Iowa Piano
by bigcat Instruments
by bigcat Instruments
4.3 / 5
(27 votes)
Iowa Piano is a Steinway Grand Piano with almost every note sampled and 3 velocity layers.
It is based on the free samples from the University of Iowa.
It is based on the free samples from the University of Iowa.
Downloads
Win 32 VST
(340 Mb)
Win 64 VST
(340 Mb)
Mac OSX VST
(345 Mb)
Mac OSX AU
(345 Mb)
For anybody with issues of not working: I had such problem and fixed it pasting the two downloaded files into the plugin folder in the Steinberg folder. Nice piano btw
(5 / 5)
Hey Y'all, anyone know how to get this to work on Logic? Should I download VST? Or AU? Thanks so much. Peace and Love to you
Hi Jordan, I fixed it copying and pasting the downloaded files into Steinberg plugins folder. Hope that works for you too
Reaper, Windows 10 64, just not working. From the basics, how do I install it properly? Put the 64.dll file on my plugin directory, where should I put the .mse file? I open it and Reaper says that it can`t find instrument. Thanks.
(3 / 5)
Works fine. I'm not keen on the sound though. Feels a bit weak and poxy somehow.
(5 / 5)
This really is an amazing piano. Was looking around for some free piano VST's for my demo and this one sounds just fantastic. Put a 0.6x midi velocity modifier before it and sounds so gentle and warm. Thank you for making this available.
I have a macbook m1 2020 and the vst is not showing up on Ableton, Does anyone have an answer ?
I have tested the IOWA Piano on Linux OS's (in my case - Debian, Mint, Manjaro) with Wine and LinVst - it works properly.
(5 / 5)
I'd like to take this opportunity to say what an amazing vst this really is. This piano sounds so realistic and you can even play it soft or hard it still sounds great. If you need a real piano sound in your music, I highly recommend this synth. I normally do not have high praise for free synths because they are mostly garbage. But this synth is worth downloading. I was skeptical myself but after hearing how great it sounded I made a short 4 minute piece of music with this vst. This piano is really inspiring, don't believe me just watch what I was able to do with it. https://youtu.be/Xs8tM2CTmWI
(5 / 5)
It's a very nice sounding piano. Has a realism to it .
Why does it say instrument not found when I load it but it is in my vst folder on fl ?
Fichier 32 bits OK pas de problèmes et super vst merci
Instrument not found, but it appears in my vst folders in Ableton. Any idea how to fix this? I have this problem with other free vsts such as,room piano, and love-fi lite.
Most likely forgot to add the instruments into your VST folder
(5 / 5)
Sounds great and it doesn't use a ton of resources. Sounds as good as 4Front Pianos
(5 / 5)
Surprisingly realistic
(4 / 5)
For a small free plugin, worked like a treat. But I just got it to fool around, don't actually play piano.
Downloaded it but could not run it in Ardour for Mac.
Holy cow. In addition to the problems listed below, notes held only by the pedal stop instantly (no release, decay or reverb) on pedal up. A startling and unpleasant surprise.
This is unusable! HELP. _/\_
MAC Catalina & Logic - How can I make this visible? I can't see any instalation - and I copied VST into library / audio and component on its library /audio/component - still no luck, any help? thankz
This solution worked for me on OS X Catalina:
1. add the AU (.component) to Library>Audio>Plug-Ins>Components
2. Restart the computer (I found no other way to force a scan)
3. OSX will find Iowa Grand, but refuse to use it, because because the publisher cannot be verified.
4. Open System Preferences> Security&Privacy and unlock the lock at the bottom of the "General" tab.
5. Open Garageband/Logic. The plugin will appear. Load it. You will receive a message that the file cannot be opened...
**6. Security&Privacy will now tell you it has blocked Iowa Grand. A button appears next to this message: Click "Allow". This will temporarily allow the file to be accessed.
7. Back in Garageband/Logic, load the plugin again. The warning message "the publisher cannot be verified" appears, but now includes a button to ALLOW/CONTINUE. Do so. Permission is now permanently granted and the plugin works.
However, I have the same problem as other users:
--Midi notes are off by an octave (and this can't be fixed in Garageband)
--mono/stereo and spatial issues between samples of the same note
--persistent static clicks on virtually all notes
This does not appear as an instrument in mainstage 3 after the component file was placed in Library>Audio>Components on MacOS X Catalina. Can anyone help with this? Thanks
Bump! Add another user unable to get Logic or Garageband to recognize the .component under Catalina. Help!
