Noire vs The Grandeur

The fundamental difference between Noire and The Grandeur lies in their distinct source instruments and the resulting tonal characteristics. Noire samples a unique Yamaha CFX grand piano, presenting two variants: a pure, unaltered cinematic sound and a felt-dampened version emphasizing intimacy. In contrast, The Grandeur captures a Hamburg Steinway Model D, renowned for its bright, assertive, and balanced timbre.

Beyond the core instrument, Noire offers a larger library size at 16 GB and 22 velocity layers, suggesting a more detailed sample set for dynamic expressiveness compared to The Grandeur's 14 GB and 18 velocity layers. Noire also includes a "Particles Engine" for atmospheric effects and features mechanical and player noises for enhanced realism, emphasizing its curated, intimate character developed with Nils Frahm's input. The Grandeur focuses on a clean, modern sound, highlighting its suitability for various genres including pop music, without these additional textural features.

Choose Noire if you seek a warm, dark, and atmospheric sound, particularly with an emphasis on unique textures, felt piano intimacy, and a specific cinematic quality derived from its Yamaha CFX source. Choose The Grandeur if you prefer a bright, clean, and balanced grand piano sound from a Steinway Model D, optimized for a wider range of styles from classical to pop, prioritizing clarity and assertiveness.

Products Compared

Insights from Real-World Use

Noire

  • I've owned Noire from day one, and I still play it almost every day.. While it's only a sampled version, it's the best a mere mortal like myself will even get since a Yamaha CFX 9' grand piano is fina
  • 45 years playing the piano here, and this is the most amazing piano VST ever made!
  • Noire excels at unique, atmospheric soundscapes for writing and sound design.
  • This plugin is loved for its versatility, tone quality, and great value.
  • Noire isn't a primary detailed acoustic replacement, yet it still offers a nice sound.

The Grandeur

  • The Grandeur is simple but bright, super playable, super good, good for any song. It's presets are all good. Finally, a piano with no special character but...
  • Loves the piano's resonant, lively release, unlike 'dead' notes on other instruments.
  • Grandeur is a versatile piano library covering many genres.
  • The Grandeur is very open and crystal clear due to being a full-size grand.
  • Praises The Grandeur's simple yet deep interface and design.

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