Sonora Cinematic Mezza Coda is a virtual instrument plugin that brings the rich, authentic sound of a baby grand piano to your digital audio workstation. Developed as a companion to their popular upright piano plugin Verticale, Mezza Coda offers a charming and versatile piano sound with a vintage twist. The plugin captures the nuances and beauty of a baby grand piano, enhanced by unique signal layers that add warmth and character. Mezza Coda features three main microphone positions: room and two different spot microphones, providing users with extensive control over the instrument’s tone. The plugin also includes two distinctive signal layers: a “cassette” layer that adds a vintage vibe and a “distbox” layer that introduces a raw, distorted texture. These additional layers allow for creative sound shaping, making Mezza Coda suitable for various musical genres, from media scoring and jazz to pop and electronica. The plugin is designed to work with the free Kontakt Player 7.3 or higher, making it accessible to a wide range of producers and composers.
Pros:
• Authentic baby grand piano sound with multiple microphone positions
• Unique cassette and distbox layers for creative sound design
• Intuitive interface with easy-to-use controls for tone shaping
• Compatible with the free Kontakt Player
• Affordable pricing, especially when bundled with Verticale
Cons:
• Requires Kontakt Player, which may not be ideal for users preferring standalone plugins
• Limited to one specific piano model, potentially lacking in variety compared to more extensive piano libraries
Mezza Coda’s features extend far beyond a simple piano sample library. The plugin offers three distinct microphone positions, each captured as stereo pairs. Users can choose between room mics, ribbon mics, and large diaphragm condensers, allowing for precise control over the piano’s tonal character. These microphones can be activated independently and routed to different channels for separate mixing in your DAW, providing flexibility in crafting the perfect piano sound.
The plugin’s unique selling point lies in its additional signal layers. The “cassette” layer, also found in Sonora Cinematic’s Verticale plugin, adds a vintage vibe to the piano sound. This layer is created by passing the piano samples through an old Portastudio at maximum speed and then converting them back to digital while slowing down the tape. The result is a warm, slightly gritty texture that enhances the piano’s character.
The “distbox” layer is a new addition exclusive to Mezza Coda. This layer is generated by recording a stereo mix of the piano to cassette while overdriving the Portastudio preamps, then slowing down the tape. This process creates a raw, distorted signal that adds edge and texture to the piano sound, perfect for lo-fi productions or adding grit to compositions.
Mezza Coda also includes a comprehensive effects section. Users have access to reverb and delay sends, both offering multiple modes. The Color knob functions similarly to a tilt EQ, allowing users to darken or brighten the overall sound. A Sync Toggle switches between tempo-synced musical values and milliseconds for the delay effect.
The Cassette section provides further sound-shaping options. The Crunch control introduces tape saturation, while the Lo-Fi macro simultaneously controls bit depth and sample rate reduction. For an authentic vintage sound, users can switch to mono mode.
These features combine to create a highly versatile piano plugin that goes beyond simple sample playback. Users can craft everything from pristine, realistic piano tones to heavily processed, lo-fi textures, all within a single instrument.
When compared to similar plugins, Mezza Coda stands out for its unique blend of authenticity and creative potential. While many piano VSTs focus solely on recreating a perfect, untouched piano sound, Mezza Coda embraces imperfections and creative processing. Its cassette and distbox layers set it apart from more traditional offerings like Native Instruments’ The Grandeur or Spectrasonics’ Keyscape. In terms of price point and feature set, Mezza Coda occupies a middle ground between budget options like Spitfire Audio’s LABS Soft Piano and high-end, multi-sampled libraries like Garritan CFX Concert Grand. It offers more flexibility and creative options than most budget pianos, while remaining more affordable and focused than expansive piano suites. However, Mezza Coda’s limitation to a single piano model means it may not be as versatile as some larger piano libraries that offer multiple instruments. Its strength lies in its character and the ability to shape that specific piano sound, rather than providing a wide variety of different pianos.
This plugin is best for:
• Producers and composers seeking a characterful baby grand piano sound
• Musicians interested in vintage and lo-fi piano tones
• Film and game composers needing a versatile piano that can fit various moods
• Electronic music producers looking for a piano that can be easily manipulated and processed
• Budget-conscious users who want a high-quality piano plugin without breaking the bank
Sonora Cinematic Mezza Coda is a compelling option for producers and composers seeking a characterful baby grand piano with vintage flair. Its combination of authentic sampling, creative signal layers, and intuitive controls make it a versatile tool for a wide range of musical applications. The plugin excels in providing not just a realistic piano sound, but also the means to shape and manipulate that sound in unique ways. The cassette and distbox layers, in particular, offer creative possibilities that set Mezza Coda apart from many of its competitors. While it may not offer the extensive variety of some larger piano libraries, its focused approach allows for deep exploration of a single, well-crafted instrument. The plugin’s compatibility with the free Kontakt Player and its affordable price point make it an attractive option for both hobbyists and professionals. Despite its limitation to a single piano model, Mezza Coda’s ability to produce everything from clean, pristine tones to gritty, lo-fi textures ensures its utility across various musical genres and production styles. For those seeking a piano plugin with character, versatility, and a touch of vintage charm, Mezza Coda presents a compelling choice in the crowded field of virtual piano instruments.