XLN Audio Addictive Keys

[mojobone]

Just checking out the demo now, and I have to say I'm impressed with the range of this thing already, the samples seem impeccable at first blush-this is a limited version, after all. Based on XLN's audio demos, I'm probably gonna pretty much have to buy the upright, though this post will refer only to the free version, which includes only 44 thankfully consecutive notes from the Steinway D grand. The free to download and use as long as you like trial version also has a limited number of mics/positions. (3 of the 6 available for the grand)

If you've got mad Kontakt skills, (or Ivory) you maybe don't need yet another grand piano, but the interface is very well thought-out, as are the mic choices and positions, and the compression and EQ are well mated to the samples. Sostenuto and damper response, while adjustable, is just about right, outta the (virtual) box. The CPU hit, while necessarily larger than that of Addictive Drums, is impressively lighter than the smooth velocity transitions and depth of resonance would indicate. It's butt-simple to draw out any character desired from the samples with the intuitive and well laid-out controls, be it bite, chunk, drama or ...romance. More from XLN Audio.com



Ok, a quick note about the full version; it includes this grand, a kickass upright and a Rhodes Mark I recorded direct, through a Roland Dimension D stereo chorus (!) and through a Music Man 112 combo amp. The instruments are also available as separates to mix and match, the grand going for $49, the upright $99 and the Mark I at $79, or $179 for the kit and caboodle. I think they made a mistake in offering the grand as the demo; this Yamaha U3 upright is to die for, and will likely drive sales of the package, imo. Imagine/Let It Be, Bruce Hornsby, Elton/Ben Folds, the funkier side of Billy Preston, even some Supertramp-ish textures lie in wait among its killer presets, and this dog will hunt in honky-tonk and Fess territory.