BBCSO Piano Pro RRP: £149 / $189 / 189€
During Promo Period: £99 / $129 / 129€ *

BBCSO Piano Core RRP: £79 / $99 / 99€
Promo Crossgrade Period: £59 / $74 / 74€ *
More information here:

* A discount for anyone who owns BBCSO Core/Pro. Promo Crossgrade period ends on Thursday, July 20th, 2023

Spitfire Audio’s most detailed and versatile piano to date, the BBCSO Piano faithfully captures the live concert sound of a pristine Steinway Model D grand, at the iconic home of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Maida Vale Studios — also host to The Beatles, Hendrix, Bowie, and countless film scores.

Recorded in concerto position in Studio One, this highly expressive piano has been captured with the same expertly curated microphone positions, designed to blend seamlessly with the orchestra. A range of specific close mics are available for cinematic and pop contexts, as well as pedal and hammers volume control, for stunning realism.

The BBCSO series has something for everyone, available in three editions – Discover, Core, and Professional – with the Professional edition being unmatched in its versatility, featuring 15 signals in total for endless sound sculpting possibilities.

Whether paired with the BBCSO or as a standalone instrument, BBCSO Piano promises to provide a rich, authentic piano sound suited to any genre.

THE BBCSO PLUGIN

The library opens in the existing award-winning dedicated BBCSO plugin – with a beautiful, modern design by ustwo (Monument Valley, DICE) – allowing for seamless integration with the rest of the BBCSO line and proving incredibly useful when writing for the piano and orchestra together.

In the Professional edition, the majority of mic signals are recorded in the same configuration as the original BBCSO library, while the close mics get you straight to the heart of the instrument. The piano has been expertly played by BBCSO concert pianist Elizabeth Burley — an exceptional player with a consistent touch.

ONE PIANO, THREE EDITIONS

A universal starting point for composers and music creators of every level, BBCSO Piano comes in three editions: Professional, Core, and Discover.

Discover: Get to know the BBCSO Piano with the smaller-sized version, integrated into the BBCSO Discover orchestral plugin — featuring limited sampling depth and one signal

Core: Full sampling depth and controls, with one curated mix signal

Professional: Full sampling depth, two mixes, and the full range of signal options (15 in total), including hammer and pedal volume control

BBCSO Piano Discover and BBCSO Piano Core are free for owners of BBCSO Piano Professional.

THE PROFESSIONAL EDITION

The Professional edition is the definitive tool for writing professional, world-class music. Its 15 signals and controls offer all the options you could possibly need to curate your own bespoke mix to match the exact sound you’re looking for. It’s also ready to play straight out of the box, with two expertly curated professional mixes to choose from — Mix One offering your standard orchestral mix, and Mix Two offering a wider, more vibrant cinematic sound.

KEY FEATURES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL EDITION:

• ~35GB
• Reverb, Tightness, Hammers & Pedal Volume Control
• Four Round Robins
• Six Dynamic Layers
• 15 Signal Options – including two bespoke mixes:
• Mix One – An all-purpose standard orchestral classical mix.
• Mix Two – A hyped, wider, more vibrant mix, perfect for cinematic purposes

Mics:

• Tree – Situated above the conductor’s head, this gives a great representation of the sound. Use this as a basis to add other signals to
• Outriggers – A wide set of omnidirectional microphones, designed to be used in conjunction with the Tree to add width
• Ambients – High above the orchestra near the back of the room, these microphones add the most reverberant sound of the room
• Mono – Traditionally what the BBC used to record the orchestra, a single ribbon microphone above the conductor’s head
• Piano Hammers – A set of condenser mics placed directly above the piano hammers for a tight, percussive sound
• Piano Ribbons – A set of ribbon mics positioned fairly close to the strings.
• Piano Mids – A stereo pair at a medium distance from the piano.
• Piano Far – A stereo pair at a further distance from the piano.
• Sides – Super wide omnidirectional microphones. Ideal for adding a unique level of width or for adding to an Atmos mix
• Balcony – As far away from the instrument as possible, these are right at the back on the viewing balcony of the studio
• Atmos Front – A stereo submix specifically for use within the front of a Dolby Atmos mix
• Atmos Rear – A stereo submix specifically for use within the rear of a Dolby Atmos mix
• Spill All – A combination of other section mics covering the rest of the orchestra, use to add an element of realism to the mix
• Velocity Curves – Use a range of controls to fine-tune the dynamic response of the Piano. Setting the Dynamics to Compress
• Velocity High/Low enables the Mod Wheel to alter the sensitivity, while several velocity curve shapes are available

MODE SWITCHING

It’s now easier than ever to share and collaborate with fellow composers, collaborators, and directors — whatever edition of BBCSO Piano you own. Spitfire Audio’s groundbreaking mode-switching technology makes each edition of BBCSO Piano and BBCSO interchangeable, so you can mock up your scores quickly and with ease.

For composers on the go or with a limited technical setup, start writing a piece of music using Discover, and finish it in the Core or Professional edition, with a fuller range of signals, controls, and versatility. It also works the other way around: write a piece in the Professional edition and a collaborator can open it in Discover, play what you’ve written (with the sounds intelligently substituted), and add to it. When you reopen their edited version, you will hear their additions alongside your original composition – with your full selection of signals.

A UNIVERSAL INSTRUMENT

Since its release in 2019, the BBCSO library has become a core staple in the musical journey of thousands of composers, producers, and musicians worldwide. With this new grand piano, Spitfire Audio is enabling users at any level to further expand on their virtual orchestra — with a path to upgrade to new features and sonic possibilities when you’re ready, through Spitfire’s innovative mode-switching technology. This feature also makes it easier than ever to share and collaborate with fellow composers, regardless of which edition they own.

