Virtual Pianist RELIC is a sampled upright piano instrument with a built-in player, offering characterful tones and effects for crafting emotive indie-style tracks.
Purpose and Character
Virtual Pianist RELIC is designed to deliver the sound of an imperfect, well-aged upright piano, inspired by the musical character of iconic eras. It aims to provide an emotional and authentic piano tone that sits well in mixes, blending with vocals and other instruments.
The instrument is built around a meticulously recorded upright piano with a unique, slightly out-of-tune quality. This character is meant to evoke a nostalgic, indie aesthetic, making it suitable for singer-songwriters and producers seeking a distinctive piano sound.
Built-In Pianist and Instrument Mode
A key feature is the built-in pianist, allowing non-keyboardists to create musical performances with simple input. It offers hundreds of phrases and real-time control, producing results that sound like a real player rather than a simple accompaniment.
For keyboard players, Instrument Mode provides direct access to the sampled piano, allowing them to play and benefit from the included styles and phrases. This dual approach makes the instrument accessible to a wide range of users, from beginners to experienced players.
Sound Design and Presets
RELIC includes five distinct Characters that alter the piano’s tonal character, along with Finisher and Ambience multi-effects for extensive sound design. Users can create anything from intimate close-up piano sounds to ambient soundscapes.
An extensive collection of presets offers immediate inspiration, letting users find a style or mood without deep programming. The presets range from classic indie piano tones to more experimental, effect-laden textures, enhancing the instrument’s versatility.
Workflow and Practical Applications
In a typical workflow, a user might start with a simple one-note input or a basic chord sequence, then use the built-in pianist to generate a full performance. Real-time controllers add articulations, and Characters or effects can shape the final sound.
This makes RELIC ideal for songwriters and producers who need piano parts quickly without manual programming. It’s also useful for adding a distinctive, vintage-infused piano layer to tracks, whether for indie rock, pop ballads, or ambient music, where its unique imperfect character is a feature.
Key features
- Hand-picked upright piano with five distinct Characters
- Built-in pianist with hundreds of phrases and real-time control
- Finisher and Ambience multi-effects for sound design
- 150 presets covering a wide range of styles and moods
- Instrument Mode for direct playability for keyboardists
- Designed for creating emotional piano tracks easily
Best for
Virtual Pianist RELIC is best for songwriters, producers, and guitarists who need authentic, emotional piano accompaniment without advanced keyboard skills. It also suits keyboardists seeking a characterful upright piano sound with extensive sound design potential for indie, pop, and ambient music.