. http://www.ikmultimedia.com/sampletankfree/features/Chances are, you already have one of these - I'm guessing.
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Expert
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Quote:
For live playing, I would recommend Warrent Trachtman's sampled Steinway
http://www.pianosounds.com/freesoundfont.htm
I second this suggestion. Very nice sound.
SFZ is very stable but a little cumbersome to use. Roland is giving away their SFZ+ Professional found HERE
R
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Rachel, Thanks for that. I haven't used sfz+ but now I will!
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Quote:
Rachel, Thanks for that. I haven't used sfz+ but now I will!
yeah, Thanks Rachael! I tried to DL it last time you mentioned it, but for som reason I couldn't get it. This time the DL worked. Can't wait to try it!
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How does sfz+ compare to sfz-X ?
Worth switching?
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Quote:
Quote:
For live playing, I would recommend Warrent Trachtman's sampled Steinway
http://www.pianosounds.com/freesoundfont.htm
I second this suggestion. Very nice sound.
SFZ is very stable but a little cumbersome to use. Roland is giving away their SFZ+ Professional found HERE
R
Excellent sound in SFZ+
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Quote:
How does sfz+ compare to sfz-X ?
Worth switching?
SVZ-X has some improvements over SFZ and he intends to add more. SVZ+ is a full blown sample player with all of the controls available in any synth ADSR,filters, LFO,mod eg, amp eg, effects
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Using SFZ+ and other VSTi inside of the Cantabile host is extraordinary along with my new M-Audio Keystation 88es.Also using the below mentioned Toshiba as my synth with the 3rd party ASIO drivers set to 2 ms latency. 
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Quote:
Using SFZ+ and other VSTi inside of the Cantabile host is extraordinary along with my new M-Audio Keystation 88es.
So you are enjoying that new present!,  Good to hear. 
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Did you need a registration/authorization number for sfz+ ? I'm not seeing one yet. Haven't tried installing yet; still gotta upload it to the server here and wanted to do the documentation at the same time (if needed)
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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John,
I'm just starting to put 2 and 2 together and it's possible that there was a software packaged with the KeyStation that would provide a stage piano as well.
When I bought a M-Audio Oxygen controller keyboard a couple years ago, they bundled it with Ableton lite version as well as a package of VSTi called 'KeyRig'. In that bundle is a stage piano module, SP-1, an analog synth VSTi called MS-2, an organ emulation called MB-3, and a General Midi module called GM-4.
I don't use these, but you might find them nestled away on a CD that perhaps came with the Keystation. Key Rig also works standalone. Or you might have an offer for something similar on a card or weblink in there.
Glad the Trachtman soundfont is working for now.
-Scott
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Never even used any of the CDs that came with it. I forgot to look as I DL the latest drivers from the site.Nothing except Abelton live lt
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Quote:
Never even used any of the CDs that came with it. I forgot to look as I DL the latest drivers from the site.Nothing except Abelton live lt
bummer, but it sounds like you have it rocking with cantabile and sfz of some flavor with the trachtman font.
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Quote:
Quote:
Never even used any of the CDs that came with it. I forgot to look as I DL the latest drivers from the site.Nothing except Abelton live lt
bummer, but it sounds like you have it rocking with cantabile and sfz of some flavor with the trachtman font.
Yep sure do and I'm using the SFZ+. Thanks Scott.
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Quote:
Did you need a registration/authorization number for sfz+ ? I'm not seeing one yet. Haven't tried installing yet; still gotta upload it to the server here and wanted to do the documentation at the same time (if needed)
I didn't. The installer just wrote a couple of dll's to my synth folder, and I was able to load and use them straight away.
When you assign the player in biab, be sure and choose the gm2 support from the dropdown menu. Also use the gm2 button when changing patches from the front of biab. Pretty handy!
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Quote:
I'm looking for a FREE Acoustic Grand Piano VSTi that is as good as the Forte. Has to be VSTi so I can use it in my host to play live. Yes I know I can use RB/BIAB as a host for Forte.
We all know the old expression - "you get what you pay for" - it applies to piano sounds as well.
I've tried and heard soundfonts, and as a piano player, they are not much use to me.
For quality sound, there are two options: samples or physical modeling. There are numerous samples and some are quite good. I use a physical modeling software - Pianoteq. I use the Pro version - not cheap at all (remember the first line of this post.) With the Pro version I can tailor the sound any way I want.
Pianoteq installed takes 24.81 MB on my HDD.
If you're a piano player, samples can sound very good but simply don't respond like Pianoteq does - it's seamless - like the real thing. I should clarify by what sounds "good"; samples sound like a recorded piano - no surprise, that's what they are. But this isn't necessarily what an acoustic piano actually sounds like.
Glenn
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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