Sympiano
Key Features
- Models sympathetic resonance across 230 piano strings in real time instead of applying a static piano impulse response.
- Uses MIDI notes and sustain-pedal control to keep selected virtual strings open, including half-pedalling behavior.
- Provides root-and-scale resonance selection with 21 scales for tonal control when MIDI is not in use.
- Switches between physically distinct grand and upright piano models for different decay, stiffness, and resonant color.
- Moves a virtual piezo pickup along the strings to reshape the resonant tone through the modeled instrument.
- Freezes the current resonance for sustained tuned pads, drones, and evolving texture layers.
- Includes practical mix controls including pre-delay, ducking, wet filtering, unison detune, tuning, and stereo width.
Description
Sympiano is a physical-modelled reverb effect that routes audio through the sympathetic resonance of 230 piano strings. Rather than using an impulse response or recorded samples, it models the strings, dampers, bridge coupling, and a movable virtual piezo pickup in real time.
The result is less like a neutral room and more like a tuned, harmonically active space. You can choose a root and one of 21 scales when MIDI is not available, or play MIDI notes and sustain-pedal data to decide which strings remain open and resonate.
Grand and upright modes change the resonant character, while pickup position shifts the tone from a brighter bridge-adjacent bite to a more hollow response. Pre-delay, ducking, wet low/high cuts, unison detune, tuning options, and stereo width help it sit inside a mix without losing its unusual piano-derived bloom.
Freeze turns the current resonance into a sustained tuned texture, making Sympiano useful beyond conventional ambience for drones, pads, and sound design. It is available as a native Apple Silicon/Intel macOS plug-in and a 64-bit Windows VST3/standalone build, with no account, email, or dongle required by the developer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sympiano a sampled piano or convolution reverb?
No. The developer describes Sympiano as a real-time digital-waveguide model of 230 piano strings, rather than a collection of samples or impulse responses. Its resonance changes with its tuning, damping, pickup position, and other modeled controls.
How can I keep Sympiano in the key of my track?
Without MIDI, choose a root note and one of 21 scales so that only in-key strings ring. With MIDI connected, played notes and sustain-pedal data determine which virtual strings stay open.
What does the Freeze control do?
Freeze holds the current string resonance at zero loss, allowing it to continue as a sustained tuned texture. You can leave that texture running or feed new audio into it for evolving pads and drones.
What formats and systems does Sympiano support?
The official page lists Audio Unit, VST3, and a standalone app. It supports macOS 11 or later on Apple Silicon or Intel, plus 64-bit Windows 10 or 11; AU is available on macOS and VST3 hosts are supported on both systems.
