Luthéal Piano by Realsamples

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.

A Masterclass in Early Sound Design

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.

Technical Precision

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.

Secure This Rare Sound Today

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.