EastWest Pianos Bundle Virtual Instrument Software

Description

After two years of recording, editing, and programming, EastWest/Quantum Leap proudly present the most detailed collection of the world´s finest grand pianos ever recorded in one of the ´temples of sound´, EASTWEST STUDIOS (more RIAA certified platinum and gold records awarded than any other recording studios) with three mic positions for each piano.

This virtual instrument includes four of the world´s finest grand pianos: a Bechstein D-280, Steinway D, Bösendorfer 290, and Yamaha C7. The PLAY interface includes impulses from the same hall the producers used to record Symphonic Orchestra and Symphonic Choirs, so the pianos can blend with those collections.

EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos Gold Edition, which provides only the player´s perspective mics and 16-bit samples, is available for users with less powerful systems. A low-cost upgrade path is available for users of the Gold Edition who wish to move up to the Full Edition.

The EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos

Bechstein 280
The Bechstein 280 is a modern 9´, German concert grand piano, built in 2006. This is a very precise, technical piano that creates a fantastic classical sound, particularly for more demanding works. It can also produce a really unique, big, pop/rock piano sound.

A similar Bechstein has been used by Supertramp and many others. The Supertramp Bechstein piano on "Crime Of The Century" was recorded by legendary Engineer/Pro-ducer Ken Scott, and EastWest persuaded Ken to engineer a pop/rock version of this piano for this collection. Producer Doug Rogers purchased the Bechstein in 2006, and when EastWest Studios re-opens to the public in 2008, this will be the EastWest Studio 1 concert grand.

Bösendorfer 290
A 98-key, 9´, 6" Grand Imperial Concert Grand piano made in Austria in 2000. This particular piano was played by a Russian concert pianist for four years giving it a very warm tone with a huge dynamic range. It stuck out in a room full of world-class pianos. It is a very romantic piano and sounds more like a Steinway than a factory-tuned Bösendorfer. Producer Nick Phoenix bought the Bösendorfer in 2006, and the sound of this piano coupled with the purchase of EastWest Studios sparked the idea to create this virtual instrument collection.

Steinway D
An 88-key, 9´ American Concert Grand. EastWest went through 12 Steinway D’s before finding this gem. This is probably the most balanced universal piano in the collection. The dynamic range is huge, from a whisper to thunder.

Yamaha C7
This instrument is the pop/rock piano from EastWest Studio 2. This particular C7 has been used on more gold and platinum records than any other piano in existence. It is a great bright piano, but attention was also paid to the soft dynamics, which really separates this effort.

Features

Load any piano or mic position individually (each piano is approx. 60GB)

3 positions are included per piano for maximum flexibility

10–18 velocities per note of sustain and sustain with pedal

8–12 velocities per note of repetitions and repetitions with pedal

5–8 velocities of soft pedal and soft pedal with sustain pedal

16 velocity staccato on every piano

Repetition samples taken from 180 BPM performances for a TRUE repetition sound

Software detects true repetitions

Resonance: pedal resonance recorded for every note at multiple velocities, as well as with the soft pedal down

Proprietary resonance captured on the Bösendorfer

Release samples with software envelope follower

Recorded in a proper piano environment with vintage Neumann microphones, Meitner AD converters and a vintage 8078 Neve console

Stereo swap possible in software

Mic position mixing in software

Lid position simulation

Articulation matrix for quick and straightforward loading

Most powerful streaming engine available with highest polyphony counts

PLAY interface includes impulses from the same hall the producers used to record Symphonic Orchestra and Symphonic Choirs so the pianos can blend with those collections.

Articulations on each piano include:

• Sustain
• Sustain with pedal
• Repetitions
• Repetitions with pedal
• Soft pedal
• Soft pedal with sustain pedal
• Staccato
• Release trails

Specs

64-bit standalone and plug-in versions included (for 32-bit compatibility please use PLAY 4.3.5)

iLok account required for machine (electronic) license placed on your computer or use optional iLok Key; internet connection required for one-time product activation

Mac minimum requirements

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2.1gHz or higher (PPC not supported)
• 8GB RAM
• Mac OSX 10.7 or later
• 7,200 RPM or faster (non-energy saving) hard drive for sample streaming

PC minimum requirements

• Intel Core 2 Duo, or AMD Dual Core 2.1gHz or higher
• 8GB RAM
• Windows 7 or later
• Sound card with ASIO drivers
• 7,200 RPM or faster (non energy saving) hard drive for sample streaming