THE LAST SURVIVING LUTHÉAL
The Luthéal Piano by Realsamples captures the only playable instrument of its kind left in the world. Built in 1919, this rare Pleyel grand features a unique mechanism that transforms its tone, famously used in Ravel’s Tzigane.
Explore four distinct timbres: the rich Pleyel Grand, the harpsichord-like “Clavecin,” the warm “Harp Tirée,” and the exotic “Cimbalom.” With over 9,500 samples and 32 velocity layers, it offers unmatched realism.
Own a piece of music history for just $19.95 (reg. $159.95).
Available Formats: Kontakt (full version)
Compatibility: macOS, Windows
Capture the sound of one of the world's rarest musical treasures. The Luthéal Piano by Realsamples brings the only surviving 1922 Luthéal restored and housed at the Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels—directly into your studio.
Invented by George Cloetens, this mechanical marvel transforms a Pleyel grand piano into a versatile sonic workstation through a system of levers and stops. This isn't just a sample library; it is a digital preservation of an instrument so delicate and rare that it can no longer be shipped for live performances. Whether you are scoring for film, working on period-accurate classical pieces, or looking for a texture that breaks away from standard keys, the Luthéal offers a palette that is both historic and refreshingly new.
Long before digital synthesis or digital effects, the Luthéal used physical mechanics to alter the timbre of piano strings. The result is a "prepared piano" that sounds natural and mechanical rather than processed.
Clavecin Stop: By engaging iron nails against the strings, the piano takes on a sharp, percussive harpsichord character.
Harp Tirée Stop: Utilizing felt dampers, this mode produces a warm, harmonic tone that sits somewhere between a harp and an acoustic Rhodes.
Cimbalom Mode: By combining both stops, the instrument mimics the complex, shimmering spectrum of a dulcimer.
The team at Realsamples recorded this instrument with a signal chain designed for transparency and depth, using Wagner U47w tube microphones and Crane Song Flamingo preamps. Every note was captured at high resolution to ensure the mechanical nuances of the 1922 Pleyel remained intact.
Beyond the technical accuracy, the Luthéal Piano provides a tactile response that changes the way you compose. Because these sounds are generated by physical interactions nails hitting metal or felt softening a strike the instrument carries a weight and presence that software emulations often miss. It fills a unique gap in a modern producer's toolkit, offering an organic alternative to the sterile perfection of modern grand pianos.
This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of musical history that usually requires a trip to a Belgian museum to hear. We have partnered with Realsamples to make this exhaustive library available at a significant discount, but only for a limited time. Add the distinct, mechanical character of the Luthéal Piano to your collection before this deal vanishes.
Authentic digital recreation of the rare 1922 Luthéal mechanism Based on a meticulously restored Pleyel grand piano Features the percussive iron nail harpsichord stop Includes the warm felt dampened harp tirée stop Combines stops to create a shimmering cimbalom sound Recorded at the Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels High resolution audio captured with Wagner U47w tube microphones Nuanced mechanical details include key and pedal release noises Offers an organic alternative to standard grand piano libraries Ideal for Ravel compositions and modern film scoring Provides a unique mechanical prepared piano texture Accessible as a professional virtual instrument for modern studios 
