|
Tascam GigaStudio GigaPiano W
GigaPiano delivers over a gigabyte
of rich, stereo samples result in the most realistic sampled
grand piano available anywhere. GigaPiano encompasses multiple
velocities, rich soundboard resonance for damped staccato, as
well as undamped pedal down samples for unparalleled
playability.
Words from the
designer of this legendary instrument...
"The GigaPiano is the
world's first gigabyte-sized instrument designed specifically
for GigaSampler.
Wink's
piano, (at Austin Recording Studio) is a Yamaha Concert Series
Grand with real ivory keys. Yamaha stopped using real ivory a
few years ago when they realized that the world's population of
elephants was not reproducing themselves fast enough to keep up
with the demands for Yamaha pianos.
I really
like the sound of this Yamaha... It's very smooth and consistent
from low range to high range with a very even sounding midrange.
The piano
is about 15 years old and Wink keeps it very well maintained in
its own room. I've told Wink many times that no matter what, I
get first dibs on that piano when and if he ever sells it
(probably never).
Some of
the Artists who have made popular records with this piano
include:
Asleep At
The Wheel, winner of 3 Grammy Awards (Tribute To The Music Of
Bob Wills, Western Standard Time, 10), George Strait... Triple
platinum RIAA Award winner (Big Balls In Cowtown), Dr. John's
Production of Marcia Ball, Angela Streili, and Sarah Brown
(trio), Dolly Parton (Wild Texas Wind Soundtrack - made for TV
movie). Many other solo piano projects we can't remember.
I've
sampled the piano a few times before... but not to the extent
that was done for THIS recording. Back then, I did not have the
luxury of a gig's worth of RAM... so as a compromise, I settled
for just 12 notes (yeah, I know it wasn't much, but for back
then it sounded pretty darn good). However, this recording takes
a GIANT LEAP over what was done then. One of the great things
about this piano is how it resonates when the damper pedal is
down. To me, it sounds like free spirits in ethereal clouds.
The mics
that were used to record the Piano were (2) Audio Technica
AT-4033 condensers connected to Canare Star Quad mic cable (with
Neutrik Gold Connectors) into a pair of Jensen Twin Servo Mic
Pre's. The pre's output was then sent to a set of 20 bit Philips
A/D converters though additional Canare Star Quad cable. The 20
bit digital was sent to an AdB Multi Wave Pro 24 bit transfer
card to the computer's hard disk. Dave Govett did all the edits
using the 20bit original source to produce the files to be
imported into the sample editor (the GigaSampler Instrument
Designer).
There was also
an additional stereo mic placed a bit farther away from the
piano for a little bit different sound perspective. This mic (an
AMS SoundField Mark V) was recorded directly into it's own
Philips 20 bit converter through a pair of Sontec Mic Pre's and
is phase coherent to the primary mics."
|
 |
GigaPiano W
Questions
Answered in REAL TIME