Does the world really need another sampled Steinway? Maybe not, but I get the feeling that Piano in Blue from Cinesamples will attract more than a few people.
First, here’s some history of the sampled piano itself:
The CBS 30th Street Studio, “The Church” was perhaps the most influential recording studio of the 50’s and 60’s producing dozens of legendary albums in various genres.
Of those recordings this piano played a critical role in two albums which are still considered among the finest recordings of all time. First being the original Glenn Gould “Goldberg Variations,” the most critically received classical album of all time. Four years later came Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” which forever altered music.
In 1981 Columbia closed its doors and this piano was brought to Clinton. In addition to the grand two of the original Columbia Nuemann U49 microphones made the journey also. These were two of the five (or six) microphones originally used on the Kind of Blue date. We were fortunate enough to sample this special grand using these two original microphones.
Interesting stuff. Piano in Blue was recorded with three sets of microphones. One pair set up in “historical position”, and two other pairs a touch further. There are two signal chains to choose from, both go through a Neve 8078, but one also hits a Studer A800 tape machine.
Piano in Blue requires the full version of Kontakt 4.2. More details about it can be found at the Cinesamples website.
Cinesamples is a company that had not been on my radar until recently. NOW, they are one of the companies I feel I should keep an eye on. Cinebrass? So Badass, The best of its type I’ve heard to date. This piano is very nice. Again, nice options, tape samples, unique in its own way. Maybe a little pricy, when you consider a house like UVI. Their pianos are ALL perfect, sonically. Best of their type IMO. And most of them in the $70 range. But then, it has its own unique qualities and features. A potential winner….
Bought it!
Bought it! Lovely sound. Fat, warm and smooth.