KVR Audio

dlandis · Post by **dlandis** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:56 am

Hi guys,

I'm just wondering what you're using (or considering purchase) to emulate Fender Rhodes electric pianos, particularly the mk. 1 and mk. 2 (suitcase and/or stage.) Please, if you would, describe what you consider to be your preferred emulation's strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps, if you think it worthwhile, give a bit of your perspective on who influenced your decision (technically or tonally) or how you view the use of the sound you find most effective.

Thanks!

Korg Supporter · Post by **Korg Supporter** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:31 am

I have not tried anything, but I heard good things about AAS's Lounge Lizard plugin. If you can afford it, Keyscape by Spectrasonics is a great sample library.

rACatkvr · Post by **rACatkvr** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 3:32 am

Pianoteq have some too, which I find great for playability.
And you can download them and try them just with some notes missing and no save ability.

martinjuenke · Post by **martinjuenke** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:36 pm

Waves has an emulation in their instrument bundle.

Funkybot's Evil Twin · Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:39 pm

I've got a Rhodes MK1 here and several software emulations.

My favorite software emulation is VTines from Acoustic Samples. It's a combination of being sample-based with physical modeling. You can tweak the pickups and various settings at the individual key level, just like you can with a real Rhodes where you can make easy adjustments the action or pickup placement. Most importantly, it just sounds spot on. Great product. Their VReeds is their take on a Wurlitzer.

Only downside: it requires 1) UVI Workstation (think of it as Kontakt player) and 2) ilok. If you're ok with both. It's the best option I've used.

Scrubbing Monkeys · Post by **Scrubbing Monkeys** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:48 pm

Air music Velvet is good but gui is small. Great presets. Addictive Keys from XLN has one but I like Velvet better. Grittier and more playful.
Kontakt has one but not impressed.

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:56 pm

I’ll caveat this by saying I’ve never owned a real EP of any brand. Lounge Lizard has been my go-to for years, but Keyscape is amazing, especially if you already have Omnisphere. Another one that has impressed me lately is Akai/AIR Stage Piano EP. I bought it for my new MPC Live 2 a couple of weeks ago, but it includes VST/AU/AAX versions as well (I’ve installed them, but have only used them on my hardware so far). It includes mk1 in a couple of flavors, Suitcase, Wurli, etc. and they sound pretty great IMO. As far as I know, it doesn’t require the MPC player, but you should probably confirm that before buying it.

https://www.thempcstore.com/mpc-plugin- ... no-ep.html

dlandis · Post by **dlandis** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 5:57 pm

I really appreciate all the responses so far. I did do something perhaps a bit dunderheaded by posting last night: I have to be away from this forum as I am upgrading my computer. I probably won't be back for a week (maybe sooner.) I hope this doesn't discourage anyone from posting (in that it might appear that the OP has abandoned the thread.) I definitely will read them all when I get back.

Thanks again.

bagpipe200 · Post by **bagpipe200** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 7:30 pm

Scrubbing Monkeys wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:48 pm Air music Velvet is good but gui is small. Great presets. Addictive Keys from XLN has one but I like Velvet better. Grittier and more playful.

Strangely enough I have both of those too. I agree that the Air Music Velvet produces better sounds although the Addictive Keys has way more parameters to play with. I find it's easier to get usable sounds from Air Velvet.

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 9:41 pm

I use two quite different things with a different idea of the role of the Rhodes. The Scarbee Classic EP-88s is very lush and looms large in a mix. The other one I use for a harder sound and also some sound design: Sonic Couture EP73 Deconstructed.
You have control over how much tines and noise and such; they got into the innards and did pretty detailed examination and capture of individual components of the instrument.
Also hit with mallets and other approaches. more avant-garde...

there's a vendor with "Soul" in the name that makes a good funk Rhodes with that bark and accent of certain models but I forget, I never got around to buying it.

jamcat · Post by **jamcat** » Fri Oct 20, 2023 3:27 am

The best electric piano is of course E. Piano 1, on the DX7.

Echoes in the Attic · Post by **Echoes in the Attic** » Fri Oct 20, 2023 4:04 am

Absolutely keyscape. Amazing sound.

Jafo · Post by **Jafo** » Fri Oct 20, 2023 4:53 am

Adding Pianoteq and Scarbee to the list, but honestly, the standard is so high that at this point it's about subtle flavor rather than anything else.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Fri Oct 20, 2023 5:52 am

jancivil wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 9:41 pm there's a vendor with "Soul" in the name that makes a good funk Rhodes with that bark and accent of certain models but I forget, I never got around to buying it.

Are you thinking of Neo-Soul Keys?

https://www.jrrshop.com/gospel-musician ... eys-studio

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Fri Oct 20, 2023 5:56 am

that's the one

Rhodes emulations?