The Giant: New Sampled Piano Library from Native Instruments

[Gonga]

Many thanks. Good review. Can't wait for it to be included in Komplete 9!

[Numanoid]

Well, I'm sure it will be a fine library for many but it does nothing for me.

Completely agree, how many piano sample libraries does the world need?

Doesn't make it magic that it's Alicia Keys' piano. What makes people buy her stuff is her playing, not the piano she's using

[deastman]

http://www.galaxypianos.com/the-giant.html

- good to underline perhaps that it is basically a Galaxy Instruments product rather than a NI one

I find it slightly annoying and deceptive the way NI licenses other companies products and then presents it as if they had built it themselves.

[standalone]

Completely agree, how many piano sample libraries does the world need?

I don't know, how many synths does the world need?

[Gonga]

Completely agree, how many piano sample libraries does the world need?

Doesn't make it magic that it's Alicia Keys' piano. What makes people buy her stuff is her playing, not the piano she's using

"Doesn't make it magic" huh? What a revelation

[Kaboom75]

Thanks Gonga :)

Says on NI website who made the piano samples and whos sample engine it is. NI also act as a publisher. I baught Alicia's Keys over a year ago because of the piano it was sampled from and because of who did the samples Thomas Skarbye. it's still a very good piano plugin I will still use it.

[ghettosynth]

This just seems like such an esoteric instrument for NI to sample. I mean, how many people have ever heard of this 9 foot tall upright piano? Is there even a market for one? I would have preferred a nice set of warm Baldwin upright piano samples or something along those lines.

From the demos I've heard on the NI site I'm not overly impressed either. The piano sounds great in the jazz demos but just doesn't really do it for me elsewhere.

That's probably exactly why they sampled it, ok, on edit, licensed the samples. It's expensive to do so and it is a niche product with esoteric appeal. It's relatively easier to compete with NI by sampling pianos that are a dime a dozen; and these days, that's almost a literal price.

Not everyone can afford, or gain access to, one of these.

http://www.klavins-pianos.com/details_370i_en.htm

It's interesting enough that people will buy the sample library just because the instrument itself is interesting.

[Gonga]

A good thing to remember too, in the "old days" composers did a LOT of doubling of instruments. It's amazing the beautiful sounds you can achieve simply by having 2 or more different instruments (which you already own) play the same notes. And with modern tech, you can tweak them to get it just right. For example, take whatever piano you're using now, and add a smidgeon of Rhodes, or Wurli, or harpsi, or pan drum, or bed springs, etc.

[Numanoid]

And with modern tech, you can tweak them to get it just right. For example, take whatever piano you're using now, and add a smidgeon of Rhodes, or Wurli, or harpsi, or pan drum, or bed springs, etc.

Huh, what a revelation, who'd thought of that?

[Gonga]

I don't believe I've ever heard Alicia Keys music, but I've been playing serious piano for 52 years, and it's my favorite of many. The only thing Alicia Keys had to do with my purchase decision is that if she hadn't undertaken that project, the piano vst wouldn't exist.

Yes, there are quite a few people at kvr who sit around being condescending to others and hurling insults, but most of us here are serious musicians of one sort or another, who actually like to discuss the craft substantively, and it's a mistake to think you know our motivations, especially if you assume they are vacuous when they are not.

My comment was related directly and substantively to the craft: achieving a fuller piano sound is a part of what people have been talking about wanting to achieve. Your comment was an incorrect, condescending opinion of my and others comments.

I would suggest considering constructive comments relating more directly to the subject, as opposed to destructive and incorrect opinions regarding other members intentions, motivations, whatever other things you couldn't possibly understand.

And back on the subject ... this piano sounds amazing. I wouldn't spend so much for it, but wow, would I enjoy playing the actual instrument. Powerful! The dmo tracks at NI's site that are entirely giant demonstrate the huge versatility - it has a lot of effect potential somewhat like SonicCouture's Extended Piano (which I love).

[hibidy]

Completely agree, how many piano sample libraries does the world need?

I don't know, how many synths does the world need?

I think someone needs a hug!

[Numanoid]

I don't believe I've ever heard Alicia Keys music, but I've been playing serious piano for 52 years, and it's my favorite of many. The only thing Alicia Keys had to do with my purchase decision is that if she hadn't undertaken that project, the piano vst wouldn't exist.

Yes, there are quite a few people at kvr who sit around being condescending to others and hurling insults, but most of us here are serious musicians of one sort or another, who actually like to discuss the craft substantively, and it's a mistake to think you know our motivations, especially if you assume they are vacuous when they are not.

The reason why I added my comment in the first place is that I feel the Giant is a market ploy to sell another piano sample pack.

When the first sample packs came around it was enough that a Steinway had been sampled.

My opinion is that selling a piano sample under the name of Alicia Keys or the biggest upright piano is more or less a repackaging of the same old product.

I don't question the quality of the craft, they have probably done a great job.

Whenever I read an ad for a new Yamaha or Casio piano for instance, it is more or less always sold as being the most realistic piano sound ever. But haven't they said that about every new product for the last 20 years, and will they not say that about the next piano they bring out as well?

[standalone]

My opinion is that selling a piano sample under the name of Alicia Keys or the biggest upright piano is more or less a repackaging of the same old product.

If every piano is the same for you, you probably should not be giving your opinion in a thread about pianos.

The difference in sound between an upright piano and an exclusive (only three units were built) Yamaha C3 Neo Grand prepared for Alicia Keys' modern soul styles is huge. In fact, the same piano can sound and behave differently depending on how it has been prepared: read here.

And what's more, you seem to confuse this 'giant' upright piano with a normal upright like the Braunschweig, for example. This is an extra-large grand piano that only has the vertical placement of the soundboard in common with an upright piano.

Seriously, I suggest a retreat.

[Numanoid]

Seriously, I suggest a retreat.

I'm allowed to have an opinion, and I'm sticking to that.

In a discussion you need to accept that there will both be arguments for and against a subject

If you do not agree with somebody, and do not want to start a discussion, the best thing is often to ignore their posting

[hibidy]

Yeah, I'm confused standalone, what up? Were you on the beta team or something and we struck a nerve?