Kontakt 2 / EXS24 / Giga 2
".. the individual samples sparkle: They're meticulously realistic..... Not only does it contain a couple of excellent pianos, it's priced significantly below most of the competition.. with such great samples to work with - and at such a reasonable price..." Jim Aikin - Keyboard Magazine
This B.O.B. volume features 2 contrasting grand pianos: a Yamaha "C7" and a 9' Steinway "D." You want it dark? You've got a Steinway. You want it bright? You've got a Yamaha. Each piano was recorded in stereo at mezzo forte and fortissimo dynamic levels. For the price this is an excellent value!
The C7 also has some unusual ‘prepared’ piano samples featuring the piano strings plucked with a guitar pick while the sustain pedal was depressed creating a resonant steel-string harp type of effect. Also the C7 was recorded with the strings being muted with a rubber pad, played with glass rods resonating against the strings as well as plastic magic markers being thrown into the piano lid with the sustain pedal held down. The owners of the studio were a little less than pleased when they heard about that one.
Subjective Opinions
The Yamaha is indeed a bright instrument, however it is VERY rich sounding. The mezzo forte bank is very smooth and warm in nature. It works beautifully on a classical or an ambient piece of music. The fortissimo bank is very bright and could cut through a brick wall in a mix, great for popular music.
The Steinway D is another beast altogether. The adjectives I'll use to describe its sound are mature, sophisticated, round, silky and dark, with a very beautiful high end. Jazz great Art Lande played it, and he preferred it over the Yamaha. But, We've had other players say they preferred the Yamaha.
Recording Techniques
Both pianos were recorded into a GRACE DESIGN mic preamp (handmade in Boulder, CO). The Grace preamp is extremely uncolored and natural.
The Yamaha was recorded with AKG 414's in a figure 8 pattern. This recording pattern helps bring out the sound of the room (which sounds great with all wood floors). You won't need to slap a bunch of reverb on this piano to make it stand on its own in a solo setting; however, there is not so much room sound that you cannot add some reverb if so desired.
The Steinway recording is a little drier than the Yamaha but not a great deal. This piano was recorded with a pair of large diaphram Neuman microphones to accentuate the warm, silky sound of the instrument.
Specifications
Yamaha C7 Grand Piano - 134 mb
Steinway D Grand Piano - 233 mb
Prepared C7 Piano - 54.4 mb
Total size unzipped - 417 mb (zipped download package - 258 mb)
*Full version of Kontakt SAMPLER required. Will only run on the Kontakt PLAYER for 30 minutes in demo mode.*
