 
Music Tech – December 2008
Given the inclusion of a basic instrument set with most DAWS and samplers, finding a virtual acoustic piano is a fairly easy task. Sampled grands are commonplace and even decent uprights are easily sourced – Kontakt 3 and Independence, which has two, both come to mind.
So, is there a market for a dedicated upright piano virtual instrument? Synthogy thinks so: the company has just released a new collection of four distinctly different-sounding vertical pianos – modern, vintage ad bar room models, plus an early 1900s upright with real tacks in the hammers.
Installation takes a while, but that’s to be expected given that there’s more than 50GB of content. However, running this software requires an iLok Key, which at a cost of £30 is quite expensive if you don’t already own one.
Naturally, CPU efficiency is vital for smooth performance with any serious sampled piano, so we tested these uprights using a modest system: a MacBook (1.83GHz, 2GB RAM) with an external USB drive (7,200RPM) for the samples. As with Synthogy’s Italian Grand (reviewed in Issue 64), all four instruments played smoothly, exhibiting only the occasional glitch.
Key ring
First up was Yamaha’s top-of-the-range U5, a modern piano ideally suited to pop, rock and jazz recordings. Of the four instruments this is the most versatile, and with rich a rich, full-bodied tone it is likely to be the most often turned to.
Thanks to the comprehensive controls, dynamic and tonal adjustments are easy and intuitive. But quite honestly, with 20 choice presets on offer, finding a suitable starting point for most recording situations should not present a problem. Many of these incorporate the effects section – EQ, chorus and ambience – in various combination and they are always tastefully employed. Another nice touch is the availability of several pads for shadowing poignant melody lines and suchlike.
Whereas the U5 is smooth and warm, the Vintage Upright, an American-made AM Hume (1914) is much more vibrant, with a huge resonant sound that’s full of character. Apparently, this instrument was singled out for its tonal qualities and all-original, carefully maintained parts. It plays superbly and is very detailed and realistic-sounding, particularly if you take advantage of the sampled ‘creaks and clunks’.
Again, there are plenty of presets on offer, all with an appropriate resonance setting. And that’s where the Ivory piano engine scores big-time: it features a DSP function that realistically simulates a piano’s inner resonances when the sustain pedal is used. Available settings range between clean soundboard to extra resonant. Sustain and resonance can make or break a virtual piano in our opinion and in that respect the Ivory pianos always excel.
Whereas the AM Hume is suitable for all types of music, the remaining two pianos – a 1915 Packard (honky tonk) and a tack piano from the early 1900s – are ideally suited to ragtime, stride, blues and other early 20th century styles. Both instruments produce an authentic, rollicking bar room sound.
Keyed Up
Synthogy has made a first-class job of sampling these instruments. All the keys were recorded individually as complete sustained notes with full decay, What’s more, sets of release samples were recorded for each key, taken not only at various velocities, but also at different time intervals after the note’s onset. On playback, Ivory keeps track of each note’s duration and, when a key is released, it triggers the appropriate release sample. This attention to detail has certainly paid dividends. We aren’t told which microphones were used, but who cares? They sound superb, which is really all that matters.
If you’re dissatisfied with the pianos that came with your DAW or sampler, these splendid uprights will not disappoint. If you are looking for a trouble-free playing experience, though, do pay heed to the recommended system requirements.
Verdict: Very realistic-sounding upright pianos that are full of character, impeccably sampled and very enjoyable to play.
Rating: 9/10
MusicTech Choice Award |
