Rhodes offers three classic virtual pianos with new Pianology plugin

Rhodes has expanded its lineup of virtual pianos and keyboard instruments with Pianology, a collection of three “timeless pianos”: a concert grand, acoustic upright and vintage electric grand.

Offering producers and composers access to instruments which are “rare and seldom encountered outside renowned studios, concert halls and private collections”, Pianology’s three software instruments were sampled by Rhodes’ engineering and sound design teams “with a focus on instant playability”.

First up in the three pianos included in Pianology is a Japanese Upright Piano based on a Yamaha U-series – known for its bright tone, compact sound and midrange, and tailored to jazz playing and “understated songwriting”.

Next up is a classic American Grand Piano, which boasts a broad dynamic range and balanced tonal profile, as well as a harmonic depth and sustain making it suitable for a vast range of playing styles.

And finally, you’ve got Japanese Electric Grand, a virtual electro-acoustic piano sampled from one with real strings and pickups. This one’s reminiscent of the sound of 1980s pop, rock and electronic music, Rhodes says.

Meanwhile, Pianology features a simplified set of sound-shaping controls to further shape the tone of your piano sounds, with global controls including Timbre Shift, Global Tune, Mechanical Noise and Lid Position on the grand piano.

There’s also an integrated Amp and Mic section, offering access to amplifier models and microphones derived from Rhodes’ V8 Pro plugin. Additionally, you’ve got compression, EQ, modulation, delay, stereo tremolo, panning and reverb controls, too.

“Building on the worldwide success of V8 Pro, Wurli, and Anthology, Pianology marks the next chapter in our evolving Rhodes sound library,” said Dan Goldman, Chief Product Officer at Rhodes. 

“With three carefully prepared and deeply sampled pianos, Pianology is designed for expressive playability, organic tone, and a close connection between player and instrument. Paired with our effects engine and sound-shaping tools, Pianology reflects Rhodes’ approach to tone and expressivity, placing the playing experience at the heart of the sound.”

Pricing & availability

Rhodes Pianology is available now in VST, AU and AAX formats. Until 7 April, you can get it at 30% off, so you’ll pay just £99.95 / $104.95 instead of £139.95 / $149.95.

For more information, head to Rhodes. There’s also a number of demo sounds available at Rhodes’ official SoundCloud page.

Sam is the Associate News Editor for Guitar.com and MusicTech. Thoroughly immersed in music culture for the majority of his life, Sam has played guitar for 20 years, studied music technology and production at university, and also written for the likes of MusicRadar, Guitar World, Total Guitar and Metal Hammer.