Endorsements
“These are real acoustic piano sounds. I'm absolutely amazed. EastWest/Quantum Leap has gone the extra mile to provide stunning quality acoustic piano character - the whole collection is superb!”
— Herbie Hancock
“This is not just a Virtual Piano collection, it's a masterpiece. It's love at first touch. When I first heard it, I had to play it, and I fell in love. WOW!!”
— Teddy Riley
“Quantum Leap instruments have become an important part of my sonic template. I am really looking forward to using QL Pianos and Silk in my future scores and I am using SD2 right now on Terminator 4.”
— Danny Elfman
“The Quantum Leap samples have that rare ability to inspire creative thinking. Always somethings I want out of sounds. To lead me somewhere, to let myself go.”
— Thomas Newman
“Quantum Leap Pianos is the best piano software available today. The recording quality and playablity is fantastic and these are the only digital piano sounds they faithfully reproduce the resonances of a well tuned piano. Quantum Leap Pianos captures all the soft nuance and the thunder of the real thing. The Bösendorfer is a good example of this. I think East West made the right move when they saved Western Recorders from the wrecking ball.”
— David Newman
“Having new sounds at my fingertips is always an inspiration and these new PLAY plug-ins have plenty of great sounds to choose from.”
— James Newton Howard
“Whether I'm working on an action film like Transformers or a comedy like Desperate Housewives, I use piano in just about every score I write. Quantum Leap Pianos is the most detailed and best sounding collection of virtual pianos I have ever used. The "feel" of each piano is shockingly close to the real thing. And the PLAY interface gives me a ton of control and flexibility, but it's also really easy to use which allows me to experiment and get the sound I want quickly.”
— Steve Jablonsky
“The entire line of Quantum Leap instruments are an essential part of my composing rig. The sounds are impeccable and naturalistically captured while the ease of use and the power of the new PLAY engine makes the instruments top of their field.”
— Brian Tyler
Reviews
Recording Magazine
In summation, these are without question the most gorgeous sounding sampled pianos I've ever heard. The greatest accomplishment, in my view, is the way the room sound was captured. Even when using only the Player position I found it almost unneccessary to invoke the built-in convolution reverb, which is amazing in and of itself.
If you're looking for the most authentic sounding sampled grand pianos available at this time, and have a system that can handle it, Quantum Leap Pianos is a must-consider. Just make sure you have the latest vesion - and a computer that is ready for it!
Sound On Sound Magazine - “Superb”
Piano sound being such a personal thing, it‘s hard to predict which way players might jump if asked to choose between QL Pianos’ instruments. Whatever your preference, it’s clear that all four are very good sampled pianos, and since they’re sold as a bundle, buyers will be spoiled for choice!
Editing the 68,000 samples in this library took four people eight months, and I bet pianist John Sawoski‘s fingers are still aching!
The ultimate test of whether all the effort was worth it comes when a musician sits down to play the instruments, and this musician spent many happy hours playing the ‘fab four’ (to coin a phrase) pianos included in this world-beating collection.
This collection of four superb instruments raises the bar for sampled grand piano playability without hiking the price too high.
Keyboard Magazine
The new meaning of heavyweight. Players agreed that EastWest/Quantum Leap has by far the most detailed and biggest-sounding pianos of the bunch. "The dead center of the Bosendorfer's dynamic range sings out for a long time," noted Fortner, "exactly like the real thing, and the nine extra notes below bottom A [a famous feature of the real thing] are just thunderous." Richard Leiter said, "This sounds like a good recording of a good piano. It makes me want to play late 19th Century classical - if I could!" Aikin added, "This'd be loverly for Chopin, but not the patch you'd load for Bach ... or Little Richard." Trying the Steinway, Aikin said, "I'd sit down and play this for pleasure over the Bosendorfer. It's very lively, with just the right combination of depth and brilliance." He was even happier with the Bechstein: "This makes me want to play Mozart. There's a nice singing quality and melodic projection over chords. I have a sense of comfort here, even more than with the Steinway." The Bechstein was also Fortner's favorite for his R&B-derived playing style: "Lean into it, and it doesn't go quite as far as the Yamaha, but the bell-like harmonics you want for pop come forward. Lean back, and it's brooding and mellow. Gorgeous." EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos stands out because it's the biggest most ambitious sampled piano project ever, with the sound quality to prove it. You'll need a bad-ass computer to play the full-size presets with abandon, but if you have one - wow!
Key Features
- The most detailed piano recordings - EVER!
- Load any piano or mic position individually (each piano is approx. 60Gbs)
- 3 positions are included per piano for maximum flexibility
- 10-18 velocities per note of sustain and sustain with pedal
- 8-12 velocities per note of repetitions and repetitions with pedal
- 5-8 velocities of soft pedal and soft pedal with sustain pedal
- 16 velocity staccato on every piano
- Repetition samples taken from 180 BPM performances for a TRUE repetition sound and not simply an alternate take.
