A deeply sampled American concert grand piano for the UVI Workstation, offering four microphone perspectives, detailed mechanical sounds, and flexible controls for realistic playability.
Capturing the Classic American Grand
True Keys: American Grand is a sample-based virtual piano that recreates the sound of a classic American concert grand. It uses nearly 14,000 audio files, recorded with multiple high-end microphones and preamps, to capture the instrument’s tone and mechanical details. The instrument is entirely sample-based, with no modeling or synthesis, and is designed to reproduce the fine resonances and noises of each key.
The sound is shaped by four microphone perspectives: Close mics offer a punchy, modern sound with wide stereo imaging; Player provides a pianist’s perspective with more distance and hammer attack; Side uses a stereo ribbon for a warmer, even response; and Mix combines all mics for a quick, efficient option. These perspectives can be blended to suit various musical styles, from jazz to classical.
Detailed Performance Controls
The interface provides control over aspects such as release trails and pedal noise. It includes a fully sampled Una Corda pedal, sympathetic and pedal resonance, and adjustable resonance polyphony. The sustain pedal action is realistic, with sample-based half-pedal mode and re-pedaling capabilities, allowing for expressive performance.
Dynamic response is customizable, and the instrument features 19 velocity layers, including silent strike samples for quiet passages. Thousands of release samples, including true staccato releases, add to the realism. These controls allow pianists to tailor the instrument to their playing style and the needs of a mix.
Workflow and Customization
The instrument runs on the UVI Workstation sample player, which provides fast loading times and efficient use of RAM and CPU. It includes 22 convolution reverbs for adding space, and supports custom tuning with presets and micro-tuning. The lossless FLAC format ensures high audio quality while saving drive space.
Users can adjust MIDI and dynamics response to suit their controller or playing style. The ability to blend microphone positions and tweak the detailed mechanical sounds makes it adaptable for recording, live performance, or composition. The copy protection allows installation on up to three machines without a dongle.
Practical Applications
This virtual grand is suitable for a range of musical genres. The Close mics work well in a pop or jazz mix where a punchy, intimate piano sound is desired. The Player position offers a more natural perspective for solo classical performance, while the Side ribbon adds warmth for ballads or film scoring.
The multiple velocity layers and silent strikes support nuanced playing, from delicate passages to fortissimo chords. The true staccato releases are useful for rhythmic or articulate parts. With its blend of realistic detail and flexible mic options, it serves as a versatile tool for composers, producers, and pianists seeking a classic American grand sound.
Key features
- Nearly 14,000 audio files recorded with high-end mics and preamps
- Four microphone perspectives: Close, Player, Side, and Mix
- Fully sampled Una Corda pedal and adjustable pedal noise
- Sympathetic and pedal resonance with adjustable polyphony
- 19 velocity layers including silent strikes and true staccato releases
- Customizable MIDI and dynamics response with 22 convolution reverbs
- Lossless FLAC format for efficient storage and fast loading
Best for
Best for producers, composers, and pianists needing a versatile virtual American concert grand with realistic mechanical detail and multiple mic options, suitable for jazz, classical, pop, and film music production.