Rhodes Pianology: Three Acoustic Pianos

Rhodes Expands Beyond the Electric Piano with Three Acoustic Instruments

Rhodes has released Pianology, a new instrument plug-in featuring three classic acoustic pianos: a Japanese Upright, an American Grand, and a Japanese Electric Grand. It is available in VST, AU, and AAX formats.

Three Instruments, Three Characters

The Japanese Upright (U-series) is described as bright and earthy in character; the American Grand (Model D) as warm and vibrant; and the Japanese Electric Grand (CP70B) combines acoustic piano construction with onboard pickups, suited to 1980s pop and rock production. All three instruments include Timbre Shift, Global Tune, Mechanical Noise, Velocity Curve, and Velocity Depth controls. Grand models add a Lid Position setting with three states: Open, Half-Open, and Closed, to adjust the room acoustic. Presets can be switched independently of the loaded instrument.

Amps, Mic Options, and Signal Chain

Pianology includes four amplifier models, each mapped to a specific hardware reference: the Suitcase (modelled on the 1979 Rhodes Suitcase cabinet), Duo (Classic DUO valve amp), L5 (L5 transistor amp), and JC. A NONE setting routes the acoustic instruments via mic signal only, or provides a direct output for the CP70B. Microphone options are Cardioid and Dynamic. The signal chain runs through a Preamp, a three-band EQ with sweepable mid, a piano-voiced Compressor, Chorus, Phaser, a DAW-syncable Delay, and a CP-style Stereo Tremolo/Panner. Reverb options differ by instrument: the CP70B includes Spring, Plate, Room, and Hall; the acoustic instruments offer Stage, Arena, Room, and Hall.

Format and Requirements

Rhodes Pianology is available in VST, AU, and AAX formats for macOS Big Sur through Tahoe (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Windows 10 and 11. The installed library requires approximately 14 GB of disk space.