Hello

So I've been watching / listening to this video for so long. I've always wondered if there is a VST / Plugin that could produce the same sound so I can play on my digital piano?

Thank you in advance if anyone can find or knows a plugin that can produce this kinda sound <3

 

Spoiler: Source: Grok KI

Here are my top recommendations for VSTi piano plugins that deliver expressive, Seaboard-like sounds, leveraging MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) for nuanced control (e.g., glide, pressure, per-note modulation) similar to the ROLI Seaboard’s 5D touch interface. These plugins are MPE-compatible, work with DAWs like Ableton, Logic, or Bitwig, and are available as VST/AU/AAX. Prices are approximate as of 2025.

Plugin Type Price (approx.) Seaboard-Like Strengths Weaknesses MPE Support

ROLI Equator2 Multi-Synth with Piano Presets €149 (cheaper with Seaboard bundles) Tailored for Seaboard; MPE presets modulate piano timbre, volume via glide/strike/pressure for organic expression. More synth-focused than pure piano. Full (designed for Seaboard).

Audio Modeling SWAM Piano Physical Modeling €99 Highly expressive; models hammer, strings, resonance; MPE enables per-note articulation (e.g., hammer noise, sustain) for dynamic Seaboard play. CPU-heavy; slight learning curve. Full (ideal for MPE controllers).

Native Instruments Noire Felt Piano (Nils Frahm-style) €99 (in Komplete Now) Soft, intimate tones; MPE supports emotional swells, glissandi via pressure/glide, mimicking Seaboard’s fluidity. Limited to felt piano sound. Good (per-note expression).

Spectrasonics Keyscape Sample-Based Multi-Piano €399 30+ piano types (e.g., Steinway, Rhodes); MPE allows detailed modulation (aftertouch, release) for hybrid Seaboard expressiveness. Expensive; large library (77 GB). Good (enhanced with Omnisphere).

Pianoteq 8 Physical Modeling €129 (Standard) Infinitely tweakable modeled pianos; MPE for polyphonic aftertouch, glide creates “living” Seaboard-like sounds. Modeled, not always as warm as samples. Full (excellent for expression).

Why These Plugins?

• MPE Compatibility: These plugins process MPE data (e.g., CC74 for glide, CC2 for pressure) to vary timbre, dynamics, or pitch per note, unlike standard VSTs limited to velocity. ROLI’s support docs highlight Equator2 and SWAM for MPE piano use.
• Seaboard-Like Sound: They respond to subtle touches (soft attacks) and glides (legato transitions), replicating the Seaboard’s organic, continuous feel.
• Setup Tips:
  • Use ROLI Dashboard to set “MPE Mode” and map parameters (e.g., glide to pitch-bend).
  • In DAWs: Enable MPE in Ableton/Bitwig; use ROLI Studio Player as a bridge in Logic.
  • Free Option: ROLI Studio Player (included with Seaboard) offers basic MPE piano presets, but premium plugins add depth.

If you have a specific budget, DAW, or piano type (e.g., grand, upright) in mind, or if you’re using a Seaboard (e.g., Block, Rise), let me know for tailored advice or setup help!

 

@PulseWave Thank you - but would I actually need to buy a seaboard though (Equator 2 for example)? Or would it still work on my digital 88 keys piano?

I'm just using an 88 keys digital piano btw, I don't own a seaboard - I am guessing achieving that sound is impossible without it?

 

Not necessarily a Seaboard, but an MPE enabled input device. Unless there's maybe a way to do some of it with like after touch in Equator/Equator 2. Keith McMillan makes a K-Board which is a bit more like Keyboard. There's also the Osmose.

Look into MPE in general. They're all really different input devices . . .

 

To fully utilize the expressive possibilities of the MPE standard, you need an MPE controller—even for many hardware synthesizers whose sound generators are already MPE-compatible. Because their keyboards and other control elements often cannot generate the corresponding MPE data for control themselves, an external controller is required to fully exploit the expressive possibilities.

Roli Piano 399,00 € --> https://roli.com/eu/product/collection/learn

 

I think I get it now. Thank you guys

 

The difference is, does it matter if you can play it expressively on your controller; or do you want to make it sound like it in a DAW project?

So if someone asks, do I need to buy anything to make a project sound like I am a 50 piece orchestra? People will say no problem. But if you want to make some random noises, you have to go buy something? Come on.

Equator does not have a scripting engine, but Falcon 3 does.

 

I can't find any info about this product, is it available for buying anywhere or it's some kind of AI bug?

 

Hello Blu, unfortunately, the AI sometimes hallucinates. That's right, there's no piano from the company!

Check this out:
Applied Acoustics Systems Chromaphone 3
https://www.applied-acoustics.com/chromaphone-3
LFO and Resonator, with these you could achieve similar sounds! Modwhee /Midil?!

10 Best Physical Modeling Synth VST Plugins In 2025
https://dawzone.com/10-best-physical-modeling-synth-vst-plugins

 

Spoiler: Source: ChatGPT KI

How do you create a piano sound similar to an MPE Seaboard?

ChatGPT:


Creating a piano sound similar to what you'd get on an MPE controller like the ROLI Seaboard involves more than just choosing a soft-sounding piano — it's about adding expression, movement, and responsiveness to your instrument.

Here's a step-by-step guide to recreate that Seaboard-style expressive piano sound even if you're not using an actual Seaboard.

