Sentiment Analysis: Have Audio CATTANEO Upright Piano & Electric Piano Sample Libraries for Kontakt

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Introduction

The Have Audio CATTANEO Upright Piano and Electric Piano are sample libraries for Kontakt, designed to provide musicians and composers with intimate, character-rich piano sounds. Developed in collaboration with Italian musician Paolo Cattaneo, these libraries aim to deliver unique textures suited for songwriting, film scoring, and ambient music. This sentiment analysis reviews user feedback from the most popular online plugin, gear, and composing forums and major social media platform groups to provide a balanced summary of opinions, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and comparisons with leading competitors.

Positive Feedback

Sound Quality and Character

• Delicate and Intimate Sound: Users consistently praise the CATTANEO Upright Piano and Electric Piano for their delicate, intimate, and emotional tones, making them ideal for underscoring, dramatic scenes, romantic moments, and minimalistic compositions.

• Unique Layers and Textures: The libraries offer multiple mixable channels (e.g., main piano, human noises, swells, granular textures, and color layers like tuned glasses), which users find useful for creating unique and evolving sounds.

• Expressive and Realistic: The inclusion of performance noises and responsive sustain pedal behavior enhances realism, with many users noting the authentic feel, especially in the Electric Piano.

• Sound Design Potential: The ability to add effects like tape hiss, wobble, granular textures, and distortion is appreciated by those seeking to move beyond traditional piano sounds.

Ease of Use and Workflow

• Simple Interface: Users describe the interface as straightforward, with easy access to key parameters such as attack, reverb, delay, and effects pedals.

• Quick Customization: The libraries allow for rapid sound shaping, making them suitable for both quick sketches and detailed productions.

• Low System Demands: Some users note that the libraries are not overly demanding on system resources compared to larger, multi-mic piano libraries.

Value

• Affordable Pricing: The bundle is often highlighted for its competitive price, especially during sales or promotions, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

• Bonus Content: The inclusion of a bonus “Cassette” instrument and unique FX layers adds perceived value.

Negative Feedback

Sound Limitations

• Niche Appeal: Some users feel the libraries are best suited for specific genres (ambient, minimal, cinematic) and may lack the versatility of more mainstream piano libraries.

• Not for Classical or Pop: Those seeking a bright, concert grand sound or a highly dynamic pop piano may find the CATTANEO instruments less suitable due to their soft, intimate character.

Usability and Technical Issues

• Kontakt Full Version Required: The libraries require the full version of Kontakt, excluding users who rely on the free Kontakt Player.

• Limited Articulation and Mic Positions: Compared to high-end competitors, users note the absence of multiple microphone positions and advanced articulations, which can limit realism for some applications.

• Occasional Bugs: While not widespread, a few users have mentioned minor bugs or glitches, such as GUI inconsistencies or issues with effect parameters, though these do not appear to be major barriers.

Value Concerns

• Perceived Value at Full Price: While the libraries are considered good value during sales, some users feel the regular price may be high given the limited versatility and features compared to flagship competitors.

Competitor Comparisons

Main Competitors

1. Native Instruments Noire

2. Spectrasonics Keyscape

Noire (Native Instruments)

• Strengths: Offers a highly detailed felt piano with multiple mic positions and advanced controls. Users appreciate its versatility and suitability for both cinematic and pop/classical contexts.

• Weaknesses: Larger install size and higher system requirements. Some find it less intimate or characterful than the CATTANEO pianos for specific use cases.

Keyscape (Spectrasonics)

• Strengths: Renowned for its extensive collection of vintage keyboards and pianos, high realism, and flexibility across genres.

• Weaknesses: Expensive and requires significant disk space. Some users feel it can sound too polished or generic for more experimental or lo-fi productions.

CATTANEO vs. Competitors

• Strengths: Stands out for its unique, intimate sound and creative layering options, making it ideal for ambient, indie, and cinematic work. Users note its character and ease of sound design as key differentiators.

• Weaknesses: Lacks the versatility, depth, and advanced features (e.g., mic positions, articulations) found in Noire and Keyscape. More of a niche tool than a general-purpose piano library.

Conclusion

Overall, user sentiment towards the Have Audio CATTANEO Upright Piano and Electric Piano is strongly positive among those seeking intimate, characterful, and creative piano sounds for specialized contexts. The libraries are praised for their unique textures, ease of use, and value—especially during promotions. However, they are considered less versatile than flagship competitors like Noire and Keyscape, and may not suit users needing a universal or highly dynamic piano. The requirement for the full version of Kontakt and limited advanced features are noted drawbacks. For composers and producers focused on cinematic, ambient, or experimental music, the CATTANEO pianos are a compelling and inspiring choice.

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Table 1: Comparison of CATTANEO Pianos with Competitors

Feature/Aspect	CATTANEO Upright/Electric Piano	Native Instruments Noire8	Spectrasonics Keyscape9
Sound Quality	Delicate, intimate, characterful	Detailed, versatile, felt	Realistic, polished, broad
Ease of Use	Simple, fast customization	Moderate, many controls	Moderate, many controls
Key Strengths	Unique layers, creative FX, realism	Versatility, detail, realism	Breadth, realism, flexibility
Key Weaknesses	Niche, limited features, Kontakt full req	Large size, less character	Expensive, large size
Price Range	Low-Mid (esp. on sale)	High	High

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Table 2: Summary of Favorable and Unfavorable Opinions

Category	Key Aspect	Favorable Opinion	Favorable Opinion	Favorable Opinion	Unfavorable Opinion	Unfavorable Opinion	Unfavorable Opinion
Sound	Great Sound	Intimate, delicate, expressive	Unique textures	Realistic pedal noises	Niche appeal	Lacks versatility	Not for all genres
Usability	Easy Workflow	Simple interface	Quick customization	Low system demands	Kontakt full required	Limited articulations/mics	Occasional bugs
Features	Useful Features	Creative FX layers	Bonus instrument	Tape/wobble FX	Fewer advanced features	No free Kontakt Player
Value	Price/Value	Good value on sale	Bonus content		Full price concerns

Analysis ran on June 15, 2025

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