EARTH Piano

Name: EARTH Piano
Price: 249 USD
Author: Roland

by Roland · Keys · Modeled and sampled acoustic piano

Not rated yet

EARTH Piano is Roland's acoustic piano plugin with seven piano models, from Classic Grand and Natural Felt Upright to Toy Piano, using multi-sampling and modeling.

It has adjustable resonances, mechanical noise, temperaments, convolution venues and effects; it is a Lifetime Key or part of Roland Cloud Ultimate.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Acoustic Instruments. Genres: Pop, Jazz, Acoustic & Classical, Ambient & Cinematic, R&B & Soul.

Keywords: sample-based, grand piano, upright piano, bright, multisampled, cinematic, intimate, modern, strings.

What it does

EARTH Piano combines Roland's multi-sampling with its own modeling in a modern piano plugin, drawing on more than 50 years of the developer's electronic piano work. Each of its seven pianos can be shaped in detail, from lid position to per-key tuning.

Seven pianos: Classic Grand (European, classical), Session Grand (balanced, derived from V-Piano), Artist Grand (American, jazz), All Silver (a fantasy model with silver strings), Natural Upright, Natural Felt Upright (soft and intimate) and Toy Piano.
Resonance and noise: string, cabinet, key-off and sympathetic resonance, plus key-release and pedal noise levels.
Lid and tuning: adjustable lid position and eight temperaments, with tuning, volume and character editable per key.
Venues: a convolution venue simulator with nine real spaces, among nine reverb algorithms in all.
Channel processing: a three-band EQ and a compressor with four modes, including FET, optical and VCA.
Effects and presets: 93 multi-effect presets and 117 tones, with user banks of up to 128.

It is sold as a Lifetime Key or included with Roland Cloud Ultimate, which has a 30-day trial; Roland's page shows no price.

Source: Roland product page

When to use it

EARTH Piano suits players who want several distinct grands and uprights with built-in venues, EQ and compression, ready to sit in a mix. Compared with Pianoteq 9, it mixes sampling with modeling instead of being fully modeled, and users on piano forums found Pianoteq more expressive and realistic. Next to Keyscape, it covers only acoustic pianos (plus a toy piano), with no electric pianos or other keyboards. Like Addictive Keys, it is aimed at quick, mix-ready results, but it adds deeper resonance and tuning controls. It makes the most sense for Roland Cloud Ultimate members, who get it included.

Best for: bright, present pianos for pop tracks, and the Toy Piano for cinematic colour.
Genres: pop, rock, jazz, classical, ambient and film.
Look elsewhere if: you need fine velocity control and dynamic range for live playing; Pianoteq 9 is the stronger choice there, and Keyscape covers more instruments.

What producers say

User reaction is lukewarm: usable and fine for pop, but behind the leading piano plugins for expression.

KVR users rate it 3 out of 5 from one review (version 1.01, Windows), calling it usable for pop with a "loud, bright tone" but short on dynamic range.
PianoClack forum users found Pianoteq superior, though some enjoyed the Toy Piano and one had "no regrets" at the introductory price.
Criticisms: a velocity curve that can't be adjusted, occasional lag, and a trial that needs the most expensive Roland Cloud tier.

Where to buy

Plugin Boutique: $249
Roland: see store

Tutorials and reviews

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