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Fender Rhodes sound in
Hello,
first of all, I absolutely love Fender Rhodes sounds. I use it in almost every production and its my go to keyboard sound.
But i have a few problems with it:
1. I've never been % happy with my sound quality. My chain is a Nord Electro into an Apollo. This sounds better than the software that I have used (Scarbee Vintage Keys/Arturia V). Very HiFi, but often not grabby enough and sometimes even indistinct.
Ive tried saturation and running it through my , but didn't get very good results with it. Subtle clipping, tremolo/panning and the blue stripe from Waves were a good step into the right direction. I know a real Rhodes would probably be the answer, but since i am a Student this is beyond my budget. Especially including spare parts, servicing etc.
Is there anything else i could try out?
2. In terms of production I feel like it is quite overused today, and laying down some chords with a Rhodes tends to make things sound a bit samey. I have experimented with similar sounding synth patches. Honne uses this technique very often and I love it, but often my mixes get very static when i use these kind of sounds.
Do you have any ideas for alternatives to a Rhodes?
Thanks a lot for your answers!
I too use a Fender Rhodes sound in nearly every track i write. For me the best non-original and the one i have used since is the Korg SV You can custom the factory patch to your taste, either via the keyboard it's self or via the Korg software for the SV-1 and save them in six custom preset slots. That gives you even greater control.
There are plenty of YouTube vids of the SV-1 to check out.
Good luck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by satissounds➡️
I too use a Fender Rhodes sound in nearly every track i write. For me the best non-original and the one i have used since is the Korg SV You can custom the factory patch to your taste, either via the keyboard it's self or via the Korg software for the SV-1 and save them in six custom preset slots. That gives you even greater control.
There are plenty of YouTube vids of the SV-1 to check out.
Good luck.
Thank you so much for your reply!
A new SV1 is not that much cheaper than a real Rhodes, and i would like to keep the Nord because I like its sound in general and its very small and handy. Would you say getting the SV1 mostly for the Rhodes sounds makes sense? Or is a real Rhodes really worth the extra $$ and servicing effort?
Try adding a touch of lofi effects to your Rhodes track. I don't know if you have Reaktor but I've been using this Reaktor VHS Degradation Suite effect on my Rhodes tracks and it makes them kind of smeary and warm and gives a slight bit of wobble and grit if you know what I mean. I also use RC 20 Retro Color from XLN Audio sometimes to give life some life and depth.
VHS Degradation Suite:
VHS Audio Degradation Suite | Entry | Reaktor User Library
RC
RC Retro Color - XLN Audio
Last edited by sean; 23rd October at PM.. Reason: Correction
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fiedelfinn➡️
Thank you so much for your reply!
A new SV1 is not that much cheaper than a real Rhodes, and i would like to keep the Nord because I like its sound in general and its very small and handy. Would you say getting the SV1 mostly for the Rhodes sounds makes sense? Or is a real Rhodes really worth the extra $$ and servicing effort?
Last edited by satissounds; 23rd October at PM..
Lives for gear
Keyscape is exceptional. Particularly for the Eddy Reynolds classic LA Rhodes sound. Pretty good on the Dyno-My and unmodded sounds, too (as well as the avalanche of other wonderful stuff included). Not terribly light on the CPU, so be using something reasonably robust as a computer.
Acousticsamples just released a VI called VTines. The audio examples are pretty spectacular and, based on the same style of modeling/samples combo as their B5 organ, I’d expect it to be a contender. Also touted as being light on CPU.
Last, for a KONTAKT library, consider the recent EP from Scarbee. Very nice.
As a point of reference, there’s a fully modded Dyno-My piano I’ve owned since new, dragged all over the country and had Chuck Monte modify in SF sitting in my room.
Add a tri stereo chorus to the Rhodes.
Gear Nut
I have a real rhodes mk II which is awesome, and I posted a video recently in the Soundtoys Facebook group where I'm putting it through some soundtoys effects.
It's a closed group but I uploaded the video to this wetransfer link where you can download it. Hope it gives you a nice perspective WeTransfer
edit: if the link expires and people still want to check it out shoot me a message and I'll send it
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fiedelfinn➡️
Or is a real Rhodes really worth the extra $$ and servicing effort?
