Piano recording in your home studio without the need for expensive audio equipment—that’s the essence of XLN Audio Addictive Keys. This piano VST gives users complete control over which elements of the original studio recording are emphasized during playback. Best of all, you don’t even have to set up a single microphone stand—everything is simple and intuitive to do.
What should a piano VST do? Ideally, it should provide the most authentic grand piano experience that is possible on a computer. XLN Audio’s Addictive Keys takes this concept a step further by not only recreating a playable instrument but also simulating an entire studio recording environment.
If you’re just looking for a perfectly sampled piano sound, Addictive Keys may seem like overkill. However, for anyone working with piano sounds in music production, this VST unlocks immense creative potential. The sounds of Addictive Keys are also remarkably versatile.
This is a broad question, as the same grand piano can produce vastly different sounds depending on the musical genre and the desired expression. Most pianists would say it all depends on who plays and how. And sound engineers might add that it also depends on who records the piano, where, and how.
The difference between a classical and a jazz recording is not only in the playing style, but also in the sonic ideals. Each genre requires specific recording and production techniques. For example, classical recordings often use different approaches to directing and room miking than jazz solo piano recordings.
Choosing the right microphones for piano recording is an art form in itself—one that sound engineers and producers use to craft the perfect sound. And with Addictive Keys, you can tap into their expertise. The instruments are sampled from multiple perspectives, allowing you to create your ideal piano sound using the software’s versatile mixing features. Want to mic the grand piano close to the strings with rare 1950s ribbon microphones, complemented by a pair of premium Neumann large-diaphragm room mics? It’s all possible with Addictive Keys. And the creative possibilities go even further!
Beyond its sound design capabilities through microphone selection and mixing, XLN Audio’s Addictive Keys provides an extensive range of editing tools. These features allow you to make subtle changes to the sound or transform it completely, depending on your creative vision. The software includes separate envelopes for pitch, filter, and volume, along with controls for sustain, noise, and pedal noise. Three individual audio channels are available for sound shaping, each equipped with effects and EQ options. Finally, the master channel offers an additional layer of effects processing.
One of the standout features of Addictive Keys Studio Grand is the sheer variety of ways to modify the sound. This flexibility makes it ideal for both subtle tonal adjustments and crafting deliberately synthetic-sounding textures.
A particularly impressive feature is the Shift function, which effectively alters the underlying piano sample. Shifting in one direction creates a soft, slightly inharmonic sound, while shifting in the opposite direction results in a more wiry and nasal tone.
XLN Audio offers Addictive Keys in several versions. For around €90, you can purchase one of the four available instruments as a standalone option, with the possibility of adding more instruments later. However, if you are looking for a better price-performance ratio, we recommend the more affordable Duo (approx. €120) and Trio (approx. €140) versions, which include two or three instruments in a bundle.
The grand piano sound has an undeniable charm. I would rather categorize it as a vintage piano VST, with a focus on the individual characteristics of the piano sound. In Addictive Keys Studio Grand, you’ll find some fairly neutral settings among the numerous presets, which highlight the pure piano sound, though even here, the sound retains a certain roughness. While I personally like this, it’s definitely not for everyone.
The basic sound of the Studio Grand is brilliant and responds very dynamically. The close microphones capture sharp, pronounced attacks—rock piano sounds are no problem for XLN Audio. The reproduction is highly authentic and extremely resonant, with details such as duplex scale, damper resonance, damper noise, and key-off effect all accounted for. However, there is no sympathetic resonance.
As another acoustic piano, XLN Audio offers Addictive Keys Upright, which fits seamlessly into their piano VST concept. The sound is ideal for singer/songwriter-style piano tracks, featuring a large upright with a beautifully full-bodied sound and an attack-rich tone. This Addictive Keys piano also delivers excellent sound realism, capturing all the subtle details. In addition, the option to record with typical microphone placements provides great flexibility in sound design.
The electric pianos in the Addictive Keys series feature a meticulously sampled Fender Rhodes, captured using various miking techniques—though quite differently from the Studio Grand. While the sound of an acoustic grand piano depends on the interplay of strings, soundboard, body, and recording space, the sound-shaping elements of an electric piano are electronic. In addition to the pure line sound, a Fender Rhodes takes on a completely different character when played through a combo amp and effects. Addictive Keys Mark One captures all of this with remarkable authenticity.
The extensive editing options allow for easy sound customization. In addition, this Fender Rhodes offers both high recording quality and its unmistakable charm. The sampled model must be a classic Seventy-Three Mark One, prized for its wonderfully smooth, “mellow” timbre. While not as responsive as a Mark Two, it retains enough power for bold, expressive Rhodes sounds—especially when paired with an amp, compressor, and distortion. If you’re after that buttery-soft Rhodes sound for jazzy, atmospheric chord progressions, this is the perfect choice!
The virtual miking feature in Addictive Keys is a rare offering among piano VSTs. Only Modart Pianoteq offers a similar feature. However, while Pianoteq achieves this through physical modeling (allowing completely free microphone positioning), XLN Audio Addictive Keys integrates this functionality directly into its sampling process, using fixed recording positions. The instruments were recorded using professional studio microphone setups, allowing users to mix direct and room microphones across three audio channels. Best of all, no advanced technical knowledge is required. You can work intuitively: Choose the microphones, mix and edit the channels, and trust your musical ear.
The real highlight is the quality of the recordings: They were captured using high-end, iconic microphones that have been studio staples for decades. With Addictive Keys, you can recreate many of the signature piano sounds from famous recordings. For instance, the piano sound in John Lennon’s Imagine can be achieved by combining direct mono miking with stereo room microphones. Similar techniques have been used on many vintage jazz and classical recordings. For a contemporary jazz piano sound, you might opt for stereo direct microphones paired with room microphones.
XLN Audio Addictive Keys excels in two key areas: offering instruments with exceptional character and charm, and providing versatile options for sound customization through miking and editing. This makes it an ideal piano VST for music production and a valuable tool for anyone interested in exploring piano sounds for sound design.
The transparent user interface ensures an effortless and intuitive experience, while the installation process is quick and straightforward. Additionally, for those looking for a piano VST for live performance, Addictive Keys stands out with its impressively fast instrument loading times.
Release date: 2013
Platforms: macOS, Windows; available as VST, AU, AAX, and standalone
Special features: Piano sounds with multiple recording perspectives
Manufacturer/Distributor: XLN Audio, Sonic Sales
Jörg Sunderkötter
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Facebook. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information
