There is nothing quite like the warm tone of a Rhodes piano. The unique sounds of this instrument can be found in countless songs in modern music through a variety of genres, including R&B, hip-hop, electronic music, and chillwave.
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Want to infuse the sounds of the Fender Rhodes in your mix? Well, you basically have two options. Spend thousands buying the real thing or spend considerably less on an authentic digital version.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great options to choose from if you want to go down the more convenient, less expensive path.
We’ve put together a list of some of the best Rhodes VSTs you can currently buy.
Top 6 Rhodes Plugins
1. Applied Acoustics Systems Lounge Lizard EP-4
If you’re looking for a quality plugin that faithfully replicates not only the Fender Rhodes but also Wurlitzer sounds, check out the Lounge Lizard EP-4. This plugin, created by Applied Acoustics Systems, is fairly simple with fewer than 20 parameters. This means it’s easy to use and won’t be overwhelming if you’re not super experienced with mixing.
Even though it is simple, it does go far beyond the typical Rhodes sounds that you might expect. You can achieve unique Rhodes tones, including organ-like, chime-like, and bell-like tones. You can explore these and others in the Experimental preset section. Beyond that, you can also play with the compressor, equalizer, and multi-effect processor to dial in some crazy, unexpected tones.
Pros
- Doesn’t take up much CPU
- Get a good amount for what you pay
- Sounds are super authentic and transparent
Cons
- Interface is a little outdated
- Not able to import sounds from older versions
2. XLN Audio Addictive Keys: Mark One
XLN Audio has a very popular professional drum VST called Addictive Drums, but their Addictive Keys VST definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. The Mark One plugin authentically emulates the distinctive warm tones of the Fender Rhodes. The Fender Rhodes on this plugin was played through a vintage tube combo amp and was recorded with the help of several rare microphones to give the best sound quality.
The Mark One can give you any Rhodes sound you are looking for from classic to funky. If you’re wanting a super transparent tone, you can also use the line output on the Rhodes rather than the amp.
This software from XLN Audio gives you the ability to adjust the recording and mixing. You can also choose from a selection of vintage microphones and adjust their distance to achieve a shift in ambiance. If you want to play with the distortion or warmth, take a look at the amp settings.
With the Mark One you get a dynamic mic, room condenser, and ribbon mic in addition to a floor mic and room mic. You also have the option of adding in a Roland Dimension D for analog stereo chorus.
Pros
- Impressive sound quality and great microphone choices
- Takes up much less CPU than you would think
- Flexible in the processing stage
Cons
- Doesn’t have pre/post switching for effects sends
3. AIR Music Technology Velvet 2
The Velvet 2 VST from Air Music Technology is an electric piano plugin with a good amount of versatility. It actually combines the sounds of five of the best electric pianos out there today. These are the Fender Rhodes MK I, Fender Rhodes MK II, Wurlitzer 200A, Fender Rhodes Suitcase, and Hohner Pianet-T. This VST gives you intimate tones that authentically emulate sounds from a Rhodes piano.
You’ll also find a number of onboard effects that will help you venture outside of the natural capabilities of the instrument. The tube drive panels can help if you want to warm up your tone. You can further shape the sound by adjusting the timbre, curve, and reaction to playing dynamics.
If you want to boost the authenticity of the sound, you have the option to blend in the noise of the pedal and other mechanical sounds from inside the keyboard. With these details, it’ll truly sound like you’re working with an actual Rhodes. You’ll also have access to a 3-band EQ and 350 amazing presets created by the AIR Technology sound designers. This can help you work more efficiently as you search for the best tones for your mix.
Pros
- An incredible library of 350 presets
- Numerous effects to choose from
- Very authentic sounding Fender Rhodes plugin
Cons
- There is no standalone version
- Can take too long to load
4. Arturia Stage-73 V
Arturia stands out among the competition when it comes to vintage synthesizer and keyboard VSTs. They offer just about anything you could think of in this arena, but we’re going to take a look at their Rhodes Stage-73 VST. This is an impressively versatile and authentic emulation of the instrument with beautiful, transparent tones. You can also switch over from the 1973 to the 1974 version just by turning the tone knob.
