Pianoteq 9 Standard Acoustic Piano Software Download

Pianoteq is an award-winning physically modelled virtual instrument that reproduces the playability, resonance, and expressive nuances of real acoustic instruments. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and even on select ARM-based boards such as the Raspberry Pi. Pianoteq operates both in standalone mode and as a plug-in in VST, AAX, and AudioUnits hosts. Its tiny file size allows fast installation and minimal system load, making it suitable for laptops and high-performance studio setups alike.

Version 9 introduces an enhanced soundboard model that delivers richer stereo imaging, greater spatial depth, and a highly organic, evolving tone. All grand pianos have been meticulously revoiced for maximum realism and expressiveness. The expanded sound palette includes cinematic Sombre presets, delicate Felt presets for historical instruments, and updated Binaural modes for immersive headphone listening. Electric pianos, including MKII and Reeds, respond dynamically across the keyboard, providing expressive, nuanced performance.

We have collaborated with world-renowned piano manufacturers — Steinway & Sons, Steingraeber, Bechstein, Blüthner, Grotrian, and Petrof — who have all approved the sound and playability of their physically modelled concert grand pianos in Pianoteq.

Taking full advantage of physical modeling, a morphing feature lets you combine multiple instruments to create unheard, organic sounds. Pianoteq Pro expands upon Standard’s capabilities with professional-grade tools, enabling unprecedented control over the piano’s character and performance.

Extraordinary Sound Shaping

Pianoteq 9 Standard offers unique powerful tools to enhance and modify the sound, such as changing the unison width, hammer hardness, and string length. You can now place up to 8 virtual microphones around the instrument in a fully revamped 3D panel and load external reverb impulse files. You can morph and layer instruments together. You can upgrade to the PRO version at any time. Pianoteq Standard comes with three instrument packs of your choice.

The possibility to shape the sound through physical parameters is an extraordinary feature that cannot be found in any other piano software. With just a few mouse clicks, you can achieve things that would require hours, or even weeks, by piano technicians to adapt on real acoustic pianos.

Some things can hardly be done in the real world, such as changing the string length from a mini grand of 1m/3.3ft to an imaginary giant grand of 10m/33ft. You can even modify the mechanical properties of the soundboard. New exciting possibilities open up as you explore the parameters and discover sounds that you have never heard or thought of before.

Presets from the FXP Corner

Users of the Standard version can make full use of all exciting presets created by other users (available in the FXP corner), including those created by Pianoteq PRO users: any preset created with Pianoteq Standard or Pianoteq PRO produces exactly the same sound in Pianoteq Standard and Pianoteq PRO.

Microphones setting

Similar to what professional audio engineers do when recording, you can place up to 8 microphones anywhere around the instrument in a redesigned 3D space interface. By adjusting microphones, you are able to quickly shape the colour and presence of the sound.

Fifteen directional microphones of well-known brands are modelled, increasing the palette of available sound colours.

A streamlined mixer is available for combining the microphones into multiple output channels, with the possibility to adjust separately level and delay. In binaural mode, for headphone usage, a head model is used for simulating the sound heard by a person located where the head is placed in the interface. The head can be rotated in any direction and even its size can be changed.

Features

• 3 Included instrument packs
• VST, AU, AAX, NKS, Standalone
• EQ, velocity curve, reverb unit
• Preset (fxp) loading
• Piano model tweaking
• Advanced tuning
• Microphones setting (up to 8 in 3D space)
• Loads external reverb impulses
• Instrument morphing and layering
• Note-per-note edit: volume, detune, attack envelope

Tech Specs

MAC OS

Mac OS X 10.11 or later
Plugins: VST-2, VST-3, AU, AAX, STAND-ALONE

WINDOWS

Windows Windows 7 or later
Plugins: VST-2, VST-3, AAX, STAND-ALONE