<blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="gmail_quote">even the junkiest spinet they pulled out of a garage...?</blockquote><div> Amusing and thoughtful question... Do keep in mind that in this particular case the "virtual piano" software only costs $399. For a a struggling young sound studio, I can see the appeal. The sound of the solo piano samples I listened to at that link were passable, but still distinctly plastic and thin. For a piano-forward recording I think would be tacky, but for a rock band looking to add some piano texture or hook way back in the mix, It seems like a remarkable technological achievement. Or, they could just go out and buy a $1000 beat up piano and record with that, and end up with a sound with a lot more sincerity and character. [kurt] </div>