BLIND TESTING THE BEST PIANO PLUGINS!

⬇️ Links to all pianos ⬇️
How I tested:
(Default 275 preset and settings)
(Default settings)
(Default preset and settings)
(Default preset and settings)
(NY Steinway D Classical preset with default settings)
(LA Custom C7 Grand Piano preset, NI Kontrol S88 velocity setting, other settings default)
(Noire Pure preset with default settings)
(Modern Grand preset with default settings)
(American Grand preset with default settings)
(Studio Grand Close Mix preset with default settings)

In this video, I blind test the best piano plugins available today! These are the pianos you chose as the top piano plugins right now. This list contains sampled pianos, modeled pianos, and even a stock free piano! I demo all the piano plugins including Ravenscroft, The Grandeur, Alicia’s Keys, Pianoteq, Keyscape, Noire, Hammers and Waves, Arturia Piano V, and Addictive Keys Studio Grand.

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[SpectrasonicsVIDEO]

IMPORTANT KEYSCAPE NEWS - As a result of this video, we realized that something was off here with Keyscape…it sounded wrong and of course Sanjay is a big fan of it. So after discussing the details of Sanjay’s setup with him, we discovered that his keyboard is the Native Instruments S88mkII. Sanjay DID select our S88 velocity curve preset (which we created on the S88mkI), but it turns out that the S88mkII has a significantly DIFFERENT velocity curve than the mkI, so our S88 velocity curve preset used here in this video is not optimized or recommended to use with the mkII.

We immediately got a hold of an S88mkII and created a new SPECIFIC velocity curve preset optimized for the S88mkII and it’s now available in Keyscape in the latest update!

All’s well that ends well! 😊

[billbromer]

The blind test is always fun, and Dharti’s expressions and commentary were a great addition.

[PatrickFungsca]

Grandeur and Noir are two of my favourites. I love their dynamics and tones. I'm a pianist and I'm a sucker for piano plugins. I can sit and play for hours with these two. Alicia's Keys - I use that if I have to use pianos in my mix with other instruments - by no means I'm a recording artist or a producer.

[Cefshah]

This is actually an important video!!

The differences in pianos are often very nuanced and how they feel (whether virtual or 'real') makes a difference to the musician. One who plays any 'real' instrument likely understands that. And for me, it is not so much the sound as it is the ability of a particular plugin (or patch) to allow me to express a musical idea/feeling.

If I had to have just ONE piano, it absolutely would be Pianoteq-8 Pro ... because of its amazing programmability. The tools within it to 'paint' upon the harmonic structure of the instrument it is emulating, makes it not only a great 'piano' but also a wonderful sound design tool as well. (It can do more than piano.)

But my emphasis with this commentary, is the reality that choosing the piano that 'best' fits the music is the way to go. So, having 4 or 5 stellar piano VSTi's is a useful thing (hardly a waste).

I enjoy the sound of real/live pianos very much ... but if I had to choose between that for the rest of my life and something like Keyscape and/or Hammers and Waves ... I would LEAP for the virtual instruments, because of the range of sonic possibilities.

[philipjoshua]

The Grandeur n Hammers + Waves sounds just phenominal.. n their awesome PIANO PLUGINS as well👍🎹✌🤩

[sebollas]

You have to do it with electric piano Rhodes and stuff :D Great video btw

[cefahprod]

I'm so grateful for this blind test video. There is a scientific fact that is called cognitive bias. Our brain is always bias by our eyes, our perception of the brand or whatever. Moreover, our brain is that powerful that it can make us feel or trust that the sound we hear is brighter just because we use the light mode instead of the dark mode. This video is actually SO MORE ACCURATE in terms of subjectivity and actual "sound quality" or real personal test. I want to do videos like that with other producer weeling to actually put their vision to the test by doing blindtest of EQS or COMP or Saturation, etc. Amazing video Sanjay and Dharty.

[marcricos]

That was really interesting. My favourites are Grandeur and Keyscape. It is completely true that Keyscape lacks a lot of dynamic range, but the different “presets” make it incredibly versatile and fit super well different types of music. I found myself struggling sometimes with Grandeur because it’s SO dynamic that sometimes it’s a little difficult to control without degrading it.

[dannyacuna]

The Grandeur is my go-to piano. it is insanely accurate. I'm surprised you didn't include The Maverick. I love the The Gentleman's intimate feel. The Noir is perfect for experimenting and expanding your creativity. You can tell I'm a NI guy

[peter-davidvanderstraat]

I agree with the number 1 ranked piano. Thanks Sanjay - pianos as many as they are will always resonate with the player.

[filipeaffonsov]

I use Ravenscroft 275 and I love it. It has a great sound, it's surprisingly customizable and reasonably light on your pc. The different mic positions really change the sound too, you should try a few combinations and see what you like the most. The default velocity curve is not optimal, but if you change it to your preferred setting, it becomes much more responsive.

[sandscribbler]

This blind comparison test was fun to watch. Thanks, Sanjah and Dharti!

[meowmeeANG]

You have given an unbiased review of these piano plugins via this blind test, and it's nice to know the ranking that came out in the top 3 from the list, from an expert's ear like yours. Great job!

[margaretchristo]

You have the Midas touch, Sanjay C! My heart melts when I watch and listen to you play the piano. This video was fun, high energy, and filled with suspense! I enjoyed every moment. You and Dharti did a great job! Grandeur is my favorite.

[musicxtech]

dis was very original and interesting video thats been released in a while. nice vid bro! loved it!

[Bthelick]

Pianoteq still my fave. I mean theres a dynamic range slider right there! And it's the only one to get sympathetic resonance right. But not the stock preset. It can literally make any piano.

[MrFattarot]

This was a really good experiment. I think more youtubers should take this blind test so we can really know what the best piano vst is. It just goes to show that a lot of us are getting that placebo effect. We think a piano sounds amazing because of the hype surrounding it or the company name slapped to it. I've heard so many guys harp on about keyscape and I have always wondered what was so great about it compared to my Kontakt libraries. As it turns out, The NI pianos are just as good, or even better

[jihwoanahn]

Pianoteq uses a "Physical Modelling" - makes sound based on a physical data given by the developers.
Audio Modelling team uses the same technique to make strings, woodwinds, brass.

[backpacklights]

This was an interesting episode! Absolutely love native instruments pianos, my favourite are Una Corda, Maverick and The Giant, its fun to produce with them. Interesting fact: I used Addictive Keys in my song Alfaaz, both for the EP and the Grand. I think it matters if a producer is adding keys to their song or a pianist is adding them in their arrangement, it changes perspective on approaching the selective decisions because both of them approach it with a different demeanor!

[TossedOnion]

My top 3 here from your playing - Noire is my fav. Next is Hammers and Waves then Grandeur. I think because this sound more warm? 😅

Addictive Keys is cheap so a lot of people use it. It's nice if you tweak it but yeah it sounded bad here compared to the others. Great playing as always 🙌🙌