I think it's a mistake that Pianoteq Stage doesn't allow you to close/open the lid. This is a basic feature for any piano.

Imagine buying a piano and not being able to close the lid!

I think that in future editions, Modartt should act with common sense and allow this basic feature in the Stage category as well.

I think the idea is that when you are "on Stage" you've got what you've got and you cannot change the sound. So that tier of pianoteq does not allow (almost) any change of sound with that version.

Not saying this is right or wrong, simply explaining my understanding of that version.

Stage (which used to be Play years ago) is designed to work out of the box with little or not modification to the built-in preset collection for any instruments you own.  So, in practice, you can change a few general settings (volume, dynamics, a few details about the action, etc.) but not much else.  So Stage is great if you simply want to open the VST and play without working with settings or custom FXPs.

Stage doesn't really load any FXPs beyond what's distributed with it.  Standard allows for many parameters to be changed, but only a few on a note-by-note basis.  Pro allows all parameters to be controlled on a note-by-note basis.  FXPs made in Pro will open and be honored in Standard but the ability to edit them further isn't there.  It might also be that very specific features like Quad-channel Convolution Reverbs are only available in Standard or above (it's been long enough that I can't remember).  I do know that microphone placement and multi-channel features are limited to Standard/Pro.  Also, the Layering engine isn't in Stage.

If you need a simple set-it-and-forget-it bare-bones VST instrument solution for live performance or practice, Stage is very sufficient (I was fine for about 3-4 years with just Play >> Stage).  If you want to build your own sounds, customize granular features, change microphone settings, or layer different instruments, Standard or Pro would be the way to go.

I think it's a mistake that Pianoteq Stage doesn't allow you to close/open the lid. This is a basic feature for any piano.

Imagine buying a piano and not being able to close the lid!

I think that in future editions, Modartt should act with common sense and allow this basic feature in the Stage category as well.

Stage doesn't really load any FXPs beyond what's distributed with it.  Standard allows for many parameters to be changed, but only a few on a note-by-note basis.  Pro allows all parameters to be controlled on a note-by-note basis.  FXPs made in Pro will open and be honored in Standard but the ability to edit them further isn't there.  It might also be that very specific features like Quad-channel Convolution Reverbs are only available in Standard or above (it's been long enough that I can't remember).  I do know that microphone placement and multi-channel features are limited to Standard/Pro.  Also, the Layering engine isn't in Stage.

If you need a simple set-it-and-forget-it bare-bones VST instrument solution for live performance or practice, Stage is very sufficient (I was fine for about 3-4 years with just Play >> Stage).  If you want to build your own sounds, customize granular features, change microphone settings, or layer different instruments, Standard or Pro would be the way to go.

You still get everything on the first page? Meaning you can approximate most stuff, like you can approximate unisons with the condition slider? and make it softer?

To be honest it seemsm like a quite a leap up, double the price for a settings page?