
Impact Soundworks has released The 88E, a free prepared piano virtual instrument created in collaboration with YouTuber Mattias Krantz for the Native Instruments Kontakt Player plugin (VST, AU, AAX).
Krantz tuned every note on the original instrument to an E; this virtual version sampled the sound of all keys played at the same time, and the recordings have been re-pitched so that users can play any pitch. In addition to providing full keyboard playability, The 88E includes 30 dynamic layers and dozens of snapshots to change the sound from more delicate plucks and resonances to dramatic soundscapes. It also offers easy controls so that users can customize tone, velocity response, filtering, and more.
ISW lead developer Andrew Aversa commented:
When we saw Mattias' video about this piano, we had to ask him to sample it for us. It's such a huge, unique sound unlike any other kind of prepared piano. And while it might seem like a strange concept, the tone really speaks for itself.
The 88E is the second entry in the Engineer Series of collaborative sample libraries featuring Mattias Krantz's experiments. The first entry, Hammer Klavier, was released in 2021.
The 88E is now available for the free Kontakt Player as a free download at the Impact Soundworks store: impactsoundworks.com/product/the-88e
YouTube walkthrough: YouTube.com/watch?v=R7EiZTiVl8U