Studio FX Piano

When it comes to high-performance music, preparation is key – and in this collection, that concept takes on a whole new, literal meaning. Our 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 exceptional product, which is vastly more expansive and versatile than the previously released prepared piano in our Studio Special Keyboards collection. The results give you incredible freedom for experimentation.

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 classic sound of a Decca tree stereo recording features a more slender sound with less diffusion compared to the “Room Mix” Presets.

• Screws inserted between two of the three strings at octave position

• Screws inserted between two of the three strings at fifth position
  

• Screws with loose nuts inserted between two of the three strings at octave position
  

• Felt wedges normally used for tuning inserted between strings
  

• Eraser parts cut to size are inserted at half string length, resulting in a flageolet sound
  

• Chains of about 30 cm length with 5–7 mm link size put on the strings
  

• Paper strips threaded between the strings behind the damper to inhibit their free movement
  

• Aluminum foil lying on the strings is caused to vibrate when they are struck
  

• A small piece of sheet metal centered on the string and bouncing along
  

• A glass plate put on the bass strings makes enormous noise
  

• A water glass pressed onto the strings and moved after the keystroke, similar to a guitar bottleneck
  

• A hard glockenspiel mallet was used to play the strings from above for a dulcimer-like sound
  

• A rubber mallet was used to play the strings with screws inserted between the strings
  

• Timpani wool mallets were used to perform rolls on the strings
  

• Single strings were plucked with a Wegen Gipsy guitar pick
  

• Strumming all three strings of a note with the Gipsy guitar pick, with dampers on the strings
  

• Leather pick glissandos
  

• EBow string stimulation for pad-like sounds
  

• EBow with a nut put on the oscillating strings
  

• A fishing line was rubbed with rosin and threaded between the strings several times so that they could be bowed like a cello
  

• Fishing line crescendos
  

• Fast and slow up and down glissandos played with a leather pick between the trusses
  

• Rasping bass strings with the fingernail
  

• Glissandos played with percussion brushes in several positions
  

• Dragging the inner tube of a bike across the strings to achieve something like whale song
  

• Hits with the open hand on the bass strings in several positions
  

• A gong mallet was used to play on the trusses from the side and from above. The hits gain a lot of body and reverb by pressing the pedal.
  

• The piano body is hit with a timpani mallet in several positions