Native Instruments Alicia Keys

Native Instruments has just released Alicia's Keys, a software that re-creates Alicia Keys' personal grand piano with authenticity and playability. Developed in close collaboration with the Grammy-winning artist, the software is used as the primary instrument on her new album and on the current world tour.

Designed as a comprehensive digital re-creation of Alicia Keys' custom Yamaha "C3 Neo" grand piano and based on Native Instruments' Kontakt sampler platform, Alicia's Keys provides a soulful and intimate piano sound that accommodates R&B, soul and pop styles. The software uses 17GB of high-resolution samples with 12 discrete velocity layers per note, and emulation of sonic aspects like key release, sustain pedal functionality and sympathetic resonance.

Alicia's Keys can be used on any Windows and Mac computer with the included free Kontakt Player, and can also be loaded into the full-featured professional Kontakt 4 sampler for additional in-depth sound editing

Together with Danish sample specialist Thomas Skarbye (better known by his company name Scarbee) and impulse response expert Ernest Cholakis, Alicia Keys has created a virtual piano that meets her professional standards and embodies the soulful sound that has become her trademark as a superstar. This is the piano sound that has helped Miss Keys win multiple Grammys and reach the top of the charts.

ALICIA'S KEYS was sampled from her own playing, recorded in the artist's own studio under the supervision of her trusted engineer, Ann Mincieli.