Sounds & Samples

Just over a year on from their IRCAM Prepared Piano, UVI introduce Augmented Piano, a 1909 Pleyel tweaked with a range of preparations and alternate playing styles. Unlike its forebear however – and except for one pre-mapped configuration – Augmented Piano features only one or two preparations (spanning the whole keyboard) for each preset.

Presets are divided into groups determined by the preparation they employ. This usually includes a default setting and a range of more elaborate variants. There are 24 preparations in total, including a very playable Normal version. The others span customisations to the hammers and how the strings are set in motion, alongside mutes and various interrupters to the normal mechanics of the piano. Mixed preparations allow you to combine two distinct approaches, such Metal Stick + eBow, a particular favourite.

There’s also a significant degree of editing possible. The ability to mix three microphone configurations, adjust note release and pedal noise, as well as sympathetic string resonance, determines the basic sound. This is further shaped by synth-oriented elements such as a filter section and amp envelope. A well-specified FX section takes things even further into synthetic and sound design territory. The only issues were incorrect graphics for the low and highpass filters, and some lowfrequency boominess in some of the higher notes of the Tack preparation – neither a major problem.

Augmented Piano is another impressive instrument from UVI. It is well designed, highly flexible and sounds great in a wide range of contexts. Bruce Aisher www.uvi.net

VERDICT 8.9