Galaxy II contains three grand pianos: the Vienna Grand (a powerful Bösendorfer Imperial), the 1929 German Baby Grand (a Vintage Blüthner baby grand), and the 5 star awarded Galaxy Steinway in stereo and 5.1 surround. Galaxy II K4 is based on the new Kontakt 4 engine by Native Instruments, presenting new features, better performance and a completely redesigned direct access user interface.

All pianos of the Galaxy II Pianos Collection (Steinway, Vienna Grand, Baby Grand) are available as single downloads at SoundsOnDemand!

The upcoming  version Galaxy II K4 is based on the  Kontakt  engine by Native Instruments, presenting new features, better performance and a completely redesigned direct access user interface. Version 4 offers true half pedaling, true repedaling and dynamically playable pedal, damper and string noises when using a continuous sustain pedal.

Additional resonance release and noise samples have been added and all the 30GB of samples of Galaxy II have been revised and enhanced.

Galaxy Piano’s Version 4 takes the Galaxy II Grand Piano Collection to an new level.

Three world class grand pianos
Galaxy Steinway 5.1 (Steinway D in 5.1 surround and stereo)
Vienna Grand Imperial (96 Key Bösendorfer with incredible low end)
1929 German Baby Grand (Vintage Blüthner with a beautiful singing tone)
More than 6,000 samples in 24 bit (30GB/18GB with sample compression)
Warp Engine for sound design beyond regular piano sounds
  

*Updates & **Upgrades
When ordering an Update from Galaxy II KP2 your legal registration will be checked when activating Galaxy II K4.
When ordering an Upgrade from a Download Pack or OEM Steinway (single Piano) you have to enter the serial number of your download / OEM license as a proof of purchase into the message field at the checkout. Your order will be shipped after a successful verification!
 

Vienna Grand

Galaxy II’s Vienna Grand is comprised of sampling a BOESENDORFER IMPERIAL 290 grand piano. Established by Ignaz Bösendorfer in 1828, Bösendorfer are the oldest piano manufacturers still in production and have a history of constructing some of the worlds finest instruments. The Model 290 Imperial, a 9’6” grand piano, is famous for its powerful soundboard and its extended keyboard; going as far as a bottom C0, making a full eight octave range or 97 keys. Sometimes, these extra keys are hidden under a small hinged lid, on others, the colours of the extra white keys are reversed (black instead of white). The extra keys are added primarily for increased resonance from the associated strings; that is, they vibrate sympathetically with other strings whenever the damper pedal is depressed thus creating a fuller tone. With the VIENNA GRAND they are playable.

The Vienna Grand was recorded at Hansahaus Studios/Germany which is famous for its outstanding Jazz Recordings and has received two Grammy Awards. We placed great emphasis on capturing the Bösendorfers huge dynamic range and energy, especially its powerful low end; using additional microphones in the lower register.

True half pedaling when using a continuous sustain pedal
True repedaling and sostenuto
Noises dynamically playable with a continuous sustain pedal
One-knob control of tone colour and dynamics.
Intelligent EQ for warmth, punch and brilliance
Sympathetic string resonance with real overtones
Flexible and easy-to-use velocity editor
Convolution reverb with many different types of rooms, concert halls and ambience
Adjustable stereo width and position
Specially designed compressor for pop piano sounds
Pad Machine
Warp Engine for sound design beyond regular piano sounds

Galaxy Steinway

Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg, piano maker of the Steinweg brand, emigrated from Germany to America in 1850. In 1853, Steinweg founded Steinway & Sons, by the year 2000, Steinway had made its 550,000th piano. The Steinway Model D 270 is probably the most popular concert grand of all. For Galaxy II, a Model D was recorded in Galaxy Studios, Belgium; one of the most sophisticated high-end studios in Europe, which also boasts a huge recording hall. The instrument was chosen by studio owner Wilfried van Baaren from a range of dozens of instruments at Steinway/Hamburg. It has been recorded in 5.1 surround and stereo with a tremendous microphone setup to capture its size and dynamic range with 6 channels.

Galaxy Steinway 5.1 (Steinway D in 5.1 surround and stereo)
More than 2,000 samples in 24 bit
10 modeled velocity zones for a wide and smooth dynamic rang
Additional resonance, release and noise samples
Chromatic and multiple velocity resonance and release samples
Multi velocity pedal, damper, hammer and string noises
Real una corda samples
Real overtones Powered by the Kontakt Player 4 engine
New direct access user interface
Lossless sample compression for better disk streaming
True half pedaling when using a continuous sustain pedal
True repedaling and sostenuto
Noises dynamically playable with a continuous sustain pedal
One-knob control of tone colour and dynamics.
Intelligent EQ for warmth, punch and brilliance
Sympathetic string resonance with real overtones
Flexible and easy-to-use velocity editor
Convolution reverb with many different types of rooms, concert halls and ambience
Adjustable stereo width and position
Specially designed compressor for pop piano sounds
Pad Machine
Warp Engine for sound design beyond regular piano sounds

1929 German Baby Grand

The Blüthner piano company has been manufacturing the Europes finest pianos in their factory in Leipzig, Germany since 1853. By 1885, the company was the largest European piano manufacturer. Numerous royals, composers, conductors, artists and performers have owned Blüthner pianos. They include Brahms, Bartok, Debussy, Tchaikovsky and Wagner. Blüthners have also been used in popular music. One was used on The Beatles’ Let It Be album, most notably, in the hits ‘Let It Be’ and ‘The Long and Winding Road’. Galaxy II’s 1929 GERMAN BABY GRAND is based on a BLÜTHNER Model 150, built in 1929. This beautiful 75 year old grand piano features a warm , vintage sound wíth a wonderful intimate tone.

1929 German Baby Grand (Vintage Blüthner with a beautiful singing tone)
More than 6,000 samples in 24 bit (30GB/18GB with sample compression)
13 modeled velocity zones for a wide and smooth dynamic rang
Additional resonance, release and noise samples
Chromatic and multiple velocity resonance and release samples
Multi velocity pedal, damper, hammer and string noises
Real una corda samples
Real overtones Powered by the Kontakt Player 4 engine
New direct access user interface
Lossless sample compression for better disk streaming
True half pedaling when using a continuous sustain pedal
True repedaling and sostenuto
Noises dynamically playable with a continuous sustain pedal
One-knob control of tone colour and dynamics.
Intelligent EQ for warmth, punch and brilliance
Sympathetic string resonance with real overtones
Flexible and easy-to-use velocity editor
Convolution reverb with many different types of rooms, concert halls and ambience
Adjustable stereo width and position
Specially designed compressor for pop piano sounds
Pad Machine
Warp Engine for sound design beyond regular piano sounds

Comments:

Computer Music/UK: „Overall, Galaxy II is the best piano ROMpler we’ve ever had the pleasure of playing.“
Samplecraze: „In terms of value for money, I cannot recommend a better piano vsti than Galaxy 2. For features, sounds, playability and the Warp function Galaxy 2 is on it’s own.“
Sound on Sound: „Let´s cut to the chase — the piano sounds great.“
Virtual Instruments: „It is an ultra realistic playing experience to sit at each of these sampled gems. All three are absolutely gorgeous sounding.“
Music Players: „While there are numerous sample-based piano software applications out there, few programs offer control over as many fine details within your sound as Galaxy II.“