The ‘Cool’ Piano

The Claustrophobic Piano processed through pedals and tapes

The story

There’s no word I hate more when describing the arts as “cool”, it implies “fashion” and for me fashion is a cynical way of exploiting the zeitgeist in order to persuade us to buy things we already own repeatedly. However if taken out of the context of “trying to be cool” or “trying to be fashionable” I think cool is to create something inspiring from the unexpected or indeed ill advised. So with this in mind I took my claustrophobic piano and gave it a signal path that is ill advised and unexpected for a piano sample with the intention of breaking the signal up to enhance its sense of unexpected beauty. Did it work? Well it would be bloody cool if you thought so!
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDkntEsKkRI[/embedyt]

Reviews for The ‘Cool’ Piano

  • Sound
  • Character
  • Playability
  • Inspiration
  • GUI

Leave a review to let others know what you thought of the instrument!

  • Very "Cool"

    Watching how Christian made this instrument with his Pedalapocalypse setup inspired me to create a virtual effects rack for a very mangled and distorted piano sound, which eventually became my first pianobook entry. Returning to this after making my own, it's amazing how different sounds emerge from a similar approach. I think this instrument nails the aesthetic of NIN, but I think it is much more versatile and I'll likely use it for some Horror/Suspense genre. My favorite part is adjusting how much of the guitar distortion sound comes through, the low hits can get that really nice guitar amp sound.

    Ada Maskil18 October 2021

  • Kind of magical!

    A wonderful and very unique take of a piano sound, which is also very well done and nicely presented. The three different "generators" mix beautifully together, and having the freedom to control the individual levels is simply awesome. My only issue that it's very low-end heavy, and sometimes you can hear some white noise, but that's all. If those weren't a thing, it would be a 5/5!

    Alex Raptakis21 October 2021

  • Ummm

    What can I say, this is just stunning. I can think of so many uses for this. The sound just draws you in. I am going to go and have another little play with it right now, If you don't have it, get it.

    Ray17 October 2021

  • Beautiful delayed soft piano library!

    This will be one of favorite piano library! What a beautiful, soft textured piano sound. I really like the moment keys are released, it will be like another instrument played. Beautiful delay as well. Thank you for the contribution..!

    Asuka Amane21 October 2021

  • Another amazing addition from the man who started this all

    Christian has provided us with yet another amazing sample instrument, which I would argue, yes, fit his brackets of being "cool." This instrument holds true to its piano roots, while adding so much more, sounding like both and piano and a synthesizer at the same time. It lends itself much more to slow moving piece, and playing it at its extremities is rather fun. Definitely one that I think everyone should add to their personal collection.

    Murph Elyria12 October 2021
Log in to leave a review