15 Best Piano VST Plugins: Realistic Piano Tones (2024)

There’s something timeless about the piano, isn’t there?

It’s a classic instrument that transcends music genres, resonating with soulful melodies that touch the heart. Whether it’s a gentle lullaby or an invigorating concerto, the piano has the power to stir emotions like no other instrument can. Now, imagine having access to this rich sound right within your digital workspace. Yes, we’re talking about Piano VST plugins!

From the grandeur of concert grands to the intimacy of uprights, these plugins capture the essence of these incredible instruments in incredible detail. They allow you to infuse your tracks with the dynamic, expressive tones of pianos, all from the comfort of your DAW.

But with the sheer number of options available, how do you find the one that strikes the right chord for you? Well, that’s where we come in!

Welcome to our ultimate guide for 2024, highlighting the 15 best piano VST plugins that have mastered the art of reproducing the enchanting sounds of the piano. From the high-end samples to the plugins that offer the best value for money, we have it all covered here.

So, whether you’re a budding producer looking for your first plugin, a seasoned professional in search of the perfect sound, or a music enthusiast who just loves the piano, this guide is for you. Let’s dive in and discover the piano VST that resonates with your musical vision!

Modartt Pianoteq 8

Reinventing the Art of Virtual Pianos

Overview:

Welcome to Modartt Pianoteq 8, the industry’s leading physically modeled piano VST. This isn’t just a plugin; it’s an innovative tool that employs cutting-edge technology to bring you the most authentic piano sounds you can imagine.

The magic of Pianoteq lies in its physical modeling approach. Rather than relying on samples, it uses complex algorithms to emulate the behavior of real piano strings, soundboards, and more. The result? You get stunning sound quality that bristles with life, accurately capturing every nuance of a piano performance.

But the innovation doesn’t stop there. Pianoteq offers unrivaled customization options, allowing you to tweak everything from the hammer hardness to the soundboard impedance. This lets you craft your own unique piano sounds, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with a virtual instrument.

Yet, for all its complexity, Pianoteq remains surprisingly light on your system. It doesn’t require a hefty library of samples to deliver its sonic magic, making it an ideal choice for producers working on less powerful systems.

The cherry on the cake is the selection of unique piano models included in Pianoteq. From the grandeur of a concert grand to the subtle nuances of a fortepiano, it’s all there at your fingertips.

Final Thoughts:

Modartt Pianoteq 8 is a masterclass in the art of virtual pianos. It is a versatile tool that allows you to bring the vibrant and dynamic world of pianos to your productions, regardless of your system’s specs. Ready to experience the future of virtual pianos? Step into the world of Pianoteq today.

XLN Audio Addictive Keys

Unlocking the Door to Incredibly Realistic Keyboard Sounds

Overview:

Step into the realm of rich, dynamic, and expressive keyboard sounds with XLN Audio Addictive Keys. More than just a plugin, Addictive Keys is your key to exploring the wide world of keyboards, right from your digital workstation.

At the core of Addictive Keys is its impressive library of high-quality samples. Recorded from world-class instruments and meticulously sampled, they deliver an unparalleled level of realism. Every note resonates with authentic character, capturing the unique expressiveness of a real keyboard performance.

But the beauty of Addictive Keys lies in its simplicity. The intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate, letting you find your desired sound quickly. This keeps your workflow smooth and fast, giving you more time to focus on creating.

Addictive Keys also offers multiple microphone perspectives. You can adjust these to shape your sound, creating anything from a close and intimate tone to a grand and resonant soundscape.

Further enhancing your creativity are the onboard effects and processing options. With these at your disposal, you can add your unique spin to the sounds, creating keyboard tones that truly stand out.

Final Thoughts:

XLN Audio Addictive Keys opens the door to a new level of keyboard sound production. Its combination of quality, simplicity, and creativity makes it an essential tool in any producer’s arsenal. So why wait? Unlock your potential with Addictive Keys today.

Garritan CFX Concert Grand

Experience the Grandeur of a Concert Piano at Your Fingertips

Overview:

Get ready to experience the grandeur and power of a real Yamaha CFX Concert Grand, meticulously sampled and recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studio One, with Garritan Abbey Road CFX Concert Grand. This is not just a virtual piano – it’s a ticket to the world-renowned sound of Abbey Road studios.

The plugin brings to life the resonant and powerful tones of the Yamaha CFX Concert Grand, captured with painstaking detail. Each note is vibrant and authentic, inviting you into the captivating world of a concert grand piano.

Yet, the magic lies in the location. Recorded at Abbey Road Studio One, renowned for its impeccable acoustics, the sound quality is nothing short of astounding. You’re not just playing a grand piano; you’re playing one in one of the world’s finest recording rooms.

