Native Instruments The Giant: NI Model The World’s Largest Upright Piano

The new Native Instrument “The Giant” is based on the Klavins Piano Model 370i – the world’s largest upright Piano. It’s built into the wall of a room, so the soundboard’s nearly twice the size of a normal grand piano’s.

The Giant comfortably delivers urban pop, piano ballad, driving rock, and sweet jazz sounds straight out of the box, and 40 presets let the producer get stuck in to playing and arranging without too much tinkering. However, the bundle actually comes with a second instrument, with an entirely different scope for cinematic soundscapes.

The Giant By Day

The first instrument is the true-to-life 370i model: Three controls hubs give you access to the Tone, Anatomy (physical elements including dynamics, noise, and overtones), and Space (NI’s signature convolution reverb).

Expanding the Tone section gives you access to a three-band EQ (Bass, Body, and Air); an XXL slider (which simultaneously controls attack and sustain); a low keys control (for adding boom and volume to the octaves below middle C); and a fully adjustable onboard compressor.

The Anatomy section provides access to the staggering detail of the modelling – with control of the Overtones; Stereo Image; Noises (Hammer, Damper, Pedal, and String noise);  Tuning (fine tuning or complete change of key); and Pedalling options.

The Giant By Night

For full-on sound design enthusiasts, NI have gone one step further than simply modelling the 370i. With its own darker interface, the Giant Cinematic is a behemoth with incredible control over additional sound sources and manipulation.

The additional sources are sampled from the same instrument, played in unusual ways such as hits, kicks, sweeps or scratches. An envelope and filter, as well as usual FX add to the sonic possibilities.

The convolution controls are nothing short of ridiculous – 4 band EQ, filters, limiter, and Impulse Response controls combine to create everything from resonance to beat-synced reverse reverbs.

The Giant delivers on its name, with noticeably huge sounds, from both realistic and ethereal angles.