Free instruments versus historic packs

IMHO the 1680 Giusti harpsichord in the Karsten collection is the best Pianoteq harpsichord. In the Karsten collection you also get the Weimes 1808 grand, plus lovely Virginals and other early pianos. But there is no 4' register on the Giusti. The 1624 Ruckers - available only as a separate instrument on its own -  does have the 2 8' registers and a 4'. (Both Giuisti and Ruckers have buff stops) It is a lovely instrument and you can configure how to change registers quickly so that you can play it almost as if it were a double manual instrument. (AFAIK, unless you can do clever things with split keyboards, or the use of a Daw?, you cannot for example play the Bach French overture, Goldbergs, etc with RH and LH on separate manuals simultaneously. Someone may have worked out how without buying a 2nd keyboard)

If you are looking for a very good harpsichord and are happy with 2 8' registers, an early grand with some other instruments, the Karsten collection will suit. (Again, IMHO, either the Giuisti or Ruckers are worth paying for if you are really into harpsichords.) The second instrument could be a modern grand. Another can of worms! (I'm assuming this is the current minimum choice for a new Pianoteq order) If you want mid to late 19th century pianos, then, as Luc said, listen to demos. There are so many to choose from. Re Kremsegg, the one which stands out for me is the 1849 Erard in collection 1. Having played a genuine 1840's Erard, it works beautifully for Chopin. (Yes, I know he preferred Pleyel. I've played on an 1840's Pleyel too and preferred the Erard. It's all a matter of taste)

Don't forget you can experiment with the demo version - just a few notes missing - and get a real feel for each instrument.

As others have said try them with the demo versions of Pianoteq - it's a personal choice.

First things first : you can add instrument packs any time after you buy Pianoteq so you're not locked in to just one set or another.  There's no real financial penalty for this except for the number of instrument packs you get with the different versions of Pianoteq.  All of the versions produce the same sounds from inbuilt presets.  However Standard comes with three instrument packs and Pro with four.  Standard and Pro support microphones as well and have better customization options, so I generally suggest Standard is the best value if you're a serious buyer and can make the initial investment.  Pro, IMO, really does require "pro" skills in the form of sound production and engineering to exploit or specialist goals.

The free instruments are very nice and have been updated since their initial release.  I would not recommend someone serious about historic instruments relying exclusively on them.  I'd suggest one modern grand is a minimum choice to make - I personally prefer the Steinway B or Steingraeber over the others but this is a very personal choice.  In particular transcriptions of some much written for grand piano sound better on a modern instrument than on an old pianoforte and pieces written for pianoforte (e.g. some pianoforte transcriptions of BWV 1004) sound great on pianoforte and just wrong on a modern grand.  I think at least one modern grand is necessary for modern styles.

Note the Klemsegg 2 pack which I have in this regard.  It has a Bechstein 1899 (modeled from one owned by Gilbert O'Sullivan of that means anything to you) and is an "almost" modern grand piano sound.  It also contains the Frenzel - a personal favorite of mine which has a kind of old-meets-new sound that's very nice to my ear.  It has two "more traditional" pianoforte instruments which are really very nice especially when played with the appropriate music.  Getting that pack is one I could personally recommend and certainly check them in the demos.  Four excellent instruments for the price of one !

The harpsicord in the new Karsten pack was an immediately gorgeous sound.  I'm no harpsichord expert, but it's lovely to my ear and yet another instrument "on my list" of possible future purchases.  The Weimes in the same pack sounds quite interesting too.  I appear t be the only person who finds the square Steinway uninteresting, but it's all personal choices. :-)

The free Erard and Pleyel are similar to the Bechstein 1899 (perhaps slightly less polished sounds ?) in that they're "almost modern" to present day years.  If you're used to hearing a modern Steinway B they sound old, if you're comparing them to a Pleyel 1835 they sound modern.  I would personally not classify them as modern, but in the same period as the Bechstein 1899.  I'd suggest not relying on them as a modern piano sound for that reason.

I'm not qualified to really comment on the free harpsichords in any technical sense.  They sound good to me is about all I'd say.  If in doubt I'd suggest starting with them and considering other packs for later purchase.  The Hans Ruckers pack is beyond my knowledge to comment on - I can't say what I've heard makes me personally rush to buy it, but then I don't really have an interest in harpsichords and would not really use it myself.

So I'd recommend at least one good modern grand (if you need a modern grand at all ?) and Klemsegg 1 or 2 or Karsten if your interests go in that directions.  The free instruments are a great bonus but if you don't need more than one modern grand then pick an older instrument pack or packs.  Don't think of the free Erard and Pleyel as modern grands - they're "almost modern grands" IMO (but good in their own rights).

I don't think you can get the free instruments unless you are a registered user. You can listen to samples on the Pianoteq website.

Hello shivasage and welcome to the forum,

I have Karsten and Kremsegg, like some instruments from both, and I like Erard 1922 much (modified a bit).
Here an example of an Salodiensis Virginale from Karsten Collection,  Praeludium Xll, unknown composer. (Ptq 8 Studio Bundle ).

Hope you enjoy, I found someone playing this on yt too and it didn't sound far from my one, but it is the room and reverb and microphone setting we can't imitate.

https://forum.modartt.com/uploads.php?f...-24%20.mp3

Best wishes,

Stig

Edit, I suggest you buy Standard so you have more possibilities to make the sound to your liking. The "hunger" for more grows the more you play with ptq   
I have been on board with Ptq since 2013 and still want more....