Topic: Have you sold your traditional instruments to switch to Pianoteq?

Hi. I’ve had my electric Rhodes for 2 years now, plus an old Fender Rhodes Mark II, so I’ve ended up with a bunch of stuff that’s taking up space but that I haven’t really touched since I discovered Pianoteq. And the quality of the physical engine has honestly blown me away, especially on the prepared piano models. So I’m wondering if now might be the time to sell my traditional instruments to fund the upgrade to the Pro license (the Stage 8 version is okay, but I’d like to have the Steinway D and Blüthner add-ons). The thing is, I’m a little afraid I’ll regret it later—the feel of a real keyboard just isn’t the same, and I don’t know if Pianoteq can really make up for that in the long run. Have any of you sold your physical instruments to switch completely to software? Did that change anything about the way you compose?

Re: Have you sold your traditional instruments to switch to Pianoteq?

Moving this topic from the Organteq forum to the Pianoteq forum where it was likely intended.

Re: Have you sold your traditional instruments to switch to Pianoteq?

Kody wrote:

Hi. I’ve had my electric Rhodes for 2 years now, plus an old Fender Rhodes Mark II, so I’ve ended up with a bunch of stuff that’s taking up space but that I haven’t really touched since I discovered Pianoteq. And the quality of the physical engine has honestly blown me away, especially on the prepared piano models. So I’m wondering if now might be the time to sell my traditional instruments to fund the upgrade to the Pro license (the Stage 8 version is okay, but I’d like to have the Steinway D and Blüthner add-ons). The thing is, I’m a little afraid I’ll regret it later—the feel of a real keyboard just isn’t the same, and I don’t know if Pianoteq can really make up for that in the long run. Have any of you sold your physical instruments to switch completely to software? Did that change anything about the way you compose?

I’ve gotten rid of almost all physical instruments. For piano I use Pianoteq.

Re: Have you sold your traditional instruments to switch to Pianoteq?

I am reminded of Michael Price's advice on when is gear worth a significantly higher price tag than a plug-in or a similar low-end piece of gear: "when that difference inspires you."

So, does your old gear "inspire you" as you compose?  If so, keep it, you can't replace that ephemeral aspect to it.  My guess is that you're more likely to regret it/miss it than feel comfortable about liquidating it to cash as the cash isn't the value of the gear, the value of the gear is what the gear does to help you create.  If you truly never use the equipment or it doesn't inspire you, then that's a totally different story...  I fight with limited storage space all the time, but I never regret better utilizing any of the gear I have (or the space that I work in to accommodate it).

You can try to live/work without the gear for another month or more and see if you being to miss it more or less, but since you're already thinking you'll regret ditching it--and asking others if you're thinking is correct, you're instinct is probably a lot more accurate than any advice we could randomly give you.  You could also try ditching PTQ for a period of time and exclusively work with the vintage gear and see if/how your workflow changes.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2xHiPcCsm29R12HX4eXd4J
Pianoteq Studio & Organteq
Casio GP300 & Custom organ console

Re: Have you sold your traditional instruments to switch to Pianoteq?

As much as I love Pianoteq, if I have the physical instrument, I will always try to keep it if the circumstances allow for it. Like what tmyoung has said above, there is the X factor of sentimentality attached to physical instrument that you will never get from an virtual one.