The Best Free Piano VST Plugins for Real Piano Lovers
How to Find and Download the Best Real Piano VST Plugins for Free
If you are a music producer, composer, or keyboardist, you probably know how important it is to have a realistic and expressive piano sound in your arsenal. Whether you want to create a classical masterpiece, a jazz standard, or a pop hit, the piano is one of the most versatile and widely used instruments in music.
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However, not everyone has access to a real acoustic piano, or the space and budget to accommodate one. That's where VST plugins come in handy. VST plugins are software instruments that can emulate the sound of various musical instruments, including pianos, using your computer and a MIDI controller.
In this article, we will show you how to find and download the best real piano VST plugins for free in 2022. We will also explain what are VST plugins, how they work, and how to install and use them in your digital audio workstation (DAW) of choice.
What are VST plugins and why do you need them?
VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology, a standard developed by Steinberg in 1996. It allows software developers to create audio effects and instruments that can be used in any compatible host application, such as a DAW.
VST plugins can be divided into two main categories: effects and instruments. Effects plugins process audio signals, such as adding reverb, delay, distortion, or compression. Instruments plugins generate audio signals, such as synthesizers, drum machines, or samplers.
VST plugins can also be further classified based on how they produce sound. There are two main methods that plugins use to reproduce a piano sound: sampling and modeling.
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The difference between sampling and modeling
Sampling is the process of recording the sound of a real piano at different pitches, velocities, articulations, and microphone positions. These recordings are then mapped to a keyboard layout, so that when you press a key on your MIDI controller, the corresponding sample is played back.
Modeling is the process of creating a mathematical algorithm that simulates the physical properties of a piano, such as the strings, hammers, pedals, resonances, etc. These algorithms are then used to generate sound in real time, based on the input from your MIDI controller.
Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Sampling can capture the nuances and details of a specific piano model, but it can also be memory-intensive and limited by the quality and quantity of the samples. Modeling can create a more dynamic and expressive sound, but it can also be CPU-intensive and less realistic than sampling.
The benefits of using
It has a large file size of 1.6 GB, which may take up a lot of disk space and loading time.
It does not have any pedal or release samples, which may affect the realism and sustain of the sound.
It may have some noise and artifacts in some samples, which may be noticeable at higher volumes or frequencies.
The Real Piano by Straight Ahead Samples
The Real Piano is a sampling plugin that features the sound of a Steinway Model B grand piano. It has a bright and clear tone that is ideal for classical and contemporary music.
Features and pros
It has a high-quality and natural sound with four dynamic layers and three round robins per note.
It supports up to 256 voices of polyphony and 24-bit/48 kHz resolution.
It has a user-friendly and customizable interface with various controls, such as volume, pan, reverb, EQ, velocity curve, etc.
It is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, and supports Kontakt Player and NKS formats.
It is free to download and use for personal use only.
Cons and limitations
It has a huge file size of 1.5 GB, which may require a lot of disk space and loading time.
It requires Kontakt Player or Kontakt Full version 5.8.1 or higher to run.
It is not free for commercial use, and requires a license fee of $49 to use it in any monetized project.
Keyzone Classic by Bitsonic
Keyzone Classic is a sampling plugin that offers a variety of piano sounds, from acoustic to electric, from vintage to modern. It has a versatile and flexible sound that can fit any genre or mood.
Features and pros
It has a diverse and rich sound with multiple piano presets, such as Grand Piano, Electric Piano, Rhodes Piano, etc.
It supports up to 128 voices of polyphony and 16-bit/44.1 kHz resolution.
It has a simple and functional interface with basic controls, such as volume, pan, reverb, attack, decay, etc.
It is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, and supports VST and AU formats.
It is free to download and use for personal and commercial purposes.
Cons and limitations
It has a small file size of 300 MB, which may affect the quality and realism of the sound.
It does not have any pedal or release samples, which may reduce the expression and sustain of the sound.
It may have some compatibility issues with some DAWs or hosts.
Salamander Piano by Bigcat Instruments
Salamander Piano is a sampling plugin that reproduces the sound of a Yamaha C5 grand piano. It has a balanced and