The Real Piano: Free 1903 Chickering Grand for Kontakt Player
The Real Piano by Straight Ahead Samples captures a 1903 Chickering grand piano with the goal of preserving the character heard on classic vintage recordings. The library is currently listed at $0 and works with the free Kontakt Player, so a full Kontakt license is not required.
A 1903 Chickering Grand in Kontakt
The instrument is based on a century-old Chickering grand rather than a pristine modern concert piano. That gives the library a distinct personality that can suit jazz, singer-songwriter, lo-fi, cinematic and vintage-inspired production.
Six Microphone Positions
The interface offers six microphone positions that can be blended by the user. This is the feature that gives The Real Piano much of its flexibility: you can move from a more intimate presentation to a wider, roomier sound without reaching for a different piano library.
- 1903 Chickering grand piano
- 6 microphone positions
- User-controlled mic blend
- 1.96 GB installed size
The Real Piano Official Walkthrough
Kontakt Player Compatibility
The library is made for the free Kontakt Player. Straight Ahead Samples lists Kontakt 6.5.2 as the required version on the current product page, making it accessible to users who do not own the full sampler.
Official Walkthrough
The embedded walkthrough comes directly from Straight Ahead Samples and demonstrates the instrument, controls and overall piano character.
Where It Fits in a Mix
The Real Piano is particularly appealing when a hyper-clean contemporary grand feels too polished. Its vintage character can sit naturally in jazz, acoustic arrangements, neo-classical pieces and productions that need a slightly aged piano tone.
Installation
The product is delivered digitally and can be registered for Kontakt Player. Follow the current instructions from Straight Ahead Samples and Native Access when installing the library.
At a Glance
Developer: Straight Ahead Samples
Price: Free
Instrument: 1903 Chickering grand piano
Mic Positions: 6
Size: 1.96 GB
Sampler: Free Kontakt Player supported
Download The Real Piano for Free
Get the current free version directly from the official developer page.
Final Thoughts
The Real Piano offers something more interesting than another neutral grand: a genuinely characterful instrument with multiple mic perspectives and no need for the full version of Kontakt. For a free library, that is a very strong combination.
