Rhodes EP Roundup. Libraries by Scarbee, Spectrasonics, Arturia, Soniccouture, Air Music Tech

Chapters:
00:00 Intro Talk-Prologue
04:30 Scarbee EP-88S
15:35 Arturia Stage 73V
25:49 Spectrasonics Keyscape Rhodes Classic
35:42 Scarbee Mark I
43:27 Air Music Tech Velvet
51:53 Spectrasonics Keyscape LA Custom Suitcase
58:42 Soniccouture EP73 Deconstructed
01:11:40 Epilogue

Long form comparison of 7 different Rhodes Piano Libraries

End Track is an excerpt from my song "Clyde and the Pearl" from my album Inner Circle. Available on iTunes Amazon and Spotify

Film edited in iMovie
Twitter: @petecalandra
©2021 petecalandramusic

[PeteCalandra]

Chapters:
00:00 Intro Talk-Prologue
04:30 Scarbee EP-88S
15:35 Arturia Stage 73V
25:49 Spectrasonics Keyscape Rhodes Classic
35:42 Scarbee Mark I
43:27 Air Music Tech Velvet
51:53 Spectrasonics Keyscape LA Custom Suitcase
58:42 Soniccouture EP73 Deconstructed
01:11:40 Epilogue

[hexsecs]

I love how Spectasonics doesn't try to get all cutesy with the preset names. It really helps to find (and remember) presets when each one has a clear name and a description in the info. Just high-quality production ready presets with clear naming.

[jonathanfrieze]

thank you for taking the time to make this video I use to have a wurlitzer 200 but I lost my whole collection and in the years since I lost my things technology has come so far I know it wasn't easy and took some patience to make this video so thank you I've been on the fence now for months with keyscape I bought a used one for 275 then he had no clue that you have to get permission ahead of time and now there's one up for 300$ i don't know very many things I've bought brand new but of course now I don't have the $

[chopin]

First time lurking on the channel and I was so impressed by the review I subscribed. Usually in video review of sounds we just hear the company leaflet instead of the actual sounds and this review was completely the opposite: first and foremost the sound and then how the provided controls allowed to shape the sound making you hear the changes live. Basically what I would do when I put my hands on something new. Thank you for your hard work, I sincerely enjoyed the review and walkthrough!

[toobvu]

Thank you Pete for your informative video. In this roundup I favor the LA Custom warm tones. To my ear the Keyscape library is very focused and production-ready. This can be great for dialing up sounds quickly. The clean quality may work well for my production style although I don't need all the instruments in the bundle.

For a standalone Rhodes, the new Orange Tree Famous E Electric apparently is the same pedigree as Keyscape LA Custom (based on Rhodes voiced by Eddy Reynolds) and sounds fantastic in the demos. It would be nice to hear these two custom models side-by-side.

AIR Velvet which I currently use sounds grittier and somewhat deconstructed in comparison. Initially I dismissed it as sounding too deconstructed but have been fairly satisfied through tweaking.

[abzipper]

♥️ Rhodes my fav instrument. If I would have to pic 1 it would be Keyscape. LA Custom is very beautiful, 80s sound in the veins. The LA Chorus one is very recognizable in Michael Jackson’s songs! I call it the Greggy sound 😂 Greg Phillinganes is a big part of Rhodes history... he played the greatest hits and most iconic songs! Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson...

[papadopp]

Hi, I have Neo-Soul Keys Studio2 and love it really massively, but the Scarbee has great sounds, too, more like a Rhodes in really good condition. I’m just not into Kontakt yet. I have Velvet and it is a wonderful instrument. I just wonder if anyone can tell me if the output is too low on yours. I’ve turned everything up in the VSTi and it’s still low. Anyone else have this? It is 49:13 an my other virtual.

[abath]

Scarbee has the classic dark jazz tone. Keyscape has the pronounced bell "Dyno Rhodes" sound.
04:50 Scarbee EP-88s default (my favorite)
05:05 Scarbee EP-88s Butterfly
26:10 Keyscape Rhodes Classic
35:59 Scarbee Mark 1
52:02 Keyscape LA Custom Rhodes

[beatz]

For 10 bucks, the Air one is actually a steal.

[chizzulwinduh]

@PeteCalandra Hi, this is a great video. We're now in 2024, have you got any new favourites? I have Keyscape and UAD's Electra88 and the Scarbee Kontakt Mark1. I just tried out a demo for the Rhodes V8 Pro and kind of liked it, but it has some bad press, as well as being crazy expensive. A lot of folks are impressed, like you, with the Scarbee EP-88S. I am looking for more of a rock/ prog EP and am currently running either the Rhodes V8Pro and Keyscape through an HG-2 tube hardware saturation box, or using the various Rhodes EP's on my Korg Kronos.

[edwardstaszko]

I might suggest the Waves Electric 88 piano. It is surprisingly accurate sounding and has several adjustments for tine volume and mechanical key noise. Also very affordable. Can be had on sale for as little as $29.

[abath]

Which is your favorite basic clean tone Herbie Rhodes?

[rubenmolino]

personal methods that each one uses to compose ... it would be an interesting debate in this medium and very didactic ... thanks

[flowmaka]

Great video sir! Very good playing as well! My question is: How do you feel about the Scarbee Mk1 opposed to the S88?

[michaelteller]

From your playing, how different is the Scarbee EP-88s from the Scarbee Mark I that comes with Native Instruments?

[zvenx]

Hi Pete, it was kind of ___ :) so I didn't listen to all of it. I was kind of hoping there would a summary of your thoughts at the end. My own? Hearing you play vs hearing me play reinforces my views... I treated myself to Keyscape last year, finally and it by far is my favourite Rhodes. Before then it was the Scarbee Mk1, I also have the Scarbee EP-88S but have never quite gelled with it as I have with the Mk 1. I have the Velvet, but well.... I don't play it..Don't have the Arturia or the Soncouture, their audio demos didn't wow me and your video echoed that for me. The only one That I also love that you didn't have is the Gospel Musician one, which has come in many flavours, my favourite of them being the one they had licensed to Steinberg called Neo Soul Keys I believe that is no longer available, but Keyscape is still my favourite with that in too in the picture... rsp

[kingivey]

i have the Arturia. But i wouldreally like to know in the context of a mix, does these really matter which ones sound the best?

[marvinkmooneyoz]

Pete, you are living in NYC these days? Thought I had heard you had moved up river.

[MrGuitartuner]

You left out the best one: Sonicouture Canterbury Rhodes.