Which Brand has the BEST Felt Piano Sound? - Spitfire Vs. Native Vs. Olarfur Arnalds

Can a felt piano software instrument, sound as good as the real deal? Find out as Jack & Dan take a look at the popular rise of felt piano samples, & shootout some of our industries top brands! From Spitfire Audio to Native Instruments: Which would you choose? ➡️ tinyurl.com/yy2hsfzn
» Roland A-88MKII 88-Note Midi Keyboard | tinyurl.com/y56lot6d
» Check out Spitfire Audio's Website | www.spitfireaudio.com/
» LABS By Spitfire Audio Free Sampled Instruments | labs.spitfireaudio.com/
With companies such as Spitfire Audio & Native Instruments creating ever more realistic software instruments, the demand for felt piano samples has been ever more increasing. Ranging from Free downloads to VST packages, trying to find the most realistic sample can be tough. In our Blindfold Challenge, Jack & Dan test out feel, response & tonality to show you which software instrument deserves your money!
↪️ Episode Guide ↩️
» 0:00 The Ultimate Felt Piano VST Shootout
» 1:52 Piano Sample 1 Blindfold Challenge
» 3:00 What Is a Felt Piano?
» 3:46 Piano Sample 2 Blindfold Challenge
» 5:20 Piano Sample 3 Blindfold Challenge
» 6:26 Piano Sample 4 Blindfold Challenge
» 7:35 First Impressions
» 8:30 How do They Sound with No Reverb?
» 14:05 Final Results...
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#Andertons #BlindfoldChallenge #FeltPianoSamples

[@TheCrowHillCo]

Wow, this is incredibly moving for me, I recorded that piano sample 12 years ago.

[@rocketsciencemusic5398]

incredible. and I'm sure I've heard that thing everywhere haha? truly a classic!

[@jackduxbury1632]

Mr Henson, I can assure you it's even more moving for me to see you pop up in the comments Sir. You are a genuine and true inspiration to me in all manner of ways and I only hope I didn't do you or your beautiful sample libraries any disservice with my incessant waffle 🧇 Thank goodness for Dan who I think showed off perfectly what makes your instruments so moving and so special. Sending all the love and respect in the World to you and the rest of the Spitfire Superheroes X

[@aviatedviewssound4798]

christian henson you have given the world some of your greatest creations

[@junkheadrooster]

That was the first piano sound that actually made me feel like oomf I'm now playing something that sounds real...back when I was just starting out and learning (still am) how to actually use a DAW and plugins and stuff, LABS and that sound made me want to play so much. Thank you, Christian

[@50weeks]

Thank you for changing so many lives! A huge reason I decided to keep creating is how beautiful your instrument sounds

[@caydilemma3309]

Y'all got Dan blindfolded so much that he's starting to move his head like Stevie Wonder lmao

[@whiteninja2006]

When he played the second one... I really *felt* that...

[@smiley.exe.5928]

I see what you did there.

[@tomsl36]

1 Soft Piano 11:33 2 Cinematic Soft Piano 10:47 3 Felt Piano 9:10 4 Noir Felt 10:00

[@geoffwebber8272]

Great - Love the fact that this channel has moved beyond just showing stuff that they sell in the shop!

[@ScarterOfficial]

Yea but what needs to be considered is, that with the free spitfire labs (and also original) felt piano you have almost 0 adjustment options, which makes it really hard to fit into a mix with many instruments. With Noire you can make changes to every single detail of the Piano. I recently set up a production starting with the spitfire pianos and I just couldn't make it sound good together. So I switched to N.I. Noire, made some small tweaks for it to sit in the mix and it sounds AWESOME! So Noire is a Piano that wants(!) to be adjusted and gives you soooo many option beside of the FX and particle engine options which are a huge inspirational and sound design add on. Also they offer a "pure" version. Dont forget about that :) BTW the Song that I was talking about, produced with Noire, will be released soon, right after my upcoming Iceland Soundtrack.

