IK Multimedia Introduces Grand Piano Y7
IK Multimedia has unveiled the Grand Piano Y7, a meticulously crafted virtual instrument based on the renowned Yamaha C7, originally manufactured in the late 1980s at Yamaha’s Hamamatsu, Japan, factory.
This large-format piano boasts remarkable versatility, offering powerful projection and tonal clarity suitable for concert halls, while its refined expressiveness and responsive touch make it an ideal choice for studio recordings. Integrated with Pianoverse’s immersive, interactive Spaces, the Grand Piano Y7 delivers dramatic, cinematic, and evocative soundscapes.
Now available for purchase separately or as part of Pianoverse MAX, the Grand Piano Y7 is included in the latest Pianoverse update, accessible through the IK Product Manager for current MAX owners.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Grand Piano Y7 was recorded at the legendary Fonoprint Studios in Bologna, Italy, a facility housed within a historic 15th-century convent. Since the 1990s, Fonoprint Studios has been instrumental in shaping pop, progressive, cinematic, and classical music, with renowned artists such as Andrea Bocelli and Ennio Morricone having recorded there. The Yamaha C7 featured in this collection is the studio’s resident grand piano.
To capture its essence, engineers used DPA cardioid microphones for close miking and Coles ribbon microphones employing the Blumlein technique. The piano samples were meticulously recorded using multiple takes and enhanced with Round Robin technology, ensuring unmatched realism. Paired with Pianoverse’s cutting-edge cinematic effects, the Grand Piano Y7 offers an unparalleled range of styles and moods, making each playthrough a unique sonic experience.
Expanding the Pianoverse Experience
Pianoverse now features 33 dynamic sonic environments, including three newly introduced Spaces—Northern Lights, Mirrors, and White Loft. These immersive destinations range from traditional Concert Halls and Studio Spaces to unconventional locations like a Warehouse or Vault, as well as otherworldly settings such as an Iceberg, Desert, or Mars. Users can further refine their sound with flexible controls, creating new and previously unheard cinematic textures.
Unmatched Realism and Control
Pianoverse offers a comprehensive suite of performance controls, allowing users to fine-tune their piano experience. Adjustable settings include lid position, harp resonance, pedal noise, and release triggers, along with realistic mallet noise emulation. The three pedals offer full continuous control, including half-pedaling, catch-pedaling, and soft-pedaling, ensuring a highly responsive and expressive performance.
Professional-Grade Studio Processing
Each Pianoverse instrument includes two distinct microphone configurations, enabling users to switch between modern and classical sound profiles, replicating the professional studio environment. The Pianoverse engine is equipped with essential effects tools such as four compressor models, a dedicated master channel with EQ, and a VCA-style compressor for final mastering polish.
Innovative Sound Design Features
Beyond conventional effects, Pianoverse incorporates 12 Creative Effects, including IK’s proprietary Convomorph technology and the Reelab tape modeler. These effects range from cinematic spatial processing to essential studio tools, with three simultaneous slots available for parallel and insert effects.
A standout feature of Pianoverse is its four modulation sources—two envelopes and two LFOs—assignable to any effect parameter. This allows users to introduce movement, modulation, and extreme transformations to their sound, offering limitless creative potential. This extensive sound-sculpting capability sets Pianoverse apart from any other virtual piano instrument available today.
A Collection of 9 World-Class Pianos
With the addition of the Grand Piano Y7, Pianoverse now offers a collection of nine meticulously sampled world-class pianos, each modeled after an industry-leading instrument:
*Yamaha C7 (Grand Piano Y7)
*Bösendorfer 214 Vienna Concert
*Koch & Korselt Upright Grand
*Steinway & Sons Hamburg D-274
*Fazioli F278 Concert Grand
*Yamaha CFIII Concert Grand
*Yamaha U5 Professional Upright
*Bösendorfer 280 Vienna Concert
*Steinway & Sons New York D-274
The Grand Piano Y7 is now available as a standalone purchase or as part of Pianoverse MAX. With this latest addition, IK Multimedia continues to push the boundaries of virtual piano realism, providing musicians and composers with an extensive suite of tools to craft truly immersive and dynamic performances.
