HOMESTEAD PIANO BY FRACTURE SOUNDS
KK-ACCESS REVIEW
I was delighted when Fracture Sounds told me they were releasing an Upright Piano library, not least because the chaps over at FS have somewhat of a pedigree when it comes to piano libraries, but also I had an inkling that this one would be something a little bit special, as it is Fracture Sounds founder Will Bedford’s own family piano that he grew up with, helping him to develop his own piano chops and love of music, which makes it quite literally a labour of love for him and the team.
Naturally, included alongside the detailed sampling of it’s traditionally warm, homely tones, is the Fracture Sounds signature embellishments, such as the atmosphere pad layers, and extended reverb choices, which can readily transport it into an emotive and ambient setting, meaning it works equally well for the demands of both film score composers as well as songwriters alike.
TECH SPECS
Homestead Piano runs in Kontakt 6.8 or higher, either the full or free Kontakt Player editions, and is fully compatible with Komplete Kontrol as a Kontakt host.
The installation requires 6.5GB of free disk space (SSD drive recommended), for the NCW format sample files.
There is a single master Kontakt NKI file, with an additional 10 NKSN snapshot presets.
DOWNLOAD & INSTALLATION
Homestead Piano can be downloaded and installed entirely using Native Access 2, after registration of the post purchase serial number.
Komplete Kontrol will quickly add the library to your factory browser after loading either the standalone application, or simply instantiating the plug-in version in your DAW, I use the latter as it means playing is virtually instantaneous!
FULL KOMPLETE KONTROL NKS PARAMETER MAPPINGS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE REVIEW FOOTER FOLLOWING THE MEDIA LINKS SECTION
ACCESSIBILITY
If you have read any of my many previous Fracture Sound reviews, then you will already be well versed with Fracture Sounds high regard for accessibility.
This paradign remains unchanged, there are no inaccessible mouse only driven features, all of the automatable elements are represented within the NKS mapping, which provides I would venture to say, equal parity with sighted users.
AT THE HEART OF THE HOMESTEAD
A pair of high quality stereo pencil microphones were positioned internally above the soundboard to capture the detailed timbres of the vintage piano.
This pairing was also duplicated outside with another microphone array situated either side of the playing position.
Other natural details such as pedal noise, hammers and player movements were also captured, which additionally enhance the overall realism.
BEYOND THE NATURAL
The atmosphere layers have now become synonymous with Fracture Sounds libraries, and Homestead Piano is no exception, it features three separate layers, carefully curated using blends from the original piano sample pool, along with string sustain derivatives to offer in total 9 unique lush sound designed pads which will perfectly compliment and enhance the raw piano tones.
The modwheel has been assigned to crossfade between the pure piano, and the atmosphere layers, which in practice works really well, allowing you to seamlessly introduce these warm and ambient pads into your playing performance or while recording on the fly.
There is a handful of just 11 presets for the Homestead Piano factory content, however, I should stress that users should certainly not feel hard done by, as these are all carefully selected starting points for your user exploration, and a huge amount of the joy of this library is simply down to playing and tweaking the sound to your personal preferences.
Here is a short demo, Coming Home is a cinematic track I wrote using Homestead Piano, making particular use of the atmosphere layers
“:2019} –>HOMESTEAD DEEP DIVE CONTROLS
All of the major sound shaping and global mixing controls are found on the first page of the NKS template, which is sensible from a performance perspective.
The Raw piano sound, Layer volume and atmosphere layer selections are then to be found on page two.
The comprehensive reverb options, which include the convolution and impulse response selections are on page three.
the last two pages deal with Stereo Width, microphone perspective (a single control which is a blend between close & room), Velocity minimum & vol maximum range, Sample Start, Pianist Density, Clarity Filter, Pedal, and finally Atmosphere Decay (natural or infinite)
Returning Briefly back to those velocity & volume controls, here, Fracture Sounds have split these dynamic elements, so that they are both triggered by the velocity of your key presses, resulting in both volume and timbre shifts depending on how hard you work those ivories, it’s a thoughtful approach which can yield a little more dynamic expression within your performance.
There is an excellent walkthrough from Marcus Warner demonstrating the various nuances of Homestead Piano, which I have linked in the media section, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to hear the library in action.
CONCLUSION
Homestead Piano deserves a well justified place alongside Fracture sounds other pianos, it’s warmth and playability are of particular note, coupled with the added flexibility of the ever beautiful atmosphere layers, which give that extra touch of emotive ambience.
I can seldom find fault with the accessibility of Fracture Sounds products, and Homestead Piano does nothing to change this opinion.
If you are seeking a piano that delivers something a little more intimate than the many Grand Pianoe libraries on the market, and still retains enough customisable sound options onboard to offer excellent versatility, whilst still remaining a pleasure to sit down and play, then Homestead Piano may well be for you.
Homestead Piano from Fracture Sounds can be purchased directly from their website for an intro price of £59.00 inc VAT (regular price £79.00), until 15th August.
A SONGWRITER BUNDLE containing Petrichor & Homestead Piano is also Available until Thursday 15th August $99, £99, €99 (inc. VAT)
Homestead Piano Product Page:
https://fracturesounds.com/product/homestead-piano/
Homestead Piano Walkthrough:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jx5R4nf4ds
KOMPLETE KONTROL PLUG-IN EDIT NKS PARAMETER MAPPINGS
Page One – Sound & Noise
Knob 1 – Colour
Knob 2 – Timbre Shift: plus or minus 2 semitones
Knob 3 – Character
Knob 4 – Atmosphere
Knob 5 – Mechanical Noise
Knob 6 – Pedal Noise
Knob 7 – Pedal Dynamics: Soft, Medium, Hard
Knob 8 – Pianist Sounds
Page Two – Layer Mixer & Sound Source Selection
Knob 1 – Raw
Knob 2 – Atmosphere Layer 1
Knob 3 – Atmosphere Layer 2
Knob 4 – Atmosphere Layer 3
Knob 5 – Atmosphere Layer 1 Selector
Knob 6 – Atmosphere Layer 2 Selector
Knob 7 – Atmosphere Layer 3 Selector
Page Three – Reverb
Knob 1 – Reverb Amount
Knob 2 – Reverb Type: Room, Hall, shimmer, Convolution
Knob 3 – Damping
Knob 4 – Modulation
Knob 5 – Impulse Response Selector: 8 choices
Knob 6 – Size
Knob 7 & 8 – Not Allocated
Page Four – space & Response
Knob 1 – Stereo Width
Knob 2 – Microphone Perspective: Close, Room
Knob 3 & 4 – Not Allocated
Knob 5 – Response Velocity Range
Knob 6 – Response Volume Range
Knob 7 & 8 – Not Allocated
Page Five – Settings
Knob 1 – Sample Start (Offset)
Knob 2 – Pianist Density
Knob 3 – Clarity Filter: On/Off
Knob 4 – Force Pedal: On/Off
Knob 5 – Atmosphere Decay: Natural or Infinite Sustain
Knob 6 to 8 – Unallocated
(c) Chris Ankin
KK-Access.com
16TH July 2024
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About the Author
Based in Buckinghamshire, England, Chris Ankin has worked as a freelance review writer and contributor with articles published in Sound On Sound, Home & Studio Recording and ST Format Magazines.
He has also successfully worked extensively in and around the music, recording, film Soundtrack scoring, Game & media composition, the creative arts, Charitable trusts,publishing, music streaming and property investments since 1982 whilst continuously and deliberately managing to evade any mainstream recognition under his own name by the use of various pseudonyms.
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