Vienna Instruments - Bösendorfer Imperial from the Vienna Symphonic Library is a sample-based virtual instrument, featuring a true recreation of a Bösendorfer 290 Imperial grand piano. The sampled instrument was set up and tuned by the technicians of the Bösendorfer factory, and the collection includes a 54GB sample set, with "non-looped sustain" samples, both in the pedal up and pedal down positions, and with seven velocity layers per note.

Also sampled were tone repetitions, sustain pedal resonances, multiple-release samples and key noises. The Bösendorfer 290 Imperial is the only concert grand to have nine sub-bass notes, extending downward to low C. These extra notes allow for the performance of works originally scored for this piano by composers such as Bartók, Debussy, Ravel and Busoni.

A unique feature of this virtual instrument is the sample capture of the piano in its resonating state. In the past, this has been one of the true stumbling blocks in delivering a sampled piano with a natural acoustic image. Here, the samples act just like the piano itself, creating the characteristic pedal tone sound.

The Vienna Instruments user interface is clearly arranged and includes pre-configured patches for immediate playability with no learning curve. The interface uses a powerful proprietary streaming audio engine that can load up to 3,456 articulations (patches) on one MIDI channel.

Load times are extremely low and sixty-four stereo voices per instance can stream from the hard disc. A RAM optimizing utility clears unused samples out of RAM. Users can easily create their own instruments, using "drag and drop" functionality, and the instrument provides the ability for velocity crossfades and release control to be switched on or off in real time.

A true recreation of a Bösendorfer 290 Imperial grand piano, sampled with a concert hall audience perspective, for proper imaging on the orchestral stage

Includes over 9,300 samples

Functions as a VST and Audio Units plug-in for Mac OS X and a VST plug-in for Windows XP, or as a standalone virtual instrument