Tonehammer has released Montclarion Hall Piano for Kontakt. Here’s what they say about it :
“Hi. My name is Montclarion Hall Piano and I am a big grand piano recorded in a wooden church. I contain three microphone positions (close, mid and far), so you can have in surround if you want. I feel I am pretty good at jazz, rock and pop. I really feel inspired when you use my for song writing and I have a phat bottom if you are into that sorta thing. I also contain a massive effects section, so you can use me both for conventional things and experiments.
The Montclarion Hall PIano was recorded in a wooden hall that truly resonates with us. We previously recorded our Epic Frame Drum Ensemble and we’ll be using it for many more libraries that call for a lush, rich, clear and yet well-defined and well-controlled natural sound. This hall just so happens to have a beautiful black grand piano sitting in it. Since the first time we set foot in the place, we knew we needed to capture our Montclarion Hall Piano. Perhaps the piano wasn’t anything special on its own, though it was certainly an expensive and well known brand of piano. But something about this magical room combined perfectly with this piano in our ears, creating the right holistic balance that felt both instantly inspiring and somehow unique. The instrument wasn’t the piano. The true instrument was the piano and the hall, as one singular being. We decided we had to have it, and so here it is. We recorded sustains and release samples, as well as pedal sfx, bench, lid and sheet music sounds. Then we popped the hood and went to work, capturing a decent selection of sweeps, scrapes, glisses, rumbles and other effects. Then we prepared the piano for a little special treatment, capturing 3 buzzy, resonant and raw tuned string percussion sets. Finally, we decided to to a little bare-handed 3-man ensemble percussion at the piano’s expense.
Please note the piano is recorded in an acoustic hall, which means there will be subtle ambient sounds in the recordings, which we believe gives a better and more rich expression to the instrument.“
The Montclarion Hall Piano is available for download now for a special introductory price of $89 (this goes up to $99 after November 4th, 2010). Native Instruments Kontakt 3.5 or 4 full retail version is required. The free Kontakt Player not supported.