XLN Audio Addictive Keys

Verdict
For Very cost-efective way to get a
grand piano
Lovely sound
Three versatile mix options
Sine Player environment works well
Against Only one piano
Surprisingly lexible piano, delivering
atmosphere in spades and all for a very
decent price
8 / 1 0
> reviews / virtual pianos roundup
78 / COMPUTER MUSIC / October 2022
Orchestral Tools
Vivid Keys €79
Orchestral Tools are well known for their
orchestral collections, particularly the
mighty Metropolis Ark series. But they
also have an Orchestral Grands title – a
grand piano recorded very much within
an orchestral context – and Vivid Keys,
this lovely standalone instrument and
part of OT’s Organic Samples series.
The Yamaha C3 is probably the one
grand piano you are likely to ind in
more pro studios than any other grand,
and on using Vivid Keys it’s easy to hear
why. It has a beautiful, mellow, yet full
sound and this title captures it perfectly.
It is played as a sample-based
instrument within OT’s Sine Player – a
Kontakt-like host and freely available.
While only based on the C3 piano, you
do get three diferent mixes for a
versatile sound. The ‘natural mix’ is a
more upfront sound with optional
reverb; a ‘cinematic mix’ focuses on the
softer dynamics of the piano but also
adds an evocative pad; inally the ‘pop
mix’ delivers a tight and punchy sound
suitable for more contemporary action.
All in all, this is a great and
surprisingly varied title, delivering
atmosphere in spades and all for a very
decent price, and one of the most cost-
efective ways to get a grand sound. You
can also buy Vivid Keys as part of OT’s
Organic Samples bundle which gets
you six other collections, including
strings, vocals and a Bösendorfer piano,
all for €300, a saving of €200 over
buying them individually.
orchestraltools.com
TYPE: Sampled Yamaha C3 grand piano | PRICE: €79 or get seven titles in the Organic Samples bundle for £299 | KEY FEATURES: 30GB of samples (14GB compressed);
24-bit / 48KHz patches; sampled using close mics; three mixes: natural, cinematic and pop mix | SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Audio Unit and VST; works with Orchestral Tools’
SINE Player (included); macOS 10.13 macOS 10.13, i5; Windows 10, Intel Core i5 or similar; 4GB RAM, 30GB of samples compressed to 14GB hard drive space
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