Is The Garritan CFX Still Good in 2024? Piano Library Review & Demo

00:00 Intro Song
00:54 Review Start
1:07 Garritan CFX Backstory
1:57 Mic Perspectives
2:34 Mic Perspectives Sound Demo
3:17 Plugin Walkthrough
4:36 Piano Page
6:48 Studio Page
9:35 Advanced Page
16:36 Final Thoughts
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[@ajotech]

Sounds amazing as well as your playing.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Appreciate it!

[@ArgoBeats]

Great review, man... still one of the best piano libraries out there

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Thank you! And yes, it definitely holds its weight!

[@ArgoBeats]

@@ZacBarnesMusic It surely does!

[@pinheiroartur3020]

The Name of the Game - Hello from Lisbon Portugal….I have that one but the lite version,I think I’m gonna update for the full version very soon…another wonderful video from you….how about those nice chords that you’re playing….Very good ..thank you for sharing you’re talent …very inspiring…great’s from me to you brother…(don’t forget to try the new Bosendorfer 280 of pianoteq)..

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Thanks for watching and will do!

[@mossball07]

CFX garritan is one of my favorite sample libraries out there, so happy to hear such gorgeous playing accompany it, keep up the amazing work! May I ask what is the piece that you played at 8:07 called?

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Thank you! And it is just a random improvisation I came up on the spot.

[@mossball07]

@@ZacBarnesMusicthat was improvisation? Holy cow nuggets, I really want to get to your level one day, loved the rhythm, progression and structure of that improvisation so much.

[@Mohamed36667]

I love garritan pianoteq 8 si great too

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Pianoteq is nice! Very low footprint as well

[@NeuroPete]

My favourite piano VSTs for playing solo are Garritan and Noire, which are both sampled from the Yamaha CFX grand. I suppose I just like the tone of that piano, which sounds intimate without being muffled. The Steinway pianos sound too brash to me. I agree that Garritan has all the controls it needs, and that the velocity response is critical for expressivity, to take full advantage of the 20 velocity layers. I like the player perspective and the ability to adjust mic levels. I set up one user preset with the settings the way I like, and I rarely use the factory presets now. Is Garritan CFX still relevant in 2024? I think yes! It was released in May of 2014, but to me, it is still among the best sounding piano VSTs out there.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Great take. I agree that the Yamaha CFX has a very distinct and timeless sound. As far as Garritan, when you make something right once, ya don't have to remake it again later!

[@jeffmurray9418]

First thank you for the review! Second how does Garritan compare to the pianos in your Nord? Thanks again

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

I'll have to make a video on that!

[@jeffmurray9418]

It would be unique on KZbin, haven’t seen a comparison anywhere. Thanks again!

[@johntarallo1882]

Has Garritan upgraded its software to M2 specs? I had it on my old system but won’t work on my new.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

I’m not sure as I’m on the m1 system.

[@sylux6985]

Hey, I have some questions since I’m completely new to VSTs. My Laptop has an Intel Core i5-9300H processor with 16gb RAM. Is this good enough to run the vst with the standalone player? (I don’t have a DAW yet) I also thought about buying a better Laptop and also a DAW in the future. If I buy the VST, is it possible to transfer it to my new laptop if i get one? I would be really happy for any type of advice! Thank you!

[@NeuroPete]

I ran it in the standalone player on a Core i5 (7300 I think) laptop with 8 GB and SSD and it ran fine, though it took more than 3 minutes to load, the fan noise was very loud, and I had to close all other programs. I was able to run it in a DAW with a few other tracks, but it would probably not handle much more. Now I have an Apple M1 Max MacBook with 64 GB for less restrictions with large sample libraries and many tracks. Garritan loads in less than 10 seconds, and I have never heard the fans. I seem to recall that moving the license from one computer to another is not too hard, but I don't remember how it is done. I don't think you can just move the files. You have to download again using their special downloader. You are allowed to run it on up to two computers, but not at the same time.

[@sylux6985]

@@NeuroPete Thanks a lot you for your help. I guess it would work on my current laptop, but I also thought about buying a Mac Book for better performance and to use a DAW. Is SSD necessary or is there any other equipment I need to have?

[@NeuroPete]

@@sylux6985 You must run sample libraries from an SSD, either an external SSD or the one built in to your computer. HDDs are too slow but are cheaper for backing up. Most Mac music creators who want lots of sample library storage opt for external SSDs because they MUCH cheaper. They are a little slower, but not much. I like the convenience of not having to mount/unmount drives all the time, so I spent a ton of money for a big SSD in my MacBook.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

If you're going to run sample libraries I highly recommend SSDs. If you are on a budget I recommend pianoteq as that does not require RAM. (still sounds great as well) But Garritan is pretty huge haha can't lie to ya!

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Thanks for chiming in with such valuable feedback!

[@ephascus8974]

We need a strings video 🤲🏾

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

I actually have string libraries and love writing with them. I'll have to do one!

[@ephascus8974]

@@ZacBarnesMusic please!!🤲🏾🧎🏾

[@clothes4060]

I have 2, one is garritan, one is ivory 2+3. but I like the stability even at 2048 buffer size of the garritan, not like ivory 2+3 (It's need supper ultra low buffer size to stability about 512 or below)

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

I used ivory a long time ago…I felt like they fell behind in the quality of their sound compared to the new comers. I’ll have to check them out again.

[@clothes4060]

@@ZacBarnesMusic idk. the sound maybe good, but the latency in reaper and cubase annoy me, But it doesnt happen in FL studio (I have not a good impress at FL studio because of import pedals sustain so I think FL automation idk) but with 2 daw >one so I think the problem is the latency of ivory...

[@mfurman]

I am curious why you did not even mention VSL Synchron CFX VST.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

Because it’s tough to keep track of ALL the instrument libraries that are out there. 😮‍💨

[@mfurman]

@@ZacBarnesMusic VSL is probably the most important library of all 😊

[@1999tavon1]

How much are your lessons dude? killing.

[@ZacBarnesMusic]

I each private starting at $60 and I also have piano courses

[@Quick69Flicks]

Wait 60 per session??​@@ZacBarnesMusic