Gold Musical Instruments Design · 2023
Whaletone Grand Hybrid Piano Musical Instrument
- A' Design Award 2023 Gold Winner in Musical Instruments Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: Whaletone LTD
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 147,001
- Verification code 2C30A67717 · Verify this award
About Whaletone Grand Hybrid Piano Musical Instrument
Whaletone Grand Hybrid is a hybrid grand piano made for stage and home use. The instrument is a smaller version of the Royal model, so it needs less space and is easier to transport, while its acoustic qualities remain unchanged. The character, proportions and slender line of the larger model are retained. A new play mechanism joins a classical hammer action with digital sound technology, so the touch stays close to that of an acoustic piano. A Moving Keys function plays back recorded music with visible key movement.
Within the lineage of musical instrument innovation that stretches from Cristofori's revolutionary pianoforte mechanisms through the golden age of concert grand construction, Robert Majkut's Whaletone Grand Hybrid Piano Musical Instrument represents a remarkable synthesis of acoustic tradition and contemporary design vision that reimagines the very notion of what a keyboard instrument might become. The work emerges from a design philosophy that treats the instrument not merely as a functional sound-producing apparatus but as sculptural presence worthy of architectural consideration, its biomorphic form drawing inspiration from the hydrodynamic elegance of marine mammals while maintaining the essential performance interface that musicians require. The technical achievement evident in realizing such complex compound curves in structural materials capable of supporting musical mechanisms demonstrates sophisticated manufacturing prowess, likely involving advanced composite materials, precision CNC milling, and automotive-grade finishing processes that achieve the remarkable depth and consistency of the lacquer surface. The compositional strategy positions the traditional keyboard as an anchor of familiarity within an otherwise radically reimagined visual vocabulary, creating a productive tension between heritage and innovation that invites performers and audiences alike to reconsider assumptions about instrument design. The sweeping wing elements that define the silhouette may serve acoustic functions as sound-reflecting surfaces while simultaneously transforming the instrument into a dramatic visual focal point capable of commanding attention in contemporary performance spaces, exhibition environments, or luxury residential settings. The chromatic restraint evident in the predominantly monochromatic execution, relieved only by essential metallic hardware elements, suggests a confident design sensibility that trusts form rather than surface decoration to communicate artistic intent. One might consider how this instrument bridges the historical divide between the craftsman tradition of piano building and the industrial design methodologies of contemporary product development, potentially representing a new paradigm for how musical instruments might evolve in response to changing aesthetic expectations and performance contexts.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Whaletone Grand Hybrid is our latest model which brings a few important innovations.
Whaletone Grand Hybrid is an answer to the needs of those for whom the Royal model was too exacting one due to its dimensions. Not losing a thing from the Royal model's character, proportions, slenderness and characteristic line, it is its smaller equivalent owing to which it needs much less space and it is easier to be transported while the best acoustic features are remained unchanged.
However, apart from the smaller size, Whaletone Grand first of all offers completely new solutions in the play mechanics. Addressing musicians' needs, their sensitivity to the subtleness of the play elements, we have designed a completely new system which is meant to make the manner of playing the instrument even more similar to the one which is felt while playing acoustic instruments. A system which joins classical mechanics with all the digital possibilities indicates the direction in which Whaletone grand pianos develop.
Moving Keys function owing to which with your Whaletone you may listen faithfully imitated performances of your favorite artists, download new pieces, record and play your own music all that with full dynamics and the visual effect of the moved keys. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Height (top opened/top closed) - 188/113 cm (74/44,5 in)
Length - 300 cm (118,1 in)
Width - 200 cm (79 in)
Weigh - 350 kg (772 lb)
Dimensions for transport / piano crate size:
Height - 158 cm (62,2 in)
Length - 346 cm (136,2 in)
Weight (piano + crate) - 1100 kg (2425,08 lb) - Tags
- Piano, Whaletone the piano, hybrid piano, bespoke piano, musical instrument
- Production Technology
- The model of a sound processor, a flagship model of Roland brand, with one of the best sound of the acoustic grand piano and a list of more than 500 various high quality sounds built-in. This is the musical heart of Whaletone. The processor generates an outstandingly authentic sound of a string grand piano which is rendered owing to the Super Natural Piano technology and is available in three types of sounds, i.e. Concert, Studio and Brilliant, and 30 selectable variations as well as 10 sounds of electric pianos in 15 variations, all of which are based upon the Super NATURAL technology too. This guarantees the highest quality enriched still by so important for professional musicians natural sounding elements as smooth and natural sound which makes it even more real, speed and reaction to finger hit, smooth transfer among the levels of dynamics with no unnatural loops of samples. Apart from the extraordinarily natural sound of the classical grand piano, it is also the entire richness of programmed sounds from the vintage models of 1960s to 80s , via combinations of types of sounds to the opportunity to create one's own, completely new sounds.
