Best simulated piano in pianoteq stage?

I have a preference for the Steinway B and the two Petrof. But it's just my preference.

It depends on you, I suppose....

i would say to save your money. The fp10 sounds will be fine for your child for a long time to come. switch on the piano and play - no need to start with messing around with computers and software at this stage

when you're learning, you want as few impediments to sitting down and playing as possible

Thank you. This is a good advice !

However i want to keep the wow factor for the kid for as long as possible (ie you play at the same piano as the people at concerts).
Computers won't complicate the process. I have IT background and i plan to make a linux machine without screen that will automaticaly launch the pianoteq when powered on.

The Steinway D is the number one concert piano. You get two versions of that in the D pack. Also because it is the number one piano Modartt has produced a vast amount of presets for those two - particularly useful for the Stage version I suggest.

1) Steinway D
2) Petrof

Why because they give you two models in those for one price. Then expand later if you feel the need.

Taking the thread title as the question I would say the D is the absolute best piano.  However someone learning sheet music isn't really going to be concerned with the brightest and most dynamic sound. It's not necessarily the best for a learner - or someone having to tolerate their efforts.
That said the D model might be a little sharp for some ears on some presets.

The B is generally softer or sweeter albeit with less authority in the bass. It's got far less presets though - hence far less variety within those sounds. All the presets can be made to sound soft and sweet or sharp and bright, there are so many settings even in Stage.

Blüthner and Grotrian.

Those are the two I use the most, but I think one cannot go wrong with any choice.

Thank you. I will start with trial as i am not sure what hardware to put it : a windows tablet, an laptop or an NUC

I suggest Pptq U4 upright piano. Because I completely agree with Modartt when they say, among other things, that the U4 upright Piano emphasizes all the specific characteristics of upright pianos, beautiful timbre of well-built acoustic piano.
The improved physical model in Pianoteq benefits the U4 by bringing more clarity and authenticity.

I think it would be suitable for a beginner with an upright, not a grand piano. I like it and still after 10 years here, playing with the U4 now and then using preset U4 Tall.
And there are 23 presets that you can have a lot of fun with later.

Well, that’s what i think about it.

Here a simple demo, slow, to better hear the sound...I have used the mint slider a bit to get softer sound...

https://youtu.be/lLqk06HYm2I

My best,

Stig

VSL Synchron -  you will need to factor in an enormous SSD for that too. It's an absolute drive eating monster!
There will also be noticeable loading times, even on a good SSD.
Also it's sample based so the sound isn't very adjustable compared to physical modelling anyway.
Either way I hope your child is happy.

Hello,

I'm a beginner and I own a Roland FP 10 as well. The keyboard on the FP10 is supposed to be the best in this price range, that's why I chose it. The internal piano sounds of the FP10 are not very nice imho, especially in comparison to Pianoteq.
About choosing the instruments:
I think the NY Steinway D is a must. If I had to limit myself to one additional piano, I would probably take the Blüthner, it has a distinct, mellow sound that is a pleasant variation to the Steinway grand pianos. Here you can see Paul McCartney composing "Let it be" on it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew3YBAsZz9E

Another option would be to choose the Electric Pack (MK II, etc.) as instrument No 2. These electric pianos sound very beautiful and maybe your child might develop an interest for more modern music. (The e piano sounds on the FP 10 sound decent as well, though.)

I chose Steinway D and the Electric Pack and would probably pick these again. (Then I payed an additional 50 € for the Blüthner, but I don't play it as much as the NY Steinway).

Best wishes,
CD

Listen to the demos and see what you think. I've also fallen in love with the Bechstein. I personally wouldn't go for all Steinway. I'd want a little more variety. The Petrof, Bluethner, and Bechstein are all gorgeous. But I love so many. The free pianos are also fabulous.

Thank you for your advice.

Too many drawbacks to worth for now : price, space, regular maintenance, very loud, very heavy.
If the kid does not give up on piano in couple of years and makes progress i will buy an acoustic instrument.
For now an fp-10 with a good vst (pianoteq or vsl) and headphones or stereo system will have to do it.

Steinway B

Depending on how wealthy the family I guess a child may feel more pressure to succeed if they feel their parents have spent more money on the entire project. This can be a problem if they find piano is not really for them.

I think kids with plenty of imagination can look beyond the poor quality but if they've been exposed to good quality sound that's what they'll want - if it's an option their parents can obviously afford.

In some cases poor sound quality might even be a factor in a child dropping piano. Whether that's a horrible clunky old upright (charm character, or out of tune relic) or the poor speakers and short samples built-in an entry digital.

On the other hand frankly as a kid I most certainly did care about quality sound. It depends on what you were exposed to in the home.

There is absolutely no pressure for kid to succeed.
He wanted to play piano and he went to piano club at school (for free).
We had an old casio lk 260 illuminatged keys with lessons (touch sensitive).
The teacher recomended  yamaha 125 for keyboard but i decided to go for fp-10 because the keyboard is more piano like.
I will buy the fp-10 as soon as i have the money (couple weeks)
The speaker and amplifier i have from when i was younger.
And the VST will be either garritan cfx lite or pianoteq or vsl  depending on the sales and how much money i will have available at the time. For now i have the free hammersmith and free pianoteq.

Thank you ! It is indeed the number one recommendation made by most people here.

Thank you very much for your advices.
I have fond FP-10 at around 430 E  and yamaha 125 was about 620e. Kaway es 110 does not have usb midi out. Kaway es120 is aroung 750E .  But the main reason i went for fp-10 was triple sensors and escapement. Some people said that yamaha keyboard is a bit "spongy".
In my opinion combining the fp-10 with a good VST  would be the equivalent of buying of  a buying 10000$ instrument with the only drawback of adding an usb cable.
I have read that fp-10 havd midi over blueetooth and if i can connect the bluettoth midi to a laptop then is not even a cable involved.
The computer part won;t be a problem - i can make a small computer (~ 15cmx15xmx5cm) with ssd that can start directly with pianoteq , without monitor(i have the parts). The vsl will be a bit more problematic due to licenses/protection.

Edit:
At school they seems to have a vertical piano kawai.

Thank you for your answer.
Obviously there will be drawbacks and maybe not 10 000 but for sure the sound generated with vsl or pianotheq or garritan will be on par with the best digital instruments. The keyboard itself will be a bit lacking but still good enough. The portability will not be therebecause of the computer. There could be a bit of latency but i think it can be almost eliminated with proper tuning.
What i am looking for is an instrument with good keyboard and good sound.

Please provide a bit more details where i am wrong .

Edit:
Or please let me know which digital piano have 120GB -250GB  storage for the wave sample-set for a single instrument.

Edit2:
Somebody already compared this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybCRVBywMK8

Looks like a 5000$ Kawai NV5 sounds a bit better than vsl but wasn't really apples to apples because the midi was recorded on kawai and not played live with audio input from vst.

Just to add 2 cents from someone who is not a great piano player (just learning):

If I had to choose now 2: I'd go for Steinway D and the Electric Pianos Package.
Steinway D has not only two different Pianos, but very nice and usable presets.
Electric Pianos even have 3 different models and they are good complement as you get an entirely different instrument type / sound.

In general, if you have a good base sound, you can change a lot via effect plugins or changing the mic / recording modes. To a non trained piano player this affects the sound much more drastically than switching between Piano models. So if you're not trained in the sound of acoutic pianos, I see more value in having many and good presets - especially in the stage version.

I'm currently thinking about which instrument pack would be a good next complement, beeing sufficiently distinct.