New from Vienna: Studio FX Piano

Vienna Symphonic Library releases effect piano virtual instrument

Vienna, January 21, 2025 – The Vienna Symphonic Library is pleased to announce the release of Studio FX Piano, a virtual instrument that goes far beyond the traditional playing techniques of the Prepared Piano. Recorded at Stage B of Vienna Synchron Stage with a multi-microphone setup, this Yamaha CFX offers a wealth of tones and textures, making it ideal not only for sound design but also for tonal and atonal compositions. The new Collection is currently available at introductory prices of €189 (reg. €249) for the Standard Library and €299 (reg. €399) for the Full Library.

The Well-Prepared Piano

Painstakingly captured over the course of more than four months in the pristine, controlled environment of Stage B at Vienna Synchron Stage, this unique collection redefines what a piano can be – and sound like. Expanding significantly on the “prepared piano” concept popularized by avant-garde composer John Cage in the 1940s, the Vienna team transformed their Yamaha CFX into an innovative instrument of sonic exploration. By manipulating its strings with objects such as screws, bolts, rubber, felt wedges, chains, and paper, or utilizing an EBow for infinite sustain, it now produces a myriad of adventurous tones far removed from its classical origins.

Synchron Stage Vienna’s very own piano tuner and specialist Max Kubizek conducted extensive research to unlock the unique sound possibilities he and Synchron Stage chief conductor Gottfried Rabl envisioned for this product, which is vastly more expansive and versatile than the previously released prepared piano in Vienna’s Studio Special Keyboards collection. During the recording sessions, no boundaries were set: the bass strings were slapped by hand or plucked with a guitar pick, the piano body was struck with a mallet, metal screws and bolts created sharp metallic overtones, while rubber and felt dampened the vibrating strings to produce muted, drum-like beats. These unconventional techniques and non-traditional approaches generated complex and unexpected sound layers, ranging from mystical drones to sharp, percussive hits that are as inspiring as they are unique.

The controlled ambience allows users to shape their custom FX sounds any way they want, while the optional convolution reverb derived from Vienna MIR Pro 3D adds space and even more creative versatility. A wide array of dedicated FX patches and mixer presets takes this sonic adventure to entirely new dimensions, inviting composers and producers to push the boundaries of sound design.

The Standard Library and Full Library of Studio FX Piano both include the same articulations. The difference lies in the number of provided microphone positions.