The Nord, Korg, or various VSTis (AK Mark I is my personal fave, ymmv) are good enough to sit in a mix and 99% of listeners won't know they aren't "real."
But if you are using the instrument as a source of inspiration, nothing beats the real thing. You can't sim the feeling of hammers hitting tines, and I haven't found a sim yet that drives like a Rhodes. And as far as service, I am an idiot and a klutz but even I can service 90% of a Rhodes. If you can read, handle a screwdriver, and order parts off the Internet if need be there isn't much too it.
Last edited by Greedy; 23rd October at PM.. Reason: Added a thought
Lives for gear
I used to have a real Rhodes. It was a great instrument and I lent it to a friend and never saw it again. However, they are pretty large and heavy. Nowadays I have been using the soniccouture broken wurli and canterbury suitcase for my EP sounds and I think they're really quite good. I would check those out and see if you like them.
Lives for gear
I have a real one. actually 2 ATM. a 73 and an they are beautiful. I would trade one for a Wurli these are even more vibey and tend to excel at dirty
Getting a real rhodes is worth it. They can certainly be had for less than a Nord. I love my Rhodes MKII suitcase.
That being said, I have gotten great sounds recording a Nord DI and also through a Vox AC15 amp and blending the two signals. WAY better than plugins.
Lives for gear
The Vtines demos are impressive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sean➡️
Try adding a touch of lofi effects to your Rhodes track. I don't know if you have Reaktor but I've been using this Reaktor VHS Degradation Suite effect on my Rhodes tracks and it makes them kind of smeary and warm and gives a slight bit of wobble and grit if you know what I mean. I also use RC 20 Retro Color from XLN Audio sometimes to give life some life and depth.
VHS Degradation Suite:
VHS Audio Degradation Suite | Entry | Reaktor User Library
RC
RC Retro Color - XLN Audio
Recording it to the cassette and back into the DAW is pretty unpractical and requires warping/splicingd to compensate for the differences in playback speed.
But still worth doing in some situations.
I will definitely give the RC20 a try, it looks like a much easier and more flexible solution.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Khaleesi
I have a real rhodes mk II which is awesome, and I posted a video recently in the Soundtoys Facebook group where I'm putting it through some soundtoys effects.
Quote:
Originally Posted by burp
Keyscape is exceptional. Particularly for the Eddy Reynolds classic LA Rhodes sound. Pretty good on the Dyno-My and unmodded sounds, too (as well as the avalanche of other wonderful stuff included). Not terribly light on the CPU, so be using something reasonably robust as a computer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greedy
Absolutely % yes.
The Nord, Korg, or various VSTis (AK Mark I is my personal fave, ymmv) are good enough to sit in a mix and 99% of listeners won't know they aren't "real."
But if you are using the instrument as a source of inspiration, nothing beats the real thing. You can't sim the feeling of hammers hitting tines, and I haven't found a sim yet that drives like a Rhodes. And as far as service, I am an idiot and a klutz but even I can service 90% of a Rhodes. If you can read, handle a screwdriver, and order parts off the Internet if need be there isn't much too it.
That sounds very tempting, I restored an grand piano together with a friend, so servicing shouldn't be a problem then.
Inspirational quality of an instrument is the most important thing for me, and since i am moving into an apartment in a few weeks and wont be able to take the grand with me, a Rhodes might be a good way of still having a "real" instrument.
The Mark I or Mark V are probably too expensive for me, but Afroham's Video changed my mind a lot about the Mark II which is sometimes almost half the price of a Mark I here in Germany. I will check the classifieds in my region and try some of them out. Especially because I never played on a rhodes in a decent shape haha
Quote:
Originally Posted by thismercifulfate
I have gotten great sounds recording a Nord DI and also through a Vox AC15 amp and blending the two signals. WAY better than plugins.
This sounds like a really good Idea! I have an old Fender Amp with which will try this, did you use a reamping box, or did you go straight into the amp?
Thank you all for your replies!!
As far as sims go, I‘m pretty happy with the Neo Soul Keys app on iPad.
It‘s sample based and there‘s no parameter you can‘t tweak
Plus, it‘s massively more affordable than the desktop version.