[@evan_ack]

I think Jack is just coming up with as many comparisons as possible just to hear bingerz play

[@walwin]

thanks for putting this together lads! Brilliant video. Instantly went and copped the Spitfire Labs stuff 😍

[@ChrisCross8]

I absolutely love the Labs Soft Piano. I'm glad that it came out on top here and it sounded the best to me too, there's just something very emotional about it. But the Olafur Arnalds one and the cinematic soft piano were very nice as well.

[@ilyabudaev8026]

Cool studio, cool playing, very useful, thank you!

[@KirkMonteux]

With this bad ass player any piano library will sound fkn amazing

[@ROQSTAR]

Great review!

[@Patzelinski]

I own all these and always use the labs when it comes to recording felt piano via midi. Glad I'm not alone..

[@samprock]

Nicely played! I mean played-played, and enjoyed the intrigue presentation :)

[@audioedges]

Great video! Super helpful!

[@LemonJelly360]

Incredible stuff. Would it be possible to do a video showing maybe the cheapest -> expensive methods to utilise patches? Pro’s and con’s of the cheaper/expensive models? What other equipment you will need etc.

[@oniricsounds]

super helpful video!! thanks!!!😀

[@Apafockl]

Dan, you such a wonderful piano player... I love your vibe and style 👏🏻 🎹

[@stenaldomehilli8809]

Wow! I badly want to give a strong hug to both of you, for the splendid music you do and for the modesty you bring into all your videos. You're excellent! I heard of Spitfire a few years ago. I didn't know what terms like VSTS or DAW meant back then, but I was nevertheless acquainted with digital pianos. I could not accept the sounds of strings, be it orchestral or solo, that every digital piano', arranger or workstation more or less produces. That is how i found spitfire. When I heard their strings for the first time I was mesmerized... the sound was just incredible! They're the most difficult instruments to sample so when I heard how wonderfully spitfire did it, it kinda entered into my heart. Although there are a few very well done other libraries out there which sound splendid, I do have a special affection for spitfire. Warm greetings!

[@Gearsandco]

I simply love your videos

[@bernios3446]

I tried different (sampled) piano instruments, wasn't really convinced. Then Moddart added Felt sounds to Pianoteq and they instantly clicked with me. I only ever play that since... With the "Celeste" pedal every Pianoteq intrument and sound can be played as a Felt version.

[@guydanielclotilde4861]

I so love "felt" pianos! Thanks for the tests. The first one is my prefered and sounds the most realistic to me (the second is quite good too but is less clear than the first one, third one sound too "EP" at times, 4th has too much reverb for my taste but they are all top Sounds).

[@zombieman81]

Without knowing what they were the 2nd and 4th stood out. 4th has a bit more "mechanical noise" which sometimes I love, sometimes I feel is distracting... Spitfire Audio are just knocking it out of the park right now! I discovered them a few months ago when saw a video of Guy Michelmore preparing a track with the free version of the BBC orchestral library!

[@cresshead]

excellent video.. quality doesn't have to have a 'price' would love to see 88 key controller shootout too

[@AntonyBailey77]

I do love bit of J&B. Lovely lovely.

[@tonylancer7367]

Jack and the team, we are still waiting for a Rhodes shootout between Yamaha (Montage), Roland (Fantom), Korg (Kronos or SV-2), Nord and a virtual one (Keyscape, Scarbee 88 etc) with you and Dan aka D Bingerz. ⏲

[@ResAffolterSoundproductions]

Amazing Piano playing friend!!!!!!! 🌈🙏🏻🕊🌿👍🏻

[@epicon6]

I liked #4 the best. This could have gone many ways though because it depends on the preset.

[@peeckle1657]

Cinematic soft piano was amazing 🤩

[@etyrnal]

the best way to have compared these, is by MIDI recording the ONE performance, and then duplicated that same MIDI track three times, and given EACH track one of each of the different VSTi plugins, then rendered them to stereo tracks, and then just toggle thru them WHILE they are playing.

