🎹Alicia's Keys VST - Native Instruments Alicia's Keys Piano VST - Yamaha C3 Neo Grand Piano🎹
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2021
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#AliciaKeys #VST #NativeInstruments
Welcome to another piano video at the Merriam Pianos UA-cam channel. We’re continuing our series on VST’s with a look at Alicia’s Keys.
This is a native instrument plugin available for under $100 in most markets. Given the price, it’s not meant to compete with the more expensive top plugins, but many folks argue that it is the top native instruments plugin.
Please like the video below, and if it’s your first time to the channel, subscribe and hit that notification bell!
Background:
Alicia’s Keys is a plugin that was created based on a recording of Alicia Keys’ actual 6’1” Yamaha C3 Neo - a highly modified version of a standard Yamaha C3. Most if not all other plugins are based on 7 or 9-foot concert pianos, so the fact that this engine is built off of a 6 foot piano is very unusual.
6-foot pianos have a lot of inherent shortcomings compared to a full-sized concert grand, but this VST has seemed to embrace this by recreating all of the subtle imperfections you’d expect to hear from a typical 6 foot piano.
For instance, the “break”, which is the bass area in a piano where the strings switch from 3 steel strings to 2 copper wound strings and is a very challenging transition for piano makers to get around without a host of messy harmonics, especially on instruments under 9 feet in length, sounds like a real 6 foot piano here, warts and all.
There’s a very real place for this, since not every musical situation calls for a pristine sounding 9-foot concert grand.
Interface:
There are 14 different presets driving various settings like ambience control, options for how to deal with the keys, some half-pedaling and other pedal options, a resonance generator as well as some mechanical noise.
These are all of the basic controls that you would want and are the same general editable parameters that you would find on a top-of-the-line digital piano.
Piano Sound:
Some of the presets have some ‘woofiness’ in the bass, so we would recommend using this VTS with an additional EQ plugin.
It’s mainly the ambience settings that change with each preset, and it’s clear they recorded the piano completely dry. The samples were definitely well executed.
Summary:
For the price, is this plugin worth it? We would say yes overall if there are times where the sound of a 6 foot would be desired. If you’d prefer to be using a larger concert grand sound most of the time, you may want to look elsewhere.
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Stu makes it so hard to evaluate the pianos and VST's he reviews since his playing makes them ALL sound so good!
Not really, since it's all up to preference in timbre anyways, unless you're concerned with things like velocity curves (which you couldn't figure out from a video anyway). He does play quite well, though.
He is good, really good. I think he is a gem, a diamond on UA-cam. Very authentic, unbiased reviews especially of all things piano in the sampled and digital variety, from someone who is a working piano man. I love the ability and the knowledge he gives out so profusely and authentically. A huge learning source. A bonus to UA-cam. An his videos are very high quality both visually and audio wise.
I just revised my listening with a new pair of headphones, and am amazed at the sonics of the Merriam youtube channel recordings. Awesome. A bonus to all piano lovers.
So knowledgeable. Learn so much from your presentations. You make any piano or plug-in sound good. In my opinion this Alicia’s Keys piano vst has its own distinct and charming character and is quite different from the others.
Stu your videos are so well done and informative. I’ve learned so much and the comparison videos are most helpful. Thank you!!!!😁👍🏻
Thank you for sharing! Still one of my favorites pianos, even in 2021
Thank you! Very informative! I am very much looking forward to the next Piano VST review! I really like this series and appreciate you are making these videos! Greetings freom Berlin, Germany.
An honest and thorough review... thank you!
I really enjoy these reviews. Your perspective and background knowledge is interesting here, coming from real pianos rather than electronic music (which what I see most VST reviews coming from). I also appreciate your straightforward approach and amazing piano playing!
It's sounds great to me. Your playing is really quite soothing.
Awesome! I was actually going to request a review of this VST, thanks!
