Do you have good piano library in your setup? If you don’t, please keep reading as we have some good options that are not only good in sound quality, but affordable so it doesn’t hit the pockets.
Now, depending on your DAW, you might already have a fantastic sounding piano at your disposal, one that doesn’t eat up a tone of harddrive space, but if you don’t, here are few I’d love for you to consider.
What Makes A Good Piano Sample Library?
When I was learning music, a older producer told me “A piano is a piano, man, just pick one” That might be true for some people, but for me, the piano you have in your template matters A LOT!
Here’s what you should look for
Sound Quality – You want something that sounds realistic. High quality piano libraries usually have multiple layers of sound (also called velocity layers), so when you play softly, you get a soft tone, and when you hit hard, you get a bright, powerful sound.
Articulations & Dynamics – Good piano libraries let you control how the piano behaves. Do you need soft pedal sounds? Staccato notes? Sustained notes with a natural fade? These things matter.
Mic Positions – My world opened up when I first saw the ability to adjust the piano’s lid (open/closed) as well as move the mic positioning around to adjust the tone and room sound of the piano.
CPU & RAM Usage – Some piano sample libraries take up a large amount of space. This is needed to hold all the multi samples.
More Piano Sample Libraries to Check Out
Brandenburg Piano by IK Multimedia
Brandenburg Piano is a meticulously sampled 1958 Bechstein grand piano, offering rich and warm tones suitable for various genres.
Why It’s Good:
- High Quality Samples: Over 1 GB of content with 500+ stereo samples, capturing nuances from delicate pianissimos to fortissimos.
- Versatility: Ideal for classical, jazz, pop, and more, making it a versatile addition to any producer’s toolkit.
- Customization: Includes 10 instruments and a new soundboard Impulse Response for the Acoustic Resonance effect, allowing for personalized sound shaping.
Specifications:
- Content Size: Over 1 GB
- Sample Count: More than 500 stereo samples
- Instruments Included: 10
- Compatibility: Standalone, VST 2, VST 3, AU, AAX formats
- System Requirements: Windows 7 or later / macOS 10.10 or later; 4 GB RAM (8 GB suggested); 3.5 GB of free disk space
Best For: Producers and composers seeking an authentic grand piano sound with flexibility across multiple genres.
Putty Piano by Riot Audio
A more experimental upright piano with dampened strings, delivering a unique, muted, and intimate sound.
Why It’s Good:
- Distinctive Sound: Using poster putty on the strings creates a balance between resonance and a sharp, rubbery attack, offering a fresh take on traditional piano tones.
- Characterful Instrument: Sampled from a vintage 1950s British upright piano, full of quirks and personality.
- Additional Layers: Features mechanical noises, human elements, and an optional “Body” layer combining Ebow-driven strings and sine waves for added depth.
Specifications
- Sample Content: 1.03 GB
- Sampling Rate: 24-bit / 48 kHz
- Additional Features: Hammer release, sustain pedal, and player noise layers; Lexicon Digital Reverb Modeling
- Compatibility: Requires full retail version of Kontakt 5.8 or higher
Best For: Producers looking to add a unique, character rich piano sound to their music. The library works really well for genres like lo-fi, indie, and ambient music.
Dione Acoustic Piano by Muze
A comprehensive Steinway D-274 Concert Grand sample library offering a realistic and organic piano experience.
Why It’s Good
- Authentic Sound: Sampled in a beautiful sounding room, capturing the instrument’s natural warmth and detail.
- Extensive Sampling: Features 12,398 samples with 10 dynamic layers per key, ensuring expressive playability.
- Versatile Microphone Positions: Offers 10 microphone positions, including Close, Inside, Outside, Room, and more, allowing for customizable soundscapes.
Specifications
- Sample Count: 12,398
- Dynamic Layers: 10 per key
- Microphone Positions: 10
- Library Size: 21.91 GB (compressed to 10 GB)
- Compatibility: Requires full version of Kontakt 5.8 or higher
Best For: Musicians and producers seeking a high-quality, versatile piano library suitable for classical compositions, film scoring, and more.
Check out Dione Acoustic Piano
C-Series Piano Bundle by Sampletekk
A collection of sampled grand pianos, each offering unique tonal characteristics for diverse musical styles.
Why It’s Good
- Variety: Includes multiple grand piano models, providing a range of sounds from bright and clear to warm and mellow.
- Detailed Sampling: Features extensive dynamic layers and multiple microphone positions for realistic and expressive performances.
- Value: Offers a comprehensive set of high-quality pianos at an accessible price point.
Specifications
- Library Size: Over 6.3 GB
- Sample Count: 2,600+ samples
- Included Pianos: Four custom pianos, each with distinct sound profiles
- Compatibility: Requires full version of Kontakt
Best For Producers and composers looking for a versatile piano bundle that covers a wide range of tonal possibilities for various genres.
Alternative Piano Libraries For Different Styles
For Hip-Hop & R&B
Keyscape (Spectrasonics) – Super detailed, warm, and rich. It also contains lots of good sounding presets that ready to go!
Addictive Keys (XLN Audio) – Smooth and soulful, great for lo-fi beats, Hiphop, Pop, Country, Jazz. Very versatile piano library
Neo Soul Keys Studio 2 (Gospel Musicians) – Classic electric pianos that blend well with hip-hop and R&B.
For Pop & EDM
These pianos come stock when you purchase a big library like Native Instruments Komplete.
Alicia’s Keys (Native Instruments) – Bright, clean, and radio-ready.