[@etyrnal]

thumbs up, if you like thumbs

[@paopereira1535]

In a video from Spitfire Audio, called "In action: Spitfire Symphonic Strings" (2016) I was impressed by the piano sound used. I found that it was the "Spitfire Felt Piano". Later, I found that the name of this piano sound changed into "Soft Piano". Source : video called "Product Feature- what is the Best Piano For drama ?"

[@geoffwebber8272]

Have you noticed that when Dan plays - time literally stands still! - Check his watch...

[@peeckle1657]

Man, Dan plays beautiful. Is there anyway MIDI files available for what he played in this video?

[@ocdude07]

The one edge that the Noire piano has is the whole "particle engine" thing that it has built in. It's great to put down piano as a "texture", but I agree with this ranking. The labs soft piano is just amazing sounding.

[@richmwhitfield]

Definitely. Also the Noire piano is a lot more flexible (tone wise) than the others. Not disagreeing with the outcome, but it's something to bear in mind.

[@jondarbymusic9958]

Thanks guys, fantastic video again, really helpful. Why no keyscape though?

[@Khordmaster]

I’m all about this! Lol at “nowhere in sight for me” 😂

[@fahimdawer]

I have Noire and it sounds amazing.......i will use it forevér......i just love it lush sound with effects.....

[@alectaylor75]

For me too the greatest piano to have.....by Nils Frahm ❤️

[@calbeats5409]

They’re all slightly different. Noire sounds more “quiet” and soft.

[@ruxiwang9571]

just don't understand why dan has to be blindfolded cuz as long as he doesn't look at the computer he wouldn't know which vst he's using.

[@20thcenturygames]

Ruxi Wang to show what a brilliant musician he is.

[@geoffwebber8272]

I think Jack realised this half way through the video!

[@mirr0rd]

Some say he can see the name of any VST on the wind

[@calbeats5409]

I didn’t realize until jack mentioned it… 🤦‍♂️

[@5amJones69]

Jack mate... I always get emotional talking about spitfires free products and what they've given to the community, too. :' )

[@disneytok]

When is Daniel back for more playing? Would be EXCELLENT to see 88 key midi controller comparision

[@jakob5947]

I felt that

[@disneytok]

Please do the 88 key midi comparison!

[@naturalrestingface4909]

Dan is morphing into Thom Yorke? Very nice chords.

[@MartinBergnerGuitar]

There are artifacts in many recordings here for example at 11:24 or 9:44 (I guess 9:44 happens cause you turned on the reverb) but to me it's not always clear where they come from... are these patches actually "clean"? Love the sound!

[@johnny_freeman]

1 & 3 IMO

[@torkildfoslistenseth8705]

I have a nord Electro 6 and would love to get a felt piano Sound on it. Does anyone know if it’s posible to get a sound like this?

[@obwanz1921]

JACK And D EFFING BINGERS!! Yahoo!! Bingers is playing some lovely shit!

[@sandys660]

Brilliant. Can you do one with mobile phone audio VST (iphone or android)

[@RaulTheMessenger]

What sound sample was the second one or where can I get it

[@indrawatulingas9355]

Try Fracture Sounds Midnight Grand

[@MilesAwayOfficial]

Olafur is one of the best

[@JayTheLane]

Wonderful but think your clipping level wise.

[@rossellis6679]

Agreed

[@ontheroad579]

Not sure if it's clipping of something else but I hear quite some noise

[@peeckle1657]

What's the song at 1:54?

[@reneeschke]

What is the last song he played? Its beautiful!

[@Okamiiee]

There’s always a white noise spike with the compression.. is there a way to remove that? Keyscape has a “de-noise” feature but it doesn’t quite remove all of it. Honestly.. I kinda like it but front of house don’t lol So just wondering

[@pianovoix]

what is the name of this amazing pianist please ?

[@donaldbaselisco4869]

I wish and i pray i could have my own keyboard. I've been playing for more than 15 yrs. without having my own key. I only use church keys.

[@davebellamy4867]

On the mobile phone, 2 sounded best to me, less detailed hearing of course! Number 4 sounds a bit like wood contrabass in the bass.

