After two years of recording, editing, and programming, EastWest and Quantum Leap proudly present the most detailed collection of the world's finest grand pianos ever recorded in one of the 'temples of sound', EASTWEST STUDIOS (more RIAA certified platinum and gold records awarded than any other recording studios) with 3 mic positions for each piano.
This virtual instrument includes four of the world's finest grand pianos: a Bechstein D-280, Steinway D, Bösendorfer 290, and Yamaha C7. The PLAY interface includes impulses from the same hall the producers used to record Symphonic Orchestra and Symphonic Choirs so the pianos can blend with those collections.
EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos Gold Edition, which provides only the player's perspective mics and 16-bit samples, is available for users with less powerful systems. A low-cost upgrade path is available for users of the Gold Edition who wish to move up to the Full Edition.
Additional close mics version engineered by KEN SCOTT (Elton John, Supertramp, David Bowie, Beatles)
Key Features
The most detailed piano recordings - EVER!
Load any piano or mic position individually (each piano is approx. 60Gbs)
3 positions are included per piano for maximum flexibility
10-18 velocities per note of sustain and sustain with pedal
8-12 velocities per note of repetitions and repetitions with pedal
5-8 velocities of soft pedal and soft pedal with sustain pedal
16 velocity staccato on every piano
Repetition samples taken from 180 BPM performances for a TRUE repetition sound and not simply an alternate take.
Software detects true repetitions
Resonance - pedal resonance recorded for every note at multiple velocities, as well as with the soft pedal down
Proprietary resonance captured on the Bösendorfer
Release samples with software envelope follower
Articulations on each piano include
a. sustain
b. sustain with pedal
c. repetitions
d. repetitions with pedal
e. soft pedal
f. soft pedal with sustain pedal
g. staccato
h. release trails
Recorded in a proper piano environment with vintage Neumann microphones, Meitner AD converters and a vintage 8078 Neve console
Stereo swap possible in software
Mic position mixing in software
Lid position simulation
Articulation matrix for quick and straightforward loading
Most powerful streaming engine available with highest polyphony counts
PLAY interface includes impulses from the same hall the producers used to record Symphonic Orchestra and Symphonic Choirs so the pianos can blend with those collections.
All demos were created with no external reverb or processing.
Most demos were created using the player position mics only. Some demos such as Hammerklavier and Liebesfreud use a mixture of the player position mics and the room mics.
To download each .wav file option-click on the file name on a Mac, or right-click or control-click on the file name on a PC.
The following comparison demos were created by Thomas Bryla for a forum in Europe. Thomas has no affiliation with EastWest or Quantum Leap. The midi files were NOT created with the EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos. All demos are dry without any additional reverb. The EastWest/Quantum Leap Piano versions were reproduced using the player position samples.
The following demos are comparisons running the same midi file through various virtual pianos including EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos, Synthogy Ivory, Native Instruments Akoustik Pianos and VSL Bösendorfer. The midi files were NOT created with the EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos, they were created with other sampled piano libraries. No external processing was used. The latest software versions were used for all instruments and the primary factory default programs were selected. All demos are out of the box, except Vienna which does not have reverb, so minimal reverb was added. For the EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos and Synthogy Ivory versions, the player perspective samples were used. For NI Akoustik Pianos and VSL Bösendorfer, the more distant samples were used as there were no player perspective samples. The intention here is show the dynamic, tonal, resonance, coloration and overall image differences between the EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos and other popular alternatives. The EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos are capable of many other sounds, due to the multiple mic samples and interface options. Synthogy Ivory, NI Akoustik, and VSL Bösendorfer also have other options to alter the sound, but these comparison demos use their default programs.
Each of these pianos were sampled with three different mic positions (see picture) allowing you to mix together any combination of mics "using the interface" for the ultimate in real-time tone and ambiance control. This feature enables users to customize the sound of each piano to their own requirements.
Please note: while most computers suitable for running professional music software will run one of the mic positions (what you typically get with other piano libraries), you may need a more advanced system to have all options available.
