Pianoteq Grotrian Concert Royal vs Pianoteq Blüthner Model One

The fundamental difference between these two modeled grand piano VSTs lies in the specific characteristics of their source instruments: the Blüthner Model One and the Grotrian Concert Royal. Both are budget-tier, single-instrument offerings from Modartt's Pianoteq, characterized as warm, balanced, and natural, suitable for recording and classical music.

The Pianoteq Blüthner Model One uniquely models the Blüthner Aliquot system, which involves a fourth string for treble keys that resonates sympathetically to enhance the instrument's tone. This contributes to its distinctly warm and bright character, making it well-suited for film scoring in addition to classical work. In contrast, the Pianoteq Grotrian Concert Royal emphasizes a clean character and includes features like felt presets and a Celeste Pedal for adjusting felt thickness, catering to a smoother, delicate sound often favored in jazz.

Choose the Pianoteq Blüthner Model One if the rich, harmonically complex sound of the Aliquot system and a brighter tone are desired for classical or cinematic applications. Opt for the Pianoteq Grotrian Concert Royal when a clean, warm, and highly controllable sympathetic resonance, particularly with felted piano sounds, is preferred for classical or jazz performance.

Products Compared

• Pianoteq Grotrian Concert Royal
• Pianoteq Blüthner Model One

Insights from Real-World Use

Pianoteq Grotrian Concert Royal

• Recently got this pack. I have both Steinways, Bechstein, Bluethner, U4 and the Grotrian is my favorite of all. BTW, I have it on 6.5.1 Standard.
• This is the richest and best sounding pack imho. I can't get enough of the sound. Great work pianoteq!
• Has a very beautiful wood tone to it. I think Grotrian is very underrated in Pianoteq. Lovely warm sound, you can almost hear the rain tapping against the window.
• The result is a stunningly vivid instrument created with the most demanding musician in mind. Grotrian Concert Royal grand piano.
• Thanks! Steinway is my favourite but the Grotrian is lovely and we had one at home when I was a kid so I'm attached...

Pianoteq Blüthner Model One

• I love the Pianoteq's Bluethner which I also use often.
• The sound doesn't convince me at all, or maybe the Blüthner is not my piece of cake.
• Thank you! It's the default (Prelude) preset with the mics moved round to the audience perspective. I also cut the bass a little and add a touch of mastering compression.
• I didn't hear a lot of difference between the two. In fact, I wasn't able to guess correctly which was which. So the NY Steinway is an improvement, I think, but the older pianos don't seem much change
• The Bluethner is a piano with special qualities! Thick velvety bass and piercing, bell like treble!