e-Instruments announced the release of Session Keys Grand S and Session Keys Grand Y, two Kontakt-based instruments built around a new approach to creating the perfect piano sound. Grand S captures the rich, warm tone of a Steinway D concert grand, while Grand Y takes on the clear, dynamic sound of a Yamaha CFIIIS, each recorded with both open lid and lid removed for distinct “Concert” and “Studio” character. Session Keys Grand S and Grand Y were priced at $99 each, or $159 as a bundle, and required the free Kontakt Player to run. Each library ran to several gigabytes of sampled piano content, recorded in fine dynamic detail across the keyboard range, note by note.
Both instruments share e-Instruments’ Pentamorph sound control, a single knob that reshapes the piano’s character from a standard acoustic tone into something further out, along with the Animator, which generates flexible piano phrases that follow a song’s harmonies, and Smart Chord Mode for building full piano chords from single keys or pad controllers. Beyond the Pentamorph, individual parameters like EQ, compression, convolution reverb, and delay could all be adjusted, letting players push the piano sound as far from its acoustic source as they liked. That flexibility set Session Keys apart from more straightforward piano sample libraries on the market.
e-Instruments had first built a following with Session Horns, a sampled horn section library, before expanding into acoustic and electric pianos with the Session Keys line. Both instruments remain part of e-instruments’ current lineup today, now offered alongside Session Keys Upright as part of a combined Session Keys Acoustic Bundle.
The Noise Room later spent real time with both instruments in Hands On with Session Keys from e-Instruments, and went on to review the company’s electric piano follow-up in Session Keys Electric R from e-Instruments.
