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RealRick
RealRick by MusicLab is a Virtual Instrument Audio Plugin and a Software Application for macOS and Windows. It functions as a VST Plugin, an Audio Units Plugin, a VST 3 Plugin, an AAX Plugin and a Standalone Application.
Product
Version
6.1.0
2GB+ RAM, 5GB+ free hard drive space
Windows 10/11 64-bit
VST/VST3/AAX 64-bit host
Product
Version
6.1.0
2GB+ RAM, 5GB+ free hard drive space
macOS 10.12-10.15, 11-14
VST/VST3/AU/AAX 64-bit host
Instrument
Formats
Copy Protection
Key File
My KVR - Groups, Versions, & More
29 KVR members have added RealRick to 13 My KVR groups 35 times.
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RealRick virtual guitar instrument with the unmistakable sound of a legendary Rickenbacker electric guitar, which became permanently intertwined with the sound of The Beatles.

In the early 1960s Rickenbacker history became forever wedded to one of the biggest music upheavals of the 20th century: the invasion of the mop-top Beatles from Liverpool, England. The Beatles created unprecedented, international interest in Rickenbackers.
John Lennon would own at least four models, George Harrison's double-bound 360/12 (the second one made by the company) defined a new tone at the other end of the audio spectrum. Its ringing sound embellished "You Can't Do That", "Eight Days a Week", "A Hard Day's Night", "Ticket To Ride" to name just a few.
Jim McGuinn made the bell-like quality of its tone the foundation of the Byrds' early style. The Who's Peter Townshend, Creedence Clearwater Revival's John Fogerty, Steppenwolf's John Kay, and many other well-known 1960s guitarists became faithful Rickenbacker users. Groups like Oasis, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, U2, and other of today's top acts include Rickenbacker guitars in their musical arsenal. Rickenbacker is the principal guitar of artists such as R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace, and many others.

RealRick - sample-based virtual instrument with an innovative approach to guitar sound modeling and guitar techniques emulating on a standard MIDI keyboard.

RealRick provides incredible playability based on the unique performance modes and easy-to-use keyboard layout as well as the advanced key/pedal/velocity switch system allowing a keyboardist to perform guitar parts with a whole new level of realistic expression. RealRick covers practically all sounds, articulations, and techniques a professional guitarist can produce on his Rickenbacker, including mute, bridge mute, harmonics, pinch harmonics, unison bend, strumming, picking, chord chopping, scrapes, and much more...

24-BIT 96 kHz high quality dry samples recorded directly from pick-ups let you easily create any desired guitar sound using your favorite amplifier simulator.

RealRick includes 8 guitar patches:

6-string - Mono.

12-string A - Mono, 3rd string pair tuned in OCTAVE.

12-string B - Mono, 3rd string pair tuned in UNISON.

6-string (Stereo/Double-track):
- full Stereo (emulates 'Rick-O-Sound' stereo output) when used in RealRick single output version
- double tracked patch when used in RealRick two output versions.

12-string A and B (Stereo/Mono):
- main (sustain) sound is Stereo (6/6 strings split), additional sounds/noises are Mono.

12-string A and B (Stereo/Double-track):
- full Stereo (emulates 'Rick-O-Sound' stereo output) when used in RealRick single output version
- double tracked patch when used in RealRick two output versions.

WAYS OF USING

There are three ways of using RealRick virtual instrument.

Intuitive keyboard layout allows Live/MIDI KEYBOARD PERFORMANCE with numerous articulations, noises, guitar-specific tricks, strumming and finger picking techniques.

Any guitar performance produced on a MIDI keyboard can be recorded or directly programmed IN A MIDI TRACK OF ANY DAW.

BUILT-IN SONG SEQUENCER designed to arrange up to the entire song by simply inserting chord symbols and selecting pre-recorded guitar rhythm patterns.

SOUNDS AND NOISES

We've carefully and meticulously recorded high quality dry samples of each fret of all strings directly from Rickebacker pick-ups which let you easily create any desired guitar sound using your favorite amplifier simulator. RealRick sample library includes not only sustain sounds, but also other guitar-specific sounds with dynamics and nuances an experienced performer can get from his/her instrument.

GUITAR FX PROCESSOR

Version 6 supports external guitar FX processors which are important to create a realistic guitar part. Our experts have thoroughly examined guitar tones used in most popular songs played by greatest guitarists and came up with more than two hundred authentic presets which sound similar to what they heard, ready to be used in your next song. We recommend to use open-source Guitarix.vst virtual guitar amp as a robust and versatile solution to use these presets. Combining a virtual guitar and an FX processor allows you to store a guitar sound and an FX processor preset at the same time, which a real time saver.

TECHNIQUES AND CONTROL

An authentic sounding guitar part cannot be recorded by using samples on their own, but requires a bunch of guitar-specific techniques, which are simulated in RealRick. Whether you are playing live or programing a DAW, these techniques are controllable by using special gestures, key switches, key velocity, modulation wheel, sustain pedal, key aftertouch, MIDI CC, DAW parameter automation, and any combinations of these.

CHORD VOICING

Guitar chord voicing is very unique depending on guitar construction and is absolutely necessary to reproduce in order to achieve authentically sounding chordal parts. Our patented technology provides accurate reproduction of guitar chord voicing automatically for 30 chord types in all existing inversions, extensions and alterations.

RHYTHM PATTERNS

In order to record an authentic accompaniment track, most session guitarists carefully study characteristic rhythm parts for the required style. We created a huge rhythm library consisting of 1250 patterns. It can be easily used for quickly creating guitar accompaniment parts in the DAW or in our internal Song sequencer.

