Piano sample library recommendations?

[mojobone]

Just thought it worth mentioning that Sampletekk is having their annual Spring Sale, everything's 50% off.


http://www.sampletekk.com/grand-pianos

The site layout is a little weird, and it's kinda hard to notice there are really only about five different actual pianos, (there are two different Steinway Ds; the Old Lady has more velocity layers) and some are cut-down 'lite' versions, or a single mic perspective as a subset of a larger instrument, and some of the larger ones require the full version of Kontakt. For example, the White Sister is a subset of the White Grand, and the White Grand Mk II is an expanded version with added resonance/release samples and controls. Their newest stuff doesn't have a MK II version, cuz it has the newer hammer-back samples, true resonance, multiple perspectives and IRs and additional control features.

Some sets have fewer velocity layers/features, so you really have to pay attention to what you're buying; personally, I'd stick with the Mark II versions, though almost every piano set they offer might be useful in some contexts, like the Singularis, a 50's style mono piano that sounds appropriately band-limited-I could see myself using that for blues and certain kinds of gospel. Some of the product descriptions don't even mention the piano model, so you just have to use your ears.

I've got enough Steinways to last me for a while, but I'm seriously considering their TVBO which is a massively expanded version of their Seven Seas grand, (a Yamaha 7C) and features multiple IRs, four band vintage style EQ and detuning and holy cow, 31 velocity layers. For perspective the first sampled piano I bought had (still has) only four. The "powered by Kontakt" versions have additional features that are otherwise unavailable, but just about everything they make is usable and affordable.

[toddgill]

Jonny:

I actually don't have much latency at all using my piano libraries. I keep the sample files on a SSD drive that is different than the OS drive (also a SSD) as mojo suggested.

Loren:

Thanks for the tip. I only picked up Komplete since starting this thread and I've been extremely happy with The Grandeur (and the rest of Komplete!). Will try the others next.

Len:

Yes, I first attempted to correct the "unusable weighted key MIDI controller" issue by setting a high/low limit to MIDI velocities using plugin settings, but the was still unacceptable for piano tracks. The problem was that the dynamic range of the controller was already squashed (and loud). Even though I could reduce the highest range of all note velocities, there was still not enough dynamic range (MIDI-wise) so lowering the max velocity was squashed and soft. That would work perfectly well for synth melodies, but some genres of piano music require much more dynamic range. Last week I picked up a wonderful weighted key controller (CASIO Privia, which is also a digital piano which sounds excellent) and this solved the controller problem perfectly. Old controller was an old M-Audio Keystation 88, btw.

Tim:
Have you tried out a "continuous sustain pedal" for the Kontroller along with a piano library? Was curious as to what that is.

[Cwadroon]

+1 for Alicia Keys for kontakt.
+1 also for the privia.

[mojobone]

Here's an in-depth discussion of pianos for Kontakt that goes way into the details; turns out there's maybe only two or three sample libraries that support re-pedaling, if that's important to you.

http://vi-control.net/community/threads ... ary.52365/

There's also a very thorough rundown of orchestral libraries, in case that's of interest. http://vi-control.net/community/threads ... ies.49450/

Sample library producers are known to hang out on VI Control, so it's definitely worth a signup.

[allen]

Hi Todd,

I have enjoyed working with the product Mojo mentioned for several years now called Ivory from Synthology. Here are a few examples for you to hear Ivory.

https://soundcloud.com/allen-myers/just-for-you

https://soundcloud.com/allen-myers/free ... dern-piano

https://soundcloud.com/allen-myers/bach ... preludes-3


Allen
https://soundcloud.com/allen-myers