The Giant vs James Newton Howard Piano

The primary distinction between these two piano VSTs lies in their instrument type and sonic character. The Giant is a sampled upright piano, specifically a unique 12-foot Klavins Piano Model 370i, offering a bright, intimate, and modern sound with a dramatic edge. In contrast, the James Newton Howard Piano is a sampled grand piano, a Steinway Model D, renowned for its warm, balanced, and natural tone, suitable for cinematic scoring.

Technically, the James Newton Howard Piano offers significantly more detail with 25 velocity layers and 6 mic positions, contributing to its substantial 162 GB library size. The Giant, while still detailed, provides 13 velocity layers and a more compact 8 GB library. The James Newton Howard Piano also includes five production-ready mixes by Alan Meyerson, offering immediate sonic versatility for film scoring. The Giant, while focused on its core sound, offers a second Kontakt instrument for specialized piano sounds and effects.

Choose The Giant if you require a unique upright sound with a dramatic, bright, and intimate character, particularly for modern productions or instances where its distinct tone is desired. Opt for the James Newton Howard Piano if you need a high-fidelity grand piano sound with extensive mic options and pre-mixed cinematic tones for robust film scoring and recording applications.

Products Compared

Insights from Real-World Use

The Giant

  • The Giant is a great-sounding instrument that I really like, especially in XXL mode.
  • Recommends The Giant for scoring movies due to its presets and deep tweakability, validating its price.
  • The Giant is a flexible library with excellent mixing tools, suitable for multiple musical styles.
  • The Giant's controls make it versatile for classical and electronic music, a key reason for the user's preference.
  • it is my go-to for piano. The sound is top notch.

James Newton Howard Piano

  • The James Newton Howard Piano offers incredible expressiveness and great value for money.
  • The 25 dynamic layers make the James Newton Howard Piano expressive and beautiful to play.
  • This piano inspires a lot of themes.
  • Mic selection and width adjustment add beauty and control to the piano sound.
  • Back mic has a nice ring but sounds distant.

Explore PianoVST