Even though trends, fads and whims have all come and gone along the winding road through soul music history, there is one instrument you can hear at whatever mile marker you stop. Mustering the entire scope from growl, grit and bite down to lush, velvety and smooth, this chameleon is as relevant today as it was when it first launched decades ago. We’re of course talking about the unmistakable, iconic and timeless Rhodes* electric piano.

In order to capture the essence of this instrument’s iconic legacy, this EKX for EZkeys 2 includes two pianos from different eras – both handpicked from a meticulously restored and curated collection. Combined, you’ll have two fundamentally different instruments that cover the entire width of tones – from the nostalgic old-world charm and the funk-infused ’70s through to the lush neo-soul and beat-driven eras of the modern day.

In addition to the sounds, a broad palette of mix-ready presets as well as a collection of MIDI covering song foundations inspired by soul from the ’60s through to today are included.

If you’re serious about your soul songs and looking to expand your EZkeys 2 with an EKX that exudes character and authenticity, this is the one. Need a collection of sounds, presets and MIDI that seamlessly fuse present with nostalgia, perfect for use even well beyond the scope of soul? This is it.

Ready to head down the soul road? Let’s go.

 

THE INSTRUMENTS.

Two iconic electric pianos from the golden era. Music history, at your fingertips!

“Our goal with this project was to capture the bare essence of these classic electric pianos in the most transparent way possible – ensuring that, for the end-user, they would record, behave, feel and – not least – sound exactly like the real thing.” Ulf Edlund, Toontrack sound designer.

 

SOUL ROADS ONE.

Growl, grit and bite.

MODEL: RHODES* STAGE 73 MK I

This is a very early Mk I from 1970, the year the model was launched. Equipped with the old famous silver tone bars from the ’60s models and the then-new Torrington tines, it has a beautifully sparkling upper tonal register. This piano also has an original StereoVibrato like the ones you’d see in the earlier Suitcase models, adding even more vintage character. This is the very instrument that started the absolute craze that made this piano a staple in most music productions during the ‘70s. If you’re looking for that classic bark, bite and edge you can hear in tons of riff-driven and funk-infused songs from the past – this is where it stems from.

 

SOUL ROADS TWO.

Lush, sparkling and smooth.

MODEL: RHODES* STAGE 73 MK II

Launched in 1980, this Mk II is from the first series of the new model that came out after ten years of research, development and improvements of the Mk I. For this second generation of pianos, the keybed had been reconfigured, the tines swapped with those from a different supplier and aluminium and plastic had replaced much of the wood previously used for many of its parts. From a technical and engineering standpoint, this all resulted in a substantially better instrument. Sound-wise, it lacked some of the growl of the Mk I but, on the other hand, offered a much smoother, cleaner and lush timbre. If you’re looking for the perfect tone for a soul ballad, a neo-soul beat or a contemporary R&B track, this is your best bet. To add, the particular one sampled for this EKX is equipped with a third-generation StereoVibrato preamp, adding substantially to the depth of its tone.

 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.

1.2 GB free disk space (plus 1.2 GB for download), 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended).
A working EZkeys 2.0.1 (or above) installation.