Ivory II American Concert D

The latest in a series of critically acclaimed virtual pianos from Synthogy.
Played and recorded by many of the world’s great artists, this 1951 “New York” Steinway Model D was hand-picked by Steinway & Sons for concert promotion, and has been lovingly and consistently maintained by artisan technicians.
It combines mature overtones with a youthful clarity that can only be achieved with an instrument of this class.

Synthogy has captured every nuance of this very special instrument and meticulously brought it to life with unparalleled realism!
This particular New York Steinway D has the designation "CD 121" signifying that it was selected by Steinway & Sons for artist promotion and concert hall specification. The instrument has an exceptionally pure and clear tone, a remarkably expressive dynamic range and has been described by many artists as among the finest they’ve ever played. In fact, the plate of this particular piano is signed by pianists Glenn Gould and Rudolf Serkin, a testament of high praise for the instrument by two of the world’s great masters.

The piano was recorded in the Françoys-Bernier Concert Hall at Le Domaine Forget in the Charlevoix region of Quebec. This is the same hall where Ivory´s acclaimed German Steinway was recorded, and also by the same recording and technical team.

Ivory II–American Concert D will feature up to 20 velocity levels, will have the full compliment of Ivory II features, and run as a plug-in or standalone. For existing Ivory II users, Ivory II–American Concert D will install directly into the existing Ivory II library, giving access to all of Ivory II´s pianos and features from one great interface.

Highlights of Ivory II: American Concert D

• 1951 New York Steinway D selected by Steinway & Sons for artist promotion and concert hall specification
• The largest, most extensively sampled of all Ivory II pianos
• The first of Synthogy’s pianos to feature up to 20 velocity levels, with Sample Interpolation Technology for ultra-smooth velocity and note transitions
• Advanced Ivory II software/DSP engine, including Synthogy’s exclusive Harmonic Resonance Modeling for realistic Sympathetic String Vibration.
• Custom Soundboard Emulation DSP
• Half-pedaling
• Pedal Noise Enhancements
• Una Corda (soft pedal) samples at multiple velocities
• Native 64-bit support
• Release samples triggered by velocity and duration
• Timbre-shifting, Parametric EQ and new Synth Layer controls for powerful sound sculpting capabilities
• World class digital FX including Real Ambience, Chorus and EQ
• Customizable User Controls for Timbre, Stereo Width and Perspective, Velocity Response, Mechanical Key Noise, Lid Position and more
• Tuning Tables Optional synth pad layer for modern/pop combinations
• Dozens of programs and effects presets
• Ivory II’s "unified interface" feature enables you to use just a single instance, and one interface, to play and control all of Ivory´s pianos, no matter how many pianos you install. So whether you own one, two, or all four products, Ivory´s intelligent browsing feature allows you to load any piano from one convenient interface.
   

Conclusion (excerpt):

The great thing about American Concert D is that you can use it for virtually any style of music; its classic, expensive-sounding timbre is almost universally adaptable, and will add production value to arangements with very little user effort. Basically, you just load it (which takes about 10 seconds) and play!

MTM Verdict: Synthogy's American Concert D faithfully captures the tone and clearity of a classic Steinway piano, and has a pleasingly flexible playback engine