- Software detects true repetitions
- Resonance - pedal resonance recorded for every note at multiple velocities, as well as with the soft pedal down
- Proprietary resonance captured on the Bösendorfer
- Release samples with software envelope follower
- Articulations on each piano include
- a. sustain
- b. sustain with pedal
- c. repetitions
- d. repetitions with pedal
- e. soft pedal
- f. soft pedal with sustain pedal
- g. staccato
- h. release trails
- Recorded in a proper piano environment with vintage Neumann microphones, Meitner AD converters and a vintage 8078 Neve console
- Stereo swap possible in software
- Mic position mixing in software
- Lid position simulation
- Articulation matrix for quick and straightforward loading
- Most powerful streaming engine available with highest polyphony counts
- PLAY interface includes impulses from the same hall the producers used to record Symphonic Orchestra and Symphonic Choirs so the pianos can blend with those collections.
Play
PLAY is a 64-bit** (with 32-bit compatibility) Advanced Sample Engine with built-in Network Control* (plug-in or standalone).
PLAY is Included with all new
EASTWEST/QUANTUM LEAP Virtual (software) Instruments.
As Beautiful As It Sounds
Interface designed to eliminate clutter, including only the controls needed for each individual virtual instrument
QUANTUM LEAP PIANOS: PLAY interface (click to magnify)
Load MORE thanks to 64-bit support**
64-bit support** allows you to load many more instruments and voices, limited only by your system RAM (32-bit support is included also)
While most high-end computers will support 16Gb, a very small set of high-performance enterprise computers (with Microsoft Vista Ultimate) can already use 128Gb of RAM. As hardware develops, the theoretical limit is 17,179,869,184 gigabytes = 16 exabytes, or 17 billion gigabytes!
Networking Support*
If you still need more power, our built-in NETWORK CONTROL allows you to load instruments on other machines controlled from your host computer
No more trips back and forth between computers, no more KVM switching when loading projects
No need to buy additional software
The PLAY system is a professional fully integrated solution for those with the most demanding production requirements
All instruments are listed in one browser
Easy to use browser displays all of your instruments
Favorites section to group the instruments you use most
Preview your instrument of choice in an easy-to-use column viewer
Load instruments into one instance to take advantage of your sequencer's "instrument tracks", or many if you so desire.
Interface automatically changes to display current instrument
Articulations
Forget browsing through complicated patch names: pick the instrument and play
Turn on/off articulations as you wish
Articulations list also serves as reference for all expressions within the instrument (no need to look up key-switches in charts)
Save your favorite configuration for quick retrieval
Legato Detection
PLAY senses legato and repetitive playing and responds accordingly
Stereo Handling
PLAY allows the user to manipulate stereo samples in very useful ways
Stereo Swap allows the user to instantly swap the left and right channels
Mono from left , Mono from right, or Mono Sum allow for instant conversion from stereo to mono
Mic Mixer
Control all mic positions for the orchestra, choirs, pianos, and other instruments with multiple mic positions with the built-in mic mixer (currently included in the QL PIANOS virtual instrument)
Now taken a step further, do it right in the patch
Load, unload, adjust, pan, mute mic positions as you wish
Pick your instrument, and PLAY!
Effects Engine
The best sounding and most powerful effects engine out there, built from the ground up for the highest possible quality
Reverb section includes multiple impulse responses from halls, and the famous EASTWEST studios and live chambers (more RIAA certified Platinum and Gold records awarded than any other studio)
The smoothest filters you'll ever hear
Specialized effects including the first Artificial Double Tracking (ADT) software available
Playback Engine
Highest quality resampling engine
Built from the ground up to create the most intuitive instruments possible. Allowed us to design instruments every step of the way without compromise
Security system
Authorize purchased instruments easily using the industry standard iLok security system
Offers complete portability, take your plugin anywhere you want, use it on any computer
Easy to authorize and manage (up to 100 authorizations on one key)
System Requirements
Up to 263GB Free Hard Disc Space. Each piano can be loaded and used individually:
(Bechstein — 73GB, Bösendorfer — 87GB, Steinway — 58GB, Yamaha — 46GB)
DVD drive
iLok Security Key, not included (a free soundsonline.com account is required for retrieving and managing iLok licenses)
If you do not own an iLok Security Key you can purchase one at your local authorized EASTWEST retailers, or here.
