The trick is you dont use the sounds built into your digital piano.
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Why is a piano VST better than the sounds in my digital piano?
Long story short: Your PC haswaymore storage and processing power than any digital piano can muster.
Other digital pianos are instead modeled, meaning they instead venture to mathematically recreate a pianos sound.
Of course, a more expensive piano will likely have better keys.
On most digital pianos, youre locked into one or two piano brands.
Even with acoustic pianos, you might have a preference for one companys tone over the other.
How do I connect my piano to my PC?
Your digital piano sends instructions to the virtual instrument via MIDI signals.
In other cases, you just need a cheapMIDI to USBadapter or audio interface.
Then you simply enable your piano as an input rig in your respective VST.
You should ideally have decent speakers or headphones to actually output the sound, too.
Some newer digital pianos let you reroute your PCs sound through their internal speakers, but most dont.
Get to the VSTs!
Hold your horses; before we get started, I have a few disclaimers.
First, keep in mind Im only including products that Ive actually bought or tested myself.
There are probably hundreds of piano VSTs out there not to mention other instruments and sounds.
Without further ado, here are some of my favorite piano VSTs money can buy.
For reference, only a handful of digital pianos go beyond three or four velocity layers.
Pianoteq by Modartt ($150+)
Pianoteqis probably the most famous modeled piano.
You get 2-4 instruments included with your order, and additional instruments cost $59.
Depending on how much customization and how many instruments you need, Pianoteq offers a few different price tiers.
Although not talked about as often as Pianoteq nor quite as customizable, I find it just as playable.
Its an awesome collection of sounds for those who want a wealth of simulated instruments.
Other than saving and exporting custom piano sounds, the trial is fully functional.
But thats only the start.
So unfortunately I wouldnt recommend this as a primary library if your playing style depends heavily on precise pedaling.
Also, Hammer + Waves is among the few VSTS that does offer a 14-day return policy.
The only caveat is that, well, its an upright piano.
It also sounds ridiculously good out of the box, with minimal tweaking required to get a professional sound.
But thats in part due as much to the actual recording environment as much as the piano itself.
The instruments come in standard and full versions with extra microphones.
you’ve got the option to also always upgrade down the road too.
But it also has a lot of character and particularly excels in dynamics in character at lower velocity levels.
It has a brighter, more sparkly sound overall.. TheBosendorfer 130is an upright piano that almost sounds like a small grand.
Though these are pricey libraries, they are truly endgame material.
Its also worth noting VSL is also one of the few companies to offer a 14-day no-hassle return policy.
Get to playing
I know, I know that was a lot.
Then just make some beautiful music.