The layout of the Stage-73 is not only aesthetically pleasing but also user friendly. There’s a wide range of pedals for you to play with to take your Rhodes sounds to a different level. There’s no shortage of effects options too, such as changing the curves and the wet/dry mix.
If you want a grittier final tone, you can take advantage of the small Fender Twin amplifier. The awesome selection of presets is conveniently organized by category, including Clean presets, Short presets, Dark presets, Distorted presets, and many others. If customization is a priority for you, Arturia’s Stage-73 should be at the top of your list.
Pros
- Incredible preset menu
- Makes use of top-notch physical modeling
- Stomp effects section is very unique
Cons
- Certain presets take some time to render
5. Waves Electric 88
Waves has built a strong reputation based on their incredible product line of plugins. They are the go-to for many mixing engineers worldwide. Among their amazing collection you’ll find the Electric 88, an authentic Rhodes plugin. Its interface lets you dive into the details to craft the ideal tone for your track. You can use this plugin to enhance nearly any type of production. One of the best features is its price tag. It is one of the most affordable Rhodes plugins in the market.
The Electric 88 utilizes a sampling method that borrowed tones from the Mark I 88. You’ll get super realistic and smooth sounds with its fine-tuned velocity curves. You’ll definitely notice a drop-off in effect options compared to the Stage-73, but all the effects you want can be added in later. If you’re wanting a good-quality, low-priced VST, you need to pick up the Waves Electric 88.
Pros
- Easy to dial in various sounds
- Affordable
- Great quality sampling with lots of layers
Cons
- Not a very wide range
6. Toontrack EZkeys Classic Electrics
Yes, Toontrack has awesome VST keyboard plugins with grand piano sounds, but they also have a solid option for those who want classic electric keyboard sounds. The Toontrack EZkeys Classic Electrics bundle features the sounds of the Rhodes MK I and Wurlitzer 200A. One thing we love about this plugin is that it offers several songwriting features to help those who may struggle in that area. Transposing MIDI tracks is a breeze, and you can also use various playing styles from other MIDI tracks. The Chord Wheel feature can be used to add some color to your chords or adjust the voicings.
With the EZkeys MK I, you can experiment with tones that are outside the natural realm of the Rhodes. There’s an exciting collection of various presets with built-in effects for processed sounds. These include a chorused Rhodes, a distorted Rhodes, and a funky Rhodes with a wah-wah pedal.
If you’re not a super strong keyboard player but would like to add some chord progressions and keys into your mix that sound human produced, the EZkeys bundle is a great option.
Pros
- Included Export to WAV function
- Built-in sequencer is top notch
- Awesome sound quality
Cons
- MIDI data is a little too similar to some popular songs
The Sweet Sounds of the Fender Rhodes
When you look at all the options of Rhodes VSTs out there, it might be a bit overwhelming narrowing down which one is best for you. But we have to say that it pretty much comes down to your budget as any VST on our list will likely get the job done. The plugins we have described are the best on the market right now, and each holds its own in this space.
You already know that there is nothing quite like the sound of a real Fender Rhodes in a professional production. Trying to replicate this sound with various effects and piano and synth sounds might seem like an impossible task. Make the whole process much easier for yourself by adding a Rhodes VST to your collection.
Have you ever wonder why your song doesn’t sound professional in comparison to another mainstream artist or music producer? Have you given any thought on when you had added all the essential elements which are necessary to make a song sound better, but still, your song doesn’t sound right in terms of mixing. This is because you’re not mixing your music correctly. There are a plethora of things you could do in your mixer track to make your track perfect but taking one step at a time, In this article, I will guide you how to add Reverb in Fl Studio in a correct way!
What is Reverb?
Reverb is a natural phenomenon which shows how a sound wave is reacting to the surrounding surfaces. So what it has to do with the mixing of a song? Well, Reverb gives a significant depth to a song. During a mixing, When you have raw sounds, a reverb gives a certain amount of depth to those sounds. With the help of Reverb, you can blend different sounds, which can help you to make your song more “Complete.”
If you need to add any effect in the mixer track, you have to use VST plugins for that. In Fl studio or any other DAW, There are different VSTs for different effects. For Reverb, The most commonly used and the easiest to use the plugin is Fruity Reeverb 2. Fruity Reeverb 2 is a stock plugin created by the Image line itself.
