Virtual Upright Piano: timeless tone for every style
There’s something profoundly human about an upright piano. It’s the sound of songs written late at night, of studio takes that feel imperfect but true, of records that became classics not because they were flawless, but because they were alive. From The Beatles and Elton John to Norah Jones and Coldplay, the upright has shaped some of the most iconic melodies of modern music.
Unlike a concert grand, an upright piano doesn’t project across a concert hall—it speaks directly to you. Its tone is compact, resonant, slightly uneven, and full of color. The proximity of its strings and the wooden cabinet create a natural compression that makes every chord sound intimate yet powerful. That character is exactly what many producers and composers look for: a piano that feels less “polished” and more “real.”
Today, virtual upright pianos allow anyone to capture that spirit inside a DAW. Through advanced sampling and physical modeling, these instruments reproduce not only the tonal range of the original but also the personality of each key, the creaks of the pedals, and the sympathetic resonance between strings. The result is a digital instrument that can feel almost acoustic—responsive, emotional, and full of imperfections that inspire creativity.
In ONE Instrument®, uprights are more than just sampled sounds—they’re creative tools. Within the platform, users can load free or premium upright libraries, layer them with pads, strings, or synths using the Layer Builder, and record their ideas instantly through the integrated recorder. For creators, it’s a way to go from inspiration to performance in seconds, without opening multiple plugins or losing the flow of an idea.
From cinematic scoring to pop songwriting, an upright can easily become the emotional core of a track. It blends beautifully with vocals, adds rhythmic definition under guitars, and offers warmth that complements electronic textures. Even minimal arrangements come to life with its honest tone—one that carries both nostalgia and freshness, depending on how it’s played or processed.
Below is a curated selection of the best virtual upright pianos available today—free and premium—chosen by the creators of ONE Instrument®.
Free Upright Pianos
Claustrophobic Piano – by Christian Henson (Pianobook): recorded in a small, resonant room, this upright delivers a dark, atmospheric tone ideal for ambient and cinematic compositions. https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/claustrophobic-piano/
Spindle – by Orchestral Tools: part of the free Layers collection, offering an organic upright sound with realistic dynamics and smooth playability.
https://www.orchestraltools.com/store/collections/spindle
Premium Upright Pianos
Abbey Road 1905 Upright Piano – by Native Instruments: an antique masterpiece captured at Abbey Road Studios, rich in harmonics and authenticity.
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/keys/abbey-road-1905-upright-piano/Abbey Road Modern Upright Piano – by Native Instruments: a brighter, contemporary character suitable for pop, R&B, and film scores.
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/keys/abbey-road-modern-upright-piano/Addictive Keys – Modern Upright – by XLN Audio: a studio favorite featuring multiple mic perspectives, mechanical control, and polished presets. https://www.xlnaudio.com/products/addictive_keys_instrument/modern_upright
Sonora Cinematic – Verticale: cinematic depth meets warmth; sampled with exceptional detail for emotional scoring.
https://sonoracinematic.com/products/verticalePianoteq Upright Collection – by Modartt: physically modeled upright pianos offering authentic feel, adjustable parameters, and near-zero load times.
https://www.modartt.com/upright_pianosEZkeys Upright Piano – by Toontrack: intuitive and songwriter-friendly, combining expressive tone with integrated MIDI patterns.
https://www.toontrack.com/product/ezkeys-upright-piano/Arturia Augmented Piano: merges sampling and synthesis for evolving, hybrid upright textures. https://www.arturia.com/products/augmented-series/augmented-piano/overview
Arturia Piano V3: advanced physical modeling with full control over string resonance, hammer hardness, and cabinet acoustics.
https://www.arturia.com/products/analog-classics/piano-v/overview
Virtual upright pianos prove that inspiration doesn’t depend on price or prestige—it depends on personality. Sometimes, the most moving performances come not from a pristine grand, but from a slightly worn upright recorded in a quiet room. And thanks to ONE Instrument®, that sound—authentic, emotional, and deeply musical—is just a click away.