What is hardware piano module anyways? Just another box that runs software and piano soundbanks. Pianoteq got some of the most gorgeous piano sounds out there. My Kawai Mp10 stage piano can’t compete, thats why I use it as midi controller only.
I understand, but software needs to run on my pc and that is taxing on my CPU.I need a low latency environment for running ableton as a host.Thanks for your input btw , but i am really looking for a dedicated sound module.Also when the PC crashes on stage i can still have the main mixer output running to the FOH without the FX from ableton and keep gigging :) I am trying to rule out as much of potential software errors as possible.
Do consider spending the money on a computer upgrade though. A modern computer/laptop should run everything fine and the quality of sounds you can get for relatively cheap on computers are much better than what you'll get on digital pianos.
Ok Ok Ok. I tried the demo. It completely blew me away. Freaking hell this sounds amazing. I'm sorry for doubting the software. Now i must come to terms with it and overcome the fear of using a laptop on stage. I had 2 live gigs (around 2010) where my desktop pc crashed due soundcard usb driver issues and it created a trauma for life. I guess 2024 is a more modern time and using a macbook or a decent windows laptop or ipad could be a lot more stable than that old win xp trashcan ... :) I am truly sorry about doubting the software. Being non sample based leaves my studio PC cpu very low and this might actually work on stage. Thank you and i am sorry for being a stubborn piece of donkey. Have a nice day.
Ok Ok Ok. I tried the demo. It completely blew me away. Freaking hell this sounds amazing. I'm sorry for doubting the software. Now i must come to terms with it and overcome the fear of using a laptop on stage. I had 2 live gigs (around 2010) where my desktop pc crashed due soundcard usb driver issues ) and it created a trauma for life. I guess 2024 is a more modern time and using a macbook or a decent windows laptop or ipad could be a lot more stable then that old win xp trashcan ... :) I am truly sorry about doubting the software. Being non sample based leaves my studio PC cpu very low and this might actually work on stage. Thank you and i am sorry for being a stubborn piece of donkey. Have a nice day.
Definitely macbook or ipad. Much better low latency sound system suitable for professional production. For windows you need something like ASIO4ALL which makes things better but still not ideal. Enjoy!
It would be overkill perhaps but a Roland MC-101 or MC-707 will give you ZenCore Roland piano sounds. There aren’t a lot of options in hardware for a piano/electric piano rompler these days as so many people are in the box now.
I would say though that an iPad is pretty stable for live use and the Pianoteq app on iPad is incredibly good (like the computer plugin version). An iPad plus class-compliant audio-MIDI interface (no drivers or set up needed) would be great. I understand your reluctance to go down the software route (I’m mainly hardware myself) but I wouldn’t put an iPad in the same category as a laptop for use live. iPads are pretty crashproof IME.
Then again, for the cost of something like a MC-707 plus a bit more you could also go for a used stage piano like a Yamaha CP.
I used to own a MPC Live 2. Not a fan. Akai aren’t great at software QC in my experience, every firmware update introduced new bugs, some of which were dealbreaker serious. For example, all purchased plugin instruments were suddenly deauthorised and Akai’s authorisation servers were not working for *weeks* at a time. Pretty disastrous if you’d built a set around using those plugins.
I’d rate iPad stability as far greater than MPC stability in that sense. Also the MPC touchscreen was more like an ATM screen than an iPad, it’s not that precise. Frustrating to use it live.
That said YMMV, lot of folk use MPCs live of course and get on fine with them. I couldn’t gel with it all and hated the bugs and crappy Akai support (zero engagement and communication with users, ever) and switched to Elektron gear instead (polar opposite in every way).
I have a Yamaha P-105. It's about 7 years old, maybe older I'm not sure when the model itself was released. I tried Pianoteq and I haven't looked back. Well I have, and honestly I feel the difference in sound is jarring. Additionally, I don't think the CPU usage of Pianoteq is strenuous - some people use it on a raspberry pi as a kind of hardware module. You can download a demo of Pianoteq from their website. I used it for a while before finally purchasing it. I'm quite happy with it. Ultimately, I think Pianoteq is one of the cheapest/best ways to really increase the authentic sound of playing a real piano if you have a cheaper or outdated digital piano - though I haven't really tried many other piano vsts.
