EastWest/Quantum Leap debuted their new gigantic
virtual piano, which was three years in the making. The pianist that
recorded the samples to this library, John Sawoski, is someone I
work with here in LA, so I’ve been hearing about this library for
quite some time now. As one might expect from a piano lib featuring
270 gigs of samples, it took quite a while to get this product to
market. However, the attention to detail has clearly paid off, as
the piano feels very natural to play, and the velocity switching is
ultra smooth. The realism extends all the way to the very highest
and lowest notes on the keyboard, something evident even on the
noisy NAMM showroom floor.
The 270 gigs of samples were recorded at the former Cello Studio
(now EastWest Studio) at a sample rate of 24-bit/44.1k.
Interestingly, the user can select from three microphone positions.
At the booth was a photo of the recording session, and one mic pair
was close up under the lid, another a little further back in a mid
distance type of position, and the third pair was the typical room
mic position away from the piano.
The library features 10 to 16 velocity layers per note, as well
as 16 distinct staccato velocities. The same amount of velocity
layers are represented for soft pedal, sustain pedal, and soft
sustain. The attention to detail is evident when playing this
virtual piano.
Another feature is their approach to fast repetitions. EastWest
recorded fast repetitions at 180 BPM, and the software detects true
repetitions when the performer plays them. These special repetition
samples are then called up.
Four pianos are featured in this library, a Bechstein D-280
Concert Grand, Steinway D Concert Grand, Bösendorfer 290 Concert
Grand, and the ubiquitous Yamaha C7.
EastWest was taking preorders, and according to them it should be
released in a couple weeks.
NAMM news report by Albert Potts
Pricing and Availability:
The MSRP is $495 USD.
More information:
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