Unveiling the Midnight Grand: A Cinematic Steinway D Concert Grand Piano
If you’re a composer or music producer searching for a truly unique instrument, the Steinway D concert grand piano known as Midnight Grand offers an unparalleled sound. This extraordinary piano, treated with a layer of cotton between its hammers and strings, delivers a soft, cinematic piano tone that stands out in any musical composition. Recorded in a vast concert hall, its delicate resonance is perfect for creating emotive and atmospheric tracks.
The Unique Charm of a Felt Piano Sound
The allure of a felt piano sound has long captivated composers. Unlike traditional felt pianos, which are often upright models with a practice pedal, the Midnight Grand reimagines this concept using a grand piano. By placing a thin layer of cotton wool between the hammers and strings, this instrument achieves a richer, deeper tone. The spacious environment of a concert hall recording enhances this effect, setting it apart from other pianos like the Woodchester Piano, which was captured in a smaller, drier studio space.
Innovative Features of the Midnight Grand Piano
The Midnight Grand piano library goes beyond just a unique tone. It includes a variety of features designed to inspire creativity:
- Atmospheric Layers: With 14 distinct pads, these layers blend effortlessly with the raw piano sound, creating an immersive experience. Controlled via the ambience intensity (linked to the CC1/Mod wheel), they allow for seamless tuning and transformation of the instrument’s character.
- Dynamic Response Controls: The latest update introduces controls to limit the dynamic range, focusing on the softest velocity layer for an enhanced delicate piano tone. This maintains natural keyboard responsiveness without altering overall volume.
- Detailed Sampling: Every nuance, from pedal mechanics to hammer actions, has been meticulously captured. A room tone control also lets users reintroduce the natural ambience of the concert hall recording, often lost during sample processing.
Expanding Sonic Horizons with Updates
The recent update to the Midnight Grand library brings even more possibilities for composers. Alongside innovative response controls that align with its sister library, Spotlight Piano, it introduces 11 new atmospheric layers for piano. These have been expertly curated into eight snapshot presets by the Fracture Sounds team, offering a fantastic starting point for exploring darker, moodier genres.
Why Choose Midnight Grand for Your Music?
This Steinway D concert grand piano isn’t just an instrument; it’s a gateway to creativity. Key highlights include:
- A smooth, nuanced, and cinematic piano sound ideal for film scores and ambient music.
- Authentic pedal on/off samples for realistic sympathetic resonance.
- Controlled release noises from keys, pedals, and room ambience for added realism.
- A user-friendly interface with full NKS support for Komplete Kontrol hardware.
Conclusion: A Must-Have for Composers
Whether you’re crafting a haunting soundtrack or an introspective piece, the Midnight Grand offers a felt piano sound that’s both inspiring and versatile. Recorded in a modern concert hall and enhanced with cutting-edge features like atmospheric layers and dynamic controls, this instrument is a valuable addition to any composer’s toolkit. Dive into the latest piano library update and explore the endless sonic possibilities of this remarkable Steinway D masterpiece.
