Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One Review: A Classic Electric Piano Sound for Your Mac
Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One: A Review
If you are looking for a realistic and versatile plugin that can emulate the warm and intimate tones of a Rhodes Mark 1 electric piano, you might want to check out Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One. This plugin is part of the Addictive Keys series, which aims to provide high-quality keyboard instruments with plenty of customization options and a small disk footprint. In this article, we will review the features, sound quality, pros and cons, and alternatives of Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One.
Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One Mac Torrent
Features
Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One is based on a Rhodes Mk. 1 electric piano, which has been the most popular electric piano for more than four decades and is heard on countless hit records. The plugin captures the instrument's sound using a vintage tube combo amp and rare vintage mics, resulting in a sublime and authentic sound. The tone can go from a smooth enthralling caress to a searing, crunchy sound that cuts through the densest mix.
One of the key features of Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One is that it offers up to seven mic perspectives for each instrument, allowing you to mix and match three stereo channels with combined panning and width controls. You can choose from close, mid, ambient, side, body, direct line, and vintage mics to create your own sound design. You can also adjust the volume, tuning, filter, pitch, and envelope of each channel.
Another feature of Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One is that it comes with a powerful sound engine that gives you great control over each instrument. You can apply various effects and processing to each channel, such as EQ, chorus, compression, noise, distortion, modulation, and delay/reverb. You can also use the cross mod function to modulate the pitch or filter of one channel with another channel's signal.
Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One also ships with tons of inspiring presets neatly arranged in ExploreMaps. Each preset comes with previews that present the preset in the perfect light. You can browse through three categories of presets: producer, purist, and creative. You can also create your own presets and save them for later use.
Sound Quality
Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One delivers a high-quality sound that is faithful to the original instrument. The plugin uses multisampling technology to capture every nuance and detail of the Rhodes Mk. 1 electric piano. The sound is rich, warm, and dynamic, with plenty of mechanical noise and resonance. The plugin also reproduces the characteristic response and feel of the electric piano's action.
The sound quality of Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One can be further enhanced by using the different mic perspectives and effects. You can create a wide range of tones and textures by blending different mics and applying different processing. You can also tweak the sound to suit your musical genre and production style.
Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One has a small disk footprint (less than 1 GB) and fast loading times, making it easy to use in any situation. The plugin also supports 64-bit VST, AU, AAX formats and standalone application for Windows and Mac OS.
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One:
Pros
Cons
- Realistic and versatile sound of a Rhodes Mk. 1 electric piano
- Unnecessarily graphics-rich interface
- Multiple mic perspectives and effects for sound design
- No library of MIDI parts or phrases
- Powerful sound engine with cross mod function
- Limited to the tonality of the source instrument
- Tons of inspiring presets with previews
- Small disk footprint and fast loading times
- Supports 64-bit VST, AU, AAX formats and standalone application
Alternatives
If you are looking for alternatives to Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One, here are some other plugins that you might want to consider: Lounge Lizard EP-4 by Applied Acoustics Systems
Lounge Lizard EP-4 is a plugin that uses physical modeling to recreate the sound of various electric pianos, including the Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and Hohner models. The plugin allows you to adjust the physical parameters of the instrument, such as the hammer, tine, pickup, damper, and tone bar. You can also apply effects and modulation to shape the sound further. Lounge Lizard EP-4 has a simple and intuitive interface that lets you access all the controls easily. The plugin also comes with over 240 presets that cover a wide range of genres and styles.
Scarbee Classic EP-88s by Native Instruments
Scarbee Classic EP-88s is a plugin that samples a rare 88-key Rhodes Suitcase piano from 1976. The plugin captures the instrument's sound with 30 velocity layers, round-robin variations, pedal noise, and release samples. The plugin also features a vintage amp and cabinet simulation, as well as an advanced FX section that includes chorus, phaser, tremolo, reverb, and delay. Scarbee Classic EP-88s has a realistic and expressive sound that can fit any musical context. The plugin also includes over 100 presets that showcase the instrument's versatility.
Neo-Soul Keys Studio 2 by Gospel Musicians
Neo-Soul Keys Studio 2 is a plugin that combines several electric piano libraries into one package. The plugin includes samples of the Rhodes Mark I Stage Piano, Rhodes Mark II Suitcase Piano, Wurlitzer 200A Electric Piano, Hohner Pianet-T Electric Piano, and Yamaha CP70 Electric Grand Piano. The plugin also features a custom synth engine that allows you to layer and blend different sounds together. Neo-Soul Keys Studio 2 has a warm and soulful sound that is ideal for neo-soul, jazz, funk, R&B, and hip-hop music. The plugin also offers over 700 presets that span various genres and moods.
Conclusion
Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One is a plugin that recreates the sound of a classic Rhodes Mark 1 electric piano with great realism and flexibility. The plugin offers multiple mic perspectives and effects for sound design, as well as a powerful sound engine with cross mod function. The plugin also delivers a high-quality sound that is faithful to the original instrument, with plenty of mechanical noise and resonance. The plugin also ships with tons of inspiring presets with previews.
If you are looking for a realistic and versatile plugin that can emulate the warm and intimate tones of a Rhodes Mark 1 electric piano, you might want to check out Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One. You can download a free trial version from the official website or buy the full version for $79.95 USD.
FAQs
What are the system requirements for Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One?
Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One requires Windows 7 or later or Mac OS X 10.7 or later, as well as an Intel Core Duo or AMD Athlon 64 processor or higher, 2 GB RAM or more, and an internet connection for installation and authorization.
How do I install Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One?
To install Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One, you need to download and run the XLN Online Installer from the official website. You will need to create an account or log in to your existing account to access the installer. You will also need to enter your serial number or product key to activate the plugin.
How do I use Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One in my DAW?
To use Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One in your DAW, you need to load it as a VST, AU, or AAX plugin in your host application. You can then select an instrument from the browser or load a preset from the ExploreMap. You can also adjust the mic perspectives and effects to customize the sound.
Can I use Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One without a DAW?
Yes, you can use Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One without a DAW by using it as a standalone application. You can launch it from your desktop or start menu and play it with your MIDI keyboard or controller.
Can I use Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One with other plugins?
Yes, you can use Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One with other plugins, such as compressors, reverbs, delays, or other instruments. You can use the plugin's output or input routing options to send or receive audio signals to or from other plugins. You can also use the plugin's MIDI learn function to assign MIDI controllers to any parameter of the plugin.
I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about Xln Audio Addictive Keys Mark One. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading! dcd2dc6462