Modartt Pianoteq 3
Stunning, vivid, convincing, versatile, high-class piano with natural feel at just 25MB

After two years of intensive research in several fields - acoustic models, electro-acoustic models, algorithms - Modartt proudly presents the long awaited and much improved version 3 of Pianoteq.  One of the most exciting new features in version 3 is the new acoustic model which simulates the sound radiation of the soundboard and the cabinet. Developed in close cooperation with demanding musicians, it brings stunning realism, clarity and brilliance.

The new acoustic model allows you to place up to 5 microphones anywhere around the piano in an additional illustrative interface. A mixer is available for combining the mics into 5 output channels, with the possibility to adjust separately level and delay.  Pianoteq 3 offers thus full control of the sound source and unlimited possibilities to choose the “colour” of the piano sound, similar to what professional audio engineer do when recording. The resulting experience is simply an amazing audio immersion.  In binaural mode, for headphone usage, a head model is used for simulating the sound heard by a person located where the head is placed in the interface. The head can be rotated in any direction and even its size can be changed.

In Modartt Pianoteq 3 there are 3 built-in grand pianos to choose from: K1, C3 and M3. Each has its own personality and strength. They all benefit from the Pianoteq physical model, bringing truly vivid, versatile and expressive instruments with rich resonances and amazing playability. Read more about these here. In the end, this is of course a matter of taste and the choice will depend on the selected music. Different perspectives are provided with each instrument: player, recording (4 mics in the C3 solo recording), close mic, binaural… These are only a few among the infinitely many perspectives that you can create yourself by choosing your own recording settings: mics placement and mixing. Thus any musician or producer should find the piano he needs.

When building these two instruments, we took our inspiration from the very best acoustic pianos in the world. They can be used just right out of the box. They can also serve as starting points for creating new instruments, entering the virtual world of the fourth piano generation. Pianoteq 3 opens new soundscapes that enriches the resources of all musicians and composers, from amateurs to professionals. Try for example a piano equipped with a virtual carbon fiber soundboard.

As mentioned by Philippe Guillaume, creator of Pianoteq, "during the 19th century, there were hundreds of different piano manufacturers offering a great variety of piano timbres. At the end of the 20th century, only a reduced number of timbres were still available because of standardization. The dream that we share with other piano lovers is to offer the musicians a possibility to use and create many different sounds in order to enrich their expressivity"

With Modartt Pianoteq 3, a broad family of keyboard instruments is now covered, from historical harpsichords and pianoforte to contemporary grand pianos, electro-acoustic pianos, vibraphones... The different models even share some features; for example, the electro-acoustic pianos have a sostenuto pedal and the acoustic pianos can use the tremolo effect or the limiter. More surprising: you can change the sound speed in the air that is used by the model.

Pianoteq 3 works in Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOS X 10.4 or higher and Linux (x86) with Jack and ALSA backends. It is provided both as a 32-bit and a 64-bit version (the latter is suitable for those working with a 64-bit operating system). Besides a standalone version, Pianoteq is also provided as a VST (PC/Mac), Audio Units (Mac) and RTAS plugin (Pro Tools version 7.3 and higher).