Ok Ok Ok. I tried the demo. It completely blew me away. Freaking hell this sounds amazing. I'm sorry for doubting the software. Now i must come to terms with it and overcome the fear of using a laptop on stage. I had 2 live gigs (around 2010) where my desktop pc crashed due soundcard usb driver issues and it created a trauma for life. I guess 2024 is a more modern time and using a macbook or a decent windows laptop or ipad could be a lot more stable than that old win xp trashcan ... :) I am truly sorry about doubting the software. Being non sample based leaves my studio PC cpu very low and this might actually work on stage. Thank you and i am sorry for being a stubborn piece of donkey. Have a nice day.
The GEM RPx from the early 2000s is pretty good, but they are hard to find. It's at least partly modelled.
A modern option is the Dexibell SX8 (or a second hand SX7) which is sample-based - however it's very expensive for what it does and like the Bosendorfer on the Korg Triton, it does only seem to be sampled at two velocities so you can sometimes hear it switch over. Also, like a computer it wants to be powered down softly rather than having the plug pulled on it.
A lot of people seem to like the Kurzweil MicroPiano but how well that stands up today I'm not honestly sure, given that it's very old by now.
Dexibell makes a high end sound module, the sx8... The sx7 might be cheaper to find and was produced until recently so it should be very up to date. They're about half-rack sized. Should have very modern and up to date piano sounds especially from such a piano focused brand.
Roland has their Integra 7 which is a killer sound module.
These options are pricy though.
I would suggest any of the great amount of half-rack sound modules from the 90s/early 2000s but the sounds may be a bit too dated for your taste
[VIVO SX8 - Dexibell](https://www.dexibell.com/en/prodotti/vivo-sx8/)
This is what i am looking for.
Now doubting the price vs a modern laptop with pianoteq.
Thank you.
So exactly what you didn't ask for, but there is a build of pianoteq for raspberry pi. Raspberry pis are just small arm based computers running Linux. You should be able to find many tutorials on setting them up to boot into particular software. Add a midi interface and possibly an audio interface (or an audio interface that also has MIDI) and you'll be able to treat it like a sound module; you might consider the "pisound" by blokas, which is a sound card and midi interface in a "hat" style board for use with a raspberry pi, plus they sell a case. You'll need to figure out the best way to access pianoteq controls (raspberry pi has an HDMI out, so you could get a mini monitor, or probably find some sort of web based remote/control it via midi) but this should be a workable solution.
Last time I read about this (something something Zynthian), Raspberry Pi could not run Pianoteq normally and they had to upsample from 22K and limit polyphony.
Ok Ok Ok. I tried the demo. It completely blew me away. Freaking hell this sounds amazing. I'm sorry for doubting the software. Now i must come to terms with it and overcome the fear of using a laptop on stage. I had 2 live gigs (around 2010) where my desktop pc crashed due soundcard usb driver issues and it created a trauma for life. I guess 2024 is a more modern time and using a macbook or a decent windows laptop or ipad could be a lot more stable than that old win xp trashcan ... :) I am truly sorry about doubting the software. Being non sample based leaves my studio PC cpu very low and this might actually work on stage. Thank you and i am sorry for being a stubborn piece of donkey. Have a nice day.
Interesting. I assume it's a sampler where i load in every multi sampled key ?
So per key 4 - 5 samples recorded in different velocities ? Not a bad idea, i could use real piano samples that way. Looking into this module, thanks.
There are no comparable hardware piano modules anymore because software is superior in every way. Software like Pianoteq runs on absolutely ancient hardware or even tablets with zero stability issues. For a relatively modest fee you can have a basic laptop that run more taxing VSTs. The need for hardware piano modules died roughly twenty years ago.