EW/QL Pianos: Sampling Session (click to magnify)
Reviews & Endorsements
“These are real acoustic piano sounds. I'm absolutely amazed. EastWest/Quantum Leap has gone the extra mile to provide stunning quality acoustic piano character - the whole collection is superb!”
— Herbie Hancock
“This is not just a Virtual Piano collection, it's a masterpiece. It's love at first touch. When I first heard it, I had to play it, and I fell in love. WOW!!”
— Teddy Riley
“Quantum Leap Pianos is the best piano software available today. The recording quality and playablity is fantastic and these are the only digital piano sounds they faithfully reproduce the resonances of a well tuned piano.”
— David Newman
“The Quantum Leap samples have that rare ability to inspire creative thinking. Always somethings I want out of sounds. To lead me somewhere, to let myself go.”
— Thomas Newman
“Having new sounds at my fingertips is always an inspiration and these new PLAY plug-ins have plenty of great sounds to choose from.”
— James Newton Howard
“Quantum Leap Pianos is the most detailed and best sounding collection of virtual pianos I have ever used. The PLAY interface gives me a ton of control and flexibility, but it's also really easy to use which allows me to experiment and get the sound I want quickly.”
— Steve Jablonsky
“The entire line of Quantum Leap instruments are an essential part of my composing rig. The sounds are impeccable and naturalistically captured while the ease of use and the power of the new PLAY engine makes the instruments top of their field.”
— Brian Tyler
Recording Magazine
In summation, these are without question the most gorgeous sounding sampled pianos I've ever heard. The greatest accomplishment, in my view, is the way the room sound was captured. Even when using only the Player position I found it almost unneccessary to invoke the built-in convolution reverb, which is amazing in and of itself.
If you're looking for the most authentic sounding sampled grand pianos available at this time, and have a system that can handle it, Quantum Leap Pianos is a must-consider. Just make sure you have the latest vesion - and a computer that is ready for it!
Sound On Sound Magazine - “Superb”
Piano sound being such a personal thing, it‘s hard to predict which way players might jump if asked to choose between QL Pianos' instruments. Whatever your preference, it's clear that all four are very good sampled pianos, and since they're sold as a bundle, buyers will be spoiled for choice!
Editing the 68,000 samples in this library took four people eight months, and I bet pianist John Sawoski‘s fingers are still aching!
The ultimate test of whether all the effort was worth it comes when a musician sits down to play the instruments, and this musician spent many happy hours playing the ‘fab four’ (to coin a phrase) pianos included in this world-beating collection.
This collection of four superb instruments raises the bar for sampled grand piano playability without hiking the price too high.
Keyboard Magazine
The new meaning of heavyweight. Players agreed that EastWest/Quantum Leap has by far the most detailed and biggest-sounding pianos of the bunch. "The dead center of the Bosendorfer's dynamic range sings out for a long time," noted Fortner, "exactly like the real thing, and the nine extra notes below bottom A [a famous feature of the real thing] are just thunderous." Richard Leiter said, "This sounds like a good recording of a good piano. It makes me want to play late 19th Century classical - if I could!" Aikin added, "This'd be loverly for Chopin, but not the patch you'd load for Bach ... or Little Richard." Trying the Steinway, Aikin said, "I'd sit down and play this for pleasure over the Bosendorfer. It's very lively, with just the right combination of depth and brilliance." He was even happier with the Bechstein: "This makes me want to play Mozart. There's a nice singing quality and melodic projection over chords. I have a sense of comfort here, even more than with the Steinway." The Bechstein was also Fortner's favorite for his R&B-derived playing style: "Lean into it, and it doesn't go quite as far as the Yamaha, but the bell-like harmonics you want for pop come forward. Lean back, and it's brooding and mellow. Gorgeous." EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos stands out because it's the biggest most ambitious sampled piano project ever, with the sound quality to prove it. You'll need a bad-ass computer to play the full-size presets with abandon, but if you have one - wow!
Interface
EastWest/Quantum Leap Pianos is powered by EASTWEST'S PLAY 64-bit (and 32-bit) Advanced Sample Engine
RA: PLAY interface (click to magnify)
This VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT combines intuitive handling with excellent sound quality, and functions as a plug-in instrument, without the need for a sampler.