[@evanyoon1230]

I find that my favourite one was the second piano, anybody else?

[@tonylancer7367]

Yup, turns out it's free even. But the chords that Dan was playing, man...

[@JDTignor]

Where’s that hammer action controller video?

[@TamirOrkobysPiano]

the free felt piano is one layer dynamic and the cinematic one is the same piano but 3 layer dynamic. so its weird that the one with the one layer dynamic got the first placr over the same onw tih 3 layer dynamic.

[@robtrent4167]

Why no Keyscape or una-corda? Those tend to be my favs but I do love the soft piano

[@jackduxbury1632]

I forgot about Una Corda but I use Keyscape all the time and never spotted a sound or setting to get anywhere near this level of "Feltdedness"! Is there one I'm missing? Thanks for watching mate X

[@michaelnickel7679]

Ólafur. (without r) / nice video

[@Emehanika]

Number 3

[@CHONKERBOT]

What would be the most cost-effective way to get the beautiful sound of a Felt Piano but in a hardware synth?

[@driverv86]

...just mic a real piano lol

[@katyg3873]

Buy a cheap upright and a bit of felt.

[@engchoontan8483]

For those who are bored, select 10 representative signature sounds of brands within your own social-groups and rearrange the pop-groups faces.

[@engchoontan8483]

After rearrangement is arrangement is transcribe is transpose is ... Initial game format...

[@engchoontan8483]

Trial and bench - depeche-mode, somebody

[@paultumelty]

I also own all of these and had a play with them this evening. Now, just a disclaimer, I have nowhere near the talent of Dan, but to me, the £29 spitfire piano was night and day better than the free one. Did they get mixed up? :)

[@jackduxbury1632]

Promise we didn't get it mixed up, after all I forked out for all of these myself and would have loved for the most expensive to win out! Hopefully we did temper our results in saying that we loved bits of all them and it really was not night and day by any means. He really is that bloody good at playing and that paired with all of the imperfections and limited dynamic range of the Soft Piano really just meant for more "feeling" coming across in the room. Thanks so much for watching mate X

[@paultumelty]

@@jackduxbury1632 It's all in the hands.... :)

[@evanyoon1230]

Well, second but 3rd

[@mirr0rd]

Noire is included in Komplete 13 out next month

[@paultumelty]

I'm selling a copy for £79, £50 off the RRP if anyone is interested? :)

[@mirr0rd]

@@harrychan202 Noire is already available standalone and NI allows license transfer for selling

[@harrychan202]

mirr0rd oOps sorry. There are many cracked copies of NI stuff floating around. Sorry about that ;_;

[@mirr0rd]

@@harrychan202 I'm not bothered just letting you know 👍

[@paultumelty]

Well, I own Komplete 12 UCE and bought Noire as it was so good. I'm upgrading to Komplete 13 UCE shortly and Noire comes with it, so I have a license to sell to make up some of the upgrade cost. Trying to give someone a good deal and recoup a bit of cost. ok with you?

[@pukoh1523]

Does Dan have his own channel?

[@jackduxbury1632]

He should have!! X

[@JNTHNDVD]

Was that an original composition in the first piano sample!?!

[@jackduxbury1632]

Knowing Bingerz I'd say almost 100%. Almost everything from him will be improvised X

[@JNTHNDVD]

Jack Duxbury Ha ha! Ridiculous mind underneath all that hair! Just goes with whatever he’s feeling at the moment! I guess the tone of the piano also brings out the best in you. I can’t even play like that with my eyes open! 😂

[@larmagost]

Like Dans playing a lot. What’s his last name?

[@jackduxbury1632]

Bingham. He's my favourite 💕

[@yeahrightbear8883]

My problem with playing samples is there is always a slight delay from when I press the note to when I hear it. How do I get rid of that? I'm using Ableton.

