UNA CORDA is based on a physical instrument. The original 64-key upright
piano was conceived and handcrafted by innovative piano builder David
Klavins, and developed in collaboration with musician, composer, and
producer Nils Frahm. The piano is unusual in that it has just one string per
key – standard pianos have up to three strings per key. Klavins designed the
piano with an open frame and a thin, ribless soundboard to produce a highly
resonant tone. Frahm added fabric preparations, placing cotton, felt, and
other fabrics between the hammers and strings to alter the attack of sounds.
Klavins subsequently built an 88-key version of the piano especially for the
Native Instruments sampling session.
UNA CORDA, in its virtual form, is highly versatile, enabling users to create a
wide variety of sounds and effects. UNA CORDA offers three sound banks:
the pure sound of the original piano plus the piano with cotton and felt
preparations. Through a straightforward graphical interface, users can easily
sculpt the primary characteristics of the initial sounds, adjust response
characteristics, and add an array of vintage effect chains. By manipulating
resonance, integrating harmonics and overtones, adding noise and ambience,
dialing in reverb, and applying other effects, users can generate truly unique
results.
UNA CORDA was created in collaboration with Uli Baronowsky and Galaxy
Instruments. Baronowsky captured the minute details of the physical
instrument using the rich acoustic environment of Saal 3 in the legendary
Funkhaus Nalepastrasse, Berlin. To produce UNA CORDA, Baronowsky – the
creator of THE GIANT, THE DEFINITIVE PIANO COLLECTION, and RISE &
HIT – worked closely with Klavins and drew inspiration from the various ways
Frahm uses the original instrument. The result is a sonically stunning
instrument with a truly atmospheric character.
Pricing and availability
UNA CORDA is available now at the NI Online Shop for $149 / 149 € / ¥
18,800 / £129 / AU$189.
