Vienna Symphonic Library – Synchron Bösendorfer Imperial

Majestic tones, imperial resonance

The Bösendorfer Imperial grand piano is an instrument that can only be described in superlatives. One look at its imposing construction and unique features, and one listen to its rich, resonant sound, is enough to understand why. Its full, luscious sound is filled with the signature timbre that has made Bösendorfer the number one choice of countless musicians. Legendary composers such as Béla Bartók, Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel were among the first fans of this model when the Bösendorfer Concert Grand 290 Imperial grand piano first appeared. 

Today, it still represents the pinnacle of the famous Austrian manufacturer’s heritage, and now we are bringing it to your studio too. One of the secrets of its sound is its massive soundboard and extended range with additional bass notes, giving this grand piano a truly imperial sound. Explore the spacious sound and timbral diversity of this unique instrument with professionally recorded samples created in the ideal acoustic conditions of the Vienna Synchron Stage.

Sound fit for kings

Like all instruments in our Synchron Pianos line, this Bösendorfer 290 Imperial is permanently housed in the climate-controlled Vienna Synchron Stage, whose main hall features particularly warm and natural acoustics. The 540 m² Stage A studio has become the acoustic base for numerous international projects – from classical chamber music to large-scale orchestral soundtracks, from piano recordings to choral works.

This grand piano stands out in many ways. Nine additional sub-bass notes extend its range down to low C, covering a total of eight octaves. The additional bass strings create a harmonic resonance when any key is pressed, filling the sound with warmth, richness and depth throughout the entire range. 

The massive soundboard reproduces an unusually wide frequency spectrum, creating a rich, orchestral timbre. The magical revelation of the Imperial’s sound palette is especially noticeable in the range from pianissimo to mezzo-forte. Its powerful, brilliant warmth is felt in every note.

Precision and Perfection

To digitize this instrument in all its nuances, our engineers used a high-precision solenoid-based system that controls a silent “robotic finger.” A microcontroller moves the finger with superhuman precision, providing flexible curves for pressing and releasing the keys, the latter of which vary depending on the duration of the note and the speed of release.

To ensure a consistent sound across all keys, dynamics and durations, the recording process was planned as tightly as possible to minimise even the slightest changes in the instrument’s sound character. Despite working almost around the clock, the process took several weeks. The effort paid off: over 4,000 samples per key and almost 20,000 samples per microphone position ensure stunning authenticity and realism of the performance.

Features

• Full 8 octave range: 97 keys (with bass extension)
• 32 velocity layers
• Warm orchestral sound with rich depth and timbre, powerful bass
• Recorded in the main and largest recording studio Stage A in the Vienna Synchron Stage complex