Can this be used in/with Sibelius??
Hi, may i know how can i activate this Iowa Piano plugin into my Macbook pro make it as virtual piano assign to my laptop keyboard ?
Which file would be best for the MacBook, and how do I import the file into FL Studio?
It seems as though I downloaded the zip folder properly (for Windows 64 bit). I've opened it. I see the file folder and APP extension. I don't know what to do next to make this work. Any help is appreciated. What can I do?
Copy the file Iowa Piano 32./or Iowa Piano 64.dll in Folder Steinberg/Cubase 5/Vstplugins , ..Or better, on all Vstplugins folders..!
Copy the file into the VST plugins folder whatever program you are using uses to find all of the VST effects and sounds. Even as a folding with other files inside, if you software scans for new software or effects at each startup, it should find it. If not, do a VST scan to add that to the library.
What to do with the .mse file in windows 32bit?
im looking for the answer too. when i open it in reaper it sais no instruments found(when entering iowa piano in reaper)
If the panning didn't shift on the higher keys, this would be perfect. I can deal with the octave offset by changing the settings on my keyboard, but the stereo shift is a deal breaker unfortunately. Such an authentic sound, but poorly executed.
(2 / 5)
It's offset -1 octave for me, for some reason. Also sounds kinda dull
Same here. Don't see a setting to change that. A bit disappointing to say the least
same
Just hit the "Octave Up" button on your control surface
AWESOME PLUGIN!!! FINALLY!!! I found a great Steinway & Sons grand. Yours is better than all the ones I've paid a lot of money for. Awesome job! THANK YOU!!!
(3 / 5)
It's free ok. What can you expect? Some samples are in mono, where most are in stereo. Some higher register notes pan to the left, contrary to the key position. On some notes the chorusing effect, probably from piano is noticeably more pronounced than in others. Generally it sounds like piano samples, not piano. But hey, it's a fee sampled piano. So, what can you expect? Not even near recording quality, does okay for practicing and poking notes randomly.
How can I open file .mse in Iowa Piano? I have FL Studio and still return information "Cannot find any instruments", set path to directory with mse file, but not working. Please help I'm tired..
It is not necessary to open the mse file. Please set the top file to path. If you use windows(64bit), you have to set path with Iowa_piano_-_64 folder.
Just downloaded this in my neverending search for a GREAT free Grand Piano Vst. IT is honestly very warm sounding and that is good but it does not seem to respond to velocity action, the note seems to be the same regardless of how hard or soft you push on the key. It also seems to not play the bottom dozen notes on the keyboard of my 88 key controller. Perhaps that is by design but it seems odd. There is not a lot of adjustment in it either but for free it is not too bad really. I prefer the free vst The Grand to this so far even tho it seems to have a bit colder sound overall. The action on it is a lot better and the whole keyboard is in play. Just some random thoughts so far on this.
if you are still having that problem with the bottom dozen notes, try clicking on the octave arrow buttons on your controller keyboard and click to move up one octave. that may enable you to play the whole 88 keys. I love BigCat's VSTs, but some of them are off by an octave up or down, so you may need to compensate using the controller's arrow keys. hope that works for you.
Here are two much better quality pianos - both freeware: Safwan Matni: General - a beautifully sampled piano. Velocity variations but no settings to change / customize. Very clear, sharp sound. Neo Piano Mini: THIS is the prize - a sampled Yamaha C7 concert piano. If you bought a real physical version of the piano, it would cost you $30,000.This Neo piano has lots of settings for customization, velocity variations, and just sounds amazing. This is my main go-to piano VST.
Does anyone know how to make it work with Sibelius 8 64 bit (downloaded the right 64 bit version)? The program recognises it but no sound helpppppp
Can't get it to work with my Reaper daw it says can't find instruments and I've tried a lot there is an instrument file that comes with the dll which I also load into the VST folder,still no instruments I have 64-bit Windows 10 most annoying any advice out there?
(4 / 5)
I have a problem with this vst when i load it in REAPER, it need to add output tracks so it can work, can anyone tell me what is this error ?
(3 / 5)
I love the sound of this. there is not much latency too!! but I do have one problem, I wanna move the middle C, how do I do that?
I guess you'll have to do that in your DAW instead of on the plugin.
