What piano was sampled for this library?

The library is based on a vintage Steinway Model A grand piano, known for its rich tone and balanced response across the keyboard.

Where was the recording session held?

The Intimate Grand Piano was recorded at Castlesound Studios, located in Scotland, providing a professional and controlled acoustic environment.

What microphone signals are included?

The instrument features three bespoke signals: Condenser, Ribbon, and Binaural, allowing users to blend different tonal textures.

How many presets are available in the plugin?

There are seven factory presets included, which cover a range of styles from bright and tight studio sounds to spacious cinematic tones.

Can I control mechanical noises?

Yes, the interface includes specific controls for both hammer noise and pedal noise, allowing you to add or remove these realistic elements.

Does this library require Kontakt?

No, the Originals Intimate Grand Piano comes as a dedicated, self-contained plug-in in VST, AU, and AAX formats.

What is the 'Binaural' signal best used for?

The Binaural signal provides a 3D-like stereo image, making it ideal for headphone listening and creating a sense of being in the room with the piano.

What is the typical price for this instrument?

The instrument is typically priced at £29, keeping it in line with the rest of the Spitfire Audio Originals series.

Can I adjust the reverb within the plugin?

Yes, the simple plug-in interface features a dedicated reverb control to help place the piano in a virtual space.

What does the 'Tightness' control do?

The Tightness control allows you to cut further into the start of the sample, making the piano feel more responsive and immediate for fast playing.

Is this piano suitable for cinematic music?

Yes, it is specifically designed to handle delicate nuances and spacious, room-filling tones, which are highly valued in cinematic scoring.

How does this compare to the Soundiron Struck Grand?

While the Soundiron Struck Grand offers a variety of unconventional playing techniques, the Spitfire Intimate Grand focuses on a traditional, intimate playing style using a vintage Steinway.

Gear article

Spitfire Audio Originals Intimate Grand Piano

The Spitfire Audio Originals Intimate Grand Piano is a virtual instrument based on high-quality recordings of a vintage Steinway Model A grand piano. Sampled at Castlesound Studios in Scotland, it focuses on capturing delicate nuances through a simple, dedicated plug-in interface designed for ease of use.

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Overview

The Originals Intimate Grand Piano is a software-based piano library that provides a detailed and close-miked sound profile. It is part of Spitfire Audio's 'Originals' series, which aims to provide essential, high-quality sounds at an accessible price point. The library is built around a vintage Steinway Model A, a model known for its balance and tonal clarity, recorded in the controlled acoustic environment of Castlesound Studios in Scotland.

Capture and Signal Paths

To provide versatility, the instrument features three distinct signal paths that users can mix and match:

Condenser: Provides a clean, detailed, and modern grand piano sound.
Ribbon: Offers a warmer, more vintage character with a rolled-off high end.
Binaural: Captured using a dummy head, this signal provides an immersive, three-dimensional perspective as if sitting at the keyboard.

These signals allow the user to transition from a tight, percussive studio sound to a wide, ambient cinematic tone.

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Key Features and Interface

The instrument operates within a dedicated Spitfire Audio plug-in rather than a third-party sampler. The interface is designed for simplicity, featuring a large central knob and a series of sliders for essential sound-shaping parameters. Users can adjust the 'Tightness' of the samples, control the 'Reverb' level, and independently mix the mechanical noise of 'Hammers' and 'Pedals' to add realism. The library includes seven factory presets ranging from 'Bright and Tight' to more atmospheric 'Cinematic' variations.

Sound Character

True to its name, the Intimate Grand Piano excels at lower dynamic levels and delicate performances. While it captures the full range of the Steinway Model A, it is specifically tuned to highlight the nuanced mechanical sounds and the gentle resonance of the instrument. The result is a sound that feels close and personal, making it well-suited for solo piano compositions, delicate underscores, and intimate pop arrangements.

Comparison and Alternatives

Within the software market, the Intimate Grand Piano competes with other specialised libraries such as the Soundiron Struck Grand Piano or Nightfox Audio Grand Piano Suite. While the Soundiron offering often focuses on extended techniques, Spitfire's library prioritises traditional playability and specific microphone characters. For users seeking a hardware alternative, digital grand pianos like the Yamaha CLP 865 or the Roland GP-6 provide a tactile playing experience, though they lack the specific vintage Steinway character and binaural microphone options found in the Originals software.

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Frequently asked questions

What piano was sampled for this library?: The library is based on a vintage Steinway Model A grand piano, known for its rich tone and balanced response across the keyboard.
Where was the recording session held?: The Intimate Grand Piano was recorded at Castlesound Studios, located in Scotland, providing a professional and controlled acoustic environment.
What microphone signals are included?: The instrument features three bespoke signals: Condenser, Ribbon, and Binaural, allowing users to blend different tonal textures.
How many presets are available in the plugin?: There are seven factory presets included, which cover a range of styles from bright and tight studio sounds to spacious cinematic tones.
Can I control mechanical noises?: Yes, the interface includes specific controls for both hammer noise and pedal noise, allowing you to add or remove these realistic elements.
Does this library require Kontakt?: No, the Originals Intimate Grand Piano comes as a dedicated, self-contained plug-in in VST, AU, and AAX formats.
What is the 'Binaural' signal best used for?: The Binaural signal provides a 3D-like stereo image, making it ideal for headphone listening and creating a sense of being in the room with the piano.
What is the typical price for this instrument?: The instrument is typically priced at £29, keeping it in line with the rest of the Spitfire Audio Originals series.
Can I adjust the reverb within the plugin?: Yes, the simple plug-in interface features a dedicated reverb control to help place the piano in a virtual space.
What does the 'Tightness' control do?: The Tightness control allows you to cut further into the start of the sample, making the piano feel more responsive and immediate for fast playing.
Is this piano suitable for cinematic music?: Yes, it is specifically designed to handle delicate nuances and spacious, room-filling tones, which are highly valued in cinematic scoring.
How does this compare to the Soundiron Struck Grand?: While the Soundiron Struck Grand offers a variety of unconventional playing techniques, the Spitfire Intimate Grand focuses on a traditional, intimate playing style using a vintage Steinway.