HAMMERSMITH PRO

• 3 MIC CHANNELS
• LOAD + SOLO CONTROLS

The main control panel.  A simple layout with access to the mic arrays allow to you mix your sound without fuss.

• MIC SELECT
• ATTACK + DECAY CONTROL
• 4 BAND EQ

Each of the 3 Hammersmith mic channels can be expanded to allow you to select from a choice of microphones, and shape each channel using EQ and envelpe controls.

Each channels has a choice of two different mic pairs.

• PEDAL, KEY-OFF, DAMPERS, ROOM NOISE CONTROL
• SOFT PEDAL CONTROL
• VELOCITY + RANDOMISE CONTROLS

Fine tune the response and performance of Hammersmith - tweak instrument noise details, fine tune the playing response to your exact touch.

• RHYTHMIC TRAIL GENERATOR
• UP TO 8 LANES
• CREATE YOUR OWN PRESETS

Create unique rhythmic patterns for each note you play. A bit like a delay effect but evolves differently according to what you play - strands of sound weave in and out of each other.

• GENERATIVE ARPEGGIATOR
• SCALE FILTER
• AUTOMATION READY PRESET DIAL

The latest evolution of our generative arpeggiator - Hold a chord, and let it evolve - or loop a section and jam between 12 sequences. 

• CHOOSE FROM 50 TUNING PRESETS
• CREATE YOUR OWN TUNINGS
• ADJUST TUNING ON INDIVIDUAL KEYS

Hammersmith can be completely re-tuned to your taste, without the need for a visit from an eccentric technician. Load preset tunings or create your own.

• 3 USER CONFIGURABLE INSERT FX
• 4 BAND EQUALISER
• SPACE MODULE WITH CUSTOM REVERBS

Hammersmith features a comprehensive effects page, with a configurable insert chain featuring Replika, Phasis and other cutting-edge NI effects. The Space Reverb module features Soniccouture's custom impulse library built up over many years and recording sessions.

TAILOR YOUR TOUCH

You can dramatically change the way a sampled  piano feels by adjusting the velocity response. Adjust the curve to concave, and the softer samples will be emphasised, tweak it more convex and the sound becomes much harder.

Hammersmith also features randomise controls to add human elements to MIDI parts - vary the velocity, add tiny timing variations.

PLAY IN ANY SCALE YOU LIKE; OR RETUNE A SINGLE NOTE

Hammersmith's Tuning Control panel allows you to select from a wide-range of preset scales,
create your own, or simply tweak individual keys to suit your taste.

DIAL IN FORENSIC DETAILS

It's the little things that add realism; damplers, pedal thumps, key-off noise.
If you want more of these details, it's easy to turn them up, down or off with Hammersmith.

An engineer sets up the M50 Decca Tree & other room mics.

The Hammersmith sessions were overseen by engineer Peter Henderson, best known for his work with Supertramp and Paul McCartney.

Inside the lid, showing a test setup of AKG D19, C12 stereo pair, Neumann FET 47 Pair, and the Neumann KU100 Binaural Head. The C12 + FET47 were not chosen for the final mic setup.

The placement of the Neumann KU100 head exactly replicates the player position.

The custom Neve console at British Grove. Remote preamps in the recording room are controlled by the desk to reduce cable run noise.

The piano is signed.

The Decca Tree room mics high-up in the roof. Neumann U87s are beyond as a spaced pair.

Inside the Steinway D.

The live room at British Grove.

Control room

Hammersmith was recorded using a rare Steinway Model D with a self-play MIDI system fitted. This meant we could get extremely, accurate reliable velocity samples from it, and we didn't have to use a player. No coughs, no mistakes, no breaks. The piano sat on it's own in a room for 5 days.. playing itself.