Product Review: Modartt Pianoteq 8 for iOS – Piano App

Finally here! Pianoteq 8 for iOS has been a long time coming for fans of this physical modeling piano. If you use Piano VSTs for live performances, you can now leave your computer at home – an iPhone is all you need. The app is free for Pianoteq users as they can transfer their purchased license to the App Store.

Thanks to apps like e-Instruments Pure Piano, high-quality piano sounds on a tablet or smartphone are no longer a novelty. But even on this platform, Pianoteq makes the difference between sampling and physical modeling.

The same goes for the licensing model: Looking at Pianoteq for iOS alone, the prices seem unusually high. However, Modartt has come up with a very fair solution.

Modartt Pianoteq as VST or iOS App?

Music apps for iOS have reached a professional level, but they are usually stripped-down versions, like Synthogy’s Ivory Mobile Grand for the Korg Module app. Modartt Pianoteq 8 for iOS is completely different, as it is a 1:1 identical version of the piano VST.

This means that even the Pro version for iOS doesn’t sacrifice anything. Instead, you get the same piano models including convolution reverb, tuning options, voicing with note-by-note editing, and virtual miking. Wow!

Anyone who has previously used the piano VST for Windows or MacOS can now use it on iOS. If you are just discovering Pianoteq, you might be surprised by the relatively high price of the iOS app. However, the clever licensing model for Pianoteq users explains this: To use Pianoteq 8 on all your iOS devices, simply transfer a purchased license to the App Store. However, one of the maximum of three activation slots per user account must be available.

You can access the user account login by clicking on “Restore Purchases” – the screen that appears when you first open the app. Once done, you will be able to use Modartt Pianoteq iOS on all your iOS devices with exactly the license you purchased.

Try Pianoteq for Free

Modartt Pianoteq for iOS itself is free of charge. You can test the app in its entirety – it’s only individual sound that will not work. You can choose which modules and features you want to use through in-app purchases. If you are already using Pianoteq as a piano VST and have even added modules, you can also transfer those via the one-time online activation.

Product Review: Modartt Pianoteq 8

Since the iOS version is identical to the piano VST, you will find a detailed description of the physical modeling piano in this review.

Three Versions of the Pianoteq App

As with the VST version, Modartt offers three versions that differ in functionality – the basic technology and presets are the same for all versions. The simplest and cheapest version, Pianoteq Stage, is for everyone who just wants to play good piano sounds and can do without extensive editing.

The Standard version offers more extensive tuning options, while the PRO version allows detailed access to the sound parameters of each individual note. Virtual miking is also available here – a unique feature for all piano VSTs and apps. The handling can be a bit fiddly on smaller iPhones. In general, however, Modartt has structured the user interface very well.

Performance on iPad and iPhone

The performance of the app is excellent – tested on an iPhone 13 mini, no more than about 25% DSP power is required, even when excessively playing with pedal. The app also ran flawlessly on a 9th-generation iPad.

Even an older iPhone SE (2016) provides enough DSP power for Pianoteq 8 iOS. You have to be a bit careful with the latter, though, as the layer mode sometimes exceeds DSP capacity. In general, though, it works fine.

For live setups and recording, you can also integrate Modartt Pianoteq 8 for iOS as an AudioUnit into other music applications (e.g. Steinberg Cubasis, AUM, etc.). This allows you to optimally combine it with other instrument apps or effect units.

Authentic Sound and Feel

As already mentioned elsewhere: With the iOS version of Pianoteq you won’t miss a single detail of the piano VST. This is especially true in terms of playing technique and articulation, which is what makes the difference compared to well-known piano applications. There is no doubt that Ravenscroft 275 or PurePiano are excellent-sounding piano apps, but they do not support playing techniques like pedal catch or half-pedaling.

Not so with Pianoteq 8 iOS – here you get a sound quality on iPhone & iPad that leaves nothing to be desired in terms of pianistic expression.

Wide Range of Sounds

Of course, the focus of Pianoteq is on piano sounds. Accordingly, the basic version contains mainly acoustic grand and upright pianos. You can purchase additional modules to expand the range of sounds, including vintage keyboards such as Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Clavinet & Pianett.

Moreover, you can also choose from instruments such as concert harp, hand pan, vibraphone, bass marimba, or toy piano. There’s even a classical guitar and a church organ. The modeling quality combined with Pianoteq’s sound editing capabilities is outstanding.

Conclusion: Expensive iOS app, but special!

iOS users will surely rub their eyes at the prices, but you have to take a closer look at Modartt’s licensing model. With three purchased licenses, you can choose which platforms you want to use it on. In addition, Pianoteq 8 iOS is not a light version with limited functionality. Here you get the real thing – the full package: You won’t miss a thing compared to the piano VST.

In contrast to other piano apps, Pianoteq 8 iOS on iPhone & iPad offers flexibility and sound quality that leaves nothing to be desired. Amazing!

Modartt Pianoteq 8 for iOS – Overview

Platform: iOS 11.0 and above
Install now: Pianoteq im App-Store