NEW RELEASE | CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO

The Charm of CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO: An Ode to Cinematic Intimacy

In the world of composing cinematic pieces, finding the perfect piano can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s a daunting task, full of amazing contenders. But it’s not just about hitting the right notes; it’s about capturing the soul of an instrument – its character, its warmth, its ability to tell a story with every keystroke. That’s where CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO enters the scene. It’s not just another piano library; it’s a storyteller, a companion for your most intimate compositions, and a testament to our dedication to crafting the finest tools for composers.

With CHROMA – GRAND PIANO, we approached piano from a completely different concept. It was an entirely new exploration of piano, where you could readily mix the sounds and tones that are produced in every conceivable manner: from the traditional piano hammer stroke to plucking or even bowing the strings. With this mixing approach and a suite of FX, it is possible to create a huge variety of sounds, from a pristine recreation of the Yamaha C3 we recorded to a pad that sounds like falling raindrops.

With our new CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO, we’ve decided to extend the CHROMA concept further. And now, instead of the grand cinematic allure, we bring to you something far warmer and more intimate.

The Genesis of CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO

Every great instrument has a backstory, and CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO is no exception. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Jonas Hausotter, the project lead behind this exquisite library, who shared the serendipitous beginnings of CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO.

“While we recorded the grand in a little studio near Würzburg, the upright was standing on the opposite wall. If we turned around, we could play it. We both actually liked the vibe of the upright so much,” Jonas reminisces. It was love at first sight – or rather, first sound. “The upright’s resonances were so captivating that it seemed almost criminal not to sample it.”

The upright is a 100-year old masterpiece, built at a small, Würzburg piano workshop named Wilhelm Diemer. Not much remains of the workshop, but we were duly impressed with the craftsmanship of this piece. It was restored to full brilliance 25 years ago and now broadcasts a warm, mid-focused tonal character with a rich low-end.

Later Jonas got word that the studio was closing. Then he had the opportunity to acquire the piano and bring it back to Mainz, where it stands today. CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO was born out of pure passion and pure luck. This piano, over a century old and beautifully restored, brings a unique blend of history and modernity to your compositions.

Capturing the Essence

Recording an upright piano might sound straightforward, but truly capturing its sonic soul requires a delicate approach. Here Jonas delves into the specifics, revealing the diverse array of microphones used to ensure every nuance is preserved:

“We used a whole set of different mics – much more than on the grand. The FRONT Position features two Coles 4038s really close to the strings and another ribbon mic in the middle to fill out the stereo image. ABOVE, we placed a spaced pair of Neumann km140s, somewhere between 0.5 and 1 meter from the piano, and a pair of Schoeps mk5s even higher to capture the whole instrument.

“The BELOW position involves a pair of Gefell m930s under the keybed and a pair of Sennheiser mkh8020s behind the piano. And let’s not forget the RUMBLE position – a single LOM Audio Geofon fixed to the metal plate, adding a unique depth to the sound.”

This detailed mic placement allows CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO to offer a rich, multi-dimensional soundscape. Whether you want the intimate closeness of the FRONT position or the broader perspective of ABOVE, every mic captures a different facet of this piano’s character.

Articulations: The Source of Creative Expression

But what truly sets CHROMA UPRIGHT PIANO apart from other piano libraries is the CHROMA approach: the articulations. We didn’t just record the standard notes; we pushed the boundaries to include felt, muted, plucked, flageolet, and bowed articulations. Each offers a unique texture and emotional depth, giving you a vast palette to paint your musical stories.

“The felt sounds really nice! We also recorded muted notes because we loved them so much on the grand. Plucked notes – probably my least favorite as it killed my fingers – and flageolets, which sound really cool with their harmonic content. And this time, we bowed the upright with a fiddle bow instead of using an ebow,” Jonas explained.

On the CHROMA UPIGHT PIANO NKI, these articulations can be mixed in and played in parallel, allowing you to explore a wide range of emotions and textures, from the soft, intimate whisper of felt notes to the hauntingly beautiful overtones of flageolets and literally everything in between. It’s a playground for creativity, offering you tools to craft deeply expressive and unique compositions.

Round Robins: Breathing Life into Your Music

Round robins are often an overlooked feature, but they play a crucial role in bringing a sampled instrument to life. With CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO, we went all out, recording 27 velocity layers for the standard and felt articulations, even more than we did for CHROMA – GRAND PIANO. This ensures that each note you play feels organic and dynamic, capturing the subtle nuances that make real pianos so captivating.

“It makes the instrument more alive because you capture so many little nuances with the small differences in velocity,” Jonas noted. This attention to detail ensures that CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO responds to your touch just like a physical piano, adding depth and realism to your performances.

Tips for Using CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO

To make the most of CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO, we’ve compiled a few tips to help you unlock its full potential:

1. Experiment with Mic Positions: If your computer has enough RAM and CPU resources, try activating all mic positions and finding a mix you like. Each position adds a unique layer to the sound, creating a full, warm experience.

2. Shape the Velocity Curve: Use the velocity curve on the mixer page to tailor the piano’s response to your taste. Every keyboard feels different, and everyone has their own preference for how a piano should react.

3. Explore the Presets: With 91 presets to choose from, you’re bound to find inspiration. Don’t be afraid to tweak and save your own variations. Sometimes, browsing through the presets can spark new ideas and creative directions.

A Final Note

CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO is more than just a piano library; it’s a labor of love, a testament to our commitment to helping composers like you create unforgettable music. Whether you’re scoring a film, designing soundscapes for a video game, or simply exploring new musical ideas, this instrument offers a depth of character and expressiveness that will without a doubt inspire you.

So, jump into CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO, and let its warm, intimate tones inspire your next masterpiece. Embrace the stories it has to tell, and in turn, let it become an integral part of the musical motifs you’re destined to create. At SONUSCORE, we believe in the power of music to move hearts and minds, and with CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO, we’ve given you a tool that does just that. Happy composing!

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CROSSGRADE & BUNDLE OPTIONS

Crossgrade from CHROMA – GRAND PIANO to CHROMA – UPRIGHT PIANO or get both in our CHROMA BUNDLE at a reduced price to express yourself with full sonic power and save big!

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