Instruments
Paul Godfrey on Session Keys Electric S
“Session Keys Electric S is exactly what we need” We sat down with producer and musician Paul Godfrey from Morcheeba. He told us why he uses our Session Keys Electric S, even though he has the real thing sitting in his recording studio. I’m Paul Godfrey, a musician and producer and founder of the…
Read MoreStephen Gallagher Talks about Session Keys Electric S
“As someone who’s owned three Rhodes and played a lot of Rhodes pianos I have been skeptical of Electric Piano samples in the past, and I’ve tried a lot of Rhodes emulators and samples and software. Session Keys Electric S is the best hands-down that I’ve ever used and I can’t imagine ever being…
Read MoreStory – Gerald McCauley Part 3
A labour of love and creativity It certainly takes a special instrument to inspire such zeal in a seasoned music industry veteran like McCauley, and to spawn a dedicated film involving some of the greatest names in music. Down the Rhodes has been a true labour of love for McCauley, collaborating with “Rhodes player, Rhodes…
Read MoreInside Musical Instruments – Amazing Images
Vivid illustration of craftsmanship Here are some amazing images taken of musical instruments for an ad campaign for the Berliner Philharmoniker to illustrate the high level of detail for craftsmanship. They show the inside of different instruments taken with a macro lens and they are simply stunning, making the inside of brass and strings instruments feel like…
Read MoreStory – Gerald McCauley Part 2
From humble beginnings to worldwide inspiration As with many icons of our time, the Rhodes has a fascinating history. McCauley gives the brief version: “It was conceived really as Harold Rhodes was bored. He was in the US Air Corps, and he was a bit of an educator, a piano teacher, so he wanted to…
Read MoreStory – Gerald McCauley Part 1
A life-long love affair McCauley’s love affair with the Rhodes goes way back, to when he first heard its distinctive sound as a child: “They used to have television shows like The Midnight Special or Don Kirshner’s Rock Concerts back in the 70s and I would be up late when I wasn’t supposed to –…
Read MoreBorn of Necessity: The Fender Rhodes Piano
A short history of the Fender Rhodes Piano We recently released a virtual version of the legendary 1976 Fender Rhodes Piano. A great excuse (if any were needed) to dig into the colorful history of this fascinating instrument. The story begins during the Second World War. A certain Harold Rhodes gave up his chain of…
Read MoreWhy a Grand Piano Sounds the Way It Does
The grand piano is one of the most fascinating musical instruments. Anybody who has ever pressed a few keys has a sense of how intricate its construction is and how difficult it would be to master it. Even the most advanced technology struggles in fully recreating the unique sound of a concert grand. This is…
Read MoreRhodes Models – Which Is Which?
Renowned the world over, the iconic Fender Rhodes electric piano graces countless top hits. Over the years different Rhodes models have been released, each with their own distinct characteristics. Here’s our simple guide to help you understand the extended Rhodes family of pianos. The first Fender Rhodes ‘Silver Top’ electrical piano The first Fender Rhodes were built…
Read MoreFender Rhodes Modifications – Our Guide
Over the years the Fender Rhodes has gained a loyal and enthusiastic following, and these devotees have come to develop several modifications to improve the playability and sound of their beloved instrument. Most modifications are done on a mechanical level, but there have been some more exotic customizations such as adding capacitors to the circuitry…
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