Addictive Keys Modern Upright vs Chicago Upright 1927

The fundamental difference between these two upright piano VSTs lies in their sonic character and the age of their source instruments, offering users distinct tonal palettes. Addictive Keys Modern Upright provides a contemporary, clean sound from a Yamaha U3, whereas Chicago Upright 1927 delivers a vintage, characterful tone from a nearly century-old Baldwin Monarch.

Technically, Addictive Keys offers more mic positions (7) for diverse recording perspectives compared to Chicago Upright's 5, allowing for greater spatial flexibility. Addictive Keys emphasizes a "bright, clean, modern, balanced" character, suitable for jazz and pop, while Chicago Upright highlights a "warm, dark, intimate" sound with "tubby low strings," making it ideal for film scoring and songwriting. Addictive Keys also integrates a broader suite of professional effects and advanced envelopes for sound design.

Choose Addictive Keys Modern Upright if you need a versatile, modern upright piano sound with extensive mic options and built-in effects for contemporary productions. Choose Chicago Upright 1927 if you seek an authentic, aged, and character-rich upright piano with a dark, intimate tone for historical or emotionally nuanced musical contexts.

Products Compared

Insights from Real-World Use

Addictive Keys Modern Upright

  • CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME. On every preset in AddictiveKeys i hear a "thud" sound when each note plays. I guess its the sound of the pianos hammer? Sounds like the keys are being pressed really hard
  • The software offers excellent control, including sustain pedal noise, enhancing the piano experience.
  • Addictive Keys is a quick, easy to use, great sounding piano VST.
  • Typical piano VSTs are expensive, costing around 150 dollars.
  • Typical piano VSTs are expensive, costing around 150 dollars.

Chicago Upright 1927

  • Reverb and mic choices yield beautiful, spacious results; Chicago Upright 1927 has an aged vibe.
  • Prefers the more forward mix setting and finds the reverb sound pleasing.
  • Frustrated by lack of a control and presets resetting output to zero.
  • Chicago Upright 1927 is a vintage (and it shows) 48" upright Baldwin Monarch. This thing has serious character and grime. You won't be getting any shiny clear.
  • Notes upright character with slight pitch wariness as part of its sound.

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