Pianoteq

Pianoteq is the result of an academic research and results in what we call the fourth piano generation. This is the very first, and only, piano available that belongs to this generation.

First generation: acoustic piano (1698)
Second generation: electro acoustic piano (1929)
Third generation: sampled piano (1984)
Fourth generation: modelled piano (2006)

The first generation of pianos began with Cristofori's pianoforte in 1698 which came to maturity at the end of the 19th century with the acoustic grand pianos. It was followed in the 20th century by the second generation electro-acoustic pianos and the third generation sampled pianos where each note is a recording of how it sounded during a specific moment in time, not taking into account the complexity of the instrument.

Pianoteq is the first and only piano belonging to the fourth generation, developed in order to go beyond the limitations of the third generation and to become a versatile and innovating tool. It is in fact the first virtual piano factory — it can produce new brands as well as copies of historical instruments.

Features:
- The piano sound is constructed in real time, responding to how the pianist strikes the keys and interacts with the pedals.
- It includes the entire complexity of a real piano (hammers, strings, duplex scale, pedals, cabinet).
- No quantization noise (32-bit internal sampling at 48 KHz).
- Real progressive variation of the timbre (127 velocities per note).
- Adjustable hammer hardness (voicing) and other similar parameters.
- Adjustable unison width (tuning) and other similar parameters.
- Adjustable piano size (soundboard) and other similar parameters.
- Adjustable spectrum profile, based on the first 8 overtones.
- Progressive sustain pedal, allowing partial-pedal effects.
- Sostenuto pedal, harmonic pedal and Una Corda (soft) pedal.
- Very fast to install and initialize.
- Total size is just 8 MB (MegaBytes).
- It can be used successfully with a laptop (low hardware requirements).
- Adjustable optional samples of acoustic noises (pedal and key release).
- Built-in graphic equalizer with freely adjustable key points.
- Built-in graphic velocity curve with keyboard presets.
- Built-in reverb unit with presets.