Piano in Blue vs Alicia's Keys

Piano in Blue and Alicia's Keys are both sampled grand piano VSTs, but their core distinction lies in the specific instruments and recording environments captured. Piano in Blue is a historical recreation, sampling the Steinway Model D at Columbia Records, renowned for its use on iconic jazz and classical recordings. In contrast, Alicia's Keys captures Alicia Keys' personal Yamaha C3 Neo grand piano, recorded in her own studio, with direct artist involvement in the sampling process.

These differing source instruments and recording locations contribute to their individual sonic characteristics. Piano in Blue offers 8 velocity layers and 3 mic positions, providing a balanced, natural sound often preferred for classical and jazz. Alicia's Keys features 12 velocity layers, delivering a warm, intimate character, tailored to Alicia Keys' aesthetic, and is often favored for pop and songwriting contexts. The library size also varies, with Piano in Blue being 11GB and Alicia's Keys at 17GB.

Choose Piano in Blue if you seek the historically significant sound of a Steinway Model D recorded in a legendary studio, ideal for authentic classical or jazz productions. Opt for Alicia's Keys if you prefer a contemporary grand piano with a warm, intimate character, directly reflecting a renowned artist's personal sound, suitable for pop and modern songwriting.

Products Compared

Insights from Real-World Use

Piano in Blue

  • Default mic positions create a warm, open, and good-sounding signal.
  • Denoised samples create a cleaner sound while preserving crucial character and life.
  • Detailed script improvements make the piano naturally playable and fun for all skill levels.
  • Piano in Blue sounds good in higher octaves and mid-range, but also a bit muted.
  • Now that they have denoised the close- up samples, this is THE piano. No other VST comes close to the sombre, antique tone of this one. I mix it with Maverick from NI to give it slightly more body. Co

Alicia's Keys

  • I connect with this gorgeous piano, can't stop playing, highly recommend it.
  • Pricing/value assessment and use-case recommendation
  • Interface design and parameter layout
  • Preset quality and overall sound enjoyment
  • Attack/release behavior, sound-design flexibility, release samples

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