|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
I long ago stumbled onto Pianoteq Up until that time I was very happy with Coyote Forte for Piano. Still am for quick GM use. But Pianoteq blew me away. Night and day difference. So Piano in my DAW - is Pianoteq. Then came a great sale on SampleTank 3 and the promise of an even better piano. Well that piano was no match for Pianoteq. More important, it was a cautionary note to not spend a lot of money on synth sounds as the improvement does not always meet the cost. Now I got the bug again. I have been using EZKeys and really like the interface and midi flexibility. It integrates well with my workflow of BIAB and Reaper. But the sale I picked up came only with the Electric Pianos and I am jonesin (is that a word?) for the EZkeys Grand. Anyone got any experience with Piano VSTi to help me make a decision? Do you have EZKeys Grand that we could exchange a side by side between it and Pianoteq?
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,865
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,865 |
Hi, Dan!
I recently got the Classic Electrics from Sweetwater (What a great company! CS as good as PG!) - and because of issues with the original order (long story) I ended up getting the Grand and the Studio Grand, too....
(I got the Funk midi for $9, too! - no-brainer)...
I don't have time at the moment (honey-do list) but later today, I'll put up some examples of the Studio Grand (better than the Grand, I think) as well as other pianos that I have... I've been thinking of doing this anyway... have a new "piano shootout" here on the forum...
I'll also put up a midi file for anyone to download to show off what pianos they have - so they all play the same thing (again, later today)...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
hehe  - you the man FJ. Great minds think alike.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801 |
Have you listened to the IVORY piano collection? http://synthogy.com/index.php/demos/grand-pianos#AA piano player I was working with many years ago picked up one of the "lesser" Ivory piano packages and wow....what a difference in the sound quality of her tracks. It's not cheap.... http://www.musiciansfriend.com/virtual-piano-software/synthogy-ivory-ii-grand-pianos .... but in this case, yes, it is worth the price of admission.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 12/19/15 03:50 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
Have you listened to the IVORY piano collection? Giving it a listen now - thanks for the referral. Ouch...
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801 |
I would love, love, love to have Ivory,,,,, I might even spend more time playing the piano..... but... cost is a concern. I settled on the Steinburg piano collection from Cakewalk. It's a sampled collection of 10 pianos designed to work with the Cakewalk Sound Center. It sells for $20 last time I looked. You need to run it with Cakewalk Sound Center, which is a synth included with MC7 which also sells for $20 last time I looked. $40 and you get a top notch DAW in the deal. Not quite as good as the Ivory collection but for a guitar player who occasionally plays a piano part..... it works. Any time you hear ME playing a piano track in my songs, it is the Steinburg Concert Grand #1. I used it at 3:23 to the end in this song Fools Errand It's fairly easy to hear it since the music is essentially stopped and the piano part is soloed briefly.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 12/19/15 04:11 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,865
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,865 |
Here is a page that we can use to test different pianos. I have provided a snippet of MIDI that you should be able to download. It is the opening of one of my songs. (It was played by Garland Craft who toured with The Oak Ridge Boys for years). http://floydjane.com/Songs/Piano.htmI have used it to provide the sound of one of the 4Front TruePianos. If others will use the MIDI file to show other pianos, I will put them up as well.... Send me your piano example. Below is my email address (put it back together) floyd @ floydjane.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,865
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,865 |
At this point, you should see 4 choices... http://floydjane.com/Songs/Piano.htmTruePiano Pianoteq (thanks, Dan!) Studio One (the grand that comes with Studio One Professional) EZKeys Studio Grand.. Anyone else?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
This is a great side by side comparison. Just what I needed to make a decision. I could rank them after only a few minutes of listening. Specially appreciated the ability to balance volumes for a better comparison.
My biggest question was how would EZKeys Studio Grand rank - and I can tell you it was one of my tops! Combine this with the midi content provided in the EZKeys package and it makes my decision easier.
Thanks for playing along FJ. Lets see what else we get.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Oh boy. What a question. Go here and read about this subject for days: http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2708316/1This is just one thread on Keyboard Corner. After some time on this forum I began to realize a lot of the posters there are true heavyweights. I'll see a little something mentioned about somebody and go, "Holy crap, he was on THAT album?" Or, "He just toured with WHO?" Even among guys like these, there's no consensus. A lot of it depends on the specific material they're playing at one particular time. It will change for other stuff. Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
Oh, by the way for those interested: Here is what I have so far! #1, 2 AND 3 and 4 (in no order, would have to listen longer to separate) TruePiano Pianoteq EZKeys Studio Grand ST3 # 5 Studio One Grand #6 Dimension Pro
Last edited by jazzmandan; 12/19/15 12:14 PM.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,801 |
I came to the conclusion many years ago that no one piano sample is the end all to be all. In the same way that one guitar and one amp will never fit every situation. Variety is the spice of life.
One song might need a specific tone that doesn't come close to working for the next song. While I like a sweet concert grand.... there are times when you need the sound of an upright.
Even with the 10 in the Steinburg package I have referenced, the 10 piano's all sound different and fit different usages.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 12/19/15 09:04 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,865
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,865 |
So there's no reason to test one against another because you have to buy them all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
I came to the conclusion many years ago that no one piano sample is the end all to be all. In the same way that one guitar and one amp will never fit every situation. Variety is the spice of life.
One song might need a specific tone that doesn't come close to working for the next song. While I like a sweet concert grand.... there are times when you need the sound of an upright.
Even with the 10 in the Steinburg package I have referenced, the 10 piano's all sound different and fit different usages. That don't really apply to me cause all the music I make sounds the same.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
I passed ST3 on to FJ. I tried to use BIAB to play the midi with Coyote Forte but it would not work? Strange?
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,865
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,865 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
Hey that is nice. I am surprised. 
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,505 |
I would ask if you wouldn't mind taking this thread on a short side excursion, though it is related.
I have a little Akai MIDI keyboard on my desk. I only need it to hear an occasional pitch.
It works fine in BIAB, or in a DAW, but unless those are loaded, it makes no sound. Do any of these Virtual Pianos you are discussing work standalone? I want to load one in Windows, and have my Akai keyboard make a sound anytime, no matter what else is running. The ideal program would take very little in computer resources. Sound quality is not important, and all I need is a piano sound. I have searched but not found such a thing.
Thanks!
matt
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,840 |
I also like "Alicia's Keys", available from Native Instruments (as a Kontakt instrument).
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,893 |
I can play my Midiman 49 Keystation as an input directly into both ST3 and EZKeys which both have standalone versions. And I can also play through both as well as the Pianoteq via my DAW. Is that what you are asking? They all sound wonderful with a velocity sensitive keyboard.
Sorry Matt, a little change, but even better news - All three I mentioned have Standalone apps. So I can play my keyboard threw each without loading Reaper or BIAB or RB.
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,048
Posts799,340
Members40,015
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean