Kontakt version available now!
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A new benchmark for live performance
We keyboard players live in exciting times. Many high-end virtual pianos allow us to play painstakingly detailed recreations of our favorite instrument. However, they all suffer from one issue or another that makes them challenging to use in a live setting. They tend to be resource-heavy and can choke even the most recent CPUs, or suffer from dropouts even when streaming from solid state drives. Or they use a third-party plugin, which means longer load times and potential copy protection hassles.
So, we set out to create a truly high-end virtual piano that competes with the best on the market, while eliminating the issues that make them risky to use in a live setting. First and foremost, it sounds stunning and plays like a dream while using very little CPU overhead, especially compared to its competitors. It also loads instantly into MainStage or Logic, uses no third party plugins so there are no authorization hassles or hardware keys required, and it gives you realtime control of its sound while you play.
features
An all-new high-end version of Blair Masters’ Yamaha C7 Piano sampled and built from the ground up for uncompromising performance in a live setting, without the CPU/RAM penalties and hassles of 3rd party plugins.
Scripted pedal noise effects triggered by your sustain pedal (both down and up), with separate control of volume and mic distance.
40 samples per note for all 88 keys (20 velocity layers each, both pedal down and up), sampled with extreme precision via repeatable MIDI automation, thanks to Yamaha’s Disklavier technology.
Over 15 GB of all new samples dedicated to this one instrument, compared to just 2.5 GB in the Legacy version that comes with BackStage Pass.
Vastly reduced noise floor thanks to custom line-level microphones - no preamps needed, which means less noise captured.
Real-time control of various parameters to sculpt your ideal piano using controls like room mic distance, dynamic range, pedal effect volume and distance, and reverb sends.
A new version of the BackStage Pass concert file for MainStage. This is identical to the 1.1 version, except that the new BMSG Piano is included (along with some special effects patches) and the original version is renamed “Blair Masters Legacy Grand” to differentiate the two. It also includes new updated controls specific to BMSG.
10 new Combination Patches based on existing Combis from BSP 1.1, but using the new BMSG piano instead of the Legacy model.
An updated version of the TouchOSC controller file with controls that correspond to the MainStage onscreen versions.
A wide variety of tonal options using the custom TouchOSC or onscreen controls: dark and moody at lower velocities, increasing in brightness in proportion to velocity. Also includes the first of several special effect patches to come (which will be free updates): “Chasing Ghosts” used in the teaser trailer below.
Minimum System Requirements
Mac OS Mojave (10.14.6), Catlina, or Big Sur. While it will load in any version of MainStage after 3.4.3, we highly recommend MainStage 3.4.3 in Mac OS Mojave 10.14.6.
MainStage 3.4.3 or higher. All sound content loads in Logic Pro as well; version 10.4.2+ recommended
An existing installation of BackStage Pass 1.1 to take advantage of all patches and channel strips
13 GB free space for downloaded files, 30 GB free during installation, 16 GB post-installation
SSD (solid state drive) for sample streaming
Although it will run on lesser systems, a quad core i7 with 16 GB RAM & dedicated graphics processor is recommended for best performance
Recommended For Full Functionality
An 88-note keyboard controller
Any iPad (9” or larger, all the way back to first generation) running TouchOSC
Free TouchOSC Bridge utility running on Mac
FAQ
Q: How does BMSG compare to other virtual pianos like Keyscape, Alicia’s Keys, Grandeur, and the Blair Masters Piano already included in BackStage Pass? Why do I need another virtual piano?
A: First things first: the sound of a piano is very subjective and personal, so we certainly won’t tell you what you should like! That said, the goal with BMSG is to take what people love about the “Legacy” version included in BackStage Pass, and expand on it in every possible way. It’s like a different picture of the same piano, taken with a better camera: it’s more dynamic, responsive, bigger, and better - captured with much more resolution and tonal variety. It has 20 velocity layers (both with pedal up and down) vs. 6 in the Legacy version. It captures the full natural decay of 22+ seconds vs. 15. It’s almost 16 GB dedicated to one piano vs. just 2.5 for the Legacy version.
As for comparisons to other pianos, they are all good at something, but our main focus was overall tone, followed by playability, usability, and efficiency in live situations. In those areas, we think BMSG is tough to beat! And finally, the ability to truly craft your own piano in real time with the TouchOSC controls is unparalleled. You can hear these pianos in the video below; the first few minutes A/B the Signature Grand with the Legacy version, followed by clips of the commercial libraries mentioned above: Keyscape, Alicia’s Keys, The Grandeur, etc.
Q: Do I have to have BackStage Pass, or can I load BMSG in another MainStage template - or in Logic?
A: Technically you don’t need BackStage Pass and yes, you can load BMSG into Logic with some workarounds (Logic doesn’t treat patches with multiple channel strips the same way). However, without BackStage Pass, you won’t have the dedicated, pre-mapped controls for customizing the BMSG piano in real time, nor will you be able to load the combination patches or integrate BMSG with all the other content that makes BSP so compelling!
Q: Do you offer a bundle price if I don’t already have BackStage Pass?
A: Yes! BackStage Pass is normally $149 USD and Blair Masters Signature Grand is normally $99, but we offer both together as a package bundle. We’re working on setting that up in our web store; in the meantime, shoot us a message here and we’ll send you a discount code!
Q: Isn’t this just an update to the existing Blair Masters Piano? Why are you charging separately for it?
A: Despite both being based on the same piano, they are entirely separate creatures with vast differences. So while the “Legacy” version is really just a taste, BMSG is the whole meal - a separate and complete product. Some of the differences are listed above; it really is an entirely new take on the same piano, built from the ground up and optimized for live performance with vastly more samples, details, performance controls, tonal options, presets, and capabilities. The Legacy version included in BackStage Pass is still a wonderful tool and really ideal for softer, more intimate material - while BMSG covers a far wider dynamic and tonal range. It can be warm and contemplative like Legacy, but it can also get much brighter, more powerful, and cut through a live mix much better. In short, we would put BMSG up against the very best competition like Keyscape, Alicia’s Keys, Grandeur, etc., so it’s priced competitively against those, while being truly optimized for a live rig.
Q: Is BMSG available for Kontakt?
A: Yes! The Kontakt version will be available August 16, 2022. See link at top of this page!
Q: Who is Blair Masters?
A: Blair is one of Nashville’s most accomplished keyboard players, and he knows a thing or two about pianos. Currently playing stadiums with Garth Brooks, he has also toured with Peter Frampton, Michael McDonald, Lee Ann Womack, Steve Wariner, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, and Giant. He’s recorded with Amy Grant, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, Megadeth, Josh Groban, Barry Manilow, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Michael W. Smith, Mandisa, Sawyer Brown, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jim Brickman, Bob Carlise, The Osmonds, and many more. As a handful of Nashville’s keyboard illuminati would attest to, Blair has been poking around with this piano for a long time, and it’s an honor and a joy to partner with him in FINALLY bringing it to the world!
Q: I have another question…
A: Happy to help! Shoot us an email using the Contact form - click here.
