NAMM 2008: 50 instruments in MOTU Electric Keys
Classic keyboards emulated in software
MOTU's Electric Keys is the latest in a long line of virtual instruments to emulate vintage electric keyboard hardware. However, rather than covering just the obvious examples - the Rhodes/Wurlitzer pianos and Clavinet - this also features organs, tape samplers, string machines, keyboard basses and more.
Electric Keys is built around UltimateSoundBank's UVI engine and is divided into 12 banks of sounds (50 instruments are emulated in total). Each bank has a different skin and can be installed separately. This is good news, as a full install of Electric Keys requires a whopping 40GB of hard disk space.
The software's interface has been kept simple - just a few simple controls are offered - which is indicative of the fact that Electric Keys is very much an instrument to be played rather than pored over. You can add effects though: a separate rack of these is provided.
Electric Keys is cross-platform and supports the VST, Audio Units, DXi, RTAS and MAS plug-in formats. It can also be used standalone.
Scheduled to ship in February, Electric Keys will retail for $295. Further details are available on the MOTU website.
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...
- GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
- TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
- STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over and done with, but here are 33 music deals that are still alive and kicking
“I think we're about to have a big resurgence now in kids picking up guitars, and I think we've got the Gallagher brothers to thank for it”: Should we be hopeful about the future of guitar music?