Adding to the realism is the ability to control multiple microphone positions. With this feature, you can shape the sound to your preference, recreating the sound engineering techniques used in professional recording sessions.

The icing on the cake is the convolution reverb that replicates the acoustics of Abbey Road Studio One. Apply it, and you’ll be transported straight to the heart of this legendary location.

Final Thoughts:

Garritan Abbey Road CFX Concert Grand does more than deliver stunning piano sounds – it creates an immersive musical experience. The grandeur, the depth, the detail – it’s all there at your fingertips. Play a chord, close your eyes, and let the majesty of Abbey Road sweep you away.

Spectrasonics Keyscape

Explore the World’s Most Coveted Keyboards in One Plugin

Overview:

Step into the realm of legendary keyboards with Spectrasonics Keyscape. This virtual instrument plugin offers an extensive collection of meticulously sampled keyboards, from the grandest of pianos to the most obscure vintage synths.

Every instrument in Keyscape’s vast library has been captured with impeccable attention to detail. The result is a rich and authentic tone that captures the character and idiosyncrasies of the original instrument. The detailed velocity response enhances the playability, making each keyboard feel alive under your fingers.

But Keyscape isn’t just about emulating vintage keys. It also provides you with a rich array of customization options. Thanks to its powerful effects engine, you can shape and manipulate the sounds to create something truly unique.

Whether you’re composing jazz, pop, or electronic music, Spectrasonics Keyscape offers the perfect keyboard sound for your needs. Each instrument within its extensive collection brings its distinct flavor to your musical project.

Final Thoughts:

Spectrasonics Keyscape is more than a virtual instrument; it’s a journey through the history of keyboard instruments. With its stunningly authentic sounds and comprehensive selection, it offers limitless creative possibilities. Experience the joy of playing the world’s most coveted keyboards right from your studio with Spectrasonics Keyscape.

Toontrack Ezkeys 2

Your Gateway to Effortless Songwriting and Stellar Sounds

Overview:

Welcome to Toontrack Ezkeys 2, a virtual instrument plugin that combines a user-friendly interface with stellar sounds to give you a comprehensive solution for your keyboard needs.

Ezkeys 2 is more than just a piano plugin. It houses an extensive MIDI library, brimming with professionally played piano patterns and sequences. This means you have a vast range of pre-made loops and progressions at your disposal, ready to kickstart your creative process.

The sound quality is equally impressive, with all sounds recorded in top-tier studios. Each note resonates with the authenticity of the original instrument, bringing an added layer of realism to your compositions.

Yet, the real charm of Ezkeys 2 lies in its songwriting capabilities. The smart transpose function and innovative chord wheel make it a breeze to craft and modify chord progressions, making it an invaluable tool for both novice and experienced composers.

Final Thoughts:

Toontrack Ezkeys 2 does more than just play back samples. It invites you into the world of music creation, providing the tools, sounds, and inspiration you need to craft your masterpiece. Whether you’re a seasoned composer or just starting, Ezkeys 2 is ready to elevate your songwriting journey.

Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos

Your Passport to Rich, Majestic Grand Piano Tones

Overview:

The Synthogy Ivory II Grand takes you on an aural adventure, delivering the soul-stirring tones of the world’s finest grand pianos right at your fingertips. Its attention to detail is unmatched, promising a captivating piano playing experience.

Ivory II Grand isn’t just about recreating piano sounds. It’s about capturing the soul of the instrument. Its multi-velocity levels offer a dynamic range that mirrors the expressiveness of a real grand piano. From the softest pianissimo to the most roaring fortissimo, every note is a testament to the grandeur of the original instrument.

The plugin’s advanced modeling technologies such as Sympathetic Resonance and Pedal Noise take authenticity to a whole new level, replicating the intricate details of real piano performance. The half-pedaling feature adds another layer of nuance, allowing for subtle variations in your playability.

Under the hood, Ivory II Grand houses a powerful DSP engine with custom upsampling. This ensures that the plugin delivers an extraordinarily pristine and clear sound, rounding up its bid to recreate the grand piano experience in the digital realm.

Final Thoughts:

With the Synthogy Ivory II Grand, playing a grand piano is no longer a privilege of the few. It’s a virtual instrument that opens the doors to a world of rich, majestic piano sounds. Whether you’re a pro or an enthusiast, Ivory II Grand promises a piano-playing experience like no other.

Soniccouture The Hammersmith Pro

Exquisite Grand Piano Sounds at the Heart of Your Production

Overview:

Dive into the world of lush, vibrant piano sounds with Soniccouture’s The Hammersmith Pro Edition. This plugin meticulously samples a Steinway Model D grand piano, promising to bring the authentic tones of this celebrated instrument to your music production.

