Ableton Forum

so.. is it just me?

abletons grand piano sounds so sweet i think they work with recorded samples? im not sure but i can't seem to find a better one.

for example, Native instruments kontact 5 pianos compared to abletons sound like garbage to me, i mean those are somewhat expensive plugins on they're own and thats really all u get?

Are you looking for a piano VST that sounds like an actual piano or something that just sounds good to you?

Should it sound good on its own such as in a classical composition, or in a mix where the "trueness" of the piano sound isn't as critical since it will be masked with other instruments and frequencies?

I've read a ton about piano samplers and emulations and can't recall anyone ever saying that Live's grand piano was good at actually sounding like a piano - doesn't mean it's not, I just would have thought with everything I've read on it that I'd have heard more about it. Alicia's Keys is actually typically highly rated. (truthfully, I doubt I've tried Live's grand piano, and I never sprung for Komplete Ultimate, so don't have Alicia's Keys) The pianos that come with Kontakt are decent IMO, not great, but would do in a pinch and if that's all you had.

I personally use Pianoteq since I mix any piano-type stuff with a number of other things - it's good enough in that regard. If I wanted an actual piano sound though, I'd probably go with a real piano.

Abletons's grand piano os pretty good but pianoteq is better.

I prefer Sample Tank 3 - Grand Piano 1

https://soundcloud.com/tightbeam/ahmad- ... le-midimix

Sampletank 3 is really excellent as a go-to source for mainstream sounds, IMO..

It's all about how the piano sounds in a mix, assuming it's not solo.
The korg m1 piano still sounds great for house, just about any piano may work in pop and dance mixes.
Fir classical/solo piano I use East west piano (gold), samples take about 4 minutes to load if you have all 3 Mike positions but it realy is a lovely pure piano sound with long sustain and very good dynamics

Ableton's 'Grand Piano' pack is excellent considering that one can also infinitely tweak the dozen or so instrument racks that come in it. Haven't used the others mentioned but 'Grand Piano' won't disappoint.

Live's piano is just too loud and sounds good only in a mix, but doesnt offer good dynamics for playing and lacks a lot of details compared to Pianoteq or the new NI pianos (the grandeur, maverick and gentleman).

NI Kontakt 5 pianos are horrible... don't compare anything to that!

I personally LOVE "The Giant" by NI, but their other pianos in Kontakt aren't that great imo

login wrote:Live's piano is just too loud and sounds good only in a mix, but doesnt offer good dynamics for playing and lacks a lot of details compared to Pianoteq or the new NI pianos (the grandeur, maverick and gentleman).

Try checking the "velocity" in the macro maps. I believe it's set at 50% by default. That might be why you have this impression of it.

Hmm I never installed the Live piano's, cause I assumed they were shit as most free stuff is.

Or actually it wasn't free at all. What was I thinking

I love the Detunized piano live pack (DTS048) and it's only €12 at detunized.com

A very warm authentic sound.. and it sits nicely in a mix.

http://detunized.com/live_back_packs/