More details about the new iLok copy protection for our PLAY SYSTEM powered products is available here
Minimum Requirements for Mac
- Dual Core G5 1.8GHz, 2GB RAM, Mac OS 10.4 or newer
Recommended Mac System
- Mac Pro Quad-Core Xeon 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM
Minimum Requirements for PC
- Dual Core Pentium 2.5GHz, 2GB RAM, Windows XP SP2 or Vista, sound card with ASIO drivers
Recommended PC System
- Intel or AMD Quad Core 2.0GHz, 8GB RAM, 64-bit OS and host
All Systems
- iLok required (not included), internet connection required for one-time product activation
Answers to the most common questions regarding
PLAY and our new iLok security key is available in our
Support FAQ.
*This feature will be available after release as a free download for all registered users.
**MAC 64-bit support will be announced after the release of MAC OS X (10.5 Leopard)
Classical Demos
| Steinway D Concert Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| John Sawoski |
Scherzo (Chopin) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Steffen Fahl |
Alborada (Ravel) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Katsuhiro Oguri |
Arabesque (Debussy) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Steffen Fahl |
Paganini Etude No. 6 (Liszt) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Joseph Felice |
Liebesfreud (Rachmaninoff) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Joseph Felice |
Witches Dance Opus 17 (MacDowell) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Steffen Fahl |
Paganini Etude No. 6 (Liszt) (Hall mics) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Bösendorfer 290 Concert Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| Joseph Felice |
Hammerklavier Sonata (Beethoven) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Jie Chen |
Poem for Piano (Babajanian) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Joseph Felice |
Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Steffen Fahl |
Etude No. 4 Fanfares (Ligeti) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Steffen Fahl |
Barcarole (Faure) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Katsuhiro Oguri |
Reverie (Debussy) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Bechstein D-280 Concert Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| Jordan Rudess |
Scherzo (Chopin) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Steffen Fahl |
Toccata (Casella) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Jerome Vonhogen |
Romanze (Rosenthal) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Katsuhiro Oguri |
Sonata (Mozart) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Steffen Fahl |
Prelude (Bach) |
wav |
mp3 |
All demos were created with no external reverb or processing.
Most demos were created using the player position mics only. Some demos such as Hammerklavier and Liebesfreud use a mixture of the player position mics and the room mics.
To download each .wav file option-click on the file name on a Mac, or right-click or control-click on the file name on a PC.
Film / Jazz / Pop
| Steinway D Concert Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| David Goldblatt |
Chi-Town Stride |
wav |
mp3 |
| Nick Phoenix |
Final Corridor |
wav |
mp3 |
| Nick Phoenix |
Infinite Legends |
wav |
mp3 |
| Nick Phoenix |
Legions of Faith (excerpt) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Chuck Olette |
A Somber Way |
wav |
mp3 |
| David Goldblatt |
Myriad Nights of the City |
wav |
mp3 |
| David Goldblatt |
Finger Painting |
wav |
mp3 |
| Angela Kassett |
Something in Red |
wav |
mp3 |
| Bösendorfer 290 Concert Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| Michael Whittaker |
Tribute to Oscar |
wav |
mp3 |
| Nick Phoenix |
Fill My Heart |
wav |
mp3 |
| Nick Phoenix |
Photos in Darkness |
wav |
mp3 |
| Nick Phoenix |
Smoke |
wav |
mp3 |
| Nick Phoenix |
Split Personality |
wav |
mp3 |
| Nick Phoenix |
Behind the Curtain |
wav |
mp3 |
| Bechstein D-280 Concert Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| Joseph Felice |
Rialto Ripples (Gershwin) |
wav |
mp3 |
| David Goldblatt |
It's Like This |
wav |
mp3 |
| David Goldblatt |
Rockem Wilma |
wav |
mp3 |
| Kyle Robertson |
Freedom |
wav |
mp3 |
| Yamaha C7 Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| Michael Whittaker |
Old Willow |
wav |
mp3 |
| Michael Whittaker |
Sunday Morning |
wav |
mp3 |
Piano Concertos
| Steinway D Concert Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| Steffen Fahl |
Scherzo (Litolff) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Bösendorfer 290 Concert Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| Steffen Fahl |
Piano Concerto in A Minor (Grieg) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Bechstein D-280 Concert Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| Steffen Fahl |
Piano Concerto in G Major (Benda) |
wav |
mp3 |
| Yamaha C7 Grand Piano |
|
|
|
|
| Steffen Fahl |
Piano Concerto (Prokofiev) |
wav |
mp3 |
Third Party Piano Comparison Demos
The following comparison demos were created by Thomas Bryla for a forum in Europe. Thomas has no affiliation with East West or Quantum Leap. The midi files were NOT created with the EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos. All demos are dry without any additional reverb. The East West/Quantum Leap Piano versions were reproduced using the player position samples.
EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos
|
|
| EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos Steinway |
mp3 |
| EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos Bösendorfer |
mp3 |
| EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos Bechstein |
mp3 |
| EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos Yamaha |
mp3 |
Synthogy Ivory
|
|
| Synthogy Ivory Steinway |
mp3 |
| Synthogy Ivory Bösendorfer |
mp3 |
| Synthogy Ivory Yamaha |
mp3 |
Native Instruments Akoustik
|
|
| Native Instruments Akoustik Steinway |
mp3 |
| Native Instruments Akoustik Bösendorfer |
mp3 |
| Native Instruments Akoustik Bechstein |
mp3 |
Pianoteq
Comparison Demos
The following demos are comparisons running the same midi file through various virtual pianos including EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos, Synthogy Ivory, Native Instruments Akoustik Pianos and VSL Bösendorfer. The midi files were NOT created with the EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos, they were created with other sampled piano libraries. No external processing was used. The latest software versions were used for all instruments and the primary factory default programs were selected. All demos are out of the box, except Vienna which does not have reverb, so minimal reverb was added. For the EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos and Synthogy Ivory versions, the player perspective samples were used. For NI Akoustik Pianos and VSL Bösendorfer, the more distant samples were used as there were no player perspective samples. The intention here is show the dynamic, tonal, resonance, coloration and overall image differences between the EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos and other popular alternatives. The EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos are capable of many other sounds, due to the multiple mic samples and interface options. Synthogy Ivory, NI Akoustik, and VSL Bösendorfer also have other options to alter the sound, but these comparison demos use their default programs.
Steinway D Concert Grand Piano
|
|
|
| EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos |
wav |
mp3 |
| Synthogy Ivory |
wav |
mp3 |
| Native Instruments Akoustik Pianos |
wav |
mp3 |
Bösendorder 290 Concert Grand Piano
|
|
|
| EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos |
wav |
mp3 |
| Synthogy Ivory |
wav |
mp3 |
| Native Instruments Akoustik Pianos |
wav |
mp3 |
| VSL Bösendorfer |
wav |
mp3 |
Multiple Mic Positions
Each of these pianos were sampled with three different mic positions (see picture) allowing you to mix together any combination of mics "using the interface" for the ultimate in real-time tone and ambiance control. This feature enables users to customize the sound of each piano to their own requirements.
Please note: while most computers suitable for running professional music software will run one of the mic positions (what you typically get with other piano libraries), you may need a more advanced system to have all options available.
EW/QL Pianos: Sampling Session (click to magnify)
Platforms and Hosts
AU, VST, Standalone, Intel Mac, PPC Mac, Windows XP and Vista, 64-bit, 32-bit
Natively supported in all major hosts on all major operating systems - PLAY no matter what your platform
More native support than any other plug-in
Standalone: PLAY as many instruments as your computer can handle in one application
Summary
PLAY isn't just a sampler, the
PLAY SYSTEM is a professional fully integrated sample playback software solution for those with the most demanding production requirements
Offers native support for more platforms than any other software engine
Network support* for large, expandable systems
The latest in technology (64-bit**, supports next generation operating systems)
The highest sound quality (ground-up effects, highest quality interpolation)
The best virtual instruments from the multiple award-winning EASTWEST/QUANTUM LEAP producers
The most intuitive controls, custom designed for each library
Complete portability
Included for both PC and Mac:
- 32-bit standalone and plug-in versions included.
- 64-bit PC VST (host must support 64-bit VST plugins) and standalone versions included.
- Check the following compatibility chart for availability of other 64-bit versions and updates.
| Standalone |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
| Ableton Live |
YES |
YES |
|
YES |
|
6.07 or higher |
| Cubase/Nuendo |
YES |
YES |
YES1 |
YES |
YES1 |
4 or higher |
| FL Studio |
n/a |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
7 or higher |
| GarageBand |
YES |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
3 or higher |
| Logic |
YES2 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
7.2 or higher |
| Performer |
YES2 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
6.02 or higher |
| Pro Tools3 |
YES |
YES |
n/a |
YES |
n/a |
7.4 or higher |
| Sibelius |
YES4 |
YES |
|
YES |
|
6.0 or higher |
| Sonar |
n/a |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
6.2 or higher |
1
Cubase/Nuendo 4.1 or later are required as 64-bit hosts.
2
DAE (RTAS in Digital Performer and Logic) is not supported at this time.
3
Ethernet control surfaces are not officially supported (ex: C24)
4
Sibelius 6.0.3 or higher is required to run in Snow Leopard.
All other hosts and versions are untested and unsupported at this time.
Supported Interfaces
- PC: VST™, ASIO™, RTAS™
- Mac: VST™, Audio Units™, Core Audio™, RTAS™