The Hammersmith Pro Edition isn’t just a grand piano sample library; it’s an exploration of the depth and breadth of the Steinway’s sonic potential. The extensive velocity layers ensure a wide dynamic range, allowing you to express every nuance of your performance.

Beyond the meticulous sampling, The Hammersmith Pro Edition also features harmonic resonance modeling. This feature accurately recreates the inter-string resonances of a real grand piano, delivering an extraordinary level of realism to your tracks.

Responsive playability is a cornerstone of The Hammersmith Pro Edition experience. Thanks to its advanced scripting, the plugin faithfully reproduces the touch and response of the Steinway Model D, offering a playing experience that’s as close as it gets to the real thing.

Final Thoughts:

Soniccouture’s The Hammersmith Pro Edition is a testament to the beauty of the grand piano. It brings the exquisite tones of a Steinway Model D right into your studio, opening up a world of musical possibilities. If you’re in pursuit of the perfect piano sound, your search might just end here.

EWQL Pianos

Your Go-to Choice for Varied and Vibrant Piano Sounds

Overview:

Welcome to EWQL Pianos, a comprehensive piano plugin that brings together four distinct pianos under one roof. From the resonant tones of a concert grand to the vintage charm of an upright, EWQL Pianos provides a palette of sounds that cater to every musical preference.

What sets EWQL Pianos apart is the depth of its sampling. Each piano is deep sampled, capturing the nuances and individual characteristics of every note. This provides you with an incredibly expressive instrument, capable of capturing the full emotional range of your performance.

Not just a collection of sounds, EWQL Pianos also features an easy-to-navigate interface. This allows you to seamlessly explore the different pianos and customize them to your heart’s content.

Final Thoughts:

With its vast array of piano sounds, EWQL Pianos stands as an indispensable tool for any music producer. Its blend of variety, quality, and usability makes it a go-to choice for musicians of all genres. Whether you’re composing a cinematic score or producing a pop hit, EWQL Pianos can help bring your musical vision to life.

VSL Yamaha CFX

Experience the Grandeur of Concert Piano in Your Studio

Overview:

The Vienna Symphonic Library Yamaha CFX brings the grandeur and expressivity of a concert grand right into your studio. Designed to replicate the world-renowned Yamaha CFX Concert Grand, this plugin captures the depth and tonal richness of the original instrument with remarkable precision.

One of the standout features of the Vienna Symphonic Library Yamaha CFX is its dynamic range. From the softest pianissimo to the most forceful fortissimo, it responds to your touch with exceptional accuracy. This allows for truly expressive playing, making it a joy to use for solo pieces and accompaniments alike.

Further enhancing the realism of the Vienna Symphonic Library Yamaha CFX are its multiple microphone positions. You can choose between close, player, and room perspectives, each lending a different character to the sound. This gives you the flexibility to tailor the sound to the specific needs of your mix.

Final Thoughts:

The Vienna Symphonic Library Yamaha CFX offers an unprecedented level of realism and expressiveness. Its outstanding playability and versatility make it a valuable addition to any music producer’s toolkit. Whether you’re a classical composer or a contemporary producer, the Vienna Symphonic Library Yamaha CFX can breathe life into your music.

VSL Synchron Fazioli F308

A Majestic Symphony at Your Fingertips

Overview:

Enter the realm of exquisite piano sounds with the Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron Fazioli F308. Your search for the most genuine piano experience ends here.

Vienna Symphonic Library’s venture into piano sampling has yielded one of the finest sounding piano plugins in existence. The meticulously sampled Fazioli F308 concert grand piano produces an unmatched authentic sound, capable of capturing the nuances of a real-world performance.

From delicate pianissimo to powerful fortissimo, the Synchron Fazioli F308 offers a wide dynamic range. This caters to a diverse range of compositions, from soft ballads to grand orchestral pieces, all ready to be explored in your studio.

Fueling the brilliance of this piano plugin is the Synchron Player engine. Offering unprecedented detail and realism, it guarantees to make every performance come alive on the listener’s end.

Not only does it sound fantastic, but the variety of presets and customization options also empower you to shape your sound. Whether you wish to tweak the lid position or adjust the tonal character, the Synchron Fazioli F308 allows it all.

Final Thoughts:

Your search for a true-to-life piano sound ends with the Vienna Symphonic Library Synchron Fazioli F308. Experience its lush and detailed sound today and bring a new level of realism to your compositions. Are you ready to embark on this musical journey?

