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Capturing that C. Bechstein Sound
The acoustic role model for the Digital Grand is a carefully selected C. Bechstein D 282 concert grand.
With its ability to highlight and emphasize even the most subtle melody lines through its unparalleled richness of tone colors, the D 282 belongs to the best modern concert grand pianos in the world. Playing a C. Bechstein, you can freely stress a certain voice, underscore a certain melody or accentuate a certain chord, and thus make your interpretation more lively and vivid.
The C. Bechstein Digital Grand for Native Instrument’s KONTAKT and KONTAKT-Player follows the high standards we set for our acoustical instrument´s development and production: sound and manufacturing at the highest level, made for connoisseurs and people with passion.
“Digital Grand takes C. Bechstein straight into the league of reference products in the realm of sampled pianos.“
Ulf Kaiser, KEYS magazine 04-2017
“First and foremost, it achieves a direct first place against all its followers (…) To-date, I wasn’t a big fan of sample libraries. That has just changed with the publication of the Bechstein “Digital Grand Library” for Kontakt. It all sounds really splendid and can also be played very authentically.“
“… actually sounds like it was played live! (…) It’s well worth checking out, and I highly recommend it.“
“I think there is definitely room for a really good piano plugin and here I think the Bechstein Digital Grand makes an excellent debut.“
“… the real highlight, however, is the sound of this incredible concert grand, the meticulous implementation at the highest conceivable technical level and its different microphone perspectives which fit perfectly into a DAW work environment.“
“A stellar all-purpose software piano that you won’t want to stop playing.“
Stephen Fortner, Keyboard magazine (read the full article), 1-2017
26 velocity layer & great attention to detail
From about 2 terabytes of recorded material, more than 10,000 carefully selected sample-zones were voiced individually! Both, software developers and piano makers worked hand in hand to create a large variety of presets for the Digital Grand to provide an impressive range and a natural sound for each sound setting.
For this purpose, the controller ranges of the innovative GUI were programmed in a way that possible sound modulations always value “the original” – the unique character of a C. Bechstein concert grand piano remaining recognizable at all times.
Innovative string-based sound shaping
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BASE
Emphasizes or reduces the fundamental of the note selected.
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PARTIALS
Adds or reduces individually selected overtones per note.
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BODY
This shaper accentuates the sustain or give it a shorter shape.
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MELLOW
Only works in the transient range and ensures an increasingly smoother touch there.
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MIX
Whilst the potentiometers on the left-hand side work per note, the MIX controller ensures the effect of all settings on the sound.
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You can simply draw values in this area with the mouse pointer.
The sound of a piano string is influenced by numerous parameters. With the acoustic instrument, the intoneur ensures that certain areas of the grand piano sounds warmer, more percussive, alive or restrained.
In the C. Bechstein Digital Grand, an innovative control interface containing 4 basic parameters ensures a comprehensive adjustment of the sound of each individual (!) Note.
More than 1,200 parameters are manipulated simultaneously by the UI in a playful way. At the same time, every parameter remains intuitive and controllable – and it offers both beginners and experienced sound designers an Eldorado of possibilities!
Premiere in a KONTAKT instrument: M/S sound-design
Experience real Mid-/Side sound-editing for the first time in a KONTAKT instrument! The C. Bechstein Digital Grand offers the sound engineers’ and sound designers’ method of choice for capturing acoustic instruments and makes each channel controllable inside the plugin individually with volume, compression and equalization.
The M/S signal shines in detail making the individual notes tangible through the entire dynamic range – we’re sure you’ll love it!
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M/S Stereo-width
Adjusts from a real(!) mono signal, to an “excessively wide” stereo picture.
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COMPRESSOR & EQ
Individually controllable for Mid- & Side signals.
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PERFECT PRESETS
Choose from five different flavors for each channel.
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The Magic Eye
Character shifts the tonal color of the Digital Grand – from warm to bright.
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AURA
An additional stereo signal capturing the direct and close “aura“ of the grand piano also can be phased-in fully from the software instrument. This secret weapon originmates from our Grammy-awarded sound engineer Tobias Lehmann (Teldex).
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recording positions
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vivid & dynamic layers
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sec. per note max
10750
hand-picked samples
One more thing …
The Digital Grand can do a lot and is a powerful sound tool – especially for those users who like to address every parameter with their first name. But even if you prefer it for less advanced, we have something for you to fall in love with: the Digital Grand Essentials. Learn more …
Preliminaries: Best-of-Five.
The C. Bechstein D 282 is a top class concert grand piano– and at the same time our masterpiece. In the forefront of the recordings, we had a selection not less than 5 of these unique concert grands. The sampling team agreed on this beautiful grand that you can now hear in its digital version.Find out what makes our acoustic pianos so special here.
Unique Recording.
Recording this legendary grand in one of the best recording studios worldwide took several weeks and about 18 months’ work preparing and post processing the recording. Learn more about the fascinating combination of vintage microphones and state-of-the-art recording technology, the exclusive design of a “piano-playing” computer and about how to choose the perfect sample from over 40.000 high-quality recordings of single notes …
Controlling Complexity.
Ten thousands of parameters beneath the surface of the C. Bechstein Digital Grand lead to magnificent liveliness in real-time. Many commonly deployed processes and concepts were questioned and rethought and finally transferred into a highly effective and powerful script for the renowned KONTAKT-Player. Learn more about what happens beneath the surface of the Digital Grand.
Scope of the software.
Honestly: plastic keys are not the pianomakers’ choice for a keyboard – and anyone that has had the chance to sit down and play a C. Bechstein concert grand, experienced the fascinating touch of an artisan keyboard and action assembly made from selected wood (selected by its sound), even before he or she has heard the first note. However technology also offers new scopes – that the C. Bechstein Digital grand allows you to access in detail …