I usually run it through pedals and an amp, which helps with the realism.
Gear Nut
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fiedelfinn➡️
Woow this sounds soo beautiful, that gave me some goosebumps! Also very nice playing! I'm going to study music in a few months and Soundtoys has a good educational program, so thats definitely on my List.
Thanks!! The playing is a friend of mine (unfortunately, I wish I could play that well). But Soundtoys is awesome. you should definitely grab a deal when they have one, or the educational discount of course.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fiedelfinn➡️
The Mark I or Mark V are probably too expensive for me, but Afroham's Video changed my mind a lot about the Mark II which is sometimes almost half the price of a Mark I here in Germany. I will check the classifieds in my region and try some of them out. Especially because I never played on a rhodes in a decent shape haha
I bought mine for euros and it looked like on the picture with the nord lead 2 stacked on top of it, the owner before the guy I bought it from had the amp/filter installed but it wasn't even working anymore. there was also a constant high-pitched tone. So I said I wanted to buy it, but for cheap because I had no idea how much it would cost to make it original again.
I ended up buying an entirely new front panel for 85 euros, the person I bought it from even bought the old one with the amp in it from me for 50 euros. The high pitched tone was because of a loose cable end which was gone with the old front panel as well. Then I took out all the keys and cleaned them, and in the end I had a Dutch reviser come to my house and he cleaned everything, aligned all the keys, tuned and voiced it perfectly and fixed all the problems, that cost me around euros as well.
Long story short: for euro I now have a beautifully restored Rhodes which sounds great, I could probably sell it now for or something if I wanted to (in the Netherlands).
As long as the Rhodes is complete (all legs, foot pedal, & case), it isn't eroded heavily and the tolex isn't completely ripped, your servicer will probably be able to repair all the other stuff easily (broken tines, broken pick-ups etc.)
This is a video of a refurbishment my guy did on Niels Broos's Rhodes MKII:
And you should check out this video where a guy goes over everything you should pay attention to when buying the rhodes:
Also, try to find a rhodes mark II with wooden keys instead of plastic ones (I think they changed that in 82 but I'm not sure)
Good luck
Last edited by Khaleesi; 24th October at PM.. Reason: embedding youtube videos
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fiedelfinn➡️
This sounds like a really good Idea! I have an old Fender Amp with which will try this, did you use a reamping box, or did you go straight into the amp?
Lives for gear
Fiedelfinn,
You asked if Keyscape was different than the original Scarbee Rhodes. The answer is “Yes, significantly “. The updated Scarbee EP88 and the VTines are also generations removed from the original series of libraries/VIs that you may have used. I love my Rhodes but there’s no way on earth I’d recommend one today. Heavy, finicky and an idiosyncratic keyboard. There is, however, a particular feeling I get playing it that I never got from a VI or library till now.
Do yourself a favor and check the new generation stuff before diving into the real Rhodes pool.
I'd echo a few posts above, trying the nord electro with a good guita/tube amp mic'd up would prob get you the results you'd dig. I've always liked the electro's, I have a NL2 MKi. Local band here rocks the electro for rhodes and organ and it's right on. I have a 73 and only the direct out currently works. I've experimented with running it into the DI on the Apollo but couldn't quite get enough good clean gain. My sebatron tube pre is my typical go to ( when not amping) but I just ran it through a Pacifica and BAC and damn, I was pretty happy. Either way, I don't think you need more software.
I just tried to send the Nord into my guitar amp ( Fender Superchamp). Its a bit noisy and looses some low end (probably due to the 10" speaker), but it feels so much more alive! Very nice sound, especially when mixed with the DI. I have to try the Dimension D on the mics, that is a very interesting idea!
Quote:
Originally Posted by burp
Do yourself a favor and check the new generation stuff before diving into the real Rhodes pool.
The in depth review Afroham has posted was super helpful, and encouraged me a lot to get a real rhodes. But thats not necessarily a good thing since they are all well over 1K over here.

I'll try to find a cheaper one that needs some service and restore it myself. Seems like a very nice project!

I will move to the Netherlands next year, so if it needs some fine tuning I will probably get it done by your servicer!
