Premier Sound Factory have released Piano Premier “Kawai Legend”, a premium concert grand piano, available for $25.00.
The Shigeru Kawai EX (SK-EX), a top-of-the-line full concert grand piano made by Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is the ultimate model born to win at world competitions.
The touch is extremely delicate, playing a rich and luscious sound from a weak touch. It has a silky smooth bass, and the treble coexists with warmth in its brightness. When you play its keys, you will understand why the KAWAI “SK-EX” is chosen by many top pianists and has won awards at prestigious competitions, including the Chopin International Piano Competition.
The SK-EX takes ten years to naturally dry a single soundboard. The processing and assembly are done by hand by master craftsmen specialized in SK-EX. This is an extraordinary super machine imbued with Japanese craftsmanship spirit.
PIANO Premier “KAWAI Legend” has been carefully recorded, with the full cooperation of Kawai. We selected the best one from the multiple top SK-EX models that are active in world competitions.
It was a miracle that we were able to keep the best model for the entire 10-day recording period, as it is a highly sought-after ace model that is constantly flying around the world for competitions. Premier Sound Factory were also fortunate enough to have a dedicated SK-EX concert tuner (MPA tuner) accompany them throughout the entire period, and they pursued the team’s ideals by taking their time to adjust each key several times in a luxurious studio environment.
After recording, Premier Sound Factory spent two years fine-tuning the responsiveness of the instrument, brushed up and perfected the sounds, and developed new technologies that help reproduce each sample. The KAWAI Legend is a miraculous SK-EX digital clone born from a dream collaboration.
The PIANO Premier “KAWAI Legend” package contains only one piano. The parameters are also very simple because nothing else is needed. Premier Sound Factory believe you can experience our true worth, “overwhelming density,” thanks to their unique quality control technology for both analog and digital audio, which they have pursued and cultivated over many years.
Premier Sound Factory achieved very accurate velocity distribution, including expression and texture, throughout all keys using ther original key-striking device.
To bring out their unique rich sound 100% of the time, Premier Sound Factory recommend using it in a 96kHz session. Please launch Kontakt on a stereo track. (Don’t worry, it can also be used in sessions such as 44.1kHz, 48kHz, etc.).
The PIANO Premier series does not use any synth modeling, including harmonic resonance, and reproduces all expressions and resonances using only recorded samples.
By pressing the sustain pedal while holding down the keys, harmonic resonance is added. A “Note On” message generated while pressing the sustain pedal plays the sample layer actually played by striking the keys while holding down the pedal.
As you know the maximum velocity of the standard MIDI is 127. However, if the sound of a real piano played with full force is assigned to 127, it may frequently occur depending on the type of MIDI keyboard, resulting in a strangely stiff and unnatural piano sound. On the other hand, if “moderate strength” is assigned to 127 in anticipation of this, you will feel like you need a stronger touch, especially in classical music.
KAWAI Legend proudly cleared this problem. Regardless of the keyboard, if it has aftertouch after detecting a keystroke of velocity 127, our patented Velocity+ (VelocityPlus) feature engages a new functionality that effectively achieves a new maximum velocity of 254(127+127). This is done by detecting an overflow of velocity intensities of 127 by aftertouch (within 20 msec) and replaces the original 127 velocity sound with an extremely natural “limit-breaking sound” which is played according to the overflow degree. This product is equipped with three additional limit-breaking velocity layers after exceeding 127. It is also possible to monitor the value of Velocity+ in real-time.
This is a new function with excellent upward and downward compatibility, which means that there is no negative effect even if existing MIDI data is played back with this function. There is no negative effect even if MIDI data recorded with this function is played back on existing equipment or sound sources that do not have Velocity+. (Velocity+ has the OnOff switch too.)
Premier Sound Factory have reconstructed the playback system of all sounds using new technology, including harmonic resonance, release trigger, damper, and half pedal. Premier Sound Factory pursue the natural resonance and playing feel to the fullest, allowing players to enjoy a very natural piano touch without any conscious effort.
For each key, there are Total 42 layers, including velocity (up to 18 levels for pedal on, up to 18 levels for pedal off, 5 levels for release trigger, and 1 level for harmonic resonance).
Watch the trailer HERE.
Piano Premier “Kawai Legend” requires a free or full version of Kontakt 6.0.2 or later.
For more information on Piano Premier “Kawai Legend”, click here:
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