Suggestions for piano module?

[remmet]

After seeing what a drain certain high-end piano VI's can be on the computer, I'm wondering what are the best hardware rack-mountable piano modules currently available. Anyone have suggestions?

Richard

[CHuckmott]

Possibly a MOtif Rack?.....Or the MOX 6 (or 8).

[mazz]

I don't know of any current rack mountable devices being made that aren't also workstations with a bunch of other samples. These devices will almost always be memory challenged, I don't think they can complete with a multi gigabyte dedicated sample library.

You might want to consider just getting a computer like a mac mini or a pc and dedicating it to running those piano libraries. You can use it for other stuff when you're not playing piano.

Or possibly a Muse Box or full blown Muse Receptor. I think Cameron Earnshaw was pretty impressed with the piano sound he got out of the Muse Box.

Or you can check out the modeled piano library: http://www.pianoteq.com/

It's download runs in the megabytes (yes megabytes). Some folks really like it and I don't think it stresses the computer as much because it's not streaming tons of sample data off of a hard drive.

You might also consider trying to run the library from a Solid State drive. That might speed things up and take some of the strain off the computer.

[remmet]

Thanks for the suggestions, Chuck. They look interesting, but for now, a little pricey.

And John, I downloaded the Pianoteq4 "stage" demo and WOW - it sounds great and no stuttering or other signs of strain on the computer. For the price, it seems to be a very good deal. I think this is the one for me. Thanks for the suggestion!

Richard

[Robtoons]

Also check out 4-front Truepianos. It's supposed to be easy on the cpu and sounds amazing!
Cheers, -Rob

[CHuckmott]

ANybody gone thorugh the process of recording tracks and mixing with XLN Audio Addictive Keys? If the keys sound as good as their drums, I think I'm in, even if one instrument hits the bar. Price is very reasonable.

[mojobone]

Haven't mixed anything yet, but very impressed with Addictive Keys' Modern Upright. The presets are right on the money for several styles/sounds I really dig, and the engine's lightweight, like the drums. Those 4Front TruePianos are included in the Peavey Musebox, btw.

[Dwayne Russell]

I have a Muse Receptor and I can tell you that if you need a rack mount for keys/piano module it is awesome! They have new cheap versions. i dont think I would ever buy another keyboard or rack mount sound module. Those days are over as far as I am concerned.

Its cheaper to build you own system if you can though. I have both.

[Lazyknife]

That pianoteq sounds amazing! And those add-ons seem pretty cool too. Thanks!

[CHuckmott]

I just downloaded Addictive Keys, but had a problem with it on my mac, their installer kept giving me error messages. TUrns out when I first registered Addictive Drums, and they asked for a user name for their forum (not for the installer itself) I inadvertantly put a " in my user name. Took a few weeks of e-mailing back and forth to figure it out but downloaded it last night after much aggravation. They take awhile to install, the Modern Upright I let go overnight. The Mark One and the Grand Piano sound great though. Haven't tracked anything with it yet but in the end don't foresee being unhappy with it.