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. Watch the exclusive Alicia Keys Video Watch the Product Features Video Listen to the sound examples





The instrument samples come from Alicia Keys' very own Yamaha ™ C3 Neo grand piano. This unique and highly-sought after instrument was built to celebrate Yamaha's 100th anniversary in 2002 and represents the very top of the Conservatory Collection line. The exquisite and unique sound of the C3 Neo were painstakingly captured by Thomas Skarbye, Kontakt script wizard Nils Liberg, and Grammy-award winning engineer Ann Mincieli - making this exclusive instrument available to everyone. Using vintage microphones and preamps and through detailed analysis of Alicia's playing, the team succeeded in capturing the warm, soulful and inspiring sound of the C3 Neo all the way down to the finest nuances. Alicia herself says: "I feel confident that we came up with the best virtual piano you've ever heard and I am excited to introduce it to you! Ann, Thomas and Nils are a brilliant team!" 





Great effort was put into making ALICIA'S KEYS as authentic as possible. Designed with incredible precision, and incorporating subtle details such as mechanical release noises, a specially developed sympathetic resonance and release system, and even the sound of fingers hitting keys (optional), this unique instrument delivers plenty of lively realism. So much in fact, that Alicia Keys herself used it exclusively on her latest album The Element of Freedom.


ALICIA'S KEYS brings you the true sound of Alicia Key's Yamaha™ C3 Neo piano. This amazing software can turn your computer into a fully capable piano, enabling you to play it in virtually any place.



 





Typical PC setup: AK1 audio interface, MIDI keyboard, monitor speakers.






Minimal Mac setup: internal audio interface, USB keyboard, monitor speakers.







ALCIA'S KEYS can be used with nearly any modern computer (PC and Intel-Mac). Here are the minimum system requirements: Mac OS X® 10.5 or higher, Intel® Core™ Duo 1.66 GHz, 1 GB RAM, 7 GB free hard disc space Windows® XP (SP2, 32bit) / Vista® (32/64 Bit), Windows 7® (32/64 Bit), Pentium® or Athlon XP 1.4 GHz (SSE2: cpu supplementary instruction set), 1 GB RAM, 7 GB free hard disc space




Depending on your budget and needs, there are plenty of keyboard options: 

Go for a 88-note USB / MIDI keyboard with fully-weighted keys, if you want the authentic behavior and playing feel of real piano keys. This is the most professional solution for real piano players.
Choose a 61-note semi-weighted USB / MIDI keyboard if you have less space or budget but still want a semi-realistic playing feel.
Opt for a 49-note USB / MIDI keyboard, if 4 octaves and basic piano playing feel are sufficient.

We recommend asking your local dealer for more information about the ideal keyboard for you.
 




On a Mac, no additional hardware is needed. However, a professional audio interface such as the AUDIO KONTROL 1 can significantly improve the sound quality and performance of this instrument. On a PC an additional audio interface such as theAUDIO KONTROL 1 is usually necessary due to issues with insufficient built-in audio hardware and driver software, causing an audible delay of the audio output (latency).




Of course, your audio interface or the output of your computer needs to be connected to a pair of headphones, monitor speakers or a hifi system to make heard what you play.



A) Start the Installation with Disc 1 (KONTAKT 4 PLAYER) if neither KONTAKT 4 nor the free KONTAKT 4 PLAYER is installed. Continue installation with Disc 2 (ALICIA'S KEYS Library). B) Start the installation with Disc 2 (ALICIA'S KEYS Libarary) if the latest version of KONTAKT 4 or the freeKONTAKT 4 PLAYER is already installed on your computer. Disc 1 is not needed in this case. Please note that this software needs to be activated after installation using the NI Service Center software. For a step-by-step guide through the installation and activation please watch the Setup Tutorial Video
Connect all components as seen in the setup example pictures.  


 

The sound of Alicia Keys' own personal Yamaha C3 Neo piano: Almost 3,000 individual samples on 12 discrete velocity layers with and without pedal — equivalent to 17GB of uncompressed WAV files!

Sampled from Alicia Keys' own playing, recorded in her studio with her own engineer

Developed with the artist and tailor-made for her recording and performance needs

Meticulous sampling technique including the noise of the finger hitting the keys (optional)

Sampled sustain and release phases with authentic implementation of the sustain pedal

All-new sympathetic resonance system for harmonics in undampened strings

Exceptionally clean quality, yet featuring adjustable microphone noise for old-school sound

Natural mechanical release noises for each of the 88 keys and pedal noises

Integrated convolution reverb for tweaking the sound directly in the instrument

Easy user interface providing integrated documentation of all settings 

 
Mac OS X® X 10.5 or higher, Intel® Core™ Duo 1.66 GHz, 1 GB RAM Windows® XP (SP2, 32bit) / Vista® (32/64 Bit), Windows 7® (32/64 Bit), Pentium® or Athlon XP 1.4 GHz, 1 GB RAM Note: The free KONTAKT 4 PLAYER is included on one of the installation DVDs and must be installed first in order to play this instrument.


Stand-alone, VST®, Audio Units™, RTAS® (Pro Tools™ 7 or higher)


7 GB free disk space is required for complete installation.

 



 
Player video storage