Rhodes Pianology: A Fresh Collection of Virtual Pianos
Rhodes Music has announced Pianology, a new virtual instrument collection featuring three deeply sampled pianos: a Japanese upright, an American grand and a Japanese electric grand. Designed for composers, producers, and performers, Pianology aims to provide access to rare and expressive piano sounds.
A Curated Collection of Timeless Pianos
Pianology builds upon the success of Rhodes’ previous virtual instruments, including V8 Pro, Wurli, and Anthology. According to Dan Goldman, Chief Product Officer at Rhodes, Pianology is designed for “expressive playability, organic tone, and a close connection between player, and instrument.”
Featured Instruments
- Japanese Upright Piano: Based on a Yamaha U-series upright, this piano is known for its bright, controlled tone and direct response. It’s well-suited for contemporary scoring, jazz, and songwriting.
- American Grand Piano: This classic grand piano offers a broad dynamic range, balanced tonal profile, harmonic depth, and sustain, making it versatile for various playing styles.
- Japanese Electric Grand: This unique instrument is a virtual electro-acoustic piano sampled from a model with real strings and pickups, reminiscent of 1980s pop, rock, and electronic music.
Sound Shaping and Effects
Pianology features simplified sound-shaping controls, including Timbre Shift, Global Tune, Mechanical Noise, and Lid Position (on the grand piano). It also integrates an Amp and Mic section, utilizing amplifier models and microphones derived from the Rhodes V8 Pro plugin. Additional controls include compression, EQ, modulation, delay, stereo tremolo, panning, and reverb.
Pricing and Availability
Rhodes Pianology is available now in VST, AU, and AAX formats. It is currently offered at a 30% discount, priced at £99.95 / $104.95 (regularly £139.95 / $149.95) until April 7th. More information and demo sounds can be found on the Rhodes website and Rhodes’ official SoundCloud page.