PLAY is a 64-bit (with 32-bit compatibility) Advanced Sample Engine. PLAY is Included with all new EASTWEST/QUANTUM LEAP Virtual (software) Instruments.
FEATURES
PLAY includes custom designed virtual instruments that look as beautiful as they sound
Interface designed to eliminate clutter, including only the controls needed for each individual virtual instrument
Load MORE thanks to 64-bit support
64-bit support allows you to load many more instruments and voices, limited only by your system RAM (32-bit support is included also)
While most high-end computers will support 16Gb, a very small set of high-performance enterprise computers (with Microsoft Vista Ultimate) can already use 128Gb of RAM. As hardware develops, the theoretical limit is 17,179,869,184 gigabytes = 16 exabytes, or 17 billion gigabytes!
Networking Support*
If you still need more power, our built-in NETWORK CONTROL allows you to load instruments on other machines controlled from your host computer
No more trips back and forth between computers, no more KVM switching when loading projects
No need to buy additional software
The PLAY system is a professional fully integrated solution for those with the most demanding production requirements
All instruments are listed in one browser
Easy to use browser displays all of your instruments
Favorites section to group the instruments you use most
Preview your instrument of choice in an easy-to-use column viewer
Load instruments into one instance to take advantage of your sequencer's "instrument tracks", or many if you so desire.
Interface automatically changes to display current instrument
Articulations
Forget browsing through complicated patch names: pick the instrument and play
Turn on/off articulations as you wish
Articulations list also serves as reference for all expressions within the instrument (no need to look up key-switches in charts)
Save your favorite configuration for quick retrieval
Legato Detection
PLAY senses legato and repetitive playing and responds accordingly
Stereo Handling
PLAY allows the user to manipulate stereo samples in very useful ways
Stereo Swap allows the user to instantly swap the left and right channels
Mono from left , Mono from right, or Mono Sum allow for instant conversion from stereo to mono
Effects Engine
The best sounding and most powerful effects engine out there, built from the ground up for the highest possible quality
Reverb section includes multiple impulse responses from halls, and the famous EASTWEST studios and live chambers (more RIAA certified Platinum and Gold records awarded than any other studio)
The smoothest filters you'll ever hear
Specialized effects including the first Artificial Double Tracking (ADT) software available
Playback Engine
Highest quality resampling engine
Built from the ground up to create the most intuitive instruments possible. Allowed us to design instruments every step of the way without compromise
Security system
Authorize purchased instruments easily using the industry standard iLok security system
Offers complete portability, take your plugin anywhere you want, use it on any computer
Easy to authorize and manage (up to 100 authorizations on one key)
Supported Platforms
AU, VST, Standalone, Intel Mac, Windows XP and Vista, 64-bit, 32-bit
Natively supported in all major hosts on all major operating systems - PLAY no matter what your platform
More native support than any other plug-in
Standalone: PLAY as many instruments as your computer can handle in one application
SUMMARY
PLAY isn't just a sampler, the PLAY SYSTEM is a professional fully integrated sample playback software solution for those with the most demanding production requirements
Offers native support for more platforms than any other software engine
Network support* for large, expandable systems
The latest in technology (64-bit, supports next generation operating systems)
The highest sound quality (ground-up effects, highest quality interpolation)
The best virtual instruments from the multiple award-winning EASTWEST/QUANTUM LEAP producers
The most intuitive controls, custom designed for each library
Complete portability
*This feature will be available after release as a free download for all registered users.