Lives for gear
My point was that I got that feeling from the new software instruments. While I doubt I’ll ever sell my Rhodes, I don’t use it anymore. Best endorsement of the current generation of instruments I can give.
And, while mine was infinitely better after Dyno-My modded it, the keyboard action is the definition of an “acquired taste “. Be aware.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greedy➡️
Absolutely % yes.
On the road or even at local gigs? Forgetaboutit. I'll always gig with a Nord.
But in the studio? So worth it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by satissounds➡️
I too use a Fender Rhodes sound in nearly every track i write. For me the best non-original and the one i have used since is the Korg SV You can custom the factory patch to your taste, either via the keyboard it's self or via the Korg software for the SV-1 and save them in six custom preset slots. That gives you even greater control.
There are plenty of YouTube vids of the SV-1 to check out.
Good luck.
You can throw a brick and land on any one of a dozen Rhodes virtual instruments that will eat the nord’s lunch
The newest Scarbee (that he self-released), the acoustcsamples stuff is incredible (Rhodes and Wurlitzer) if you like your Rhodes with some character
Gosh, maybe even lounge lizard sounds better than the nord
There’s a free Rhodes mk 7 kontakt library that’s crazy good
Quote:
Originally Posted by kennybro➡️
Yes. Rhodes or Wurly. The real thing. Every time you hit a key, the tine or reed reacts differently, and it interacts with other sounding keys in the moment. This is not something that can be recreated in samples, IMO. It's very audible, and comparing a real board to a sample is pretty obvious depending on the board's prominence in the mix of course.
On the road or even at local gigs? Forgetaboutit. I'll always gig with a Nord.
But in the studio? So worth it.
but as far as the real thing, I finally moved my Rhodes and Wurlitzer into long term storage when I got a whiff of some of the newer VIs. I have the korg sv1, too, and it’s amazing as well.. the korg is one of the few fakes that plays well with real pedals and amps, too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bgood➡️
I dunno, man I’ve never liked nord and it doesn’t seem like buying real Rhodes and Wurlitzer is anywhere close to what the OP is about
but as far as the real thing, I finally moved my Rhodes and Wurlitzer into long term storage when I got a whiff of some of the newer VIs. I have the korg sv1, too, and it’s amazing as well.. the korg is one of the few fakes that plays well with real pedals and amps, too.
Approximate reading time: 6 Minutes
Top 5 Software Rhodes Emulations · Source: gearnews.com
With the arrival of yet another virtual electric piano with the Waves Electric 88 it got me wondering. What is it about the Rhodes that inspires software developers to pursue the perfect emulation? The history of the Rhodes piano is quite a story and you can read about the journey of Harold Rhodes and his development of the instrument here.
I have played one and as I recall the keyboard action was just horrible really heavy to my soft synth hands but the sound was sublime. Most of my experience of course comes through records it was used on. Riders on the Storm by The Doors, Get Back by the Beatles, Im Not in Love by 10cc and then much of Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonders music from the s. The most iconic performance for me is Ray Charles playing Shake a Tail-feather in the The Blues Brothers movie.
Theres something in the way the sound is created. Hammers hitting strips of metal called Tines like a sideways vibraphone. But its not just the physical glockenspiel-like vibration its the tonebar that picks up the sound and the preamp and amplification that give it the grit and variation that weve come to love. And then there are the effects. The classic tremolo of course, the phaser, chorus, wah and a delay are always popular.
Pretty much every digital synth, keyboard workstation and sampler will have some kind of Rhodes electric piano going on. And this follows on into software versions its a standard sound. But sometimes when a manufacturer focuses on recreating the feel, heart and soul of this classic electric piano whether Mark I, Mark II, stage or suitcase magic can happen.
Heres my top 5 software recreations of the Rhodes electric piano, in no particular order.
1. Applied Acoustics Lounge Lizard
The oldest, the grand-daddy of all virtual Rhodes is the Lounge Lizard from Applied Acoustics. Originally released in Lounge Lizard is based on physical modelling rather than the more common sample based emulations. So instead of recording the sound of a piano they create a computer model of how sound is generated when a mallet hits a tine. They are now up to version 4 and I should point out that the instrument includes physical models of both the Rhodes and the Wurlitzer piano. As youre not dealing with samples the sound can be more or less infinitely variable. The controls vary how the various elements of resonators and vibrations interact giving Lounge Lizard a unique feel when editing. It comes with a load of presets and lots of room for finding the perfect sound.