Owing to the programmable pushbuttons and the One Touch Piano function, a swift access to the set sounds is possible, and due to the built-in display one may control the settings of the sounds which include 242 normal sounds, 10 organ sounds Tone Wheel, 256 sounds GM2, 5 rhythmic sets and 9 rhythmic GM2 sets.
Whaletone is an independently playing digital instrument which emits strong and clear sounds. This is owing to the built-in acoustic solutions of a high level. Whaletone Grand is equipped with an internal, professional, Hi-End-based, noiseless, digital amplifiers of the power of more than 200 W per each channel. Separate, dedicated amplifiers for individual bands - from ultralow to high tones which operate with no distortions in the pure direct standard, have provided the possibility of harmonic and natural setting of the power level balanced for individual channel. The main ones for individual sounds of the frequencies are supplemented with a wider range of harmonic sounds and directed to the appropriately balanced low-, mid- and high-tone speakers of the range of 18Hz - 24kHz.
Fully adapted finishing, e.g. the color of the housing or upholstered finishing of the "soul" of the grand piano is a standard offer. The piano may meet individual requirements, which is emphasized by numerous adaptable elements. The grand piano always prepared upon individual order is dedicated to its user, strictly adapted to their preferences and requirements, always unique, marked with an individual number and dedication. - Design Challenge
- To develop the piano model of Whaletone Grand it was crucial to provide efficient research on the market in terms of digital components. New solutions in the play mechanics was a combination of digital system together with part of classical grand section. The research was very deep to define proper sound procesor that could guarantee the highest quality enriched still by so important for professional musicians natural sounding elements as smooth and natural sound which makes it even more real, speed and reaction to finger hit, smooth transfer among the levels of dynamics with no unnatural loops of samples. Moreover, the second aspects was all about perfect feel. The keyboard is an extremely subtle and complex mechanism which is responsible for the physical aspects of play. Its perfectness is one of the crucial features of a grand piano. Its balance, operation, materials of which it is made, quality of the elements, their precision which is followed by the "feel" it offers are one of the most important elements of play and affect the quality of the instrument. Our new solution is based upon the use of full mechanics of a classical hammer mechanism to strengthen the impression of full naturalness and coherence of the manner of play. The mechanics of the keys are components coming from best German manufacturers (Kluge and Louis Renner) who guarantee the highest quality worldwide. During this process of R&D, our team decided to include Moving Keys function owing to which with your Whaletone you may listen faithfully imitated performances of your favorite artists, download new pieces, record and play your own music all that with full dynamics and the visual effect of the moved keys. This function, integrated with the net, connected to a growing library, is controlled with an iPad delivered together with the system.
- Project Duration
- The project started in August 2008 in Warsaw and finished in 2011 in London.
- Operation Flow
- Fully professional stage instrument is able to respond to many music-related challenges. Every detail of the instrument has been precisely created.
Whaletone is for connoisseurs of taste for whom all the aspects of a thing must meet in one exquisite form. Whaletone is not only a gorgeous, modern shape but also, or first of all rather, a modern instrument whose heart is music. It is a perfect, full of sound grand piano which may face numerous musical challenges. - Research
- Whaletone Grand first of all offers completely new solutions in the play mechanics. Addressing musicians' needs, their sensitivity to the subtleness of the play elements, we have designed a completely new system which is meant to make the manner of playing the instrument even more similar to the one which is felt while playing acoustic instruments. A system which joins classical mechanics with all the digital possibilities indicates the direction in which Whaletone grand pianos develop.
- Inspiration
- 'Monumental - like a whale emerging from the water, slow - like the movement of a giant. Charming, majestic, delicate and melodious, like the romantic calls of coquetting whales… I knew it called for being made.
From that moment on, I have known that in the depths of our minds there are ready-made and complete good ideas. Concepts, forms, choices that are beyond our comprehension until we release them. This is one of them – WHALETONE – my version of a singing whale.'
- Robert Majkut - Image Credits
- Image 1: http://www.whaletone.com/site/about: Photographer Szymon Polanski, Whaletone Grand Piano, 2018.
Video 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2jxK-9HQVg
Szymański, Whaletone Grand Piano, 2015
Credits: Jacek Szymański - Patents
- Trade mark number: UK00002610530
Owner: Whaletone Ltd
Renewed until 14 Fabruary 2032