System Requirements
Pianos Full Edition
MAC MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2.1GHz or higher
4GB RAM
Mac OS X 10.5 or later
7200 RPM or faster (non energy saving) hard drive for sample streaming
iLok Security Key (not supplied)
MAC RECOMMENDED SYSTEM
Mac Pro Quad-Core Intel Xeon 2.66GHz or higher
8GB RAM or more
7200 RPM or faster (non energy saving) hard drive for sample streaming
iLok Security Key (not supplied)
MAC OPTIMAL SYSTEM
Mac Pro Eight-Core Intel Xeon 2.26GHz or higher
16GB RAM or more
iLok Security Key (not supplied)
PC MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Dual Core 2.1GHz or higher
4GB RAM
Windows XP SP2, Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
Sound card with ASIO drivers
7200 RPM or faster (non energy saving) hard drive for sample streaming
iLok Security Key (not supplied)
PC RECOMMENDED SYSTEM
Intel Core 2 Quad or AMD Quad-Core 2.66GHz or higher
8GB RAM or more
64-bit Windows/Host Sequencer
7200 RPM or faster (non energy saving) hard drive for sample streaming
iLok Security Key (not supplied)
PC OPTIMAL SYSTEM
Intel Core i7 2.66GHz or higher
16GB RAM or more
64-bit Windows/Host Sequencer
iLok Security Key (not supplied)
Up to 263GB Free Hard Disc Space. Each piano can be loaded and used individually:
(Bechstein — 73GB, Bösendorfer — 87GB, Steinway — 58GB, Yamaha — 46GB)
DVD drive
iLok Security Key, not included (a free soundsonline.com account is required for retrieving and managing iLok licenses)
If you do not own an iLok Security Key you can purchase one at your local authorized EASTWEST retailers, or here.
Pianos Gold Edition
Up to 55GB Free Hard Disc Space. Each piano can be loaded and used individually:
(Bechstein — 11.3GB, Bösendorfer — 17.9GB, Steinway — 10.4GB, Yamaha — 10GB)
DVD drive
iLok Security Key, not included (a free soundsonline.com account is required for retrieving and managing iLok licenses)
If you do not own an iLok Security Key you can purchase one at your local authorized EASTWEST retailers, or here.
Included for both PC and Mac:
32-bit standalone and plug-in versions included.
64-bit PC VST (host must support 64-bit VST plugins) and standalone versions included.
Check the following compatibility chart for availability of other 64-bit versions and updates.
EASTWEST PLAY Host/Sequencer Compatibility Matrix
Supported Host
Mac
OS X
(Intel)
Windows
XP
(32-bit)
Windows
XP
(64-bit)
Windows
8, 7, Vista
(32-bit)
Windows
8, 7, Vista
(64-bit)
Required Version
Standalone
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Ableton Live
YES
YES
YES
6.07 or higher
Cubase/Nuendo
YES
YES
YES1
YES
YES1
4 or higher
FL Studio
YES
YES5
YES
YES5
7 or higher
GarageBand
YES
3 or higher
Logic
YES2
7.2 or higher
Performer
YES2
6.02 or higher
Pro Tools3
YES
YES
YES
7.4 or higher
Sibelius
YES4
YES
YES
6.0 or higher
Sonar
YES
YES
YES
YES
6.2 or higher
VE Pro
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
4.0.54 or higher
Studio One
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
2.0 or higher
Reaper
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
3.0 or higher
1 Cubase/Nuendo 4.1 or later are required as 64-bit hosts.
2 DAE (RTAS in Digital Performer and Logic) is not supported at this time.
3 Ethernet control surfaces are not officially supported (ex: C24)
4 Sibelius 6.0.3 or higher is required to run in Snow Leopard.
5 FL Studio is only supported while in 32-bit operation currently
Other hosts may be compatible, but are untested and unsupported at this time.
Supported Interfaces
PC: VST™, ASIO™, RTAS™
Mac: VST™, Audio Units™, Core Audio™, RTAS™
Purchase / Upgrade
What kind of purchase are you making?
Pianos
Features:
24-bit samples
3 mic positions
263GB
Pianos Gold Edition
Features:
16-bit samples
Player mic position
55GB
Full licenses are for TeraPack owners who want to convert a trial license into a full license.
Pianos
Pianos Gold Edition
Additional licenses are for customers who already have a full, valid license to the product and want to run the product on multiple systems simultaneously.
Enter your current authorization code. Then click "Add to Cart". If you are purchasing an additional license at the same time as the original product, leave this blank.
Pianos
Pianos Gold Edition
Choose the product you are upgrading from and enter your serial number. If we are unable to validate your serial number, we will contact you for further information.
