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Note: this is for version 5.0+. For older unsupported versions (<v3.5), visit the legacy page

Contents

the Software

bitKlavier is available for OSX (standalone, VST3/AU plugins):

See the release notes for this version, and also for earlier versions. Also, read more about it at bitKlavier Notes.

The installer will install the following:

  • a folder called “bitKlavier” in your ~/Documents directory, with the following in it:
    — a “samples” folder with the core piano samples for bitKlavier
    — a “galleries” folder; galleries saved here will automatically show up in bitKlavier
    — a “music” folder, containing PDFs of sheet music for bitKlavier
    — a “soundfonts” folder; soundfonts placed here will automatically show up in bitKlavier
    — a “doc” folder with the manual and some relevant papers
  • VST, VST3, and AU plugins in the /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins folder
  • the main application in your /Applications folder

Please don’t move or rename the bitKlavier folder or any of its subfolders, otherwise bitKlavier won’t be able to find what it needs to run! Adding files to those folders is fine though.

bitKlavier is an open-source project, created in C++ using JUCE. Developers interested in joining the project can of course download the source from the GitHub site, and don’t hesitate to contact us.

the Hardware

Keyboard
  • An inexpensive 3-octave midi controller like this one will work great for a lot of bitKlavier functions.
  • For many of the advanced pieces like the Nostalgic Synchronic etudes, a full 88 keys is necessary. M Audio digital pianos work nicely.
  • The ideal situation is a keyboard with fully weighted keys which simulate playing a piano. Here are options from Roland and Casio.
  • A USB cable to go out from the keyboard. Some keyboards come with one.

Note: if you want to try bitKlavier without a MIDI keyboard, you can use the on-screen keyboard, or you can use a virtual keyboard application (like MIDIKeys) that repurposes the computer keyboard, sending note information directly to bitKlavier.

Speakers

There are many variables here! bitKlavier can work in all sorts of situations, using cheap speakers, headphones, huge PA systems, studio monitors, guitar amplifiers, whatever; just keep in mind that the speakers are part of the instrument and will have a big impact on how it sounds and how well it works when playing with other instruments. One of our favorite systems for using in concert situations is a pair of Bose L1 compact speakers; the nice thing about these speakers is how natural they sound, and how well other musicians in the room can hear them when you play. However, they are not cheap! And don’t let availability of fancy expensive speakers get in your way. In fact, much of the fun with bitKlavier is found when just exploring it, improvising, playing some of the existing pieces, all by yourself, even through headphones.

Sample Libraries

bitKlavier can open most SoundFont and SFZ sample libraries, and there are hundreds out there to try. Just download them and drop them in the bitKlavier/soundfonts directory.

We have also created some sample libraries for bitKlavier:

Note that bitKlavier 5.0+ expects the sample libraries to be in a different format than what is downloaded; the change is simply to folder organization, and you can use this utility to do it for you if you like.