Pianoteq

Pianoteq is a virtual piano and instrument suite that generates notes in real time through physical modelling rather than built-in samples. The maker describes it as lightweight at about 50 MB. More than 20 instrument packs are available, including electric pianos, plucked strings, and historical keyboards. Users can shape tone with physical parameters and sympathetic resonance modelling. Pianoteq 9 can position and mix up to eight microphones for stereo or multichannel output. Desktop versions work standalone or with VST3, Audio Units, and AAX hosts; NKS compatibility is also listed. The software is available for iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. There is no free plan, but an evaluation version is available; eight notes are silent and the app must be restarted every 20 minutes. One-time prices are $139 for Stage, $269 for Standard, $399 for PRO, and $929 for the Studio Bundle. Editions differ in instrument-pack counts and capabilities.

Pianoteq combines modeled instruments with configurable tone and microphone placement. The editions vary in pack counts and features, and the evaluation version has notable limits.

Pianoteq suits musicians seeking a virtual piano or other modeled instruments. Stage is described as an entry option for budget-minded musicians, while PRO is aimed at composers and studio engineers with demanding needs.

Pianoteq is a virtual piano and instrument suite for musicians and composers who want to shape modeled keyboard and other instrument sounds. It is best for players who value detailed tone control and studio-host integration; its tiered pack limits make it a weaker fit for anyone seeking a broad, inexpensive library.

Overview

Pianoteq generates notes in real time through physical modeling rather than built-in samples. Modartt describes the software as about 50 MB, a compact approach compared with instruments built around stored recordings. Its more than 20 packs cover electric pianos, plucked strings and historical keyboards, extending its reach beyond conventional piano sounds.

The catalog is not unlocked by a single standard license: Stage, Standard and PRO each include a limited number of selectable packs, while others remain in demo mode until purchased. Pianoteq makes most sense when you can identify a focused set of instruments and want to customize their sound; it is less attractive if you want broad library access for one low upfront price.

Key features

Sound and control

The software models sympathetic resonances and exposes physical parameters for adjusting tone. Standard adds piano model editing, advanced tuning, microphone placement, morphing and layering. PRO goes further with per-note physical parameter editing and editable overtones, controls that suit users who need fine-grained sound design rather than a simple preset instrument.

Microphones and studio use

Pianoteq 9 can mix up to eight microphones to stereo or multichannel output and move them around the instrument. That flexibility gives composers and studio users room to shape perspective, while Stage does not include microphone placement. Desktop editions work standalone or within VST3, Audio Units and AAX hosts; the manual also lists NKS compatibility.

Trial and setup

The Pianoteq 9.2.5 evaluation version is full-featured, but eight notes are silent and the software must restart every 20 minutes. Those restrictions allow a meaningful evaluation of controls and sound, but interrupting a session limits its usefulness for sustained playing. Activation is required on first launch, with manual activation for computers without internet access. The manual lists 512 MB RAM and a recent CPU; supported systems include Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.13 or later, and Linux x86/ARM. Windows users need ASIO-compatible audio drivers for low latency. Modartt says contact messages receive a reply within 24 hours and provides manuals and a support page.

Pricing

Pianoteq uses one-time paid licenses, with no free plan and a free evaluation version.

• Pianoteq 9 Stage — $139, paid once: Two instrument packs, up to 48 kHz and limited preset loading. It is the entry option for budget-minded musicians, but the two-pack cap and missing advanced editing controls narrow its role.
• Pianoteq 9 Standard — $269, paid once: Three packs and up to 48 kHz, plus piano model editing, advanced tuning, microphone placement, morphing and layering. It is the more balanced choice for users who want meaningful sound-shaping tools without PRO's higher rate ceiling and per-note editing.
• Pianoteq 9 PRO — $399, paid once: Four packs, up to 192 kHz, per-note physical parameter editing and editable overtones. It fits creative composers and demanding studio engineers who need the deepest editing and higher internal sample rate.
• Pianoteq Studio Bundle — $929, paid once: PRO plus all current instrument packs. It suits users who want the full current catalog rather than choosing four packs, at a substantial increase over PRO.

Stage and Standard top out at 48 kHz, compared with PRO's 192 kHz ceiling. Other instrument packs run in demo mode until purchased, so the included pack count matters when comparing the upfront license prices.

Platforms

Pianoteq is available for iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows. The desktop software supports standalone operation and VST3, Audio Units and AAX hosts. Its low-latency requirement for Windows makes ASIO-compatible drivers an important part of a performance setup.

Who it's for

Choose Pianoteq if you want modeled instruments whose tone, tuning and, in the higher editions, microphone positions and detailed physical parameters can be adjusted. Stage offers an entry point for a smaller instrument selection; Standard is more suited to players who want editing and placement tools, while PRO targets composers and studio engineers who need per-note control or a higher sample-rate ceiling.

Look elsewhere if your priority is free software, a low-cost way to access many packs, or a sample-based instrument library. Pianoteq's paid editions limit included packs, and the evaluation version's silent notes and regular restarts make it unsuitable as an ongoing free instrument.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Real-time physical modeling and adjustable resonances let users shape instrument tone rather than rely only on fixed recordings.
• Pro: The catalog spans more than 20 packs across electric pianos, plucked strings and historical keyboards.
• Pro: Standard and PRO add practical editing options, and Pianoteq 9 supports up to eight movable microphones.
• Con: Stage, Standard and PRO include only two, three and four packs respectively; additional packs require purchase.
• Con: Stage and Standard are limited to 48 kHz, and Stage also has limited preset loading and no microphone placement.
• Con: The evaluation version silences eight notes and forces a restart every 20 minutes, disrupting extended use.

Alternatives

IK Multimedia ReSing is worth considering if you want a freemium tool with a free plan; its free tier includes two voices, two instruments and one RVC import, with no model generation.

PREMIER SOUND FACTORY is another freemium option with free instrument plans, including Hellotron Premier G and Wurly Premier G, both requiring full Kontakt 5.7 or higher rather than Kontakt Player.

Virtual Drummer is a better direction for MIDI drum styles rather than Pianoteq's keyboard and modeled-instrument focus; its Odd Meter MIDI Pack is free and includes over 30 styles.

BBC Symphony Orchestra may suit users looking for orchestral instruments: its free Discover edition includes 34 instruments, 47 techniques and one mix signal.

Vital is a free-plan alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows users seeking a synthesizer, with 75 presets, 25 wavetables and full synth features in its Basic plan.

Voltage Modular offers a free software plan with standalone and plug-in versions for Windows and macOS, making it an alternative for users interested in modular software rather than modeled instruments.

Dexed is a free, GPL v3 option for readers who want free software instead of Pianoteq's paid licenses.

Surge XT is a free, open-source virtual instrument plug-in for Linux, macOS and Windows, rather than a paid modeled piano suite.

Browse more options in Virtual Instruments.

Verdict

Pianoteq is a strong choice for musicians and composers who want modeled instruments with adjustable tone and microphone placement, and who can work within a defined pack selection. Standard is the practical middle ground for editing and placement tools; choose PRO for per-note control and its 192 kHz ceiling. Look elsewhere if free access or a broad included catalog matters more than Pianoteq's detailed modeling.