A Truly Dynamic Vibe
Wurlybird 140B is Cherry Audio's first sample-based electro-acoustic virtual instrument, modeled after the 1964 Wurlitzer 140B, considered by many to be the crown jewel of the legendary Wurlitzer electric piano family. Though the 200-series models are more widely known — and often emulated — many devoted Wurly enthusiasts believe the 140B to have superior action and tone quality. Wurlybird 140B has been crafted by Cherry Audio through deep expert sampling of a professionally restored 140B, along with subtle randomization of key release and pedal sounds, precision modeling of the original preamp, faithfully emulated vibrato/tremolo, and even adjustable background hum. Additionally, Wurlybird 140B includes a broad spectrum of tonal-enhancing stompbox-style effects, ranging from subtle to extreme.
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The Wurlitzer electric piano is unquestionably one of the most classic rock and pop keyboards ever made. Its distinctly rich "bark" and organic timbre have been heard on countless hits over the years, including Ray Charles' "What I'd Say," Queen's "You're My Best Friend," Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World," nearly every hit from Supertramp, and a seriously long list of other rock and pop classics. The resonance of this sound endures today, with contemporary artists like Beck and Billie Eilish ensuring its enduring appeal.
Over the years, there have been several iterations of the Wurly (or "Wurli"). The model 200 and 200A variants, released in 1968, are the most well known. These models are lighter and more durable than previous versions due to their molded plastic cases, making them more practical for live gigging musicians. Although the 200-series models are the most common, dedicated Wurly fans consider the earlier 140B model the best in the range, with superior action and tone quality. The 140B resulted from Wurlitzer's complete redesign of the keyboard's mechanical action, modified cabinet design, and the introduction of their first solid-state amplifier.
When expert sound designer and sample programmer Mike Martin shared his plan to embark on a comprehensive project sampling keyboardist Tom Hammer's 140B — featured in countless recordings and restored by the experts at Vintage Vibe — we eagerly embraced the chance to create an awe-inspiring sampled instrument based on this rare treasure.
Wurlybird 140B offers everything a true connoisseur and performer would want from such an instrument. It features carefully modeled built-in vibrato/tremolo, varied release samples, adjustable background hum, and even the "clunk" of the sustain pedal. In addition to the super-accurate sampling and preamp modeling, Cherry Audio has included eight stomp-box style studio-quality effects: Tube Overdrive, Chorus, Rotator, Delay, Reverb, Seven-Band Graphic EQ, and all-new effects algorithms for the 70's Phaser and LoFi with discrete vinyl and noise. Wurlybird also provides over 60 fabulous and inspiring presets that span from classic to modern tones.
Wurlybird 140B Features:
Wurlybird 140B Electric Piano is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats.
A free 30-day demo of Wurlybird is available. This demo will play white noise periodically, but is otherwise unlimited.
macOS Requirements: macOS 10.13 or above. macOS 13 Ventura supported. 64-bit required. Native Apple M1 or greater processor support, including Ultra. 3.4 GHz Quad-Core or M1 CPU with 8GB of RAM recommended.
Windows Requirements: Windows 7 or above (including Windows 11), 64-bit required. 3.4 GHz Quad-Core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended.
Hard disk space: 380 MB.
NOTE: Internet connection required for product activation.
Wurlitzer is a trademark of the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company. There is no association, affiliation or endorsement of Cherry Audio or its products by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company.
Reviewed By Spitfire31 [all]
August 16th, 2024
Version reviewed: 1.0.12 on Mac
Having collected most of the Wurlitzer related VI:s available, including Keyscape with its great 140B, I bought the Wurlybird as soon as it was released. Not because I need another Wurly, you understand, but I'm captivated by the Wurlitzer sound character since the first time I heard it.
Unlike the previous reviewer, I've never laid my hands on a physical version of the instrument, so I don't judge them by how exactly they capture the finer nuances of a particular RL model. I rate them according to how they appeal to me; how inspiring they are for playing, improvising and songwriting.
With the preambles out of the way, here's my take on the good, the bad and the ugly of my Cherry Audio Wurlybird.
THE GOOD.
Without any fx, it sounds great out of that huge, pink box (see more below)! The basic sound is very clean and nuanced, I'd say almost polite, so if that is your ideal, go for it.
Judiciously applied to taste, the included FX rack lets you apply the usual suspects – comp, chorus, phaser, delay, verb, Leslie, EQ and so on.
A number of the many effected presets sound really nice, too, although there's also a heap of over-the-top, mangling presets, too.
One preset that caught my ear has a rather neutral sound, and with the Wurlitzer native "vibrato" (= tremolo) patched to the modwheel! It means that you can play with a straight tone and then gradually add vibrato, like when playing a guitar och cello. Interesting and, AFAIK, a unique feature of the Cherry Audio Wurlybird.
THE BAD.
The instrument is sample based (I assume with sample modelling, since the AU Component only takes up some 22MB, as does the freestanding app), but there is no way of tweaking the basic sound. Yes, you can add effects, but you can't tweak the internal action of the mechanics.
Even worse, from my point of view, you can't affect the acoustic noises of the mechanical parts, such as the hammer strike on the reed and the subsequent release. This, for me, is a fundamental omission, apparently a design decision to keep the modelling simple. One of my fav sampled Wurlies, built with the opposite philosophy, is the highly tweakable Waves' Electric 200, where I'm free to use the mechanism noises to add subtle – and not-so-subtle – percussive attack to the notes.
THE UGLY.
The skeuomorphic GUI is an abomination – a giant pink whale that covers a third of my 5k 27" monitor.
Yes, the 140B is a big instrument. But it doesn't follow that the GUI of a digital representation has to waste all that screen space. Even the sheet music stand is included, sticking up over the lid and stealing screen real estate for no reason.
Yes, the GUI is resizeable. But, in order to be able to read the miniscule text of the presets, I have to use the zero zoom setting.
As GUI:s go, dear friends at Cherry Audio, this one deserves an F.
Joachim Smith.
Read ReviewReviewed By bigearz [all]
July 22nd, 2024
Version reviewed: 1.0 on Windows
I have at least three other versions of the Wurlitzer piano from other manufacturers. Most of them suffer from a kind of "fuzziness" that I find to be inauthentic (I once owned the real deal). This one, however, has a clarity that I have been looking for. The pure Wurly is a great by itself, but the stomp boxes are well modeled and can bring out some great effects.
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