Woodchester Piano: A Unique 88-Key Felt Piano for Composers
Dive into the world of music creation with the Woodchester Piano, a remarkable 88-key felt piano that redefines intimacy and expression in sound. As the inaugural release of the Signature Collection, this instrument is a collaborative masterpiece designed alongside renowned British composer James Everingham. Perfect for composers and songwriters, this piano library captures every subtle detail, delivering a warm and personal tone that inspires creativity.
Unveiling the Woodchester Piano from the Signature Collection
The Signature Collection introduces a series of specialized sound libraries, each crafted in partnership with talented musicians and composers. The Woodchester Piano stands out as the first in this lineup, reflecting the unique sonic vision of James Everingham. Housed in his personal studio, this instrument has been meticulously recorded to preserve every nuance—from the delicate touch of the keys to the intricate sounds of the hammers and even the subtle creaks of the pianist.
What makes this 88-key felt piano truly exceptional is its user-friendly interface, allowing you to control every aspect of the sound. Whether you’re a seasoned composer or a budding songwriter, the detailed customization options ensure this tool becomes a cornerstone of your creative process.
Intimate and Warm Sound Profile
Unlike traditional pianos, the Woodchester Piano offers a distinctively dry and close-up sound, recorded in an intimate home studio setting. A soft felt layer placed between the hammers and strings adds a unique warmth, making every note feel personal and emotive. This design choice creates a palette that’s perfect for crafting deeply moving compositions, whether for film scores or personal projects.
Precision with Detailed Sound Controls
One of the standout features of this felt piano is its extensive control options. Tailor the mechanical noises to your liking, and bring a human touch to your tracks with the dedicated Pianist Noise feature. Further refine the tone using the Response, Colour, and Timbre Shift settings, which let you shift the piano’s character from dark and atmospheric to bright and vivid. These tools empower you to create a sound that’s uniquely yours.
Enhance Creativity with Atmospheric Layers
Take your compositions to new heights with 11 meticulously designed atmospheric layers. Developed by the Fracture Sounds team, these layers are crafted from processed raw samples, adding a rich, evolving texture to the core piano sound. Easily blend and customize these effects using the Atmosphere Intensity control, linked to the CC1/Mod Wheel, for an immersive and inspiring experience that transforms the Woodchester Piano into a versatile tool for any music production setup.
About the Collaborator: James Everingham
James Everingham, the creative mind behind this instrument, is a celebrated British composer for film and television. Known for his work alongside Hans Zimmer and Adam Lucas on projects like the BBC’s Frozen Planet 2, Everingham seamlessly blends traditional orchestral methods with cutting-edge synthesis. His innovative approach to sound design shines through in the Woodchester Piano, making it a reflection of his artistic philosophy and a must-have for modern composers.
Key Features of the Woodchester Piano
- Distinctive and versatile 88-key felt piano sound with a warm, intimate tone.
- 11 unique atmospheric layers for immersive soundscapes.
- Authentic pedal on/off samples to capture realistic string resonance.
- Customizable key, pedal, and player release noises for added realism.
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface for effortless navigation.
- Full NKS support, compatible with Komplete Kontrol hardware.
Recent Updates and Enhancements
The Woodchester Piano has recently been upgraded with a more expansive and intuitive interface, incorporating the latest tools for enhanced functionality. Fans of the Homestead Piano will appreciate the new Character control, which integrates EQ, compression, and saturation for a polished, ‘crafted’ sound. Additionally, the update brings eight new atmospheric layers, expanding the original set to 11, alongside eight expertly designed presets that highlight the full potential of these advanced features.
Why Choose the Woodchester Piano?
Whether you’re scoring a cinematic masterpiece or composing a heartfelt melody, the Woodchester Piano offers unmatched versatility and depth. Its intimate sound, combined with detailed controls and atmospheric layers, makes it an essential tool for any music creator. Experience the beauty of this 88-key felt piano and let it inspire your next project with its distinctive warmth and character.
