Topic by frankssll

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Topic: Instrument packs for classical?

I use PTQ solely for classical playing. I have Steinway D, Petrof and Blüthner. I find the Steinway D suits many different composers. I love playing Chopin Etudes on the Petrof Mistral (classical recording presets); and Debussy on the Blüthner. Now that a Black Friday discount is here, I am considering adding one or two instrument packs.

I really love the bass and treble of the C. Bechstein DG but the mid sounds a little "digital" to me. Never tried a Bechstein acoustic before. Not sure if this is the sound of an acoustic C. Bechstein or just because it is modeled after a digital sample? I tried Steingraeber demo several times but do not know how to comment on it. Grotrian is very unique but maybe a bit too dark for me.

Classical players, which packs do you like and for which composers/genres/eras?

Reply by dklein

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Re: Instrument packs for classical?

Check out the Steingraeber, which has fabulous bass, and the simulated "Mozart Rail" which the real one has, and which has been added to the Pianoteq one for use as one of the pedals (or whichever other MIDI device that you wish to program it to be activated by).

https://www.steingraeber.de/en/innovati...rt-rail/\\

(the above is the description of the Mozart Rail from Steingraeber's website)

- David

Reply by Borealis

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Re: Instrument packs for classical?

Its warm preset is really nice ! Otherwise, for practicing/playing, the Steinway B is perfect, imho.

Reply by dklein

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Re: Instrument packs for classical?

Yes, the B, my long-time all-around favorite - now with bigger better bass!  (So much so that I want to keep the 7 version tweaked a bit to think that's it's a smaller-home living room M).

- David

Reply by sjgcit

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Re: Instrument packs for classical?

While I'd also endorse the Steingraeber (my go-to everyday instrument which I describe as a refined Steinway D sound) I'd suggest you consider the vintage options as well, particularly those in the Kremsegg 2 pack.  Four lovely vintage instruments.  Remember that most classical compositions were not written for modern piano at all.  I've come across adaptations of Bach pieces by e.g. Brahms which sound great when played on period instruments (which he composed them for) but sound poor when played on modern pianos.

Also note the free KiViR freebies (https://www.modartt.com/free_stuff) which should not be overlooked just because they're free.  Lots of period keyboard instruments and a good way to get a feel for what the composers actually heard themselves when they created pieces.

As usual I'll plug the K2, which is a Modartt invention.  Rather a nice sound.

Finally do not forget that (in Standard and Pro) you can layer and morph different models together.  This is worth experimenting with to get the sound you want.  I'd recommend considering an upgrade to Standard just for microphone placement if you have Stage and upgrading would also get you an instrument pack.

StephenG

Reply by hanysz

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Re: Instrument packs for classical?

I'm fond of the Grotrian (and Pianoteq gives you plenty of settings to vary how dark or bright it is).  Also, as sjgcit suggests, the 1899 Bechstein.  I tried demo versions of the Petrof and Steingraber, but found them too sweet for my taste.  For classical music, I'm not looking for a uniformly "pretty" sound, but for a wide expressive range.  Since v8, I'm thinking about the NY Steinway again.

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Reply by frankssll

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Re: Instrument packs for classical?

dklein wrote:

Check out the Steingraeber, which has fabulous bass, and the simulated "Mozart Rail" which the real one has, and which has been added to the Pianoteq one for use as one of the pedals (or whichever other MIDI device that you wish to program it to be activated by).

https://www.steingraeber.de/en/innovati...rt-rail/\\

(the above is the description of the Mozart Rail from Steingraeber's website)

Thanks dklein. I tried the Mozart Rail yesterday. Quite an interesting setup. What pieces did you use this for?

I also saw that Steingraeber actually used Pianoteq modeling for their own Transducer Piano, which says something about the manufacturer's view of the sound quality of Pianoteq: https://www.steingraeber.de/en/innovationen/transducer/

Reply by frankssll

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Re: Instrument packs for classical?

sjgcit wrote:

While I'd also endorse the Steingraeber (my go-to everyday instrument which I describe as a refined Steinway D sound) I'd suggest you consider the vintage options as well, particularly those in the Kremsegg 2 pack.  Four lovely vintage instruments.  Remember that most classical compositions were not written for modern piano at all.  I've come across adaptations of Bach pieces by e.g. Brahms which sound great when played on period instruments (which he composed them for) but sound poor when played on modern pianos.

Also note the free KiViR freebies (https://www.modartt.com/free_stuff) which should not be overlooked just because they're free.  Lots of period keyboard instruments and a good way to get a feel for what the composers actually heard themselves when they created pieces.

As usual I'll plug the K2, which is a Modartt invention.  Rather a nice sound.

Finally do not forget that (in Standard and Pro) you can layer and morph different models together.  This is worth experimenting with to get the sound you want.  I'd recommend considering an upgrade to Standard just for microphone placement if you have Stage and upgrading would also get you an instrument pack.

Thanks for recommending the Kremsegg 2 pack. Still trying it. It did give me a "Debussy plays Debussy" sort of vibe.

Reply by frankssll

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Re: Instrument packs for classical?

hanysz wrote:

I'm fond of the Grotrian (and Pianoteq gives you plenty of settings to vary how dark or bright it is).  Also, as sjgcit suggests, the 1899 Bechstein.  I tried demo versions of the Petrof and Steingraber, but found them too sweet for my taste.  For classical music, I'm not looking for a uniformly "pretty" sound, but for a wide expressive range.  Since v8, I'm thinking about the NY Steinway again.

Thanks for sharing!

Reply by srodrigo

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Re: Instrument packs for classical?

+1 for historical instruments. I only have the Ruckers Harpsichord, which is amazing (worth looking into if you play baroque music). But I might eventually get other historical packs. The Pleyel and Erard that come with Kivir are good enough for me for now though. But the first time I looked into Pianoteq, the historical instruments was what really caught me. Some even say that this is the best Pianoteq does, even if everyone is into the modern concert grands. I probably agree.