Virtual Pianist RELIC: Upright Piano Plugin by UJAM

The Upright piano was tuned, miked and recorded over a long series of sessions, and UJAM describes it as deliberately imperfect in tuning. The developer says it sits well in a mix and blends with voices and other instruments.

The five Characters shape the instrument's tone, and the Finisher and Ambience effects push it toward close-up intimacy or wide, ambient textures. The developer's examples range from a tight, intimate sound to a more distant, cloud-like piano.

The built-in pianist is aimed at producers who need piano parts but cannot play piano. You control the performance with a single finger, and the pianist draws on hundreds of phrases, rhythms and styles.

If you do play, you can add chords and controllers to add articulation and realism, or play the Upright directly as a regular instrument. The phrases are designed to suit singers, songwriters, producers and guitarists who need piano accompaniment.