VILabs True Keys: Italian Grand is a deep-sampled virtual concert grand piano, capturing a 10-foot Italian instrument with multiple microphone perspectives and advanced mechanical details.
Instrument and Sound Source
True Keys: Italian Grand is a sample-based virtual instrument from VILabs, part of the True Keys suite. It is built from over 14,000 audio files of a 10-foot Italian concert grand, recorded with multiple high-end microphones and preamps. The instrument focuses on realism, using advanced scripting to replicate mechanical details like key resonances and noises.
The interface provides control over release trails, pedal noise, and other acoustic elements. It offers three individual microphone setups plus a custom mix, allowing users to shape the tone from intimate to grand. Being entirely sample-based, it avoids modeling or synthesis, relying on captured audio for authenticity.
Microphone Perspectives
Four microphone perspectives are included: Close, Player, Side, and Mix. Close mics deliver a punchy, modern sound with a wide stereo image and deep bass, suitable for pop or rock. Player provides a pianist’s perspective with more distance and pronounced hammer attack, ideal for solo performance.
Side uses a stereo ribbon for a warmer, even response, fitting for jazz or classical. The Mix perspective combines all mics for a quick, less processor-intensive option. Each setup was chosen for versatility, allowing users to dial in the perfect sound for any style, from mixing in a band to a solo classical piece.
Key Features and Controls
The piano includes fully sampled Una Corda pedal, sympathetic and pedal resonance, and adjustable sympathetic resonance polyphony. It features repedal and true pedal action for realistic sustain, plus a sample-based, fully adjustable half-pedal mode. Users can customize MIDI and dynamics response to match their playing style.
It includes 22 convolution reverbs and thousands of release samples, including true staccato releases. With 19 velocity layers, including silent strike samples, it captures subtle nuances. Custom tuning with presets and micro-tuning is supported, and lossless FLAC format ensures high quality with fast loading and low drive space.
Performance and Workflow
Designed for efficiency, the instrument uses the UVI Workstation sample player, offering fast loading times and minimal RAM and CPU usage. This makes it suitable for studios with modest hardware. The interface is straightforward, giving full control over sound shaping without complexity.
Workflow is streamlined: choose a microphone perspective or the Mix for quick sessions, then tweak pedal noise, release trails, and dynamics as needed. It works well for a wide range of genres, from classical solo pieces to pop productions, and supports micro-tuning for non-standard scales, making it flexible for experimental music.
Key features
- 100% sample-based, no modeling or synthesis
- Four microphone perspectives: Close, Player, Side, Mix
- Fully sampled Una Corda pedal with sympathetic resonance
- Repedal, true pedal action, and adjustable half-pedal mode
- 19 velocity layers including silent strike samples
- 22 convolution reverbs and thousands of release samples
- Custom tuning with presets and micro-tuning support, FLAC format
Best for
True Keys: Italian Grand suits composers and producers needing a realistic, detailed concert grand, especially for classical solo work, jazz, pop, and film scoring. Its multiple mic options make it versatile for mixing, while efficient resource use benefits live performance or studios with limited CPU.