Native Instruments The Grandeur 120 12 Site
While “The Grandeur 120 12” isn’t an official product name, it beautifully captures the two most important specs of this beloved piano: the 120 Concert Grand preset and its 12+ velocity layers. Whether you’re scoring a film or tracking a ballad, The Grandeur delivers a timeless, playable concert grand experience.
Rating: 9.2/10
Best for: Composers, pop producers, classical pianists
Runs in: Kontakt (full version) or Kontakt Player
This piece is designed to be elegant but driving, utilizing the mechanical precision of the software's sampling. 🎼 Technical Settings Tempo: 120 BPM Time Signature: 12/8 (Compound Quadruple Meter)
The Grandeur Preset: "Pure" or "Rich" with the Lid fully open.
Color Knob: Set slightly toward "Hard" (3 o'clock) for a brighter attack. 🏗️ Structural Breakdown 1. The Foundation (The "12" Rhythm)
Left Hand: Play steady, pulsing octaves on beats 1, 4, 7, and 10. Right Hand: Play fast, arpeggiated triads in eighth notes.
Vibe: Creates a "rolling" feeling, like a high-speed train or a ticking clock. 2. The Harmonic Progression (12-Bar Cycle) native instruments the grandeur 120 12
Since you mentioned "12," follow this 12-bar minor-key progression to add drama: Bars 1-4: i – VI (Am to Fmaj7) – Establish the mood. Bars 5-8: iv – v (Dm to Em) – Build tension.
Bars 9-10: VI – VII (Fmaj to Gmaj) – The "climax" chords. Bars 11-12: V – i (E7 to Am) – The resolution. 3. Dynamic Performance Tips
The "Grandeur" Pedal: Use the sustain pedal generously on the first beat of each 12/8 measure, but lift it on the 10th beat to let the piano's "Mechanical Noise" samples ring out naturally.
Velocity: Keep the arpeggios at a velocity of 60–80 for a soft sparkle, but hit the bass octaves at 100+ to trigger the deep, resonant string samples of the concert grand. 🛠️ Production Enhancements
Space: Increase the Reverb (Concert Hall) to 40% to emphasize the instrument's scale.
Dynamics: Turn up the Dynamic Range knob in the instrument interface to ensure the difference between your softest and loudest notes is dramatic. If you'd like to develop this further, let me know: What genre are you aiming for? (Cinematic, Jazz, Pop?) Are you using a MIDI controller or drawing notes in a DAW? While “The Grandeur 120 12” isn’t an official
The Grandeur is a high-end virtual grand piano instrument developed by Native Instruments in collaboration with Galaxy Instruments . The specific numeric string "120 12" in your query typically refers to version 1.2.0.12, which is a sample-based plugin update that recreates the detailed sound of a world-renowned concert grand piano, specifically a Hamburg Steinway D . Key Technical Specifications Sample Count: Includes over 2,500 individual samples .
Dynamic Depth: Features 18 velocity zones for a wide dynamic range and 9 release samples per key for realistic note decay .
Storage: Requires approximately 5.26 GB (compressed) or 13.7 GB (uncompressed) of disk space .
Platform: Runs on the Native Instruments Kontakt 6+ or the free Kontakt Player . Core Features
Sound Customization: Users can manipulate the Lid Position (open, half-open, or closed), adjust Pedal Noise, and control String Resonance and Damper sounds to tailor the acoustics .
Tone Color: The "Color" control allows for easy shifting between soft, subdued timbres and assertive, bright tones suitable for pop or classical music . This piece is designed to be elegant but
Built-in Effects: Includes integrated tools such as a Compressor, EQ, and Tape Saturation to help the piano sit better in a modern mix .
Smart Chord Function: Featured in version 1.2.0.12, this tool enables users to play complex chords with a single finger by automatically detecting the song's key and scale . Usage and Availability
The Grandeur is frequently used for mainstream pop, jazz, and classical productions due to its "singing" top end and powerful bass . It is available for purchase as a standalone instrument at Native Instruments for $99.00 or as part of the Komplete software bundles . The Grandeur – modern grand piano | Komplete
When it comes to virtual instruments, few names command as much respect as Native Instruments. Their Kontakt platform has become the industry standard for sampled instruments, and their Galaxy Instruments collaboration produced some of the most beloved piano libraries on the market. Among these, The Grandeur stands out as a crown jewel—specifically when dialed into a very specific, sought-after configuration: The Grandeur 120 12.
If you have scoured forums, watched production tutorials, or spoken to session keyboardists, you have likely heard this cryptic string of numbers attached to the piano. What does "120 12" mean? Why is it considered the "sweet spot" for pop, rock, and hip-hop production? And how can you replicate it?
This article breaks down everything you need to know about the Native Instruments The Grandeur 120 12 setup.
The Grandeur is a virtual piano instrument by Native Instruments, part of the Kontakt-powered Piano Series (alongside The Giant, The Maverick, and The Gentleman).