For several years I have been using various sample based Pianos in my music. My favourite up until now was Addictive Keys. And I thought that would be it. The only problem with sample libraries, of course, is the sheer size of the things: they take a lot of room!

Anyway, the other day I read a review of Modartt Pianotecq 5: a fully virtual piano . . . no sampling, just pure maths and modelling. As a result, next to nothing application size and no waiting for samples to load! I had heard about it years ago but never bothered with it!

I decided to give it a try.

And, yes, it blew me away: outside of a real piano, it doesn’t get much more real than this instrument: it really does sound and play like the real thing. There is a clarity and evenness of tone through all the notes, no sudden changes caused by sampling, looping etc. It feels organic and I can’t stop playing it!

Unlike a sampled instrument, which represents a specific instrument under certain conditions and limitations, the virtual piano can be anything you want. Want to detune the strings? Increase the hammer noise? Tune individual strings? You can even make it sound, like, totally far out! It even does fabulous harpsichords and electric pianos, too. My sampled harpsichord is rubbish compared to this thing.

If you play piano, you should check it out. It’s a revelation!