I know many have been waiting for this one, so I finally got some time to knock it out!
No introduction needed really, today I’m checking out Alicia’s Keys, the Kontakt instrument from Native Instruments.
The story behind this instrument is pretty much a piano library samples from Alicia’s actual Yamaha Neo Grand…with her preferences in mics, and other settings.
Now, I’m not saying this will make you sound like her when you play, because you need more than an instrument to do that!
But let’s see if this offers us anything different in the world of virtual piano instruments.
What is Alicia’s Keys?
It is a library based off of samples from her own piano, her own playing, in her own studio, recorded by her own engineer.
Basically it is HER sound.
Not to mention she worked with Scarbee…yeah…you already know what type of products Scarbee puts out.
Good ones!
The samples came from her Yamaha C3 Neo Grand, and they did things according to her specifications including incorporating things like mechanical noise and fingers on keys, which you can choose to enable, disable, and choose the level for each.
She was very involved in the process of getting the sound/playability just right.
Quick Specs
- Content: 6.9gb of samples
- Format: Kontakt/Kontakt player
- Price: $119
Most important, how does it sound?
It has a really organic, warm sound to it in my opinion.
A lot of the piano libraries I’ve come across usually capture that big, bright, stage/orchestral sound…which isn’t always what you want.
This piano has more of a “darker” tone in my opinion, very warm and organic, soulful sounding. I like how it plays, and how it responds to playing.
This is no surprise, as Scarbee was involved, and I really like what they do with their instruments.
I mean but all the different options and settings you can tweak to really make it sound realistic and play like a true piano, that’s top notch stuff.
But when it comes down to it, most of us are worried about one thing, the sound.
For me, all the extra tweaks and options aside, I really like the sound of it, as I said, it gives you a more mellow sound…not as bright and piercing as many of the piano libraries on the market.
It offers something fresh enough that even the person with every other piano library out would find the subtle differences in this library useful
What’s the bottom line?
I was excited about this product ever since I heard about it a couple of years ago. I’ve always liked the sound of Alicia’s piano on her albums, of course that’s probably a lot to do with her playing as I’m sure she makes ANY piano sound good.
BUT
The sound in this library really gives something different when compared to other libraries on the market. I can instantly find use for it in an urban/electronic setting, without much tweaking needed, as it’s organic and smooth…it just slides right in.
The interface is simple, and well laid out, giving quick access to the parameters you want to tweak without making you dive deep into tons of menus and sub-menus.
Overall I give this library a 4 out of 5 subs, very useful, great sounding, and fun to play. As a producer, it’s probably in the top 2 to 3 instruments I’d go to for a good piano sound that will fit into the music I make.
Definitely check it out if you like the warmer more organic side of the piano spectrum, as this instrument definitely fits in right there.
Peep the videos and all the other information over at native instruments: Alicia’s Keys powered by Kontakt
Pingback: Tweets that mention Alicia's Keys Kontakt piano library from Native Instruments -- Topsy.com
yo saint the AK piano sounds lovely , but the problem I have with it ; is that Pink GUI! , I can’t seem to see past it man , and that pink water bottle on the side ? I don’t know what that is about ? ..but still you’re always on point as usual bro ! nice review.
@Funk Bandit, ahahahahahahaa lol, I feel ya, but hey, it’s all good, reflects her style I guess 🙂 It’s not that bad, just close it down once you get your instrument dialed up lol, don’t look at it…the sounds is worth looking at the interface man, it’s really not that bad lol.
@saintjoe,
Lava Lamp, you’re prolly right, but that’s even goofier!
@Metatron72, I know right…but look at it lol, that’s what I thought when I saw it…
I remember when I bought my first lava lamp in the 8th grade, i saved up for it to buy from Spencer’s gifts lol hahahahaha! It was blue to match my orlando magic bedsheets! lol
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHA!
I was gonna buy this the week it came out, but NI didn’t offer downloadable sales with the library size. I actually went to buy it this afternoon but I’m a little touched (lol) so I walked out with a used MO6.
I think it’s great NI saw an opening for a product like this. Too often stuff geared toward R&B/Hip Hop and Pop = corny, but this is a specialized sound product done right. And most of the top libraries are total overkill for these genres.
I got over pink GUI the longer I’ve waited to buy it. But Funk Bandit is right, what is that a neon bottle of Sobe Life Water?
Not nearly as cool as the coffee stain ans cig burns on G-Force M-Tron.
I’m just glad they don’t have any pictures of Alicia on the interface, that would distract me more than the pink 🙂
@Metatron72, hahahaha, spoken like a true fanatic! lol…go in to buy software, come out with a new keyboard lol…dopeness! Yeah, it’s a nice product, has a nice tone to it.
I think the “bottle” yall are talking about is supposed to be a lava lamp lol
top review as always…
picked this up the other day.
so happy with it
agree 100% about the harder sounding piano as compared to ur jazz and classical type ones.
this is really great. i dont mind the GUI lol
i love alicia keys so maybe thats why
but really its great and basic like Ni stuff.
ppl should really give this a try. u will be surprised!
peace all
@yaren, yeah it’s got a nice smooth sound to it for sure man, I don’t mind the gui either lol.
Does anyone notice the fact that when you hit the middle Eb key a high pitch ringing frequency is played as well? Is there anything to do about that?
@Abner, I have not noticed that, do you have all the latest updates for it?
Did you find a solution to this? I have the same problem and it’s about that whole octave at Eb for me. The ringing is really distracting… I don’t hear it so much on my monitors, but definitely my headphones. It only happens when striking the keys with a lot of velocity.
If you’ve updated to the latest version I would suggest contacting NI support and see what they can tell you.
i just downloaded the 1.3niki version but i don’t know if that is the latest, any suggestions?
@Abner, check service center to make sure it’s the latest version, or you can login to your NI account and get the latest update from there.