Best Piano VST 2021 – Expert Picks for Piano Lovers

Virtual Studio Technology or VST continues to evolve – especially in recent years, it has developed beyond the expectations of music lovers. VSTs are becoming playgrounds of music possibility – focusing on the authentic sound and realistic music of live instruments to control hardware synthesizers.

It is no surprise to tell you that a piano is an amazing musical instrument with millions of lovers across the world – ranging from amateurs to professional piano players who rule the hearts of their fans by producing the best-quality tunes. At the same time, we won’t be wrong if we say pianos are expensive devices.

On the other hand, due to advancements in technology, musicians can now use a piano without getting their hands on an actual physical piano. Is this possible? Of course, it is. Many musicians across the world are taking advantage of the best piano VST. The best piano VST – i.e. Virtual Studio Technology – is a software, which emulates a piano.

Quick Picks

Top Piano VST Product Reviews

VSTs are audio plugins software interfaces, which integrate synthesizers and effects in software or digital audio workstations. Such type of technology uses signal processing for stimulating conventional recording studio tools into a software application. Here are the best Piano VST products.

#1 – Synthogy Ivory II Grand Pianos – Groundbreaking New Technology

Synthogy VST features sound, which comes from innovative and revolutionary technology. The interface of this VST software is new and there is a wide range of samples, which you can use to create new tones. The versatility of this VST makes it the best product on our list.

Likewise, it features Sympathetic String Resonance, which is an important quality or feature in pianos. Synthogy VST can explore complex sympathetic strings. The VST does not depend on ordinary sine waves.

On the other hand, the best feature of this VST is its new custom engine. Synthogy has made substantial efforts and worked for many years to produce a dedicated product, which can make sounds of synthetic pianos as real pianos. This VST software is playable than many other competitor products. The interesting thing is that anyone from beginners to experts can use it.

The reason why we like this product is that this Synthogy VST is designed for professional musicians who are keen to create something pioneering and magical. The wide array of features and custom sound samples accurately justify the price of this product.

Pros

• High-level fidelity and playability
• Sympathetic Resonance from String
• 18 levels of piano’s velocity

Cons

• None

#2 – Spectrasonics Keyscape – Best Virtual Keyboard for Piano Lovers

Spectrasonics is a renowned company and its product “Keyscape,” which is a virtual keyboard application occupies a significant place in the hearts of musicians. This VST is based on the LA Custom C7 Piano and related music products. It has a wide range of sample collections with a rich sound library.

The VST helps the musician to create incredible tune irrespective of the genre. This, in particular, is helpful for those who are looking to compose classical music. Likewise, if you want to compose modern music, this VST will still get the job done accurately.

Although the VST clogs up the CPU, nonetheless, the production of tones through it is simply amazing. This VST is even compatible with Omni 2. With Spectrasonics Keyscape, you can access a wide range of piano sounds easily and include any of them in your next musical composition.

The reason why this product is on our list is that it offers an easy interface for both beginners and pianos. It works well with all your decisions made for music production. The price of this product is affordable enough that it won’t break the bank.

Pros

• A wide variety of sample sounds
• Diverse pianos

Cons

• None

#3 – XLN Addictive Keys Studio Collection – Ideal VST for Expert Musicians

XLN Addictive Keys is another best VST product on our list – and it is designed specifically for creating custom signature sounds. If you are a creative musician, there is no better product than this one. XLN VST offers an amazing sound selection with high-quality effects.

The most interesting features of the XLN VST are chorus, tremolo, distortion, reverb, EQ filters, and other filters. XLN has tested 10 different pianos and chosen the highest quality items for sampling for this collection. One of the primary advantages of this VST is My-Cloud technology, which allows the user to connect the VST from anywhere.

Also, the automatic synchronization feature allows you to use presets and memos easily without worrying about the use of any device with it. Thus, you can work from all your devices while on the go as well as keep everything safe and organized.

My-Cloud technology is the best feature for traveling musicians and this is of great help because you also can have this VST on different computers so that you can produce music. This, we believe, was the best reason to include this product on our list.

Pros

• High-quality Sounds
• Amazing effects
• Access from different devices

Cons

• Complex interface

#4 – Garritan Instant Orchestra – A VST beyond Expectations

Garritan Instant Orchestra – as the name suggests – is a premier software VST product, which offers a wide range of sounds you hear in an orchestra. For instance, the most impressive sounds are harps, silvery choirs, chord clusters, wild overlays, and low octave rumblings. So much so, this VST offers much more than your expectations.

The most outstanding feature of the Garritan Instant Orchestra is the ARIA instrument player. This is an incredible value and the easiest way for orchestrating without needing any other instruments or players. The design is simple but has a complex mix of a wide range of orchestral instruments.

So, if you want to create some realistic orchestral effects, this is a standalone software application, which can work with most common platforms. The production of any orchestral sound can be done quickly. Even at the synthetic level, you can achieve orchestras easily.

Pros

• Quick creations
• Quality orchestral sounds
• Conexant Wave Technology

Cons

• Not for beginners

#5 – Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 – Hardware Synth Integration

Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 is a software designed for professionals. If you are a professional piano player or musician, you can use this VST to get your hands dirty on some of the top-quality sounds. You will be amazed to know that this VST offers incredibly 10,000 sounds, which you explore and play. Isn’t this amazing? Yes, it is. Thus, it is the best Piano VST.

