XLN Audio Addictive Keys

Verdict
For Light on your system and storage
Fantastic sound
Great editing options
Against Slightly confusing sound pack
choice system
Lovely lightweight modelled piano
instrument – and a lot more – with great
features and in-depth edibility
10/10
Verdict
For Sounds great
Good value
Lots of fun
Against Editable phrases would
be good
A rich, versatile, fun package that comes at
a good price
9/10
> reviews / virtual pianos roundup
80 / COMPUTER MUSIC / October 2022
Modartt’s Pianoteq is quite simply
one of the best modelled pianos
out there. Unlike sample-based
products that record acoustic
instruments at varying velocity
levels for playback, Pianoteq
creates tones by way of modelling
the relationship between hammers
striking strings, that are coupled to
a resonant soundboard. Modelling
also requires a fraction of the disk
space that sampling does: compare
the relatively small download of
Pianoteq to the multi-gigabyte size
of a high-end sample library.
Pianoteq is a veritable
cornucopia of pianistic possibilities
— from Steinway B and D grands
(approved by the instrument
manufacturer, itself) to more
esoteric models by Grotrian,
Steingraeber and others. Each
instrument has variations, as
well; some of the Steinway B
varieties include those named
Recording, Close Mic, and Cosmic,
each with its own character and
sonic imprint.
Despite many editing options
and other features Pianoteq is
surprisingly easy and nimble to
navigate. Modartt’s modelled
instruments have an organic,
e-instruments’ Session Keys
Grand Bundle comprises two
multisampled instruments (also
available individually for €99/$99
each): the Grand Y (Yamaha CFIIIS
Concert Grand) and Grand S
(Steinway D Concert Grand). The
Steinway delivers the more lively
sound of the two, while the
Yamaha is warmer, but both
sound magniicent.
Each can be switched between
‘Concert’ and ‘Studio’ mode, the
latter recorded with the lid
removed and the mics closer for a
drier, more contemporary tone.
The Pentamorph controller
morphs between ive preset
combinations of forward and
reverse samples, and mechanical
noise, while the Tonality editor
facilitates noise, resonance and
envelope shaping.
A useful collection of efects has
been scripted in, and the superb
Smart Chord and Animator systems
enable automatic chord generation
combined with conigurable
TYPE: Modelled pianos | PRICE: Stage (€129/$129) Acoustic, Electric and Chromatic
Percussion focus; Standard (€249/$319): more instruments and customisable
options; Pro (€369/$519): more instruments, supports audio up to 192kHz and a
wide array of adjustable parameters; Studio (€799/$899), which includes everything
in the Pro package along with all of the many optional packs. | KEY FEATURES:
Choose from 2, 3 or 4 instrument packs (grand pianos, upright piano, electric
pianos, harp, vibraphones, clavinet, celesta and glockenspiel, xylophone and
marimba, steelpans) and get free bells and carillons. Many editable parameters
(unison width, octave stretching, hammer hardness, soundboard, string length,
sympathetic resonance, duplex scale resonance); built-in EQ and eects; ten types
of pedals | SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: AU, AAX, VST (64-bit only); Mac OS X 10.7 or
later, Windows 7 or later, and Linux (x86, arm)
Modartt
Pianoteq 7 $899
e-instruments
Session Keys
Grand Bundle
€159
acoustic shimmer to them that will
keep you playing. The Steinway
models are detailed and rich, just
like their acoustic inspirations.
Other models shine as well –
especially the Upright U4 and the
J. Dohnal ‘Close Mic’ – and
Pianoteq’s acoustic pianos exhibit
incredible personality.
Pianoteq, with its lean CPU
requirements, stunning sound, and
near-ininite editing capabilities is a
breath of fresh air. Even if you have
a go-to hardware or software piano
instrument or library, Pianoteq is
worth a look and listen; it sounds
that good.
modartt.com
playback of a sizeable (but preset-
only) library of performance-
controllable phrases.
These are excellent instruments
and the Grand Bundle delivers both
with aplomb and a decent saving.
e-instruments’ Acoustic bundle is
also great, adding an upright to the
collection, but if it’s just the bigger
sound you want, then you’ll ind the
Grand delivers.
e-instruments.com
TYPE: Two iconic multisampled grand pianos | PRICE: €159/$159 | KEY FEATURES:
Two separate sound banks for each piano; Pentamorph sound control; Animator
400+ piano phrases; Smart Chord function; Native Instruments NKS compatible |
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Requires free Kontakt 5 Player or Kontakt 5 Version 5.5.1
or higher; macOS 10.9, 10.10 or 10.11, Intel Core 2 Duo; Windows 7, 8.1 or 10 (32/64-bit),
Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2; 4GB RAM, 24GB hard drive space
CMU312.rev_pianos_roundup.indd 80CMU312.rev_pianos_roundup.indd 80 21/07/2022 17:5621/07/2022 17:56