Applied Acoustics Lounge Lizard
Lounge Lizard is standalone and in plug-in formats VST/RTAS/AAX and AU for $ Theres a free demo version available on the Applied Acoustics website.
2. Arturia Stage V
Arturia have also gone the modelling route with their Stage 73 V piano. It includes models of the Mark I, Mark II, Stage and Suitcase. All the controls of the original instruments are there including developments that came in over the years of production. So you can switch between the tone knob of the model and the bass knob of the version. Arturia have put a lot of focus into the amplification and effects loop, including a volume and sustain pedal. Theyve gone for the look of stomp effects rather than incorporating them into the body of the piano. Under the hood (as it were) are mechanical controls allowing you to govern things like tone bar resonance, pickup distance and hammer hardness. This again is the advantage of physical modelling over a sample based instrument.
Arturia Stage V
Arturia Stage V is standalone and in plug-in formats VST, AAX and AU for € Theres a free demo version available on the Arturia website.
3. Native Instruments Scarbee Mark I
Moving into the realm of the sampled instrument with the Scarbee range of electric pianos hosted by Native Instruments. They have come in several forms over the years but the Scarbee Mark I is their definitive sampled Rhodes machine. This is where the painstaking approach of sample based developers comes into play. Everything is sampled umpteen times at umpteen levels of everything in order to capture the soul of the instrument. There has to be a point at which the detail starts getting lost under the weight of the samples and variations. Suffice to say they did a magnificent job and believe that a soul is captured in GB. It runs in Kontakt 5 or the Kontakt Player and benefits from its excellent effects engine.

Native Instrument Scarbee Mark I
Native Instruments Scarbee Mark 1 runs inside Kontakt 5 for £ Theres no demo version but more information can be found on the Native Instrument website.
4. Cinematique Instruments Electric Piano
Perhaps a lesser known purveyor of fine sampled instruments I really like the Electric Piano they produced for Kontakt. The samples are taken from a fairly beaten-up Mark I and as they point out its the flaws that make it irresistible. Id agree. This instrument has a fabulous amount of dirt in it. It has a grit that I hadnt found before. Its not as exhaustive or comprehensive as some others coming in at just MB, but in my view they did a great job with what they had. Simpler, easier, less fussy and a great sounding instrument. It was updated last year to pull all the patches into one complex patch and they improved the GUI.

Cinematique Instruments Electric Piano v2
Cinematique Instruments Electric Piano v2 runs inside Kontakt 5 for $ Theres no demo version but more information can be found on the Cinematique Instruments website.
5. Waves Electric 88
And so we come back to the plug-in that sparked this little round up. I wrote about the release of this their first sampled instrument in an article here. For this baby you need 4GB of disk space so it must be nearly 4 times as detailed as the Scarbee. Theres a lot of talk of pains being taken and absolute attention to detail and actually, priced for a limited time at $39, its probably bloody good value.
Waves Electric 88
Waves Electric 88 is a standalone and plug-in running in VST/AAX/AU/RTAS formats for OSX and Windows. There is a demo version to try which they say will move you to tears, from the Waves website.
Notable mentions
I really like the electric pianos that come with Kontakt 5s band section theyve always done me all right. Although I do find myself trying out the vibraphones and Celeste as well when looking for that tinkly sound. Ive also used pianos from SampleTank and Halion to great effect but the five Ive listed here are something a bit special.
Im lucky enough to own the Arturia V Collection which includes the Stage V that otherwise, when compared to the similar quality of the alternative offerings, seems really overpriced. It has to be down to the sound at the end of the day. I dont want a real one because as keyboards they are hard work to play, so instead I guess Im looking for that allusive feel and authenticity. Should you go for sample based or physically modelled? Youll just have to try them and see. By the looks of things the Waves Electric 88 is a steal and we all deserve to have a great Rhodes piano at our fingertips.
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