Created by celebrated pianist and composer, Sarah Nicolls, the latest release from Song Athletics captures a re-shaped Erard grand that has had its soundboard turned upright, exposing the strings and allowing them to be played by hand.
Appropriately named Inside-Out Piano, the library explores the multitude of sounds that can be drawn from the strings of a piano, and has been recorded in great detail at Sarah’s home studio in the British countryside. Played using rubber and glass balls, skewers, magnets, bolts, straws and fingers, the instrument’s unique sound promises to draw users into a “playful, atmospheric, surprising, dramatic, nature-infused acoustic dimension.” Sarah has also mapped the different sounds across five different keyboards designed to encourage natural experimentation, allowing users to blend intriguing sources such as whale sounds with pops, percussive sounds and long, expansive tones.
Key Features
- One instrument with sampled piano and five adjustable keyboards for the string samples (~16.92GB).
- Five Mic Positions: Ribbon, Room, Close, Wide, Rear.
- Effects: Delay, Tape, Reverbs, Aftertouch.
- Randomisation button for Mics, Effects and Keyboard levels.
- Kontakt Player library (Version 8.6.1 or higher required)
- NKS compatible
Compatibility
Inside-Out Piano runs in Native Instruments Kontakt Player (or the full version of Kontakt) versions 8.6.1 or above, which are supported on PCs running Windows 10 or higher, and Macs running macOS 13 and above. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available, along with standalone applications.
Pricing & Availability
Inside-Out Piano is available now, and is being offered at an introductory price of £79 until 31 December 2025, when it will increase to its full price of £99. Prices include VAT.
