Pianos have long been central to music composition, especially in film and ambient genres. The instrument's ability to convey emotion – whether joy, sorrow or suspense – is unparalleled. With the Verve felt piano, Steinberg introduced a virtual instrument that goes beyond the conventional piano.
Verve is included in Cubase Pro and Artist but is also offered as a stand-alone instrument, so it can be used with pretty much every DAW that supports VST3, AU and AAX plugins.
It's a felt piano!
At its core, Verve is a felt piano, meaning it differs from a standard piano thanks to a layer of felt between the hammers and strings. This modification mutes the sound, creating a soft, warm tone that feels restrained yet is deeply expressive. It's a sound often associated with introspective or emotional moments, making it very suitable for cinematic music. Many film composers tend to have several felt piano libraries in their arsenal.
Verve was sampled at Yamaha Studios in Los Angeles, utilising two distinct microphone setups: a close mic for detail, and a room mic for ambience. Each piano key and mechanical noise was captured across 12 velocity layers. The piano was sampled with a unique robotic arm to maintain precision and consistency across all keys and dynamics.
The three sections in Verve
Verve stands out not just for its authentic felt piano sound but for its ability to combine traditional piano tones with textures and effects. It comprises three sections: Piano, Texture, and Effects.
There is also a main page with four easy controls that allows you to change the sound instantly without diving into each section.
1. The Piano section
At its core, Verve is still a piano, and its Piano section focuses on delivering a high-quality, expressive felt piano sound. Composers can use this as the foundational tone and adjust its character to fit different moods.
One of the most interesting aspects of Verve lies in its ability to let users fine-tune its sound with intuitive blending controls. The Distance parameter, for instance, lets you shape the piano's presence by balancing between the two microphone setups. Slide the control to the left, and you'll hear the close mic's crisp, intimate detail. Move it to the right, and the room microphones take over, offering a more ambient and resonant tone. Keeping it in the centre strikes a perfect mix of both, creating a balanced sound that feels present yet open.
You can also add compression to your piano sound by using the one-slider Compression control. This evens out the dynamics if you need to do that. There are also several controls to adjust the level of the mechanical noises like the Release level (the sound of the hammer lifting from the strings), the key and pedal noise, as well as the Resonance level, which is such an important part of the piano sound.
2. The Texture section
The Texture page in Verve is where the magic happens. It provides an option to shape the sound by adding a synth-based layer that complements the main piano sound. This layer, which is fully customisable, opens a world of possibilities for expanding the sonic palette.
One of the first controls you'll encounter is the Mod Wheel control, which governs the level of the texture layer. This can be controlled in real time while you are performing if you have a midi keyboard with a modulation wheel. When set to the far left, the modulation wheel has no effect, but as you move it to the right, you gain complete control over how much of the texture you want to introduce. This can dramatically change the mood of your performance, depending on how much texture you mix in.
The Texture panel lets you dive into a wide range of preset textures. These presets offer different tonal qualities, from ethereal and atmospheric to more pronounced electronic sounds. There is a wide variety to choose from, from traditional synth sounds, acoustic strings, to very interesting percussive elements.
The Color control gives you another way to refine the texture, adjusting its brightness. Turning the knob to the left brings out a warmer, darker sound, while pushing it to the right brightens the texture, emphasising higher frequencies and giving the sound more clarity. This can be particularly useful when you're seeking a texture that blends seamlessly with the piano, or one that stands out with more presence.
Variation injects a sense of liveliness into the texture, with its effect shifting depending on the chosen preset. This feature helps create a more dynamic texture layer that evolves as you play, adding a touch of unpredictability to the sound.
The Contour control allows you to make your sound brighter or more muted, while the Attack and Release settings allow you to take control over the Texture layer's envelope.
3. The Effects section
The Effects page in Verve is where you can transform your sound with delay and reverb, giving your compositions a sense of space and depth. The delay effect is tailored separately for the piano and texture layers, while the reverb applies seamlessly to both, allowing you to place the sounds in the same space.
A tool for storytelling
Verve isn't just about creating beautiful piano sounds – it's about storytelling. By combining the familiar tone of a felt piano with creative sound design tools, it allows composers to push the boundaries of the traditional piano sound. Whether you're scoring a film, creating ambient music, or experimenting with soundscapes, Verve provides a platform for exploration and expression.
Final thoughts
For those working in film, TV, or games – or for anyone looking to add a unique voice to their music – Verve offers a compelling mix of authenticity and creativity. It's a tool that inspires without being overwhelming, making it a valuable addition to any composer's library.
While Verve may not replace a traditional piano for every application, its ability to blend intimacy with cinematic flair makes it a standout choice for those seeking to craft evocative, memorable music.