1. Start with the Right Piano Sound
You want something soft, expressive, and dynamic — a sound that responds well to velocity and can blend with ambient textures.

Good starting points:

• Felt piano (e.g. Spitfire LABS Soft Piano)
  
  
• Cinematic pianos (Noire, Piano Colors, Emotional Piano)
  
  
• Hybrid piano + pad layers
  

Tip: Pick a piano that has long release times, rich harmonics, and ideally supports multisampling or velocity layering.

2. Use an MPE-Capable Instrument (or Emulate One)
If you have an MPE controller:

• Use an MPE-enabled plugin like:
  
  • Equator2 (ROLI)
    
    
  • Osmose EaganMatrix
    
    
  • Pianoteq (MPE-enabled versions)
    
    
  • Surge XT, Phase Plant, Falcon, etc.
    
• Assign:
  
  • Glide (X-axis) to pitch bend
    
    
  • Slide (Y-axis) to filter, brightness, or FX
    
    
  • Pressure to volume, filter, reverb send, etc.
    

If you don’t have an MPE controller:

• Emulate expressiveness with:
  
  • Velocity → Volume, filter cutoff
    
    
  • Mod wheel or aftertouch → Vibrato, filter, FX
    
    
  • Automation curves in your DAW (for pitch, filter, volume, reverb)
    

️ 3. Add Modulation and Movement
This is where most of the "Seaboard magic" happens — not from the piano itself, but how it's processed.

Essential FX:

• Long Reverb with modulation (e.g. Valhalla Shimmer)
  
  
• Stereo Delay (tape-style or ping-pong)
  
  
• LFO modulation on:
  
  • Filter cutoff (slow wobble or brightness shift)
    
    
  • Volume (slight tremolo)
    
• Pitch Vibrato (subtle, per-note if possible)
  
  
• Chorus / Ensemble for shimmer
  

️ 4. Use Envelopes Creatively
On Seaboard, note expression includes Lift (release gesture) — emulate this with long release times and maybe a reverb tail that continues after note-off.

Adjust your amp/filter envelope:

• Attack: Smooth (10–50ms) to soften transients
  
  
• Release: Long (300–1000ms) for fluid note-off
  
  
• Sustain: Full or modulated via pressure
  

5. Layer with Ambient Pads or Textures
Create a layered instrument with:

• A soft piano
  
  
• An ambient pad (synth or sample)
  
  
• Maybe some noise textures (vinyl crackle, room sounds, etc.)
  

Use velocity or pressure to fade in the layers.

Bonus: Glide & Pitch Techniques

• Use pitch bend automation or an LFO for natural "bending" feel
  
  
• Slight detune between layers (3–5 cents)
  
  
• Add a Glide function (portamento) if using a synth-based piano patch
  

✅ Summary: Key Elements of a Seaboard-style Piano Sound
Element What to Use
Expressive piano Felt or cinematic piano plugin
Multidimensional control MPE or emulated with mod wheel, velocity, automation
Reverb & Delay Long, evolving, stereo
Modulation Filter LFOs, vibrato, envelopes
Envelopes Soft attack, long release
Layering Add pads or textures underneath
Pitch/Glide Use pitch automation or pitch bend for expressiveness
If you're using a specific setup (like MPC, Ableton, FL Studio, or a certain VST), I can walk you through how to build the patch in that exact environment. Want to go deeper?

 

Try Omnisphere

 

Hi,
Seaboard RISE 49 owner here,

let's clarify the MIDI "backend" first:
MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) is a method of using MIDI in a way that enables pitch bend and other dimensions of expressive control to be adjusted continuously for individual notes. MPE works by assigning each note to its own MIDI channel so that controller messages can be applied to each note individually.

some MIDI controllers (like seaboard) do support such additional parameter control mapping on key directly, many MIDI instruments do not (for ex. many keyboards support aftertouch though),
that means that you can always press a key and then use additional controllers (like wheels, sliders, pedals etc..) to do the MPE thingy in a limited manner,

when it comes to VSTi's, it's really a hit or miss, years back when I was browsing through various VSTi, some Arturia synths were MPE out of the box, some not at all, some Omnisphere presets were, some not...

some keyboard/synth workstations like Korg Kronos have USB-MIDI input so you can use Seaboard as MPE controller for it (again some presets may work better than others),

DAWs also treat MPE MIDI differently, for ex. Reaper makes messy spaghetti code while Bitwig makes it human-viewable...

speaking of MPE "piano" controller, do be aware seaboard feels more like squishy silicone toy without strictly defined individual keys, great for sliding and wobbling (way better than for ex. Haken Continuum imo), but it's actually difficult to play even for a seasoned pianist - for such person I'd agree ROLI Piano would be more suitable - but having just two octaves it's rather limiting imo, more of an addition to your 88-keyboard I'd say

 

choose any VST synth for example Surge that has a preset with a name guitar in it, after some tweaking adding reverb delay chorus you will have that same fakie guitar sound, sounds really cheesy the only thing that saves the situation here is the expressive controller

or try some samplebased guitar plugin it will sound more real than your example
or physical model plug-in like Strum GS where you can controll the cheesiness

 

one thing is the spectrum, another thing is the intonation, and here the answer is that it can get hard to impossible to play a digital piano the same way like you can play a seaboard - not even if it has a pitchwheel.