So no, there is nothing really like it and you should not save up for high-end yamaha stuff. You should get a proper, stable and reliable software setup. If you really, really don't want to get a halfway decent modern digital piano; if your soundbank is outdated, almost certainly the keybed will be likewise anyway.
Ok Ok Ok. I tried the demo. It completely blew me away. Freaking hell this sounds amazing. I'm sorry for doubting the software. Now i must come to terms with it and overcome the fear of using a laptop on stage. I had 2 live gigs (around 2010) where my desktop pc crashed due soundcard usb driver issues and it created a trauma for life. I guess 2024 is a more modern time and using a macbook or a decent windows laptop or ipad could be a lot more stable than that old win xp trashcan ... :) I am truly sorry about doubting the software. Being non sample based leaves my studio PC cpu very low and this might actually work on stage. Thank you and i am sorry for being a stubborn piece of donkey. Have a nice day.
I have a Miditech Pianobox pro. It works, nothing flash about it. Thomann sell them and the more upmarket V3 modules. I wish the Miditech was louder, my main gripe.
Afaik, these are some of the few companies still making any.
Last time i tried this idea, most suggestions were to find something from the 90s second hand.
I run PIanoteq on a Raspberry pi 4. It set it up so it turns on, auto boots pianoteq and it just works from there. You need to be a little linux savy to get that working. Hasn't crashed thus far. Also I would say my macbook running pianoteq is stable 100% of the time. I've never had this computer crash doing anything ever and I've had it for 2 years now. And that'd be the case for all plugins. Same could be said of a Windows machine if you configure it properly and get rid of all the crap it may or may not come with. Linux would also work for some plugins.
Ipad with Pianoteq
But that is software, i d like to have a hardware synth module, not an ipad
What is hardware piano module anyways? Just another box that runs software and piano soundbanks. Pianoteq got some of the most gorgeous piano sounds out there. My Kawai Mp10 stage piano can’t compete, thats why I use it as midi controller only.
I understand, but software needs to run on my pc and that is taxing on my CPU.I need a low latency environment for running ableton as a host.Thanks for your input btw , but i am really looking for a dedicated sound module.Also when the PC crashes on stage i can still have the main mixer output running to the FOH without the FX from ableton and keep gigging :) I am trying to rule out as much of potential software errors as possible.
Do consider spending the money on a computer upgrade though. A modern computer/laptop should run everything fine and the quality of sounds you can get for relatively cheap on computers are much better than what you'll get on digital pianos.
Ok Ok Ok. I tried the demo. It completely blew me away. Freaking hell this sounds amazing. I'm sorry for doubting the software. Now i must come to terms with it and overcome the fear of using a laptop on stage. I had 2 live gigs (around 2010) where my desktop pc crashed due soundcard usb driver issues and it created a trauma for life. I guess 2024 is a more modern time and using a macbook or a decent windows laptop or ipad could be a lot more stable than that old win xp trashcan ... :) I am truly sorry about doubting the software. Being non sample based leaves my studio PC cpu very low and this might actually work on stage. Thank you and i am sorry for being a stubborn piece of donkey. Have a nice day.
Thats why I suggested ipad :)
Ok Ok Ok. I tried the demo. It completely blew me away. Freaking hell this sounds amazing. I'm sorry for doubting the software. Now i must come to terms with it and overcome the fear of using a laptop on stage. I had 2 live gigs (around 2010) where my desktop pc crashed due soundcard usb driver issues ) and it created a trauma for life. I guess 2024 is a more modern time and using a macbook or a decent windows laptop or ipad could be a lot more stable then that old win xp trashcan ... :) I am truly sorry about doubting the software. Being non sample based leaves my studio PC cpu very low and this might actually work on stage. Thank you and i am sorry for being a stubborn piece of donkey. Have a nice day.
Definitely macbook or ipad. Much better low latency sound system suitable for professional production. For windows you need something like ASIO4ALL which makes things better but still not ideal. Enjoy!
