The Maverick by Native Instruments

by Native Instruments · $99

Overview

THE MAVERICK is an exceptional recreation of a 1905 concert grand piano, delivering a unique sound and extensive customization options.

Technical Specifications

Velocity Layers
18 velocity zones
Sample Count
over 2,500 individual samples
Plugin Formats
VST3, AU, AAX
Standalone
Yes
individual_samples
over 2,500 individual samples
overtone_samples
separate overtone and resonance samples
key_releases_samples
key releases sampled in nine velocity layers
Product type
KOMPLETE Instrument
Sound Category
Piano

Ideal Use Cases

  • Professional composers scoring cinematic trailers and film soundtracks.
  • Jazz musicians seeking a versatile and expressive grand piano for studio recordings and practice.
  • Pop producers layering rich, authentic piano textures into contemporary tracks.
  • Soul and R&B artists needing a warm and resonant piano sound for ballads and grooves.
  • Music students and hobbyists desiring a high-quality grand piano sound for composition and performance practice.

Insights from Real-World Use

Strengths

  • great for variety
  • not going to break the bank
  • useful tips and tricks
  • sound great

Weaknesses

  • a bit off
  • doesn't give me the sound I'm usually looking for
  • you're not going to get a lot of, like, thundering notes

Tone: woody sounding, mid-range mid-tones, stuffy, warmer, open, crystal clear, soft sound, very versatile, grand in centre, honkey tonk

Review Snippets

  • I am a pianist and have been playing for over 15 years. The pianos in Native Instruments (The maverick, Noire, Grandeur, the gentleman) sound a bit off from the...
  • The dying string sound elevates The Maverick from a recording to a living instrument.
  • The Maverick offers a soft, romantic, and chill sound, not booming notes.
  • The Maverick is a great instrument that feels real and authentic, despite its appearance.
  • The Maverick is a great, versatile piano excelling at emotional, vintage piano sounds.
  • Another great piano in the Galaxy Instruments series. I think this is also ... I actively use all the pianos from Native in my music, though "Noire.
  • The Maverick has a woody, mid-range, warm, and slightly stuffy sound.
  • Another great piano in the Galaxy Instruments series. I think this is also ... I actively use all the pianos from Native in my music, though "Noire.
  • Pianos offer great sound and variety for music production and playing.
  • Excessive reverb makes The Maverick sound distorted and fake.
  • Well-recorded, easy to use piano with good tone control and responsive to controller.
  • The Maverick is good for soft tones; for a full sound, the Steinway D is preferred.
  • I just got Komplete and I'm exploring the pianos... Originally I thought I'd want to download The Grandeur but I fell in love with the sound of The Maverick! They all sound great though.
  • Maverick has a unique, tinny, and hollow sound.
  • I'm working on a piano vocal song in Logic, been trying out Native Instrument pianos. I've tried The Maverick, The Gentleman and The Giant and The...

Frequently Asked Questions

What host or player is required to use this VST?
The VST requires either the free KONTAKT PLAYER or the full KONTAKT software. Users should check the KONTAKT PLAYER system requirements for more details.
Is this a sampled or modeled piano VST?
This is a sampled piano VST, meticulously recreating a 1905 concert grand piano.
What platforms are supported?
The VST is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems.
What is the library size of the VST?
The library size is 14 GB, containing over 2,500 individual samples and 18 velocity zones.
Does it support half-pedaling and sympathetic resonance?
Yes, it features Half Pedal, Repedal/Catch, and Sympathetic Resonance.
What genres is this VST best suited for?
It is well-suited for classical, jazz, pop, soul/R&B, and film/scoring genres.
What are the common use cases for The Maverick?
The common use cases include recording, pop, jazz, songwriting, and practice.