So yeah, It is a free plugin, and it comes with almost every version of FL Studio. Now when you know what Reverb is and why you should use it, let’s discuss how to add Reverb in FL studio.
How to add Reverb in Fl studio
- Open your Mixer channel.
- Select a track where you want to add Reverb
- Click on the slot where you want to add
- Select ‘Fruity Reeverb 2’ (You’ll find it under Delays and Reverbs)
And that’s it. Fruity Reeverb 2 is now added to your track you’ve selected.
Now you can tweak it up and can see how the result is. But Don’t overdo things. It doesn’t make things better, but it undoubtedly decreases the value of your efforts and will make your mix sound muddy.
How to use fruity Reeverb 2?
Now when you have added Reeverb 2 in your mixer track, You have to make sure you’re not overdoing it. Reverb effect, when used in a perfect amount, will make the song sound complete, and all the samples will blend perfectly. Let us get in the plugin itself, and it’s basics so that you can get the full idea of the all the knobs and sliders present in the VST.
When you open the fruity Reeverb 2, The first thing you’ll see that the VST has five different segments. There is a small round cylindrical structure, This is the virtual room. Remember Anything you do is a digital version of how sounds will react in an actual physical room.
So starting with the Rightmost section, There are three sliders; Dry, ER, and Wet. You’ll also find a small knob used for stereo separation.
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Let’s dig into all the three sliders. Also, This section is one of the essential sections as Dry and Wet are the two primary components of reverb.
1)Wet (Wet Level)
It signifies the amount of Reverb on the track. Wet sends the relative level of the reverberant signals.
2)ER (Early Reflection)
Early reflection represents the first sign of the Reverb. Don’t worry about it if you’re unable to identify how to use it. It’s not that important for beginners.
3) Dry (dry Levels)
Dry level slider shows the amount of rawness in your sound. For the type of sounds you’re using in your song, The balance of Dry and Wet knob may vary.
In the next section, you’ll find four knobs, namely, Bass, Dec(Decay), Damp(High Damping), and Cross (bass Crossover).
1) Bass
It represents the decay time of bass frequencies. Bass Frequency will change the overall mood of the song!
2) Dec (Decay)
Decay represents the overall decay time of the Reverb. For small rooms use low decay time while for large rooms use longer decay time.
3)Damp (High Damping)
Damping is used to damp the high frequencies. It represents at what rate the higher frequencies decay.
4)Cross (Bass crossover)
Signifies the point below bass frequencies will be boosted by the Bass knob.
We were moving on to the next section, Delay, Size, Mod, and speed.
1) Delay
Delay controls the delay between the input and the first reverberated signal.
2)Size
Size shows the size of the virtual room. You can increase the room size with respect to decay size and can get very realistic results.
3)Diff (Diffusion)
Diff shows the reflection of sound bouncing back from the virtual room.
4) Speed
It is the speed of the modulated sine wave of Reverb.
5)Mod (Modulation)
Mod modulates the Reverb time.
In the next section, You’ll find two knobs, H.cut and L.cut. These both knobs are very crucial to make your Reverb more appealing.
1)H.cut (High Cut)
As the name suggests, It cuts off the Higher frequencies of the reverb.
2) L.cut (Low cut)
L.cut cuts lower frequencies of the reverb.
With this, you can have extra control over your reverb sound.
The last is the GUI section.
FL studio is famous because of its Graphical Interface. Like every other stock plugins, Fruity Reveerb 2 also has beneficial GUI. You can visually see the virtual room here. If you increase your size toggle, you can see the size of the virtual room will also increase. The makers of the plugin have intelligently used the visuals. If the reverb is high, it’ll show a bright light highting the virtual room. Users can use this to check the amount of reverb they have put on visually.
Conclusion:
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The first step towards the mixing of your track is to add reverb. Almost every element, from a drum snare to chords or the main melody, needs reverb to make them sound vibrant. It would help if you always use different reverb on different mixing tracks rather than using a single reverb on the whole master channel. Using separate reverb will give you more control over your reverb sound. I would recommend not to use reverb on bass or 808s because it is not required. If you’ll add reverb on bass, The Bass will lose its own identity.
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There are a lot many other VST plugins in the market place but using Fruity reveerb 2 is the best option because it is free readily available. I hope you found this article useful, stay tuned for more such tutorials.