The Giant (Native Instruments) – Huge sound that cuts through a mix.
Maverick (Native Instruments) – Balanced and expressive, great for layered pop productions.
For Film Scoring & Orchestral
Hans Zimmer Piano (Spitfire Audio) – A big, cinematic grand piano.
Noire (Native Instruments) – Deep, moody, and highly customizable.
Ravenscroft 275 (VI Labs) – Realistic and full of character.
For Jazz & Blues
EZKeys Upright (Toontrack) – Vintage and raw, perfect for jazz.
Salamander Grand Piano (Free) – A great free option with a natural sound.
Fazioli F228 (Production Voices) – Smooth, dynamic, and rich in detail.
Good Stock Pianos in Modern DAWs
Not every producer needs an expensive 3rd party piano library. Many DAWs come with solid sounding pianos (stock) that can get the job done without additional costs.
Here’s a look at some of the best stock piano instruments from Reason, FL Studio, and Ableton Live.
Reason Studios Radical Piano
Radical Piano is a physically modeled instrument that gives you deep control over your piano sound.
Why It’s Good:
- Unlike sampled pianos, Radical Piano uses modeling, meaning low CPU usage and endless flexibility.
- 3 main piano models: Home Grand, Deluxe Grand, and Upright.
- Blend mic positions to create different tones (close, room, and ambiance).
- Has a “Character” knob that adds warmth or brightness.
- Built-in reverb and EQ for quick sound shaping.
- Great for lo-fi, jazz, and experimental sounds because of its tweakable nature.
FL Studio’s FL Keys (This is a Classic)
FL Keys is a lightweight, straightforward piano instrument. It’s a little cheesy sounding, but that’s perfect for some genres of music (Trap), and it’s also good enough to get some quick ideas down.
Why It’s Good:
- Low CPU usage, making it great for layering or sketching ideas.
- Includes basic grand, electric, and Rhodes-style pianos.
- Attack, decay, sustain, and release controls for sound shaping.
- Works well with external effects (adding reverb and EQ helps polish the tone).
- Super fast loading, making it great for quick beat-making sessions.
Ableton Live 12’s Grand Piano
Ableton Live’s Grand Piano is a sampled instrument. It is very usable, only available in Ableton, by design.
Why It’s Good:
- Sampled from a real grand piano, offering a more natural sound than FL Keys.
- Different velocity layers make it more expressive when played dynamically.
- Adjustable room settings allow for different reverb and space effects.
- Minimal CPU impact, making it great for layering in dense projects.
- Works well with Ableton’s built-in effects for added warmth and color.
How To Make Any Piano Library Sound Better
No matter what piano sample you use, a few tweaks can make it sound better in your mix:
Add Reverb & Delay – A little room reverb makes a piano feel more natural. Too much can make it sound distant.
EQ The Mids & Lows – If the piano sounds muddy, cut some low mids (200-400Hz). If it’s too bright, reduce some highs (5kHz+).
Use Compression Sparingly – Light compression keeps the dynamics in check without squashing the life out of it.
Layer With Other Sounds – Try doubling the piano with a pad or a subtle synth to make it thicker.
Add Saturation – A touch of tape or tube saturation can add warmth and character.
Conclusion
A good piano library won’t make or break your music production, but they are wonderful to have especially if piano is what you use within your music or for sketching out ideas.
Test out different options, tweak the settings, and find what works best for your sound. And if you already use a great piano library, drop a comment and let us know which one and why.
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Common Questions New Music Producers Ask About Piano Sample Libraries - Answers Are Subjective
1. Do Free Piano Libraries Sound Good?
Yes, some free ones sound great. They might not have as much detail as paid versions, but they can still work in a mix.
2. What’s The Best Piano Library For Beginners?
Something simple and easy to use. Avoid ones with too many settings if you just need a solid sound.
3. Why Do Some Pianos Sound Fake In A Mix?
Could be too much reverb, not enough dynamic variation, or poor velocity sensitivity. Adjusting the settings can help. Some pianos, depending on how they were created simply lack depth.
4. How Much Storage Do Piano Libraries Need?
Some are small, but detailed libraries can take up 50GB or more. Make sure you have space before buying.
5. Can I Use These In Any DAW?
Most piano libraries will work in any DAW, but some need Kontakt or another sampler. Always check before and double check before parting with money as often times, plugins aren’t refundable.
6. What’s The Difference Between A Grand Piano And An Upright In A Library?
Grand pianos sound bigger and fuller, while uprights have a more personal, close-up sound.
7. How Do I Make a Piano Cut Through a Mix?
Use EQ to carve out unnecessary low frequencies and boost the presence range (around 3kHz-5kHz). Adding transient shaping or a slight attack boost can help, and layering the piano with a subtle synth pad can give it more presence.
8. Should I Use a Sustain Pedal When Programming MIDI Pianos?
It depends on the style. A sustain pedal can add realism to solo piano parts, but too much can muddy the mix. If using MIDI, automate sustain for a natural feel instead of holding it constantly.
9. What’s the Best Way to Humanize MIDI Piano Performances?
Trying adjusting note velocity so all the notes don’t play at the same level. Slightly shifting the note timing also helps. You can even add subtle tempo changes or using a MIDI humanization feature if you DAW has any.
10. How Do I Get a Warm, Vintage Piano Tone?
Use tape saturation or a vinyl effect to add warmth and or older tape like sounds. Rolling off some high end (above 10kHz) with an EQ can also help. A soft reverb with a short decay can make the piano feel more vintage.
