Instantly Download a Virtual Steinway Concert Grand, Authorized and Endorsed by Steinway & Sons

NAMM Convention, Anaheim, CA (January 15, 2009) - Garritan announces the release of the Authorized Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Piano, Downloadable Basic Edition, a sample-based software piano instrument developed in collaboration with Steinway & Sons, maker of the world's finest pianos. 

The Authorized Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Piano, Basic Edition, is offered as a download. You can be performing on a new Virtual Steinway within minutes of download.  There's no shipping, no waiting, and no box to discard.  Downloadable instruments represent a small step toward a better earth – but a giant step for creativity. 

At the heart of the Authorized Steinway Virtual Piano, Basic Download Edition is the warmth and brilliance of the venerable Steinway Model D grand – overwhelmingly the “piano of choice” for the world’s greatest performers. The Steinway concert grand piano chosen for the sample set was hand-picked by Steinway & Sons. This new downloadable instrument is a delight to play and is offered at an attractive price of $99.99.

The Basic version is the ideal instrument for students, professionals, amateur musicians, and educators alike.   This version offers a single under-the-lid perspective; yet it doesn't lack features or performance, delivering the full, rich and beautiful Steinway sound on your desktop, laptop and even some of the new netbook computers.

Powered by the robust and reliable ARIA Player, Garritan's powerful new 64-bit Sampler/Synthesis Engine, developed in collaboration with Plogue Art et Technologie Inc., the Garritan Authorized Steinway Virtual Concert Grand runs on these platforms: MAC OS X 10.4 and higher and Windows XP/Vista (both 32 and 64 bits).  It runs as a standalone, plug-in (VST, Audio Units, RTAS), as well as with supported notation programs.  The ARIA engine and Garritan sounds have been rigorously industry tested and are widely used in products by Microsoft, SONY, AKAI, MakeMusic (Finale) and many other industry leaders. 

Among its many features: pedaling support, sustain and sympathetic resonance using convolution-based DSP modules, adjustable mechanical noises, adjustable velocity curves, adjustable polyphony, a variety of historical tunings with Scala file import, built-in MIDI playback and audio recording in standalone, ambience reverb, 3 band EQ, Graceful Copy Protection (no cumbersome dongles or complex challenge responses) and more. Advanced programming also makes this a truly “playable” and responsive library. 

A virtual Steinway piano is ready, tested, and awaiting your touch.  Download your Garritan Authorized Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Piano today -- you're just minutes away from your very own concert Steinway!

Pricing:  Authorized Steinway Virtual Concert Grand, Downloadable Basic Version: $99.99

Availability:  Now Available.  The Authorized Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Basic Version is currently available as a download at www.garritan.com

About Steinway & Sons

Steinway & Sons, headquartered in New York, produces the world's finest pianos. Steinway pianos are sold by nearly 200 authorized dealers worldwide. The company's corporate parent is Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc., which also owns Conn-Selmer, the nation's leading manufacturer of orchestra and band instruments. Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LVB for Ludwig van Beethoven. Steinway & Sons was founded on March 5, 1853 by German immigrant Henry Engelhard Steinway and his sons in New York City, one of the major centers of the piano-making industry in North America at that time. Henry, a master piano-maker, built his first piano in the kitchen of his home in Germany. Over the next forty years, Henry and his sons developed the modern piano, patenting the most significant technologies in the piano industry.  www.steinway.com

About Garritan Libraries

Garritan is the worldwide leader and pioneer in sample libraries and soundware.  Garritan Libraries are the recipient of numerous industry, education, and professional awards and accolades in the music press and among professional musicians.  These same libraries are required for classes at leading music colleges and universities.  Garritan has also developed the first sample libraries that integrate with popular notation programs, such as Finale and Sibelius.  Garritan soundware is known the world over for quality, and are an indispensable staple in film, television and interactive productions, as well as live performances. The ARIA engine and Garritan sounds have been rigorously industry tested and are widely used in products by Microsoft, SONY, AKAI, MakeMusic (Finale) and many other industry leaders.  www.garritan.com.

Garritan Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Piano