The Crow Hill Co. have released AQ Piano, available as a FREE download. Donations are welcomed. Absurdly Quiet Piano is available for the first six months after which jt’ll be archived for another six months.
The beauty of sampling is the ability to achieve the practically impossible whilst still sounding organically believable.
Whilst TCHC have spent decades using samplers to imitate real life, capturing authentic-sounding renditions of instruments as well as the spirit of place and performance, sampling also allows for the impossible to be conjured with these very same instruments. It quite simply isn’t possible to play a piano this quietly mid-performance. TCHC saw how quiet we could go, they’d play a key, no note, and then go one up from there.
TCHC have been carrying out a bunch of research and development surrounding pianos. They distracted themselves with a simple question… “how quietly can you actually play a piano?”. Combined with a new Crow Hill acquisition; some Swiss-made Sonosax mic-pres renowned for their ultra low noise floor (partly derived from the fact they run on internal batteries so are not subject to any electrical interference from mains circuits). Coupled with some ultra quiet DPA microphones mic’d super close to the sound board they’re proud to present a grand piano library that is notable for it’s extreme richness.
Post-production was a challenge. Finding the ideal balance between the dichotomous needs of a clean recording without rubbing out all the magic with noise reduction and filtration. TCHC hope you agree that the results are a symphonic dancing of magical harmonics across every key. With a particular unique baritone richness in the left hand notes. On grand pianos these often growl. But with the AQ Piano they take on a rare mellifluous tone.
Watch the overview video HERE.
Absurdly Quiet Piano is available to PC and Mac users (VST2, VST3, AU and AAX).
For more information and to download AQ Piano, click here:
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