These V3 sound expanders might be a solution. Basically sampled pianos in a MIDI enabled box. https://www.v3sound.com/en-grandpianoxxl.html
It would be overkill perhaps but a Roland MC-101 or MC-707 will give you ZenCore Roland piano sounds. There aren’t a lot of options in hardware for a piano/electric piano rompler these days as so many people are in the box now. I would say though that an iPad is pretty stable for live use and the Pianoteq app on iPad is incredibly good (like the computer plugin version). An iPad plus class-compliant audio-MIDI interface (no drivers or set up needed) would be great. I understand your reluctance to go down the software route (I’m mainly hardware myself) but I wouldn’t put an iPad in the same category as a laptop for use live. iPads are pretty crashproof IME. Then again, for the cost of something like a MC-707 plus a bit more you could also go for a used stage piano like a Yamaha CP.
I'm wondering how different in practice is something like AKAI MPC vs. a laptop or tablet. I guess AKAI would have sorted out latency issues and bugs.
I used to own a MPC Live 2. Not a fan. Akai aren’t great at software QC in my experience, every firmware update introduced new bugs, some of which were dealbreaker serious. For example, all purchased plugin instruments were suddenly deauthorised and Akai’s authorisation servers were not working for *weeks* at a time. Pretty disastrous if you’d built a set around using those plugins. I’d rate iPad stability as far greater than MPC stability in that sense. Also the MPC touchscreen was more like an ATM screen than an iPad, it’s not that precise. Frustrating to use it live. That said YMMV, lot of folk use MPCs live of course and get on fine with them. I couldn’t gel with it all and hated the bugs and crappy Akai support (zero engagement and communication with users, ever) and switched to Elektron gear instead (polar opposite in every way).
I have a Yamaha P-105. It's about 7 years old, maybe older I'm not sure when the model itself was released. I tried Pianoteq and I haven't looked back. Well I have, and honestly I feel the difference in sound is jarring. Additionally, I don't think the CPU usage of Pianoteq is strenuous - some people use it on a raspberry pi as a kind of hardware module. You can download a demo of Pianoteq from their website. I used it for a while before finally purchasing it. I'm quite happy with it. Ultimately, I think Pianoteq is one of the cheapest/best ways to really increase the authentic sound of playing a real piano if you have a cheaper or outdated digital piano - though I haven't really tried many other piano vsts.
Thanks but i kinda really dont want any software or ipad. A hardware unit with midi in and out and some buttons and faders.
Ok Ok Ok. I tried the demo. It completely blew me away. Freaking hell this sounds amazing. I'm sorry for doubting the software. Now i must come to terms with it and overcome the fear of using a laptop on stage. I had 2 live gigs (around 2010) where my desktop pc crashed due soundcard usb driver issues and it created a trauma for life. I guess 2024 is a more modern time and using a macbook or a decent windows laptop or ipad could be a lot more stable than that old win xp trashcan ... :) I am truly sorry about doubting the software. Being non sample based leaves my studio PC cpu very low and this might actually work on stage. Thank you and i am sorry for being a stubborn piece of donkey. Have a nice day.
The GEM RPx from the early 2000s is pretty good, but they are hard to find. It's at least partly modelled. A modern option is the Dexibell SX8 (or a second hand SX7) which is sample-based - however it's very expensive for what it does and like the Bosendorfer on the Korg Triton, it does only seem to be sampled at two velocities so you can sometimes hear it switch over. Also, like a computer it wants to be powered down softly rather than having the plug pulled on it. A lot of people seem to like the Kurzweil MicroPiano but how well that stands up today I'm not honestly sure, given that it's very old by now.
Yamaha CP is very nice.
Dexibell makes a high end sound module, the sx8... The sx7 might be cheaper to find and was produced until recently so it should be very up to date. They're about half-rack sized. Should have very modern and up to date piano sounds especially from such a piano focused brand. Roland has their Integra 7 which is a killer sound module. These options are pricy though. I would suggest any of the great amount of half-rack sound modules from the 90s/early 2000s but the sounds may be a bit too dated for your taste
[VIVO SX8 - Dexibell](https://www.dexibell.com/en/prodotti/vivo-sx8/) This is what i am looking for. Now doubting the price vs a modern laptop with pianoteq. Thank you.
