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Pianoteq – Is Sampling Becoming Obsolete?

Benn Jordan | March 29, 2026



I finally got around to checking out Pianoteq, and my mind was rightfully blown by how incredibly accurate their physical modelling algorithms have become.

Written by Benn Jordan

Comments

This post currently has 28 comments.

  1. @trimle4

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    Your comparing of a Steinway model in Pianoteq with Kontakt sample libraries like The Giant and The Maverick seems to me a little stupid. Of course they are different! The Grandeur in Kontakt is a Steinway and would be more relevant, or The Maverick against the Bechstein in Pianoteq.

    I love having all the possibilities in Pianoteq, but still the good sample libraries like Noire, The Pearl, Hammersmith Pro, Keyscape ect. do have a natural warmth in my ears, that is missing in modeled pianos.

  2. @Emil_m

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    Detuning is pretty cool, main reason I got “Standard” version. When done very mildly it just opens up the sound without actually making it sound out of tune. Kinda like detuning synths, for the same reasons.

  3. @Chalisque

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    I have used Pianoteq since 3. I have 7 standard and, to be honest, don't use anything that Stage doesn't have. One of the days I'll look more into it, but as an instrument you can just sit down and play I massively prefer it to the sampled ones that come with Komplete.

  4. @lundsweden

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    IMO I am totally satisfied with Pianoteq Stage. The presets are perfectly crafted, I actually like it that there's less stuff to fiddle with. Less distraction= more playing.

  5. @Budch

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    It would be nice if they added a feature when you, for example, beat the last fuck out of the instrument and/or play it for a while, the piano is actually would detune

  6. @agamaz5650

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    5 years I would say no. But after Modartt released Pianoteq 8 which even has acoustic guitar and Organteq, I can say, yes it has became obsolete. You can listen to voljum dayscapes EP, he used physical modelling software mostly, and samples only for drums and effects obviously.

  7. @Jazzmaster58

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    I don't think Pianet has hammers, it has some glue covered tips that when pulled away from the "string", the glue brings the string along to 'till it can't hold no more, kind like a clavichord or such. About "Kontakt" pianos Did you try "Omnisphere"'s grand ? It's a lot better than "Kontakt". Well you're a wizard, as I am writing you're answering in real time as if you guessed what I'm writing, time traveller too, since your video has four years.

  8. @Jazzmaster58

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    Wow, who was your piano teacher, Liberace ? Just joking, the first idea was, is "Autumn Leaves" the only song you cannot play in the piano, I am jealous of your Teddy Wilson's block chords and McCoy Tyner's fourths man, you play more piano than me and I actually studied piano.

  9. @JazzyFizzleDrummers

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    Not sold on the vibe and percussion modeling. Maybe because I'm hearing them irl every day. The steel pan (not drum, they have many notes on one surface. "PANchromatic" if you will) is just ok. I know far less about piano, but that seems to be this synths main focus. If I liked the sound of a piano better I might save up for this.

  10. @Leptune-Frequencies

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    Samples have their place, personally pianoteq feels so unnatural. The upper registers are so bright and loud compared to the lower end. I still prefer a lot of the pianos in hardware romplers, but I always reach out to my grand piano.

  11. @williamsharkey

    March 29, 2026 at 6:08 pm

    I didn't notice any parameters that would not lend themselves to changing in real time. Might be fun to see how far you can take it, and sequence rapid preset changes every 8th note. For rhythmic textures. Even just holding a chord and have the presets change rapidly.

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