What is the Soundiron Struck Grand Piano?

It is a virtual piano instrument sampled from a 1926 Steinway Parlor Grand. It features both traditional playing styles and experimental percussive techniques like mallet strikes and string scrapes.

What piano model was used for this library?

The library is based on a vintage 1926 Steinway Parlor Grand. This specific model was chosen for its characteristic tone and responsiveness to unusual articulations.

Does this instrument require specific software to run?

Yes, the Struck Grand Piano is designed for the Native Instruments Kontakt platform. It operates as a virtual instrument plugin or standalone application within a digital audio workstation.

What are finger mutes in the context of this instrument?

Finger mutes are an articulation where the player dampens the piano strings with their fingers while playing. This results in a short, percussive sound with reduced sustain and altered harmonic content.

Can I use this for traditional classical piano music?

While it includes traditional hammer strikes, the library's strength lies in its unique articulations. It can play classical parts, but it is specifically marketed for its ability to reinvent the piano sound.

How much does the Soundiron Struck Grand Piano cost?

The typical price range for this virtual instrument is approximately £65. Prices may vary slightly depending on regional taxes and current manufacturer promotions.

What kind of mallets were used in the sampling process?

The manufacturer utilized various mallet types to strike the strings directly. This provides a different attack profile compared to the standard felt-covered hammers of a grand piano.

Is the interface easy to use for beginners?

Soundiron describes the Kontakt interface as intuitive. It is designed to allow both simple sound selection and more detailed control over the instrument's technical features and effects.

How does this compare to the Spitfire Audio Intimate Grand?

The Spitfire Audio Originals Intimate Grand focuses on a soft, close-mic traditional piano sound. The Struck Grand offers a broader range of experimental techniques like scrapes and mutes that the Spitfire version lacks.

What are string scrapes?

String scrapes are sound effects created by dragging an object or fingernail along the length of the piano strings. They produce atmospheric, non-pitched, or sliding tonal sounds frequently used in horror or suspense scores.

Is this a physical digital piano like a Yamaha Clavinova?

No, this is a software-based virtual instrument. Unlike a Yamaha CLP-865 or Roland GP-6, it does not have physical keys or a cabinet and must be played via a MIDI controller and a computer.

What musical genres is this instrument best suited for?

It is ideal for cinematic scoring, avant-garde music, and dramatic soundtracks. Its ability to produce both melodic and percussive textures makes it highly versatile for atmospheric compositions.

Gear article

Soundiron Struck Grand Piano

The Soundiron Struck Grand Piano is a virtual instrument based on a 1926 Steinway Model L Parlor Grand, sampled using both traditional and unconventional percussion techniques. It is designed for the Native Instruments Kontakt platform, offering a range of sounds from standard hammers to string scrapes and mallet strikes for cinematic scoring.

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Overview

The Soundiron Struck Grand Piano is a professional virtual instrument library that focuses on the experimental and percussive potential of a 1926 Steinway Parlor Grand. Unlike standard piano libraries that focus solely on traditional hammer-on-string samples, this library explores a diverse range of articulations. It is intended to function as both a melodic instrument and a source for sound design, providing a bridge between classical performance and modern experimental scoring.

Articulations and Sound Manipulation

The library is characterised by its deep sampling of non-traditional techniques. Key articulations include:

Mallet Strikes: The strings are struck with বিভিন্ন types of mallets for a softer, more resonant attack.
Finger Mutes: Samples recorded while dampening the strings by hand to produce a staccato, percussive tone.
String Scrapes: Glissandos and tonal effects created by scraping objects across the piano strings.
Harmonics: Capturing the overtones produced by lightly touching the strings at specific nodes.

These sounds are managed through an intuitive Kontakt interface that allows users to blend traditional piano tones with these experimental textures.

Technical Features

The Struck Grand features expansive creative controls within the Kontakt environment. It includes advanced options for shaping the envelope, controlling the response of the samples, and applying built-in effects. The interface is designed to facilitate quick adjustments to the drama and nuance of the sound, making it suitable for fast-paced film scoring environments where custom textures are required.

Target Audience and Comparison

This instrument is primarily aimed at film, television, and game composers who require a piano that can transition from intimate classical passages to eerie, rhythmic, or avant-garde textures.

Compared to digital grand pianos like the Yamaha CLP-865 or the Roland GP-6, which focus on replicating the tactile and sonic experience of a physical instrument, the Struck Grand is a production tool. While products like the Spitfire Audio Originals Intimate Grand focus on close-mic traditional playing, the Soundiron offering is more suited to those seeking the 'prepared piano' aesthetic found in modern cinematic scores.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Soundiron Struck Grand Piano?: It is a virtual piano instrument sampled from a 1926 Steinway Parlor Grand. It features both traditional playing styles and experimental percussive techniques like mallet strikes and string scrapes.
What piano model was used for this library?: The library is based on a vintage 1926 Steinway Parlor Grand. This specific model was chosen for its characteristic tone and responsiveness to unusual articulations.
Does this instrument require specific software to run?: Yes, the Struck Grand Piano is designed for the Native Instruments Kontakt platform. It operates as a virtual instrument plugin or standalone application within a digital audio workstation.
What are finger mutes in the context of this instrument?: Finger mutes are an articulation where the player dampens the piano strings with their fingers while playing. This results in a short, percussive sound with reduced sustain and altered harmonic content.
Can I use this for traditional classical piano music?: While it includes traditional hammer strikes, the library's strength lies in its unique articulations. It can play classical parts, but it is specifically marketed for its ability to reinvent the piano sound.
How much does the Soundiron Struck Grand Piano cost?: The typical price range for this virtual instrument is approximately £65. Prices may vary slightly depending on regional taxes and current manufacturer promotions.
What kind of mallets were used in the sampling process?: The manufacturer utilized various mallet types to strike the strings directly. This provides a different attack profile compared to the standard felt-covered hammers of a grand piano.
Is the interface easy to use for beginners?: Soundiron describes the Kontakt interface as intuitive. It is designed to allow both simple sound selection and more detailed control over the instrument's technical features and effects.
How does this compare to the Spitfire Audio Intimate Grand?: The Spitfire Audio Originals Intimate Grand focuses on a soft, close-mic traditional piano sound. The Struck Grand offers a broader range of experimental techniques like scrapes and mutes that the Spitfire version lacks.
What are string scrapes?: String scrapes are sound effects created by dragging an object or fingernail along the length of the piano strings. They produce atmospheric, non-pitched, or sliding tonal sounds frequently used in horror or suspense scores.
Is this a physical digital piano like a Yamaha Clavinova?: No, this is a software-based virtual instrument. Unlike a Yamaha CLP-865 or Roland GP-6, it does not have physical keys or a cabinet and must be played via a MIDI controller and a computer.
What musical genres is this instrument best suited for?: It is ideal for cinematic scoring, avant-garde music, and dramatic soundtracks. Its ability to produce both melodic and percussive textures makes it highly versatile for atmospheric compositions.