Some instruments are iconic; the Minimoog, Stradivarius violin, Steinway pianos, and we’d like to suggest one other instrument which fits a similar cult status, which can be referred to by a single word: Rhodes.
Electro-mechanical software design
So what is a Rhodes? In essence, it is an electric piano, but it resides in the electro-mechanical design camp. An original hardware Rhodes provides a piano-style keyboard, which triggers hammers that strike an element known as a tine. You can think of these as being the equivalent of strings on a piano, the added quotient being that the tine moves across a pickup, much like those found on an electric guitar, inducing an amplified signal (there is a little more to it than that, but that’s the bare bones).
Company histories relating to the Rhodes could be regarded as somewhat chequered, but thanks to the sweat and tears of Morcheeba musician and entrepreneur Dan Goldman, a new hardware Rhodes, known as the Mk8, made its debut last year to much critical acclaim. Being a full-on piece of premium hardware, it sits at a price point which reflects its quality, much like an acoustic piano, but for those without the cash or space, Rhodes have now produced the V8 plugin, based exclusively around the new hardware Mk8.
It’s a Rhodes, in two forms
This story is from the June 2023 edition of Computer Music.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2023 edition of Computer Music.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BLEASS Arpeggiator
Classic synth-based arpeggiators' up-down patterns can be tedious, says Stuart Adams. Can Arpeggiator bring the variability he craves?
Synthogy Ivory 3 German D
One of the most highly regarded piano libraries around gets an update. Does it strike a chord with our reviewer, Herr Roland Schmidt?
MODALICS BITFUZZER
Distortion can be a great effect for enlivening and mashing up sounds, and this month we've got you a plugin that can do both
RADICAL RHYTHMS
From pepping up basic grooves to creating full-on 4/4-flouting madness, learn a multitude of timing tricks with our classic guide
SEDIBUS
Detaching from The Orb mothership, Sedibus is the latest project of core figurehead Alex Paterson, accompanied by former Orb-member and key creative collaborator Andy Falconer. With a studio shorthand and a shared passion for flourishing ambient textures, the pair's second record SETI gazes skyward for its inspiration. We spoke to Andy to learn more...
Sidechain compression
Sidechain compression is an excellent mixing tool and in this tutorial we pick apart this essential process
How to make a rave-style techno track
Prepare to get fists in the air as we learn the tools, tricks and tempos for nailing the basics of rave-ready techno
Make a filter kick bass with BazilleCM
Following our deep-dive into the oscillator section of BazilleCM, we follow the signal flow to create a filter-thumping bass sound
MARIA W HORN
An avid explorer of sound's spectral properties, Maria W Horn's work realises the potential of long-forgotten spaces. Via instrumental textures, room responses, the human voice and a specialised computer language, she synthesises entirely new sonics. We heard more about her processes and the at-times chilling story behind her affecting new album, Panoptikon
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CREATIVE REVERB
Reverb has been relied on for its evocative sonic character ever since the first homo sapien warbled expletives into a dark cave. The transformative power of space is still a vital mix ingredient