Synthogy have announced the Ivory Grand Pianos instrument plugin, which includes 3 Glorious Grands in one multi-platform sample-based virtual instrument. They describe it as "The largest, most skillfully designed Grand Piano virtual instrument ever! Over 3,500 samples are combined with a sample-playback engine built from the ground up to bring out the resonance, response and character of the world’s finest Concert Grands."

Ivory's piano samples were brought to life using no-compromise technology in the finest studios and concert halls. The sessions were produced by Joe Ierardi, an accomplished pianist and award winning sound designer and producer of piano modules for Kurzweil Music Systems. Ierardi's unique expertise covers every aspect of piano design, from tuning and regulation, to recording, editing, programming and engine design.

- Screenshot

Ivory Features:

• More than 20 Gigabytes of stunning, all NEW, Acoustic Grand Piano sampled instruments (Each piano can be installed separately):
  • German Steinway D 9' Concert Grand.
  • Bösendorfer 290 Imperial Grand.
  • Yamaha C7 Grand.
• Synthogy's exclusive, powerful 32 bit Sample Playback and DSP engine, engineered specifically for recreating the acoustic piano.
• Sympathetic String Resonance DSP for realistic Damper Pedal response.
• World class digital FX including Real Ambience, Chorus and EQ.
• Customizable with User controls for Timbre, Stereo Width and Perspective, Velocity Response, Mechanical Key Noise, Tuning and more.
• Expertly tuned and regulated pianos in world-class studios and concert halls.
• Phase-perfect stereo samples stored in 32 bits.
• All 88 keys individually sampled in up to 8 dynamic levels (plus Bösendorfer extended low octave).
• Incorporates sample interpolation technology used for ultra-smooth velocity and note transitions.
• Real Release and Soft Pedal samples.
• Full length sustain samples, no loops.
• Optional synth pad layer for modern/pop combinations.
• Dozens of user-adjustable presets.
• Produced and programmed by pre-eminent piano sound designer, Joe Ierardi.

Ivory is scheduled to begin shipping in the first quarter of 2004 and will be available for Windows and Mac OS 9/X in VST, AU & RTAS formats at an MSRP of $349.