I have used Native Instruments Akoustik Piano for several years and now find it is no longer supported. Should I stay with it and continue using it or is there some other program that would be easier and more effective now.

I have enjoyed what this program can do and have been satisfied.

Hi joangolfing,

Personally, if you are satisfied with it, and you don't need to change the vst player, you can keep right on using it. A lot of the VST instrument manufacturers are re-releasing their software for new players, to support new operating system, or with some updated content. For example, GPO is now in version 4 - it includes additional sounc from Project SAM Brass, but most of the basic sounds are still the same.

As far as Native Instruments goes, they have re-released the pianos in Akoustik Piano.

They are now available as individual instruments by download or dvd:

The individual pianos are:
Berlin Concert Grand
Vienna Concert Grand
New York Concert Grand
Upright Piano
Pricing is $79 US each.

Or it is avalabile as Akoustic Piano Bundle with all four instruments ($189 US)

Here's a link to the Berlin Concert Grand on NI's site:
http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/p...rand/?page=1169

Rich

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Yes, i know Ivory ( and it's also great ).

Not supported? I think it is still a current product. Maybe some re-packaging but the company is still around and going strong.

I think "Akoustik Piano" is a sample library and then you use their player engine. The player seem to be suported

you don't really need anything from NI in order to keep the akoustik piano working. If it's registered and the challenge responsoe piracy protection is gone through, you can keep using it "forever". And I'm pretty sure that even if you format and reinstall it, NI will still let you use the same software...

Other alternatives are (google for the names):

Ivory
Pianoteq
Garritan Steinway
QL Pianos
Galaxy II
and a few others I might be forgetting. All fantastic, all better than Akoustik (my own opinion, right?) and all approximately at the same price (give or take 100$ anyways)

If you're satisfied with Akoustic, don't change.

Other pianos are available. Maybe audition them from time to time, to learn if there's something which is particularly appealing. I play - and like very much - Galaxy II's Bosendorfer, but hope to add proaudiovault's Bluthner sometime soon.

I particularly like the stand alone playing ability of Akoustik Piano because I don't understand the VST process and how to use those instruments. I will look at the other piano alternatives for ease of use and recording abilities.

I am satisfied with Akoustik and appreciate the comments on this thread.