Ever since I started messing with Motu BPM I started to checkout the expansion libraries for it, I always do this when checking out a new instrument.
The fact that BPM can be expanded is a plus in my book, and the sounds from all of Motu’s instruments can be used.
But today I’m checking out one of the libraries from UVI Soundsource, the classic ep.
I went over and bought this probably a day or two after I got BPM, it was a small price and the demo sounded good.
Plus I liked that it could load up in BPM natively.
So let’s check it out
What is the Classic EP library?
This is basically a librarydedicated to the Rhodes MkI, a very soulful electric piano.
You know I love a good EP sound, so I HAD to check it out.
They multis -sampled an mkI up to 10 velocity layers deep.
It’s not a huge library, it has a collection of “raw” presets, as well as a few with fx on them.
Simple, to the point, but does it sound good?
Quick Specs
- Content: 915mb rhodes multi-sampled instruments
- Format: UVI soundcard
- Price: $39
How does it sound?
Smooth.
When I checkout rhodes libraries, I have a certain sound I want. I’m not really into the hard, barking sound that some models are known for, I’m more into the smooth, silky sound of some lush rhodes chords.
However, I don’t want you to confuse that sound with the more digital, bell-like sound of an FM electric piano, which is cool, but not what I’m looking for most of the time.
This library fit the bill perfectly. Since the factory library had a few different EP sounds, I wanted to add this to the library for a dedicated, soulful rhodes sound.
It plays well and responds to velocity, allowing you to get a lil bit of that “bark” when you play it harder.
The FX versions of the instruments can prove to be pretty useful depending on what you’re looking for, but the ease with which you can add your own in bpm, or in the uvi workstation is cool as well.
Basically you get a good, smooth, well programed rhodes, that you can take and manipulate with any fx you wish, to get the sound you desire.
Most of the time I’m going with the raw preset, I just like how it sounds and it’s pretty much universally useful without me needing to tweak it.
So what’s the bottom line?
I try a lot of ep libraries, I love a great ep library, and for 39 bucks this one stands up to some of the more expensive ones quite well.
There aren’t a lot of presets, but you don’t need them, it’s a rhodes MkI.
It does require an iLok for use, so if you don’t have one that would be needed, but if you already use iLok for other things, it’s all good.
I give this library a 4 out of 5 subs, I find myself using it a lot, and the fact that it loads very fast makes it even more of a go to instrument.
Really, I like the way you can expand your BPM library with these soundcards, but if you don’t own bpm you can still use them with the free UVI Workstation
I’m definitely planning to checkout more libraries from UVI, I like the setup, I like the integration with BPM, and despite how some feel, I don’t mind dealing with the iLok, though it would be cool to be able to store the activation on your hard drive, for mobile situations.
Definitely head over to uvisoundsource.com and check it out: Classic Electric Piano
let me know what you think, leave a comment below
i have the Retro Pack from Ultimate soundbank, and some other to. i like them a lot, i liked the sounds of this classic piano bank, a lot of rhodes for 39 bucks. i just might get that one to.
@gunnar jonsson, cool, yeah I’m a rhodes fanatic lol, I had to go get it, just to have a nice, default rhodes sound in the bpm environment.
thanks for the tip, checking them out now!
@Christopher MacAlpine, cool, thanks for the response.
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Hey Joe
I love the sounds of this package and a bloody good price. Shame I’m not a keys player…… Well I just get bye using two fingers. LOL
@everythingbutthegirl, two fingers can be deadly! lol, I like the tone of this one man, I’ve been using it quite a bit.
That’s what Im talkin about. Thank’s for showinfg some BPM sounds. I think that EP is worth the buy. It sounds good and plus you can add your own effects>>Yessir. Good Look as always. I really apreciate what you do I’ll holla at you soon.
@BDrake, thanks fam, I like how you can expand BPM, I’ll be showing more libraries for sure.
Glad you did a video on this one. You showed me a link to this pack a couple weeks ago, at $39 I was intrigued. But I had just got the Producer Pack bundle with Plugsound Pro, Synth Leads, Mayhem of Loops, and Xtreme FX. I’m not sure I don’t have a similar amount of ep’s in the Plugsound library, so I’ve been looking at the $129 package of keys, I gotta check but I think that may have some Hammonds and Wurlis.
I’m like you I don’t really use the Wurli’s but some more B3 is good.
If I find these patches/samples are different I’ll get this one too.
Outside of chopping I find the loop set kinda useless, but otherwise I feel the UVI bundle at $300 was a fair deal.
@Metatron72, no doubt fam, what I like is how fast the sounds load in bpm, makes it feel like a workstation, I got that plugsound joint too, I like it, it’s very useful for all around sounds. Yeah I think the vintage has a lil bit of everything, I’m more of a rhodes dude, but that charlie or whatever that b3 was looks dope.
@saintjoe, you got Plugsound, cool. Are the patches in this pack different enough than the Plugsound? If they are I’ll get this definitely.
Feel you on the whole workstation thing, but with the sound as well as loading. It’s always cool not to have to spend all day trying to fit a sound in your mix, the UVI stuff is great for that.
@Metatron72, honestly I’ll have to compare lol, I bought classic eps first 🙂 So I didn’t really pay attention, plus I always feel a dedicated library will sound better than a general one, that’s usually the case. Plugsound is good though, but I still come back to the classic ep quite a bit.
some nice, clean EP sounds bro..like dat water road..lol
@Mike, no doubt fam, thanks for watchin, yeah, I used that water road a few times lol.
Man, those sounds are very nice and I see you keeping those chord chops up. Keep doing your thing.
@William, thanks for checkin fam, I really like this ep lol.
How would you compare this to the Scarbee Rhodes? Considering this one is less expensive-would most people notice much difference between the two?
@Bruce Ferraudi, Scarbee is my favorite Rhodes, but this is still a good Rhodes and the price is right.