THE BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The BBC Symphony Orchestra is the musical beating heart of the BBC itself – the oldest entertainment organization in the world, trusted and respected globally. The BBC Symphony Orchestra has been performing for nearly a century and is at the forefront of championing new orchestral music and composers at the BBC Proms and beyond, selling out concert halls the world over.

In the spirit of the BBC’s founding values — to inform, educate and entertain — Spitfire Audio has created a frequently updated range of resources designed for the next generation of producers, composers, and musicians — from templates to tutorials, to score breakdowns.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

Available – June 29th, 2023 at 5pm BST
Link –

BBCSO Piano Pro RRP: £149 / $189 / 189€
Promo Crossgrade: £99 / $129 / 129€ *

BBCSO Piano Core RRP: £79 / $99 / 99€
Promo Crossgrade: £59 / $74 / 74€ *

BBCSO + BBCSO Piano Collection (Crossgrade) * :
BBCSO Pro + BBCSO Piano Pro: £1,048 / $1,188 / 1,188€
BBCSO Core + Piano Core: £458 / $523 / 532€

* A discount for anyone who owns BBCSO Core/Pro. Promo Crossgrade period ends on Thursday, July 20th, 2023

About The BBC Symphony Orchestra (https://www.bbc.co.uk/symphonyorchestra)

The BBC Symphony Orchestra has been at the heart of British musical life since it was founded in 1930. It plays a central role in the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, performing at the First and Last Nights, as well as throughout each Proms season. The BBC SO performs an annual season of concerts at the Barbican in London, where it is Associate Orchestra. Its commitment to contemporary music is demonstrated by a range of premieres each season, as well as Total Immersion days devoted to specific composers or themes.

Highlights of the 2022–23 season at the Barbican include Total Immersion days exploring the music of George Walker, Kaija Saariaho and Jean Sibelius, the last two led by Chief Conductor Sakari Oramo, who also conducts concerts showcasing the music of Grażyna Bacewicz. Principal Guest Conductor Dalia Stasevska conducts two concerts, one featuring Elgar’s Cello Concerto with cellist Sol Gabetta and a family concert celebrating the work of French animator Grégoire Pont.

A literary theme runs through the season, which includes Neil Brand’s new version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles and the world premiere of Iain Bell’s Beowulf, with the BBC Symphony Chorus and with soloist Stuart Skelton. Ian McEwan, one of the most admired storytellers of our time, joins the orchestra to read from his own works, with music curated around his readings. The BBC Symphony Chorus also joins the BBC SO for Michael Tippett’s A Child of Our Time, under Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis, with soloists including Pumeza Matshikiza and Dame Sarah Connolly. Among this season’s world and UK premieres are Victoria Borisova-Ollas’s Portrait of a Lady by Swan Lake, Kaija Saariaho’s Saarikoski Songs and Valerie Coleman’s Umoja (Anthem of Unity) conducted by Gemma New, and the season comes to a close with the UK premiere of Joby Talbot’s opera Everest.
The vast majority of the BBC SO’s performances are broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and a number of studio recordings each season are free to attend. These often feature up-and-coming talent, including members of BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme. All broadcasts are available for 30 days on BBC Sounds and the BBC SO can also be seen on BBC TV and BBC iPlayer, and heard on the BBC’s online archive, Experience Classical. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus – alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Singers, and BBC Proms – also offer innovative education and community activities and take a lead role in the BBC Ten Pieces and BBC Young Composer program.

About BBC Maida Vale

The iconic Maida Vale Studios holds a rich history, having been at the center of BBC music since 1934 when it became home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Built in 1909, it was originally the largest indoor roller-skating rink in Europe, before being transformed into seven unique sound studios. From The Beatles to Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin to Bowie, from the Undertones to the swansong of the late Bing Crosby, from the era-defining John Peel Sessions to Radio 1 Live Lounge: over the last 75 years, Maida Vale has captured the performances of more famous artists than any other.

Responsible for some of the most influential and innovative developments in music technology and electronic music, including the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, it’s also renowned for its impressive gear list, including a diverse range of equipment from various eras and technologies — a unique combination of vintage gear, custom BBC designs, and state-of-the-art digital equipment — making it the preferred recording destination for countless musicians.

About Spitfire Audio (https://www.spitfireaudio.com)

Spitfire Audio is a British music technology company that specializes in sounds — sample libraries, virtual instruments, and other useful software devices. It collaborates with the best composers, artists, and engineers in the world to build musical tools that sound great and are exciting to use.

Spitfire Audio was founded by two award-winning composers. Born out of their shared dissatisfaction with string sample libraries, they pooled their resources and decided to record their own string samples at the legendary Air Studios in London. Initially, they invited a limited number of friends and associates to own copies of their samples, but whispers of this private sample club soon started to echo across the Atlantic Ocean throughout the composer community. Within a year, some of the most renowned composers in film and television signed up, so they decided to take their samples public.

To date, Spitfire Audio has recorded and released over 200 sample libraries, collaborating with some of the biggest names in media composition, including Hans Zimmer, Eric Whitacre, Ólafur Arnalds & the London Contemporary Orchestra. Spitfire Audio’s sounds are heard in everything, from major Hollywood film scores to recordings by Radiohead and U2. This initial side project is now a thriving international music technology enterprise, with a uniquely experienced and diverse workforce, all focused on a shared mission: to inspire a generation of composers. The composer team remains at the center of the business, drawing on their own experience as obsessive music makers to explore the needs and wants of their fellow composers.