Best Service Galaxy II Pianos (Digital Download)

GALAXY II K4, highly rated Galaxy II Grand Piano Collection

Galaxy II contains three grand pianos: the Vienna Grand (a powerful Bösendorfer Imperial), the 1929 German Baby Grand (a Vintage Blüthner baby grand), and the 5 star awarded Galaxy Steinway in stereo and 5.1 surround. Galaxy II K4 is based on Native Instruments' Kontakt engine, presenting new features, better performance and a completely redesigned direct access user interface.

The upcoming version Galaxy II K4 is based on Native Instruments' Kontakt engine, presenting new features, better performance and a completely redesigned direct access user interface. Version 4 offers true half pedaling, true repedaling and dynamically playable pedal, damper and string noises when using a continuous sustain pedal.

Additional resonance release and noise samples were added and all the 30GB of samples of Galaxy II have been revised and enhanced.

Galaxy Piano’s Version 4 takes the Galaxy II Grand Piano Collection to an new level.

• Three world class grand pianos
• Galaxy Steinway 5.1 (Steinway D in 5.1 surround and stereo)
• Vienna Grand Imperial (96 Key Bösendorfer with incredible low end)
• 1929 German Baby Grand (Vintage Blüthner with a beautiful singing tone)
• More than 6,000 samples in 24 bit (30GB/18GB with sample compression)
• Warp Engine for sound design beyond regular piano sounds
• Compatible with Kontakt (Player) 4.2 or newer
   

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Vienna Grand

Galaxy II’s Vienna Grand is comprised of sampling a BOESENDORFER IMPERIAL 290 grand piano. Established by Ignaz Bösendorfer in 1828, Bösendorfer is the oldest piano manufacturer still in production and has a history of constructing some of the worlds finest instruments. The Model 290 Imperial, a 9’6” grand piano, is famous for its powerful soundboard and its extended keyboard; going as low as a bottom C0, making a full eight octave range of 97 keys. Sometimes, these extra keys are hidden under a small hinged lid, on others, the colours of the extra white keys are reversed (black instead of white). The extra keys are added primarily for increased resonance from the associated strings; that is, they vibrate sympathetically with other strings whenever the damper pedal is depressed thus creating a fuller tone. With the VIENNA GRAND they are playable.

The Vienna Grand was recorded at Hansahaus Studios/Germany which is famous for its outstanding Jazz Recordings and has received two Grammy Awards. We put great emphasis on capturing the Bösendorfers huge dynamic range and energy, especially its powerful low end; using additional microphones in the lower register.

• Vienna Grand Imperial (96 Key Bösendorfer with incredible low end)
• More than 2,000 samples in 24 bit
• 13 modeled velocity zones for a wide and smooth dynamic range
• Additional resonance, release and noise samples
• Chromatic and multiple velocity resonance and release samples
• Multi velocity pedal, damper, hammer and string noises
• Real una corda samples
• Real overtones Powered by the Kontakt Player engine
• Kontakt Player license included
• New direct access user interface
• Lossless sample compression for better disk streaming
• True half pedaling when using a continuous sustain pedal
• True repedaling and sostenuto
• Dynamically playable noises with a continuous sustain pedal
• One-knob control of tone colour and dynamics.
• Intelligent EQ for warmth, punch and brilliance
• Sympathetic string resonance with real overtones
• Flexible and easy-to-use velocity editor
• Convolution reverb with many different types of rooms, concert halls and ambience
• Adjustable stereo width and position
• Specially designed compressor for pop piano sounds
• Pad Machine
• Warp Engine for sound design beyond regular piano sounds

Galaxy Steinway

Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg, piano maker of the Steinweg brand, emigrated from Germany to America in 1850. In 1853, Steinweg founded Steinway & Sons, by the year 2000, Steinway had made its 550,000th piano. The Steinway Model D 270 is probably the most popular concert grand of all. For Galaxy II, a Model D was recorded in Galaxy Studios, Belgium; one of the most sophisticated high-end studios in Europe, which also boasts a huge recording hall. The instrument was chosen by studio owner Wilfried van Baaren out of dozens of instruments at Steinway/Hamburg. It was recorded in 5.1 surround and stereo with a tremendous microphone setup to capture its size and dynamic range with 6 channels.