Unlike the previous version, Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 comes with new features such as the new effects that provide the user with a wide range of options for all the creative needs. Another interesting thing about this VST is that you can upload your audio content using the Omnisphere, which gives you even more possibilities for composing original sounds.

You can play a diversity of genres with this VST. The sound’s complexity is superlative. The interface is simple, the design is well-thought-out, and everything is good enough to allow you to control the sound design as if you are working is a professional studio. Also, there are 8 new types of filters and new modulations, which make this product more special.  

Pros

Over 10,000 sounds

Professional Touch

Advanced Technology

Cons

• Only for Expert Musicians

#6 – Garritan Abbey Road Studios – Top Concert Piano VST

Garritan Abbey Road Studios is the best sample VST with amazing sound samples from a real instrument. All samples included in this VST has come from the renowned Yamaha CFX Concert Piano Studio One. This famous instrument has been recorded by the best engineers in the world using top-notch quality mics to create this VST for all sorts of musicians.

VST software provides the best value for money. In simple terms, the quality of this VST is second to none. You can use this VST with an 88 key MIDI keyboard. This way, you can produce high-quality piano music tracks for your songs. Likewise, it works awesome with an SSD, particularly when using the microphone perspective.

Garritan Abbey Road Studios, for us, is the best overall VST on this list. Using this software VST, you will feel like sitting in a professional studio with a high-end piano. The quality of sound and clarity produces realistic virtual sound. Many professional musicians use it.

Pros

• High-quality Sound
• Discrete Perspective
• A wide range of samples
• Advanced Technology

Cons

• Slightly Expensive

#7 – Synthogy Ivory II Italian Grand Upgrade – New Generation VST technology

If you love pianos but can’t keep one because you have a smaller space in the room, you can get Synthogy Ivory II Italian Grand. This Piano VST is one of the best in the world for obvious reasons. There are standard ones such as delay, reverb, wet, and dry. You can play to get a unique sound. This is another great piano VST.

It allows you to create amazing music. What we like the most about this VST are the realistic sounds it produces. So, if you want to listen to something that comes from an actual piano, this product is simply perfect.

There is quite a lot you can do to change the tone. You can decide how much you want to open the lid, the amount of key noise you hear, and your preferred dynamic range. This VST piano is great.

Many of these are for pianists to consider, if possible because they increase their reliability. There are several other settings that you can change and additional effects, such as choosing a room to play the piano.

Pros

• Incredibly realistic sound
• A wide range of effects
• Affordable Price

Cons

• None

Buying Guide

A piano VST is something unique and amazing, especially, if you are a musician and do not want to play on the real piano, which is both times consuming and expensive for composing music.

So, if you want an alternative, a Piano VST is a wise choice. However, it is not always easy to choose the best product until you know its unique features. Therefore, we going to tell you what to consider before buying the best Piano VST. Continue reading!

Type of Sounds

Piano VSTs can vary widely. The primary difference is due to the type of sounds offered. It is a way where the VST recreates the sounds digitally. You must consider some advanced features like mixing and effects.

Some piano VSTs comes with a wide variety of sound samples, which is great and this allows you to create and customize sounds according to your needs. So, make sure you choose a VST, which offers different types of virtual sounds.

Quality of VST

The quality of the VST can be determined by the brand, the price, as well as the number of samples and customization features. There are some piano VSTs, which offer synthesizers, electric pianos, and many other virtual instruments.

The specifications of the sound are not the only thing you need to consider. You need to determine how accurately the VST is producing realistic piano sounds and whether the composition is versatile or not.

Sampling

Sampling is an important feature of the VST software. It is a process of recording as well as digitizing the sounds of actual pianos. Make sure you choose a VST product, which can produce realistic piano sounds – i.e. close to the real-world pianos. It must have a powerful and advanced cutting-edge technology.

Sampling is important for creating the best virtual sounds from instruments including Piano. You must choose a VST with large sample libraries along with top-notch processing power and computer memory.

Modeling

Another important feature of the best Piano VST is the modeling, which is a digital synthesizer helpful in recreating sounds of an acoustic piano.

You must choose high-quality modeling plugins, which can produce realistic sounds and compositions. Modeling as compared to sampling is a less realistic VST. So, it primarily depends on your personal preference and the type of sounds you want to create using it.

Moreover, modeling VSTs offer great levels of sound control, which allows you to dial in realistic sounds and tones with which you can experiment to get the most out of your creativity. Modeling VSTs can have realistic realms of acoustic pianos.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Conclusion

We are sure you have read the article thoroughly and understand the function of VSTs and how to choose the best one according to your needs and personal preferences. Again, you must consider a few factors, which we have described above to help choose the best piano VST.

VSTs are audio plug-in applications or software, which includes synthesizers and a wide array of effects to compose your desirable sounds. These types of software can be used by both beginners and advanced musicians. However, some products are designed specifically for advanced users and vice versa.

Considering the purchase criteria presented in the article, we have chosen the best piano VSTs. The selection is also based on our testing and experience with these products.

Lastly, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a real piano for whatever reason you have and still want to create your tones and compositions, the best choice for you is to go for the best piano VST mentioned in this review article. Again, choose the one that suits you. Good Luck!

Sources:

• Best Piano VST Plugins (Chosen by a Pro Composer)
• The Best 10 Free Piano VST Plugins for PC/Mac
• Free Piano VST Plugins