REALISM

Sophisticated humanization algorithms vary samples, technique and control parameters, timing, chord strum aspects to reach best possible realism in guitar tracks. That helps you bring a digitally simulated guitar performance maximally close to an analog recording of a best-in-class session guitarist.

SUMMARY

RealRick and all MusicLab Virtual Guitars are simply the best in the industry. They are convenient, featured packed and give the user endless musical options. Whether a Beginner, Professional or a Producer you will find our products the answer for all of your virtual guitar needs.

MusicLab. Making Virtual Instruments a Reality since 2004.

See all features of RealRick.

What's New in version 6.

Latest User Reviews

Average user rating of 5.00 from 1 review
RealRick

Reviewed By tommyzai [all]
September 30th, 2014
Version reviewed: 4.0.1 on Mac

INTRO
RealRick by MusicLab is an extraordinary virtual guitar that is modeled after two of the most sought after instruments ever made. Some years back I sustained an injury, which has made playing "real" instruments nearly impossible. Yet, I continued to produce music by either hiring a guitarist of making due with sample library instruments. MusicLab eventually came to my rescue by developing RealGuitar for my acoustic needs and RealStrat for my blues, garage rock, funk, and surf needs. I really dig those two instruments, and they have become indispensable musical tools. Note: RealLPC is on my list, but I'm not as much into classic rock and metal and the other genres associated with that fine guitar. What I really hoped for was just released and is now on my MacBook — a virtual 6 and 12-string Rick! I am a huge fan of the British Invasion sound as well as the later jangle guitar bands. My biggest influences are the Beatles, Joy Division, New Order, REM, The Smiths, Oasis, Smashing Pumpkins, etc. One of the things they have in common is the unmistakable jangly bell-tone rhythm guitar. I simple love that sound, and now I have it! But I found RealRick to be much more than just an authentic, great sounding Rickenbacker 6 and 12-string sample library. RealRick also features MusicLab's Pattern Manager and Guitar Pattern Library that assist in creating backing rhythm tracks. This is a very playable instrument that is also fun to play.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS:

  • Ordering and downloading was straightforward.
  • Surprisingly usable manual.
  • Installing, authorizing, and launching was a snap.
  • Interface is attractive.
  • I selected the "Chords" button, pressed and held a key, was instantly reminded of the early Beatles sound, and smiled.

FAVORITE FEATURES:

  • User-friendly, inspiring interface.
  • Deep pattern library and excellent pattern browser.
  • Flexible switch system.
  • Extensive array of usable articulations (mutes, harmonics, bends, chopping, scrapes, etc.) — yields very realistic results.
  • Four chord positions with graphic fret-board note/chord display.
  • Sounds great and is recorded DRY as a bone! Thankfully, there are no baked in effects.
  • Convenient standalone version (and plugins of course).
  • Stereo and Mono just like the real thing.
  • Good price considering what this instrument is capable of doing.
  • Innovative developer, known for frequent updates.

OTHER THOUGHTS:

  • What guitar is next?
  • Any chance MusicLab will release a bass collection?

SUMMARY
This is a bittersweet day for me as an eMusican/producer. It's sweet because I finally have the virtual guitar I always dreamt about. It's bitter because I no longer have an excuse for not making music. Like the other offerings by MusicLab, RealRick sounds great and inspires creativity. It is addictive, which is much better than staring at my controller and waiting for lightning to strike. I highly recommend RealRick to any eMusician, producer, film and gamer scorer, DJ, sound designer, etc., who is looking for a virtual Rickenbacker 6 and 12-string guitar. If you dig the early to mid-60s sound and the later jangle stuff of the 80s and 90s, this should be on your wishlist. I have no regrets picking this up, and sincerely hope others will share my excitement over this new release. "We keep working to make your music production life even more fun than it is today!" Well, Tommy Zai is having more fun and gives RealRick two big thumbs up! Thank you MusicLab for adding this authentic, legendary guitar to your collection.

Note: In my upcoming project I anticipate using RealStrat for leads, RealGuitar for anything acoustic, and RealRick for Electric Rhythm.

RealRick v4 Update
The new RealRick version skips from v1 to v4. This seemed strange to me at first, but then I thought about it and think I figured out Musiclab's rationale. Their other, more seasoned, instruments have naturally progressed through the versions, i.e., 1, 2, 3, and 4. They used the same research and development to bump RealRick up to v4. Like RealStrat and others, RealRick now has improved sound and performance. The most noteworthy new feature is the Song Mode, which helps turn this fine instrument into a powerful workstation. At the risk of criticism, Musiclab seems to be taking a path similar to Toontrack. I see this as brilliant. Most experienced electronic music makers have more plugins than they can count; yet, how many do they use. .. or more importantly, how many help the creative process? The Real instrument line are extremely musical and serve as a songwriting assistant. In use, ideas develop and flow instead of going somewhere to rot and die. Some of my favorite new features include:

• Global Song Mode with option to export MIDI
• Easy chord change and pattern insertion
• Increased strum time range
• Advanced humanize engine with several parameters and randomization options.

All in all, this is a sweet update, and I'm glad I picked it up. It's worth all $49 as an upgrade for registered users. RealRick perfectly captures the chimey, bell-like jangle. Thank you, Musiclab!.

*On a side note, it's been a rough year financially, and I was forced to sell my Jetglow 620 to pay some bills. Using RealRick eases the pain!

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Comments & Discussion for MusicLab RealRick

Discussion
Discussion: Active
fizzicist
fizzicist
1 November 2014 at 7:48am

This is by far the best virtual 12-string guitar instrument I've found. The 6-string is a bonus. I wanted RealRick for its 12-string, but it turns out that the 6-string sounds great too.

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