I always liked the C3 piano when I would see them in stores. I can see why it would be used in a sample library because the C3 is good example of the size piano that most people have. It sounds great, and not dry at all in your first demo. Of course your playing is always spectacular and that gives us a chance to hear an instrument as played by a true pro. I wonder when some manufacturer is going to produce a light weight keyboard that has the computer and and audio system built in that can use these "plug ins" integrally. I love the way this instrument sounds.
I think I might pick this one up. I also seem to be compelled to practice after listening to Stu play lol. Thank you Sir!!!
The review I was looking for. Another great video. Thanks Stu!
Thanks so much for tuning in! We really appreciate the support. :)
Very informative video with a nice delivery. Thank you Stu!
You're very welcome! Thanks for tuning in! :)
Hi Stu. I’ve watched your digital piano reviews and really love them. You don’t know how much they are appreciated. I was surprised to see you now reviewing VSTs. That’s awesome! Glad we can now get an evaluation before we buy them. I personally own the Alicia’s Keys & Addictive keys. Personally I prefer the Alicia’s Keys. I like it for what’s it for - small and intimate playing. Thanks!!!!!
Beautiful playing.
I will be sure to pass on your kind words to Stu! :)
I just listen in to hear Stu playing now, as I'm just learning to play!
Hi Stu - great video as always. I have the NI Kontakt pack but never bought this plug in. I did buy the Noire plug in which has incredible character and worth a look. Also worth a look is Spitfire Audio’s Olafur Arnold composer pack which I think uses a C Bechstein upright.
Dear Stu,
first of all, all my respect and compliments for the work you do and did for us, i really, really
appreciate that.You are such a lovely and honest person and i always love watching your videos.
Stu i have got a question.
I am looking for a stage piano only for home purpose with a very, very good action.
Mainly i am using Piano -VST´s.
I need your advice, please. I consider to buy the Roland Rd 2000, the Kawai es 920 or the Kawai
VPC 1.I´ve never tried them with VST´S, so i am not able to say much about the connection
of the sound to the keys.Maybe you can help me a bit, would be very nice.
By the way which VST is your favorite ? In terms of playability and character ?
For solo-playing only.
Thank you very much Stu !!! And all the best for you and your family !!!
Oliver
5:55 - "Nothing to _scoff_ at." yw
"Nothing to sneeze at" yvw
@Konstantin Ridaya Welcome to Canada eh! Actually, I was surprised because Stu is very, very, well spoken but he might be suffering from extra weight on his head from excess hair due to COVID restrictions preventing hair cuts. If you are a fan of the piano and music I can't recommend this channel enough, it should win an award for most underrated channel. The backlog of material is many wonderful hours of amazingness
The best review
Thank you! We appreciate it. :)
The A5 (3rd from the highest) is sampled really loud . My controller is a Studio Logic SL88 Grand, so I was able to scale that down via software. That was my only complaint. I tried it with y friend's Kawai VCP and yeah it is still loud but maybe that's the character of the sampling and they intended it to be that way. I am glad it has sostenuto support. You can EQ by editing the instrument, but that hollow bass notes is what makes this unique. I used it all the time and keep the noise samples high as well. It sounds good in a band mix.
Thanks for the review. Great playing
You're very welcome! I have quite a bit of personal experience with the Alicia's Keys VST and have never noticed the A5 volume. This should be simple enough to edit in post, even simply by going back and adjusting the MIDI velocity for any instance of A5 by the appropriate amount. I also agree that when the piano "noises" are increased, it creates an impressive sense of realism. It is a very easy piano sound to fit into a mix within the context of pop and rock music as well. :)
Excellent ! Liking your thoughts an pointers with these VST samples.
Would You consider VI Labs True Keys Italian?
I bought that and the American. I'm still trying to get everything to work correctly. Been playing for 40 plus years but very new to the World of VST and Only at home.
Truly Appreciate your videos and You Knowledge.
Thank You Sooo Much.