[@Pianoman1488]

A buffer is a piece of memory set aside by the system. The purpose of this bit of memory is specifically to increase latency. The reason why buffers are used is because different systems inside a computer have different amounts of delay in how quickly they can access and/or process recorded audio or instrument samples. If the playback of the audio isn't "slowed down" a little bit with a buffer, then there can be clicks, pops, and drop-outs if the source of the audio or a processor is too slow in feeding the audio to the interface. The longer the delay introduced by system components, the bigger the buffer has to be to prevent drop outs, clicks, or pops. The way to optimize the buffer is to set it as low as possible and then play back the audio or play the virtual instrument while listening for audio problems. If there are any problems, increase the buffer size one step and try again. Keep increasing the buffer size until the problems go away. At that point you will have found the lowest latency possible with your configuration (interface, software, etc.). Generally, anything under 10 - 20 ms is pretty good, although many musicians can be annoyed by more than only 5 ms. Getting under 5 ms is not easy or cheap.

[@ta04trf]

Get an audio interface and install the driver for it. For Windows, you'll want the ASIO driver.

[@chisler26]

Do you all like Joep Beving?

[@pispalantimbaland]

Whaaat, the Spitfire LABS Soft Piano has practically no dynamics, but maybe that's what we are after, after all?

[@CalvinLimuel]

what about NI's Una Corda

[@jackduxbury1632]

Doh! Good point, my bad 😔

[@CalvinLimuel]

@@jackduxbury1632 also Christian Henson's Pianobook also got loads of that kind of sound from the community

[@jackduxbury1632]

@@CalvinLimuel Another great shout. Haven't had much luck with finding anything on there I connect with as much as the paid for shiz but I love the idea and everything Christian is pushing out into the world! Hope you have a good weekend Brother X

[@HiddenTechnique]

How is a piano that is so out of phase number one? Seriously just check it with a phase correlation meter. Shits crazy

[@66guidos]

D Binggeerrrzzzz!

[@Khordmaster]

Also, first! Well, second now 😅

[@joytekb]

I don’t give a f...k which have best sound. I am here for Mr Bingham play.

[@cabbycabby1770]

lol, why is he blind folded?

[@jackduxbury1632]

😔

[@chadjeffery2672]

Why is he blindfolded? He just needs to not see your laptop screen. Right?

[@kray9438]

Duxbury rules: 13.6a: if you have the opportunity for someone to be willingly blindfolded, you take it.

[@christophschuermann6512]

Sorry, but too much distortion in the signal to get a good impression.

[@jackduxbury1632]

Frickin' KZbin....so mad how it makes it sound distorted to some folks. Thanks for pointing it out, we keep backing off but sometimes with really dynamic stuff it still sounds like it's peaked with 12db left on the meters, Doh!!

[@christophschuermann6512]

@@jackduxbury1632 thanks for your answer. sometimes it helps to use a softlimiter and leave 3dB left to allow unknowen postprocessing to work.

[@jackduxbury1632]

Oh sweet, thanks for the tip, I'll give it a god next time Brother X

[@christophschuermann6512]

@@jackduxbury1632 you're wellcome, sometimes (a little) less is more :-). Greetings from berlin and thanks for your good work.

[@reltius2993]

4 just sounds too plucky/hammery I’m sure there’s a setting to take that out then it would be much more pleasant

[@zantas-handle]

Jeez. Stevie Wonder has definitely let himself go! ;)

[@TheAruthas]

Poor Òlafur, always gets his name butchered ! 😅

[@RockmannMusic]

The whole ranking and order process is absolutely confusing

[@5amJones69]

lol that's hilarious! :D

[@tibispeedoMacale]

might sound stupid but what's the point of the goggles for this test? you can easily move the laptop away from his view,just sayin' :)

[@tibispeedoMacale]

ok,sorry,didn'd make it to the part you realise this :))

[@adrianfundescu5407]

So happy the Noir came last.As I don't like Niels Frahm;-))))).

[@user-qn1nk7vl9z]

+++++

[@JuanJacinto]

The best Felt piano is not on this list. WOLNO by FELT INSTRUMENTS. Also free.

[@madsdahlmusic]

This almost makes me angry ahah

[@qix6424]

Forget the overrated piano, who has the best harpsichord?