Step 1: Choose the product you are upgrading from.
Step 2: Enter the serial number of the product you are upgrading from.
Step 3: These upgrade options are available from .
Pianos
Pianos
Pianos License
Pianos License
This item is currently out of stock but you can order it
"Having new sounds at my fingertips is always an inspiration and these new PLAY plug-ins have plenty of great sounds to choose from."
- The Dark Knight, King Kong, Michael Clayton
Danny Elfman
"Quantum Leap instruments have become an important part of my sonic template. I am really looking forward to using EW/QL Pianos and Silk in my future scores and I am using STORMDRUM 2 right now on Terminator 4."
- Spiderman, Nightmare Before Christmas, Terminator 4
John Powell
"I am a big fan of the EastWest / Quantum Leap libraries. Their collections contain generous sound palettes with great attention to detail. I am also very impressed by the power of the PLAY engine."
- Hancock, Kung Fu Panda, The Bourne Trilogy
Mark "Spike" Stent
"Quantum Leap SPACES from EastWest is my new go to reverb, it's absolutely the best reverb plug-in on the market."
- Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Muse
Herbie Hancock
"These are real acoustic piano sounds. I'm absolutley amazed. EastWest/Quantum Leap has gone the extra mile to provide stunning quality acoustic pianocharacter - the whole collection is superb!"
- 12 time Grammy Winning Pianist & Composer
David Newman
"Pianos is the best software available today. The recording quality and playability are fantastic. These are the only digital piano sounds that faithfully reproduce the resonances of a well tuned piano."
- The Spirit, Cat in the Hat, Ice Age
J.J. Abrams
"If you're lucky, the tools themselves will inspire you. It looks- and sounds- like EastWest/Quantum Leap does just that with every new product they release."
- Director/Creator: Star Trek, Lost, The Fringe
René Dupéré
"I rely on EastWest/Quantum Leap virtual instruments for my work, they are the most natural sounding and best programmed virtual instruments out there."
- KÀ, Mystère, Alegria - Cirque du Soleil
Bryan Tyler
"The entire line of EastWest instruments are an essential part of my composing rig. The sounds are impeccable and naturalistically captured while the ease of use and the power of the PLAY engine makes the instruments top of their field."
- Dragonalball, Eagle Eye, Fast and the Furious
Jeff Beal
"Quantum Leap sound libraries have enjoyed an invaluable place in my palette for many years both in the mock up and final phase, these sounds offer absolute stunning quality, fidelity, and musicality."
- Rome, Appaloosa, He Was A Quiet Man
David Kahne
"The EastWest / Quantum Leap PLAY virtual instruments jump into my tracks, finding places for themselves. Their richness and variety make combinations of style and sound so engaging to work with in our increasingly recombinant musical world."
- Producer: Paul McCartney, Bangles, Regina Spektor
Rod Abernethy
"EASTWEST's The Dark Side is exactly what I've been looking for in a moody, expertly distorted virtual instrument ... I'm using it everyday now in my video games music scores."
- Composer Rage, Dead Space, The Hobbit
Salo Loyo
"EastWest / Quantum Leap Virtual Instruments offer an amazing palette of colors and flavors, plusthe sonic quality is just beyond belief."
- Luis Miguel's keyboardist, composer, programmer
Teddy Riley
"This is not just a Virtual Piano collection, it's a
masterpiece ... it's love at first touch. When I first heard it, I had to play it, and I fell in love - WOW!!"
- Producer Michael Jackson "Dangerous" and "Invincible"
Paul "Wix" Wickens
"As musical director/keyboard player for PAUL McCARTNEY, I need the best sounds available, EASTWEST / QUANTUM LEAP Virtual Instruments give me that and are an essential part of my set-up."
- Musical Director / Keyboards - PAUL McCARTNEY
Thomas Newman
"The Quantum Leap samples have that rare ability to inspire creative thinking. Always something I want out of sounds to lead me somewhere, to let myself go."
The 3rd installment in the Award-Winning Hollywood Orchestral series, and offers unprecedented expression and true legato. Diamond & Gold Editions now available!