• Galaxy Steinway 5.1 (Steinway D in 5.1 surround and stereo)
• More than 2,000 samples in 24 bit
• 10 modeled velocity zones for a wide and smooth dynamic range
• Additional resonance, release and noise samples
• Chromatic and multiple velocity resonance and release samples
• Multi velocity pedal, damper, hammer and string noises
• Real overtones Powered by the Kontakt Player engine
• Kontakt Player license included
• New direct access user interface
• Lossless sample compression for better disk streaming
• True half pedaling when using a continuous sustain pedal
• True repedaling and sostenuto
• Noises dynamically playable with a continuous sustain pedal
• One-knob control of tone colour and dynamics
• Intelligent EQ for warmth, punch and brilliance
• Sympathetic string resonance with real overtones
• Flexible and easy-to-use velocity editor
• Convolution reverb with many different types of rooms, concert halls and ambience
• Adjustable stereo width and position
• Specially designed compressor for pop piano sounds
• Pad Machine
• Warp Engine for sound design beyond regular piano sounds

1929 German Baby Grand

The Blüthner piano company has been manufacturing Europe's finest pianos in their factory in Leipzig, Germany since 1853. By 1885, the company was the largest European piano manufacturer. Numerous royals, composers, conductors, artists and performers have owned Blüthner pianos. Among them were Brahms, Bartok, Debussy, Tchaikovsky and Wagner. Blüthners have also been used in popular music. One was used on The Beatles’ Let It Be album, most notably, in the hits ‘Let It Be’ and ‘The Long and Winding Road’. Galaxy II’s 1929 GERMAN BABY GRAND is based on a BLÜTHNER Model 150, built in 1929. This beautiful 75 year old grand piano features a warm, vintage sound wíth a wonderfully intimate tone.

• 1929 German Baby Grand (Vintage Blüthner with a beautiful singing tone)
• More than 6,000 samples in 24 bit (30GB/18GB with sample compression)
• 13 modeled velocity zones for a wide and smooth dynamic range
• Additional resonance, release and noise samples
• Chromatic and multiple velocity resonance and release samples
• Multi velocity pedal, damper, hammer and string noises
• Real una corda samples
• Real overtones Powered by the Kontakt Player engine
• Kontakt Player license included
• New direct access user interface
• Lossless sample compression for better disk streaming
• True half pedaling when using a continuous sustain pedal
• True repedaling and sostenuto
• Noises dynamically playable with a continuous sustain pedal
• One-knob control of tone colour and dynamics
• Intelligent EQ for warmth, punch and brilliance
• Sympathetic string resonance with real overtones
• Flexible and easy-to-use velocity editor
• Convolution reverb with many different types of rooms, concert halls and ambience
• Adjustable stereo width and position
• Specially designed compressor for pop piano sounds
• Pad Machine
• Warp Engine for sound design beyond regular piano sounds

All pianos of the Galaxy II Pianos Collection (Steinway, Vienna Grand, Baby Grand) are also available as single downloads.

Comments
Computer Music/UK: „Overall, Galaxy II is the best piano ROMpler we’ve ever had the pleasure of playing.“
Samplecraze: „In terms of value for money, I cannot recommend a better piano vsti than Galaxy 2. For features, sounds, playability and the Warp function Galaxy 2 is on it’s own.“
Sound on Sound: „Let´s cut to the chase — the piano sounds great.“
Virtual Instruments: „It is an ultra realistic playing experience to sit at each of these sampled gems. All three are absolutely gorgeous sounding.“
Music Players: „While there are numerous sample-based piano software applications out there, few programs offer control over as many fine details within your sound as Galaxy II.“