NI Noire

Elevate Your Music with the Melancholic Charm of NI Noire

Overview:

Enter the world of mesmerizing piano tones with Native Instruments Noire. It’s the sophisticated blend of grandeur and intimacy that you’ve been looking for.

Native Instruments Noire captures the essence of the Yamaha CFX Concert Grand Piano, sampled meticulously at the legendary Funkhaus Berlin. This offers you an unparalleled grand piano experience right at your fingertips.

Distinguishing Noire from its counterparts are two unique sound modes: Pure and Felt. The ‘Pure’ mode renders the bright and transparent tone of the CFX Concert Grand, while the ‘Felt’ mode presents a more soft and intimate character, perfect for melancholic tunes.

Making Noire more intriguing is its Particles Engine, providing creative impulse responses. This generates a cloud of small, tonal fragments from each note, adding a surreal dimension to your compositions.

Further, Noire offers extensive customization options. This includes tweaking the EQ, adding reverb, or manipulating the lid position and room mix. This versatility allows you to shape the sound to your liking and create unique sonic landscapes.

Final Thoughts:

Dive into the world of Native Instruments Noire, where the lines between grandeur and intimacy blur. Experience its rich, dynamic sound and elevate your music to new heights. Don’t let this gem slip away!

VI Labs Ravenscroft 275

Experience the Ultimate in Digital Pianos

Overview:

VI Labs Ravenscroft 275 is not just another piano plugin; it’s a digital recreation of one of the world’s most exclusive grand pianos. This modelled plugin is a sure way to breathe life into your compositions.

The Ravenscroft 275 Titanium Grand Piano is known for its remarkable richness and clarity, and this plugin does an outstanding job of capturing these characteristics. The result is an authentic and inspiring piano sound, ready to elevate any music project.

At the heart of VI Labs Ravenscroft 275’s outstanding realism is its advanced scripting. This gives you an ultra-realistic playing experience, carefully emulating the complex interactions of piano strings, undamped strings resonance, pedal noise, and more.

Moreover, its detailed velocity response caters to the dynamics of your playing, ensuring a high-end realism that makes your music truly come alive.

With an impressive effects suite on offer, you can further tweak and refine your sound, adding layers of depth and texture to suit your creative vision.

Final Thoughts:

Experience the supreme grandeur of the Ravenscroft 275 Titanium Grand Piano with VI Labs Ravenscroft 275. It’s time to break free from the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary in your compositions. Try it out today!

VSL Bosendorf Imperial

Unleash the Power of an Iconic Piano

Overview:

VSL Bosendorfer Imperial, as the name suggests, brings to you the sublime sound of the world-renowned Bosendorfer Imperial grand piano. This sampled plugin serves as the perfect tool for anyone looking to add a touch of luxury to their compositions.

The Boesendorfer Imperial is an iconic instrument with a rich history, and this plugin captures its unique sound with meticulous detail. You’ll find the deep bass, resonant mid-range, and crisp highs that this grand piano is known for, all beautifully encapsulated in this plugin.

One standout feature is the multiple microphone positions provided. This versatility allows you to shape your sound in numerous ways, catering to a variety of musical contexts and preferences.

The VSL Bosendorfer Imperial also delivers a highly dynamic and expressive playing experience. Whether you’re playing soft melodies or loud, dramatic chords, this plugin responds superbly to your touch.

Moreover, it offers a range of sound customization options, enabling you to tweak and tailor your sound to match your creative vision.

Final Thoughts:

With VSL Bosendorfer Imperial, you get to enjoy the rich and luxurious sound of the iconic Bosendorfer Imperial grand piano, right within your DAW. Let your compositions bask in the grandeur of this famous instrument. Try this plugin today!

Arturia Piano V

A High-Quality Emulated Piano Plugin

Overview:

Step into the world of legendary pianos with Arturia Piano V, a versatile plugin that offers not one, but nine world-class pianos for you to play with. This emulated piano plugin is an ideal choice for musicians looking to add a wide range of piano tones to their sonic palette.

Arturia Piano V stands out in the realm of piano VSTs because of its expansive sound selection. It offers nine different piano emulations, each with its own distinct character and feel. From the bright and clear sound of a Concert Grand to the warm resonance of an Upright piano, you can find a piano tone to match every musical mood and genre.

The plugin utilizes advanced physical modeling technology to capture the intricate acoustics of these pianos. This allows it to deliver incredibly realistic and organic piano sounds. You can even customize the properties of the piano, such as the string length and hardness, to further tweak the sound.

In addition, Arturia Piano V includes an extensive sound-shaping library, which you can use to adjust your piano’s tone and resonance. With this feature, you can make your virtual piano sound as if it’s in a bright concert hall or a dampened recording studio.

