Glacier Keys: Cinematic Piano Harmonics

Glacier Keys: Cinematic Piano Harmonics is an exquisite piano sound library that continues the legacy of the "character pianos" collection, now featuring the delicate and mesmerizing harmonics of a Steinway D concert grand piano. This collection is designed to offer a new dimension to film composers, music producers, and sound designers looking for rich, cinematic piano sounds that go beyond traditional notes.

Stunning Harmonics with a Steinway D Concert Grand

Glacier Keys was created by capturing the ethereal harmonics of a Steinway D concert grand, widely known for its rich tonal qualities. Unlike standard piano sounds, harmonics are produced by gently pressing a finger on the strings, creating an octave higher than the natural pitch. The resulting sound is a glass-like, shimmering tone that adds a layer of sophistication and atmosphere to any composition. These harmonics are ideal for various genres including neo-classical music, ambient soundscapes, and minimalist compositions.

Recorded in a Contemporary Concert Hall

To capture the finest detail, the piano was recorded inside a state-of-the-art concert hall, using 14 high-end microphones from renowned brands such as DPA, Coles, and Neumann. These microphones were placed around the piano and further into the room to capture the nuances of the sound from various perspectives. The result is a highly detailed and dynamic collection, with the flexibility to mix the sound to your preference.

The library includes three primary mixes:

• Close Mid: Focused on the rich, intimate detail of the piano’s sound.
• Far: A more distant and ambient perspective, offering a spacious feel.
• Close: Captures the crisp and raw sound of the piano from a closer viewpoint.

These mixes can be further customized to create your own unique blend, allowing you to match the perfect atmosphere for your projects, whether you're looking for a raw studio sound or a more ambient, distant sound that can blend into a cinematic background.

Mechanical Resonance and Pedal Sounds

One of the standout features of Glacier Keys is its meticulous attention to detail. The library allows you to control mechanical sympathetic resonance, which is the subtle sound produced when the piano keys are released, or when the sustain pedal is engaged. This feature adds an extra layer of realism to the sound, helping composers create a more organic feel in their music.

The sympathetic resonance feature allows you to control the amount of resonance produced when the pedal is pressed and notes are held. This unique control gives you the ability to simulate the natural resonance that occurs when the pedal is used, enhancing the depth of the piano’s sound.

Three Unique Atmospheric Layers

In addition to the beautiful piano harmonics, Glacier Keys comes with three custom sound design atmospheric layers that complement the raw piano sound:

• Glisten: A metallic, shimmering effect created by slicing metallic instruments for a glistening texture.
• Frost: A reversed granular texture made from processed piano notes, adding a unique and evolving sound.
• Thaw: A smooth, evolving pad created from electric guitar feedback, processed through a dynamic FX chain.

These atmospheric layers add an extra dimension to your music, perfect for creating cinematic soundtracks, ambient pieces, or any composition that needs extra tonal color.

User-Friendly Interface and Compatibility

Despite its complex and rich sound design, Glacier Keys is designed to be user-friendly. The interface is simple and intuitive, allowing you to quickly navigate through the different sounds and controls. It’s fully compatible with Kontakt Player, making it accessible for musicians using the free version of Kontakt.

Moreover, Glacier Keys offers complete NKS support, which means it works seamlessly with Komplete Kontrol hardware for an enhanced and integrated experience. With a 4.9GB download size (compressed to 9.5GB of samples in NCW format), the library provides high-quality, cinematic piano sounds without compromising performance.

Key Features of Glacier Keys:

• Cinematic Piano Harmonics performed on a Steinway D concert grand.
• Recorded in a contemporary concert hall with 14 high-end microphones (DPA, Coles, Neumann).
• 3 microphone mixes: Close Mid, Far, and Close.
• 3 custom-designed atmospheric layers: Glisten, Frost, and Thaw.
• Control over mechanical sounds, pedal noise, and sympathetic resonance.
• NKS support for seamless integration with Komplete Kontrol hardware.
• 4.9GB download size with NCW compression for efficient performance.
• Simple and easy-to-use interface, ideal for both beginners and advanced users.

Ideal For:

• Film Composers: Perfect for cinematic soundtracks and scores.
• Music Producers: Ideal for ambient and minimalist music.
• Sound Designers: Use for adding atmospheric textures to any project.
• Composers of Neo-Classical Music: Offers a sophisticated sound that’s perfect for modern classical compositions.

With its beautifully recorded harmonics, customizable features, and cinematic quality, Glacier Keys: Cinematic Piano Harmonics is the ultimate tool for composers and producers looking to create evocative, atmospheric, and cinematic music.