Hey nice playing! It sounds amazing. Does someone know what song is he playing at 7:05 ?
man you play sooo well , where do you play??? is it the last version of alicia keys?
Thanks for these videos! I have the Ravenscroft and Noire. Both are amazing, both I love! However, I’m looking to purchase another one. Which Native Instrument piano would you recommend that will compliment the two I already have? I mainly play jazz, salsa, and contemporary. Thank you.
Well....?
Please also review Bechstein Digital - C. Bechstein Digital Grand (KONTAKT)
Great
Thank you! :)
I agree about the possible benefit of practising on a piano whose class is not far out of your reach as a performing musician. But I think there's another consideration. Certain styles of music might sound better on a more boxy-sounding piano. We know that some musicians prefer an upright for playing boogie woogie or stride, so maybe there's a perfect marriage for the C3 too.
But we're talking about differences you probably don't notice while giging unless you're a full-time concert pianist. I've played two C3s occasionally, and have really enjoyed myself. One got upgraded to a C7, so that's even more fun. But I still believe that the quality of sampling is much more important than exactly which piano is the original source of the sound.
Stu - you rock.
Thanks for tuning in! I'll pass along your compliments to Stu! :)
You’re playing is just superb. Nice job! and honest review.
I wonder if this can be used stand alone plugin like in Garageband that I don’t need to buy any sort of loader or player from NI.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much for tuning in! Garageband is a DAW. I am not entirely sure if Alicia's Keys can be used as a standalone separate from use with a DAW. I have only used in conjunction with a DAW (ProTools) personally.
Digital piano + laptop + DAW + VST can make home studio without keyboard?
Maybe an imperfect sound is actually quite what some people look for, particularly when playing pop, rock and jazz, given that Yamaha is the go-to stage instument in many clubs.
I definitely agree with the sentiment that there is something to retaining some degree of sonic "imperfection". There is something sterile and not compelling about extreme sonic perfection.
Great sounding player and VST! NI should hire you for the plugin videos! Wayyy better than their examples, and the "hip hop" example was a joke 🤣
I will be sure to pass on your kind words and compliments to Stu! And I like that idea! Stu is a fantastic presenter and could certainly do an excellent job! :)
The trouble with this kind of review is that you can make ANYTHING sound great:)
Currentlly $13 USD thanks for the video and review.
That is a very good price for an excellent VST! Thanks for sharing! :)
I have NOIRE, is Alicia's Keys a waste for me?
It's on sale right now.
I personally find these two VSTs to be quite different sonically. The NOIRE is definitely a more dramatic sounding piano, whereas the Alicia's Keys VST is a bit more a neutral sound. With that said, with the right customizations to the adjustable parameters, I have found the Alicia's Keys VST to be fantastic for sitting in pop and rock mixes. :)
@@MerriamPianos Thank you for the quick response, I truly respect your opinion.
Thank you!
Noire is great but I have only used it on one song
I like the tone of this piano (great pedal sustain resonance) but the decay is too short or too fast for slower playing (IMO, of course).
Thanks for tuning in and sharing your thoughts Alex! I am a big fan of the Alicia's Keys VST as well. However, I do find that its default presets take some tweaking to really get the most out of it. :)
cmon when you gonna review garritan :D
I tried it but didn't gives me the epicness like Galaxy Vintage D
The Alicia's Keys VST is an excellent plugin, but, personally, I find that it takes some tweaking of the parameters to really bring things to life. :)
Maybe it's the 9-foot factor, but I quite dislike the tone of the lows on AK. It's my primary virtual piano, and I'm really growing tired of the resonance on those low notes. Just sounds...wrong. Out of tune? I don't know. It's a whole class above the in-built pianos in Logic & GarageBand, but those notes when he's going down chromatically at 11:52 is gross to me. Warts and all, indeed. Between C3 and C2 (assuming C4 as middle C) gives me the heebs.
The clipping takes away from the experience a little