Spitfire Intimate Grand Piano Review

[@skyhr]

This plugin is absolutely beautiful. Spitfire really outdid themselves here. I bought it as soon as I watched the trailer. For 29 usd, I think it's worth it, especially for the price.

[@ImpliedMusic]

agreed. it's pretty much a no-brainer.

[@TemmeSikkema]

What a splendid presentation by a skilled pianist. Very helpful

[@ImpliedMusic]

Thanks Temme, glad it was useful!

[@MartinHeidenreichMusic]

Under your hands every piano library sounds great....even with only 3 velocity layers. WOW

[@testowykana1763]

I'm mostly a hip hop producer/beatmaker. I bought several of the "Originals" series plugins, intimate grand piano included and... It's been a wonderful experience to compose film music! The way of composing such music is completely different, it's not about making a one, 5 second loop that is supposed to be as fun to listen to as possible, but you as a composer have to focus of on macro dynamics, how the song evolves. The sound of the revieved grand piano is so fantastic, so "familiar" sounding, that just by playing something simple it immediately has this special, "cinematic" atmosphere to it. I use those plugins even in urban genres! I enjoy composing with this kind plugins so much, that I'm planning to buy either BBC Core or Symphobia when there is a sale.

[@NeuroPete]

I bought this library a week or two ago. Thanks for this review. It helps me understand the controls a little better, even though I had watched Spitfire's walkthrough. I especially appreciate your observations in areas that other piano library reviewers don't seem to notice, such as the skillful tuning that brings out the beautiful beat frequencies that wind through the air. I'm amazed at how good this library is, considering its modest US$29 price and 4 GB size. My favorite is still the Garritan CFX, but that is 20 dynamic layers, numerous controls, 300 GB and $200. I wanted a smaller, simpler library for multitrack compositions. I have a few felt pianos libraries as well, but as you pointed out, one doesn't always want that sound. The intimate and gentle tone of this piano fits the type of quiet music I like to make, yet it fits the bill when I want a more realistic sounding piano.

[@ImpliedMusic]

Yes. And thanks for the additional thoughts. Piano sample libraries are numerous, but this one makes a convincing argument.

[@ImpliedMusic]

…and now I’m going to dust off my CFX grand and remind myself what it’s like. I don’t think I’ve run it on my current computer. It has a “pristine “ or “heavenly “ type mode that ground my previous Mac to a halt.

[@tendingtropic7778]

which felt library do you have and enjoy?

[@ImpliedMusic]

@@tendingtropic7778 i've got a felt piano shootout video that might interest you.

[@NeuroPete]

@@tendingtropic7778 Most of the libraries I have with Felt pianos: Noire, Una Corda, Piano Colors, Spitfire: Olafur Arnolds Composer Toolkit, Originals Felt Piano, Oliver Patrice Weder Pool Project, Labs Tape Piano, Labs soft piano. My favourites are Noire, Una Corda and the free Spitfire Labs Soft Piano.

[@lmzn500]

The playing was so lovely! Very informative review. Thank you!

[@OfficialStevenCravis]

Beautiful playing. Great demo, explanations. I love your points about realistic and good tuning.

[@xmateosx]

Wow! Last time I heard anything close to what you just played was on Bourbon St on the strip. This piano sounds really good.

[@ImpliedMusic]

#goalsachieved 😆

[@methodLDZ]

Amazing playing!

[@calebpaxton972]

Omg, man! Pretty sure you could make even my kids crappy toy piano sound magical 😍

[@ImpliedMusic]

😆

[@desoconnor7445]

I like your review of this instrument and the learning from your analysis of the sound and the guidance on how to improve the performance to taste. The truth is I can never have to many virtual or real pianos ..they are all individuals .. all friends to explore with , however in terms of value this instrument beats my 1950 virtual Steinway instrument . 🙏🙏🏿🎩

[@charliemcgrain]

Many thanks. Great playing, sir. $29 bucks! I got it and love it. The felts have their place, obviously, but not always easy to mix with that foggy bottom end.

[@jeffb1886]

Great review, and great presentation!! Thanks!! Perhaps like you, I was surprised and abit disappointed by the lack of variability in the volume/velocity and tone/timbre. Soft key play does not result in soft sounds...and vice versa on the loud side. ;-( I guess for $29, one gets what one pays for. Were you able to find a combination of preset and/or mic type and level that gives some increased variability?? And out of curiosity, are you using a headphone DAC/amp or other separate interface, or just plugging them directly into your computer?

[@ImpliedMusic]

Agreed, the dynamics are very limited. I think it’s a question of finding the sweet spot for a specific track. great for the price. I use an audio interface, yeah.

[@JoelVega]

I'm wondering if there is a piano library with similar price & size that sounds less muted and intimate? Spitfire just released a free piano, Autograph Grand. It has the sound that I need but since it's free there aren't many settings and dynamic layers.. And their paid pianos seem to be on the softer side.

[@ImpliedMusic]

I just did a review of three free pianos, including Autograph. Check out that review for the third piano though, I think it’ll be a pleasant surprise

[@OfficialStevenCravis]

12:21 time marker in description is accidentally written as 12:221

[@ImpliedMusic]

thanks... appreciate the catch, and the support.

[@jakeskate1998]

can you check out the originals jangle box piano? I like it a lot

[@ImpliedMusic]

i ought to, yeah. i've got another library of that instrument, the Abbey Road Challen upright, that i use, but i'm betting their version is awesome.

[@dm7ify]

'The Catholic Church of sample players' 😂

[@ImpliedMusic]

I made myself laugh with that too. No disrespect to the pope, of course.

[@robertsteinberger5667]

What is played at 4:44?

[@ImpliedMusic]

Not playing there… but all this is just improvisation

[@floridavideosbyjeffreyscot6910]

Pretty much every Spitfire piano that I have …when I play it , it sounds like it’s underwater or in the other room. I guess the term would be muted? Is there anyway to tweak it out for not to sound so garbled?

[@ImpliedMusic]

You can decrease the dynamic range to bring out the snap on this one. That said, it’s designed to be ‘intimate’, which yeah, translates to mellow.