Garritan has announced the release of the Authorized Steinway Virtual Model D Piano, a sample-based software instrument developed in collaboration with Steinway & Sons, maker of some of the world's finest pianos.

The Authorized Steinway Virtual Model D piano accurately captures the distinctive sound of the hallmark Steinway & Sons concert grand piano. The library comes in three versions: Professional, Standard and Basic:

• The Professional version offers the Steinway Model D piano with five different listening perspectives, including a player perspective from the bench, a classical recording perspective, an under-the-lid perspective, a stage perspective and a close audience perspective.
• The Standard version offers the under lid and classic perspectives.
• The Basic version, ideal for students, amateur musicians, and educators, is a light version that offers a single perspective. The Basic version will also be available in downloadable format.

At the heart of the Authorized Steinway Virtual Piano sample library is the warmth and brilliance of the renowned Steinway Model D grand – overwhelmingly the "piano of choice" for the world's greatest performers. Captured with state-of-the-art recording technologies, the rich essence of the Steinway piano springs forth with realism never before possible. The Steinway concert grand piano chosen for the sample set is among Steinway's finest Model D's – newly voiced, regulated, and meticulously tuned by a master Steinway technician. The "perfect instrument" – it was hand-picked by Steinway & Sons and delivered for recording to one of the finest venues in the world, The Troy Music Hall.

Powered by the new ARIA Player, the Garritan Authorized Steinway Virtual Model D runs on these platforms: MAC OS X 10.4 and higher and Windows XP/Vista (both 32 and 64 bits). A Linux version is being developed. Standalone, Plug-in (VST 2.4 -VST 3.0 – Audio Units -RTAS), as well as supported notation programs.

The Authorized Steinway Virtual Model D has unique virtuosity and versatility. Advanced programming also makes this a truly "playable" and responsive library. Among its many features: Sustain/Sostenuto/Soft pedal support, animated perspectives (listener positions zoom into place), multiple-stage tracking release triggers, sustain resonance and sympathetic resonance using convolution-based DSP modules, adjustable mechanical noises, adjustable velocity curves, recorded soft pedal samples including releases, adjustable polyphony, a variety of historical tunings and Scala file import, MIDI playback and record in standalone, ambience reverb, 3 band EQ, proportional sustain pedaling, Graceful Copy Protection (no dongles or challenge response) and more.

"This was a very important project for Steinway & Sons," states Gary Green, Vice President Business Development and Customer Satisfaction. "We have long recognized the need for a Steinway sampled sound set that would best reflect the complex architectures of the Steinway sound. We also understand the importance of quality samples and their use by amateur music enthusiasts, as well as prominent producers, composers, recording studios and other venues. We were extremely lucky to have Gary Garritan work with us on this technically and musically complex project. Although both Steinway & Sons and Gary Garritan recognize that nothing can replace the actual Steinway piano, we are extremely delighted that there is now a sampling product that comes closest to capturing the distinctive Steinway sound that we are proud to endorse."

"The world has come to recognize the legendary Steinway Model D as a benchmark for excellence in engineering, craftsmanship and musicality" said Gary Garritan. "We believe the Garritan Authorized Steinway Virtual Model D Piano library has captured the essence of this great piano and will set the new standard in quality, performance and innovation in software instruments." More Virtual Steinway models are being developed.

Pricing:

• Authorized Steinway Virtual Model D Professional Version: $399
• Authorized Steinway Virtual Model D Standard Version: $199
• Authorized Steinway Virtual Model D Basic Version: $99

The Authorized Steinway Virtual Model D will begin shipping shortly after the NAMM show - late January/early February 2008.