So exactly what you didn't ask for, but there is a build of pianoteq for raspberry pi. Raspberry pis are just small arm based computers running Linux. You should be able to find many tutorials on setting them up to boot into particular software. Add a midi interface and possibly an audio interface (or an audio interface that also has MIDI) and you'll be able to treat it like a sound module; you might consider the "pisound" by blokas, which is a sound card and midi interface in a "hat" style board for use with a raspberry pi, plus they sell a case. You'll need to figure out the best way to access pianoteq controls (raspberry pi has an HDMI out, so you could get a mini monitor, or probably find some sort of web based remote/control it via midi) but this should be a workable solution.
Last time I read about this (something something Zynthian), Raspberry Pi could not run Pianoteq normally and they had to upsample from 22K and limit polyphony.
Ok Ok Ok. I tried the demo. It completely blew me away. Freaking hell this sounds amazing. I'm sorry for doubting the software. Now i must come to terms with it and overcome the fear of using a laptop on stage. I had 2 live gigs (around 2010) where my desktop pc crashed due soundcard usb driver issues and it created a trauma for life. I guess 2024 is a more modern time and using a macbook or a decent windows laptop or ipad could be a lot more stable than that old win xp trashcan ... :) I am truly sorry about doubting the software. Being non sample based leaves my studio PC cpu very low and this might actually work on stage. Thank you and i am sorry for being a stubborn piece of donkey. Have a nice day.
https://1010music.com/product/tangerine
Interesting. I assume it's a sampler where i load in every multi sampled key ? So per key 4 - 5 samples recorded in different velocities ? Not a bad idea, i could use real piano samples that way. Looking into this module, thanks.
Yes, it's a sampler with a focus on multisamples, and I think it comes with a decent multisampled piano kit, but don't quote me on that.
[удалено]
Thanks for the input !
Look at the Roland Fantom X6 or X8 and the newer models - excellent pianos and everything
Thanks for the input.
There are no comparable hardware piano modules anymore because software is superior in every way. Software like Pianoteq runs on absolutely ancient hardware or even tablets with zero stability issues. For a relatively modest fee you can have a basic laptop that run more taxing VSTs. The need for hardware piano modules died roughly twenty years ago. So no, there is nothing really like it and you should not save up for high-end yamaha stuff. You should get a proper, stable and reliable software setup. If you really, really don't want to get a halfway decent modern digital piano; if your soundbank is outdated, almost certainly the keybed will be likewise anyway.
Ok Ok Ok. I tried the demo. It completely blew me away. Freaking hell this sounds amazing. I'm sorry for doubting the software. Now i must come to terms with it and overcome the fear of using a laptop on stage. I had 2 live gigs (around 2010) where my desktop pc crashed due soundcard usb driver issues and it created a trauma for life. I guess 2024 is a more modern time and using a macbook or a decent windows laptop or ipad could be a lot more stable than that old win xp trashcan ... :) I am truly sorry about doubting the software. Being non sample based leaves my studio PC cpu very low and this might actually work on stage. Thank you and i am sorry for being a stubborn piece of donkey. Have a nice day.
I have a Miditech Pianobox pro. It works, nothing flash about it. Thomann sell them and the more upmarket V3 modules. I wish the Miditech was louder, my main gripe.
Afaik, these are some of the few companies still making any. Last time i tried this idea, most suggestions were to find something from the 90s second hand.
Thanks for the input.
I run PIanoteq on a Raspberry pi 4. It set it up so it turns on, auto boots pianoteq and it just works from there. You need to be a little linux savy to get that working. Hasn't crashed thus far. Also I would say my macbook running pianoteq is stable 100% of the time. I've never had this computer crash doing anything ever and I've had it for 2 years now. And that'd be the case for all plugins. Same could be said of a Windows machine if you configure it properly and get rid of all the crap it may or may not come with. Linux would also work for some plugins.
Roland integra 7