The plugin also includes multi-mic positioning, allowing you to emulate the sound of your piano being recorded from different angles and distances. This provides another layer of customization, letting you achieve the perfect piano tone for your track.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re looking for a piano VST that offers a variety of high-quality piano sounds, Arturia Piano V is a fantastic choice. Its sound-shaping capabilities and realistic emulations make it a powerful tool for any musician. Start exploring the wide world of piano with Arturia Piano V today!

NI Una Corda

A One-of-a-Kind Single-String Piano Plugin

Overview:

Dive into the unique soundscape of a single-string piano with Native Instruments Una Corda, a plugin designed to deliver a distinctively delicate and expressive piano tone. If you’re a musician looking for an unusual and inspirational instrument, this single-string piano plugin might be the exact thing you need.

Native Instruments Una Corda captures the sound of a custom-made piano with a single string per key, rather than the usual two or three. The result is a fragile, soft, and highly resonant sound that provides a unique alternative to traditional piano sounds.

The plugin provides an extensive sound design section, which allows you to tailor the sound to your liking. It includes three different sample sets – Cotton, Felt, and Pure – which give you a range of tone from airy and light to powerful and deep.

One of the standout features of Una Corda is its unique sound-shaping options. These include overtones, reverse, and space, which add interesting textures and atmospheric elements to the sound. This makes Una Corda not just a piano plugin, but a powerful sound design tool as well.

Final Thoughts:

Native Instruments Una Corda offers a sound unlike any other piano VST on the market. Its unique single-string design and extensive sound-shaping capabilities make it a must-have for musicians looking for unique, inspiring sounds. Experience the distinct sonic palette of Una Corda today!

FAQ Buying Guide: The Best Piano VST Plugins

Choosing the right Piano VST is a journey in finding the balance between realism, versatility, and system performance. This guide aims to shed light on the specific intricacies of piano emulation and what producers might consider when diving into the vast world of Piano VSTs.

• What distinguishes Piano VST Plugins from other instrument plugins?

  Piano VST plugins are meticulously designed to emulate the intricate timbres, harmonics, and dynamics of pianos. Unlike standard synth or instrument plugins, they reproduce the complexities of hammer strikes, string resonances, and pedal nuances to deliver a believable piano sound.

• How crucial is multi-sampling in a Piano VST?

  Multi-sampling is vital. It ensures that every key at different velocities is individually sampled, capturing the unique tone of each note. This results in a more realistic and expressive performance, closely mirroring an actual piano’s behavior.

• What are the differences between modeled and sampled Piano VSTs?

  Sampled pianos rely on recordings of real pianos, often delivering a more authentic sound. Modeled pianos, on the other hand, use algorithms to generate sound, allowing more customization but sometimes at the cost of absolute realism.

• Why do some Piano VSTs offer multiple microphone positions?

  Different mic placements capture varied aspects of a piano’s sound, from the direct tones of close mics to the room’s ambience with distant ones. Multiple options allow users to craft a piano sound that fits perfectly in their mix.

• How do sustain and sympathetic resonance contribute to a Piano VST's realism?

  These are intricate piano behaviors. Sustain is the prolonged sound when holding a note or pedal, while sympathetic resonance occurs when undamped strings resonate in harmony with played notes. Capturing these adds depth and realism to the VST’s sound.

• How do Piano VSTs cater to classical versus pop/rock genres?

  Classical-focused VSTs might emphasize grand pianos with a wide dynamic range and detailed expression. In contrast, those tailored for pop/rock might offer brighter tones, upright pianos, or even electric pianos, suitable for denser mixes.

• Are the inbuilt effects like reverb or EQ necessary for a Piano VST?

  While not essential for realism, onboard effects aid in shaping the piano sound without relying on external plugins. This can be especially handy for quickly adjusting the tone to fit a particular mix or genre.

• What is the significance of pedal noise and key-off samples in Piano VSTs?

  These subtle sounds, like the thud of pedals or the slight sound when releasing a key, add an extra layer of realism, immersing the listener in the illusion of a live piano performance.

• How does polyphony count affect a Piano VST?

  Polyphony determines how many notes can sound simultaneously. Especially when using the sustain pedal, multiple notes might overlap. A higher polyphony count ensures that no notes are prematurely cut off, preserving the richness of complex passages.

• Why might some producers opt for lightweight Piano VSTs over comprehensive ones?

  While detailed Piano VSTs provide unparalleled realism, they often require significant memory and CPU. Lightweight versions, sacrificing some detail, are invaluable for composing or when system resources are limited, ensuring smooth performance.