Pianoteq offers a full dynamic range with no key switching. I’ve yet to find a keyboard controller that can accurately cover 127 velocity layers or a keyboard player that can articulate them. There appears to be a bit of a competition as to how many velocity layers you can have in a sampled instrument – one company has up to 127! The more layers the larger the sample set. What are velocity layers? When sampling an instrument it’s a common technique to sample the same note at different velocities so that as you hit the key harder a different sample plays. There are no huge sample files to load, no direct from disc loading and more importantly no velocity layers or loop points. What hasn’t changed a lot is the absolute playability of the instrument as they pretty much nailed it from the off.
I’ve been playing Pianoteq by Moddart for a few years now and seen it come on leaps and bounds in terms of sound. There is no right and wrong instrument although some are downright badly designed. Sounds a bit gushy but pianos are emotional and very personal instruments. Which instrument can make you lose yourself for several hours in the pure joy of just playing. What makes you feel good and gives that creative spark. Ignore the Gearslutz arguments about the technical details, sample size, layers and velocity switching. So it all comes down to personal preference. We are spoilt today by the number of 88 key weighted and semi weighted keyboards out there covering almost every price point and capability. As important as the software for a good piano experience is the keyboard controller. Some are very basic whilst others require the power of a Cray supercomputer and disc storage rivalling google in order to run fully. Almost every type and brand is covered from prepared pianos though to uprights, grands and electric grands. It feels like there are hundreds of high quality piano virtual instruments on the market.
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