Dusty Roads captures the essence of the classic Fender Rhodes Mark II stage piano. We recorded this vintage beauty in a tight stereo and straight-line input, giving you total freedom to shape the tone and make it your own. The end result is a naturally playable, great-sounding instrument that will bring your tracks to life, with tons of sound shaping options and expanded content to take that classic sound in new directions.
This iconic model was one of the most popular in the legendary line of instruments created by Harold Rhodes. He developed his unique take on the electro-acoustic piano concept during World War II while trying to create compact bedside electric pianos to aid in the recovery of wounded soldiers. He released an early Piano Bass with Fender in 1959. The first full-size Mark I “Suitcase” was released in 1965 after CBS bought Fender. The Mark I Stage followed in 1970 and the Mark II came out in 1979. Although the Rhodes line was just one of many early attempts to “electrify” the piano concept and sound, it achieved a completely new tonal and dynamic character. and completely different. The Mark II has a smooth, silky, an almost glassy bell-like tone when played softly, but it quickly rises when the player penetrates it with an indistinct growl and the full body of an electric organ. It is one of the very few classical keyboards that came to define the aesthetic of mid-20th century music.
We sampled all 73 keys with 6 speed layers and 4 circle algorithms and then recorded up and down key sound effects so you can adjust the release volume and number of key clicks, giving you just the right amount of tactile presence for when you really want to feel. tool. Not stopping there, we’ve created 20 shifting textural soundscapes that range from ethereal and cinematic to haunting and atmospheric – perfect for emphasizing and adding depth to your musical compositions. You can weave them into the sound in real time or play them like your own instruments. You’ll also find 20 custom effect presets that use our template’s layered features and effects, to stretch sounds in all sorts of new directions. And finally, our modular FX rack allows you to re-amplify your new electronic piano with various combinations of pedals, amps and speakers, as well as add various DSP effects.