Glacier Keys
Unique sound, achieved through sampling technology.
Glacier Keys samples the harmonics of a Steinway D grand piano, creating a shimmering, glassy sound that's instantly recognizable.
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The mystery of overtones
Overtones are produced by lightly touching a specific position on the string, which cancels out the fundamental tone and allows only the overtone an octave higher to resonate.
Glacier Keys applies this technology, commonly found in string libraries, to a Steinway Model D concert grand piano. Through meticulously sampled processing, playing the piano's harmonics becomes as simple as playing them normally. This playing style is almost impossible to achieve in live recordings, resulting in Glacier Keys providing a natural and smooth playing experience while delivering a unique glass-like sound.
In addition to these unique original sounds, Glacier Keys includes 11 Atmosphere Layers and multiple microphone positions, allowing you to quickly adjust the piano's tone and spatial presence. Additionally, the Fracture Sounds team has curated 11 snapshot presets, making Glacier Keys a unique addition to any musical production.
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New Update
The latest version of Glacier Keys incorporates our latest innovations, including Response Control, which completely changes the default sound. Additionally, the update adds eight new Atmosphere Layers for even more tonal options, and the user interface has been revamped.
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Detail control
Like all of our piano libraries, Glacier Keys is meticulously sampled to capture every nuance, including the mechanical noises of the pedals and hammers. We've also included a room volume control, allowing users to reintroduce the natural ambience captured by the microphone during the recording process, which is often diminished during sample cleanup.
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Microphone Options
Glacier Keys offers independent microphone mixing, allowing you to select a mix of near-field, mid-field, and far-field recordings, allowing you to freely switch between intimate warmth and spacious atmosphere to create a piano tone suitable for various scenarios.
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Atmosphere Layers
Atmosphere Layers add rich, dynamically morphing sonic pads that blend seamlessly with the original piano sound and are fully customizable. The Atmosphere Intensity control (bound to the CC1/Mod Wheel) lets you easily adjust the volume of the ambiance layer, bringing an immersive aural experience to your productions and inspiring inspiration.
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NKS support & Kontakt Player compatibility
We’re excited to offer full NKS support for Glacier Keys. When combined with the Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol keyboard, users can adjust parameters directly on the keyboard screen for full control. Additionally, Glacier Keys is also accessible to visually impaired musicians, supporting an accessibility mode.
Glacier Keys runs on the free Kontakt Player, with no additional software purchase required. You can activate it through Native Access and download Kontakt Player from the Native Instruments website.
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Features
• Harmonic sampling of a Steinway Model D grand piano
• Detailed, cinematic, richly layered sound
• Recorded in a modern concert hall environment, providing 3 sets of mixable microphone pickup
• 11 customizable Atmosphere Layers
• Controllable key noise, pedal noise and resonance
• Simple and intuitive user interface
• Full NKS support and compatibility with Komplete Kontrol hardware
• 5.7GB download size (NCW compressed from 11GB sample pool)
• Compatible with the free Kontakt Player, no additional sampling software required
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compatibility
• Supports Kontakt Player or Kontakt FULL v6.7 and above