Addictive Keys Mark One is a virtual instrument based on a Fender Rhodes Mk. 1 electric piano, recorded through vintage amps and mics for warm, crunchy tones.
Purpose and Sonic Character
The Mark One captures the sound of a Fender Rhodes Mk. 1 electric piano, a staple of pop and jazz for decades. This particular instrument was chosen for its warmth and intimacy. It was recorded through a MusicMan 112 RD tube combo amp, allowing tones from smooth and mellow to searing and crunchy.
The recording setup blended close mics, room ambience, and direct line signals. This gives you a range of timbres, from clean and direct to ambient and textured. You can craft a gentle caress or a cutting, aggressive sound that fits dense mixes.
Key Capabilities for Sound Design
The instrument offers multiple microphone perspectives captured simultaneously: close mics (Telefunken U47, Coles 4038, Shure SM57), room mics (Neumann SM69), and a floor/room setup for depth. Additionally, two line signals were recorded—one clean and one through a Roland Dimension D analog stereo chorus.
You can mix and match these sources in your productions. For example, blend the ribbon mic for a smooth vintage tone, add the room mics for natural reverb, or use the Dimension D line for a lush, wide chorus effect. This flexibility enables endless sound design options.
Workflow and Mixing Strategies
In a DAW, you load the Mark One and access its mixing page (within the Addictive Keys interface) to balance the mic and line signals. Start with the dynamic SM57 for a punchy attack, then layer the tube condenser for harmonic richness. Adjust the room mic level to control ambience without external reverb.
For live performance, use the clean line output for a direct sound, or the Dimension D for a wide stereo image. The instrument is designed for quick tweaking—you can morph between clean and overdriven amp tones by accenting the close mics and reducing room ambience for a drier, more aggressive character.
Practical Applications in Music Production
The Mark One excels in genres like pop, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop. Use it for lush chords in ballads, funky rhythmic stabs in disco tracks, or as a textural pad with the chorus effect. The blend of close and room mics makes it suitable for both intimate solo pieces and dense arrangements.
For film scoring, the room mics provide natural space, ideal for cinematic scenes. In rock mixes, the crunchy tone cuts through guitars. The instrument’s multiple outputs (in the full version) allow routing separate mic signals to different tracks for advanced mixing.
Key features
- Based on Fender Rhodes Mk. 1 electric piano
- Recorded through MusicMan 112 RD tube combo amp
- Close mics: Telefunken U47, Coles 4038, Shure SM57
- Room mics: Neumann SM69 and floor/room setup
- Clean direct line output available
- Line output through Roland Dimension D chorus
- Multiple mixing options for tone shaping
Best for
Producers seeking a versatile vintage electric piano for pop, jazz, or rock. Its blend of close and ambient mics suits both intimate ballads and cutting funk parts, with built-in chorus and overdrive options for character without extra plugins.