PC Pianos for Everyone
Today I ask you to double-check your perception about PC pianos.
I remember I was very much discouraged to use it when I heared the first note or two out of my PC back in five years or so.... But alas the PC pianos today are far ahead of those standalone electric pianos. just check out the Pianist Dave Rich explaining how great it is and how it surpasses the standalones while noodling his PC piano:
http://www.truepianos.com/videodave.php
And best of all, it goes for just about 200 bucks!! And even there're some other really good piano VSTis for FREE!!.. and, and, and..... So if you've already had your PC to browse my blog, and hopefully a CASIO for your kid's birthday present or other MIDI keyboard you can get at ebay or wherever, then you are all set and can start playing today!
* What you need to play Steinway or other great pianos on your PC are:
1) An ASIO-enabled Audio/Midi Interface unit
You may NOT need one if your PC's audio driver can play the VST host application. But if it doesn't and you have to grab one, that's a good investment because it usually comes with a bundled VST host and other great programs in their limited editions which are just enough to play the piano.
2) A Midi keyboard
You also need to have a keyboard imput device, hopefully with a dumper pedal. But I suppose you've already got a CASIO or other keyboard sleeping in your attick or basement, in which case you may wanna check if it has a set of I/O that looks like this:
then you lucky campers are all set with just getting MIDI/Audio I/O and a cable to hook them up. If not, you still have an option to go get it from Target or BestBuy or wherever at around... I don't know... 60 may be? But make sure about MIDI compatibility before taking it off the shelf. It only needs to send MIDI signal for the purpose.3) A VSTi piano module
As mentioned above, some piano VSTis are downloadable free of charge. Browse for free VSTi Pianos, or get:
GigaPiano (free)
True Pianos (200 bucks or so...)
Proteus VX (free and includes other great samples)
4Front Piano Module (free)
4) A VST host software
If you're getting a Midi/USB keyboard or a Midi/Audio I/O, then most likely it comes with a VST host software like Cuebase, Sonar or whatever that is powered by "LE" meaning limited capability but just enough to get the teaser functions of what it's all capable of that is well enough for us to play the piano. Great!
5 Miscellaneous
Cables, optional loudspeakers and that's about it!! You can play all those great pianos from your affordable MIDI keys. I really see the world is turning between my eyes nowadays...
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