(2 / 5)
Hate to the be that guy but there are far superior piano soundfonts out there that are configured way better as the soundfont designers are usually aiming for extreme fidelity and orchestral accuracy. Load them up via a simple VST soundfont host like Take1 and you're good to go.
Thanks for trying this piano and I understand that it isn't to everyone's taste. There are certainly many options and many wonderful pianos available, just be aware that soundfonts are not always sourced from legal material. You are personally responsible for the legality of samples you use in any songs you release publicly. VST4Free and I are very careful about our sources. In fact some instruments I've prepared but never released because I couldn't accurately track down the licensing. I urge you and everyone else who visits to exercise due diligence in tracking the origins of your samples.
Have the mono/stereo issues been fixed?
Not working 64 bit on my Macpro both with Cubase 8.0 and Protools 10. Sad...
Mac doesn't use 32-bit and 64-bit instruments. Those file types are for windows. Mac uses .vst (VST) and .component (AU) formats; check to see which vst type your DAW supports
as of Catalina the Mac will only use 64 bit plugins
(5 / 5)
I use this VST as a piano for live performances. The quality is easily good enough, and the overall tone of the piano is perfect. I wouldn't use it to record, but for gig purposes it's ideal.
Really inspiring piano, thank you!!
Can't seem to get it to work. I load it in fl studio 10 and it says cant find instrument. Im running the 32bit version
(5 / 5)
I've tried some very expensive plug ins trying to get around the shortcomings of iowa piano. But it seems all the "better" ones lack the life that this piano has in spades. If they could fix the shift of low C to B on the lowest velocity setting, I would have no complaint about hiss and pops.
Hi friends. I took a shot at making the Iowa Piano better. Hopefully it works. I didn't use normalized samples, but dropped out a few of the samples that had problems. Hopefully this makes for a more consistent sound, but without the normalization issues.
Thanks for the your insight. And thanks for your work! I've been learning about this myself, having been working on a lot of my own sample libraries lately. That's what makes it so hard about velocity layers. If you don't get it loud enough, and feel you have to increase the volume, then the static will increase, and that's actually worse than just keep the "ghost" note without "normalizing" the sound.
Normalizing increases the sample level, including noise. It doesn't matter if you increase the level digitally or at your amp, sampled noise is going to increase its level too. If you're talking about static that generates in the playback equipment, then that's a fault in the playback equipment, not in the vst, and the vst should not be developed for substandard equipment in mind.
Excuse my ENGLISH ... Great sound piano ,BUT , the last velocity of the first A shift to A# , and A# shift to C , and B shift to C also . i think it's a big bugg . I prefer the old version 2.2.6.0 cause it has not this problem .
I really love the sound of the piano, because it's simple and pure, but it still has a lot of noise on it. I hope you guys are working on a new version with better mics. I tryed almost every piano vst (also expensive ones ) but this one could be the best if you can fix the whitenoise and crackle issue.
(5 / 5)
Great sound, thanks a lot for the work. This piano sound is very very inspiring.
(4 / 5)
My only problem with it is that all the notes are panned differently and it can sound weird.
I agree... great sound but the panning of some notes results in some weird, uncomfortable sounds when one note in a triad plays in a different place in the stereo picture than the other notes in the triad.
I love all of this dev's plugins.... they are large, but worth it... CPU load not bad either. Wonder if Bigcat has a newsletter, letting us know about new stuff?
Anyone using Chainer with this? Loads, but no sound, and no menus.
Great plugin! I really like the sound, except one problem is killing me - some tones are at the specific velocity MONO not STEREO like others... :/
Yeah the D and the A key does that around the 50-70 velocity range. I hope they fix it.
Try these new versions (T2), the notes are all normalized.
No, still the same
BigCat - this has not been fixed. Those two keys are mono at certain velocities - stereo at higher velocities. This is a beautiful sounding VST, hope you can fix those two notes.
How to install .mse file?
Copy and paste everything as it is in the zip.
Those who are not able to add this plugin. Put the .zip file (or .rar file, or whatever archive format the plugin came as) where you put your VST plugins. Extract the .zip file into that directory. Don't move any files once it's extracted, just leave the file structure the way it is. Hope it works for you.
Love, From India.
(5 / 5)
I have played many piano plugins and this one beat them all hands down. It is well worth the download but remember to adjust the decay to sound more robust. I was not disappointed!