Fender Rhodes - Blind taste test

[doctorno]

While there was some discussion about a Blind test similar as Hanon's Grand Piano Shootout, I wanted to start a topic on the Rhodes first on how to get this thing going.(see here for an older initiative of similar kind in German)
The MIDI file used for this blind test is this one: (based on a modified MIDI arrangement from Jonathon's great Funk website: http://www.groovewindow.com/2010/05/22/ ... e-tune-88/):

Rhodes_blind_taste_test.mid

(2.32 KiB) Downloaded 394 times

How to record your Rhodes Patch: Playback the Midi file using your Rhodes Patch (no additional Effects, if there are various, the one you prefer or if different models are emulated, choose the Mk.II one), speed: 110bpm. Record the output into any DAW or Audacity. Export it as MP3, preferrably with 192bps and attach it replying to this post without specifying the name! You can either PM me the instrument you were using or reveal it after the test period ends.

I will combine the uploaded files, check the levels, possibly normalize and put them in a Survey with the preview of each file.

I already recorded two patches, Hanon added 12! (of which I will put for the moment only one per instrument), so keep it coming (in particular when you have recent Yammie, Korg, Kurzweils, a Hammond SK, or even VSTis)!
Hopefully, by the end of the week we have some significant amount of patches.
For the moment, I only put a quality rating in the survey (0-10 points), and you can already start to vote for the ones already up there (=>Give your votes)!

For now, only registered members will be able to vote (so that you can change your votes if additional samples get uploaded), but once it is finished it should be open also to guests.

Cheers, Johannes



UPDATE: I had to remove the survey for incompatibility reasons.

[Hanon_CTS]

I think this is an excellent idea.
I believe that the Rhodes isn't quite as diverse an instrument as an acoustic grand piano.
The Rhodes still has undeniable subtleties and character.
The ability to recreate the Rhodes piano is the main feature that attracted me to the Nord product to begin with.

I don't have any instruments that even come close to comparing to the Nord, so I don't believe that I will be able to participate in that role.

As a goal for the shootout, I would like to hear the SV-1, Kronos, Motif XF, Suzuki SK, and a few of the better VSTis.

Come on forum, let's hear what you think and get this party started!
Cheers, Hanon

[doctorno]

Hello Johannes,
here's my contribution to the effort:

I'll PM the answer key to you shortly.
Cheers, Hanon

[Johannes]

OK I got the script running with the Rhodesiens already in place ready to vote ( already for Hanons collection, did some permutations of numbers though!) =>Just click on "Give your votes" (there will also be the MP3 files!)
Also, if you have any interesting Rhodes patches on your Keyboards (Nord Stage EX is already there ) or VSTi, feel free to upload the MP3 sample here (via reply) and PM me the instrument and patch name used!

I edited the first post and there is also the MIDI file to use, should be farily simple, even if you only have a built-in audio interface for the moment.
Hope to get some more samples twoards the end of the week, in particular, of the recent Korgs, Rolands, Yammies or even the SK-1, ...

Feel free to reply to this thread for comments on the different Rhodeseses!

So, let's !!

Cheers! Johannes

[zippo]

I think the midi file is not that useful for a comparison cause it misses slow and legato parts.
Cheers Zippo

[Johannes]

Hi zippo, I absolutely agree with you, definitively would prefer to have a more varied midi file...will see. But still would be interesting to see how the results would compare to the one recorded so far and if they more or less match.

[shark]

just voted. missing a "bright, belly" rhodes though.

[mon8169]

here are 2 of my Rhodes:

• Rhodes 1.mp3

• Rhodes 4.mp3

Sorry, I forgott to switch off the reverb....

Ramon

[whitenoise]

I like the number 12. I wonder which instrument was used for it?

[Frantz]

Here is another :

• one_more_rhodes.mp3

I sent you the instrument name by MP Johannes.

Edit : went down to 110 bpm !