Sonora Cinematic Verticale is a virtual instrument plugin that captures the essence of an intimate upright piano. This Kontakt-based library offers both natural and felted piano sounds, with the unique feature of a quadruple-felt layer – a first in the world of sampled pianos. Recorded with meticulous attention to detail, Verticale provides users with three distinct microphone positions: room mics (AKG C414s), and two spot mic options (Neumann KM 184 small diaphragm condensers or AEA N22 active ribbons). The plugin’s interface is clean and intuitive, allowing for easy manipulation of the piano’s tone and character. Verticale also includes a distinctive “Cassette” signal path, which adds a lo-fi, vintage flavor to the sound by processing the samples through a high-speed Portastudio. This feature, combined with the built-in effects and sound-shaping tools, makes Verticale a versatile instrument capable of producing everything from pure, warm tones to nostalgic, cinematic textures.
Pros:
• Unique quadruple-felt piano samples offer an unparalleled intimate sound
• Three high-quality microphone positions provide extensive tonal control
• Innovative Cassette signal path adds authentic lo-fi character
• Intuitive interface with built-in effects for quick sound shaping
• Compatible with the free Kontakt Player, making it accessible to a wide range of users
Cons:
• Some users may find the middle register of the felted piano overly muffled, potentially requiring EQ adjustments
• The natural piano samples can sound harsh when played too forcefully, particularly in the lower-middle register
Verticale’s feature set is comprehensive and well-thought-out. The core of the instrument is its meticulously sampled upright piano, available in both natural and felted versions. The quadruple-felt option is particularly noteworthy, producing a uniquely muted sound with interesting overtones, especially in the middle register. This felted piano shines in the upper register, offering a pure yet not overly bright tone that sings beautifully when reverb is applied.
The three microphone positions give users extensive control over the piano’s sound. The room mics (AKG C414s) provide a sense of space and ambience, while the spot mics offer more direct and characterful options. Users can choose between small diaphragm condensers (Neumann KM 184) for clarity or ribbon mics (AEA N22s) for warmth. These can be blended to taste or routed to separate channels in a DAW for more precise mixing.
One of Verticale’s standout features is its Cassette signal path. Created by recording the samples through a high-speed Portastudio and playing them back at minimum speed, this option adds a pitch-shifted, warped quality to the sound. It’s an excellent tool for achieving lo-fi textures and nostalgic vibes. The Cassette section includes controls for Crunch (tape saturation), Lo-Fi (bit and sample rate reduction), and even a Deck control that simulates the sound of the Portastudio’s belt.
The plugin’s effects section is robust, featuring sends for reverb and delay, each with multiple modes. A Color knob functions like a tilt EQ, allowing users to quickly darken or brighten the overall tone. The Sync Toggle switches between tempo-synced musical values and milliseconds for time-based effects.
Verticale’s natural piano patch offers a different character from the felted version. It provides moments of detuning and occasional resonant “twangs,” adding to its intimate charm. However, it can become overbearing in the lower-middle register when played forcefully, a issue that can be mitigated with compression.
Compared to similar plugins, Verticale holds its own in the crowded field of sampled pianos. Its quadruple-felt feature sets it apart from competitors like Spitfire Audio’s Soft Piano, which has long been a go-to for felted upright sounds. While Spitfire’s offering may have a slight edge in terms of overall softness, Verticale’s multiple felt layers provide a unique tonal palette.
In the broader context of upright piano libraries, Verticale competes with instruments like Native Instruments’ Una Corda and Spitfire Audio’s Firewood Piano. Verticale distinguishes itself with its Cassette feature and quadruple-felt option, offering more extensive lo-fi capabilities than Una Corda and a different character from Firewood Piano’s bright, characterful sound.
When compared to more comprehensive piano libraries like Spectrasonics Keyscape, Verticale is more focused in scope. While Keyscape offers a vast array of keyboard instruments, Verticale hones in on delivering a high-quality, versatile upright piano with unique features. This focused approach allows Verticale to excel in its niche, providing deep sampling and innovative sound-shaping options specific to upright pianos.
This plugin is best for:
• Composers seeking intimate, cinematic piano sounds
• Producers working in lo-fi, ambient, or experimental genres
• Musicians looking for a versatile upright piano with extensive sound-shaping capabilities
• Anyone seeking a unique felted piano sound with the quadruple-felt option
Sonora Cinematic Verticale is a compelling option for musicians and producers seeking a characterful, intimate upright piano. Its standout features – the quadruple-felt samples and the Cassette signal path – provide unique sonic possibilities that set it apart from many competitors. The multiple microphone positions and built-in effects offer extensive control over the instrument’s tone, allowing users to craft everything from pure, warm piano sounds to nostalgic, lo-fi textures. While it may require some EQ work in certain registers and careful playing to avoid harshness in the natural piano, these minor issues are outweighed by the plugin’s overall versatility and unique character. Verticale excels in creating emotive, cinematic textures and intimate piano sounds, making it an excellent choice for film composers, ambient music producers, and anyone looking to add a distinctive upright piano to their virtual instrument collection. Its compatibility with the free Kontakt Player further enhances its value, making it accessible to a wide range of users. For those seeking an upright piano with a twist, Verticale offers a compelling blend of traditional sampling and innovative sound design.