Steinberg has announced that the updated version of its virtual piano instrument is now shipping worldwide. The Grand 2 features an entirely new added grand piano, surround capabilities as well as a range of features designed to maximize computer resource efficiency.

The new virtual concert grand which has been added in this update has been sampled from a renowned model by a world-famous piano maker, with added key click, pedal and hammer sounds that offer yet more sonic realism. The unique new four-channel surround implementation allows The Grand 2 to be placed anywhere inside a virtual room, with the position adjustable from directly within the plug-in's user interface.

Several new features are aimed at providing efficient use of the computer's resources. The Grand 2 features RAMSave™, a technology first seen in Steinberg's HALion virtual sampler, allowing for highly efficient use of the host computer's RAM by unloading unneeded samples from memory. While the general disk streaming performance has also been enhanced in the new version, the selectable ECO mode also reduces demands on the computer's resources, ideal for older computers.

The Grand 2 is available for Windows XP and Mac OS X and supports all major plug-in formats such as VST, DXi, and AU, plus ReWire and standalone versions.

The Grand 2 is available for €239*. Existing customers can update for €89*.

*SRP includes 16% German VAT. Prices subject to regional variations.