Add the Most-recorded Studio Piano to Your DAW or Apollo Interface
Ask any Sweetwater pianist what the quintessential recorded piano sound is, and most will probably say the Steinway Model B without hesitation. Not only does it have a beautifully balanced recording-ready sound, but it’s been in production since 1878, so it’s almost as old as audio recording itself! No matter which genres you listen to, we guarantee you’ve heard a Steinway Model B. Now, thanks to Universal Audio’s incredible UAD Ravel Grand Piano plug-in, you can play and record with one right inside your DAW. Their exclusive UltraResonance technology captured not only played keys and pressed pedal behavior typical of modern virtual pianos, but also the Model B’s sympathetic string resonance — how the soundboard and strings react to other strings when played. Combined with three pairs of handpicked mics from the personal collection of legendary engineer Allen Sides (Ocean Way Recording) and a Reverse Mix function for adding atmospheric textures, the UAD Ravel plug-in offers remarkable realism — even by UA’s demanding standards.
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UltraResonance technology
Of course, the typical hammer, string, and mechanical pedal behavior you’d expect from a modern virtual piano is present here. However, UA went above and beyond with its exclusive UltraResonance technology. By capturing the varied interactions and ethereal harmonics of undamped string and soundboard vibrations in response to other piano strings, notes no longer sound like they’re played in isolation. The UAD Ravel plug-in gives you the complex, full-bodied sound and response of a comprehensive instrument at every dynamic level.
Simply beautiful sounds
Volume, Tone, and a Close/Room Mic slider. That’s it. The UAD Ravel is a piano plug-in, so UA doesn’t bog you down with unnecessary mixing options. Whether you want an intimate Close mic sound, or an ambient Room mic sound (or a blend), the Steinway Model B captured by these vintage microphone pairs always sounds gorgeous and ready to record.
Reverse atmospherics
The UAD Ravel doesn’t have a lot of superfluous bells and whistles, but it does feature Reverse Mix and Reverse Length controls. By playing with these two parameters, you can add subtle reverse textures for a fuller sound or create more dramatic sounds — for instance, varieties that would fit into any horror movie soundtrack. Sweetwater tip: adjusting the Reverse Mix parameter (MIDI CC 70) in real time is loads of fun!
Universal Audio UAD Ravel Virtual Piano Plug-in Features:
- Play and record with the impeccably modeled Steinway Model B, the world’s most-recorded studio piano
- Harness UltraResonance technology for unparalleled realism, dynamic sensitivity, and complex timbral characters of “soft pedal” and “damper pedal down” behaviors
- Easily mix between close and room mics, expertly placed by Allen Sides at United Recording from his personal collection of mics and preamps
- Add thrilling textures and haunting atmospheres to your tracks with the unique Reverse Mix and Reverse Length features
- Runs natively on virtually any DAW, no Universal Audio hardware required
*All trademarks are property of their respective owners, and used only to represent the instruments modeled as part of the software