Alicia's Electric Keys vs The Gentleman

The fundamental distinction between these two instruments lies in their sonic character and origin: Alicia's Electric Keys is an electric grand piano emulation, specifically a Yamaha CP-70 modeled after Alicia Keys' personal instrument, while The Gentleman is an acoustic upright piano, meticulously sampled from a vintage 1908 Bechstein Model A. This difference dictates their inherent tonal qualities and suitability for various musical contexts.

Technically, Alicia's Electric Keys emphasizes a "modern" electric sound, featuring custom-designed effect chains directly from Alicia Keys’ workflow and two mic positions for sound shaping. Its library size is 8.5 GB. In contrast, The Gentleman delivers a "warm, intimate, balanced" acoustic sound, boasts a larger 13 GB sample library with over 2,300 samples, and offers 16 velocity layers for a wider dynamic range, alongside dedicated release, damper, and pedal noise samples for added realism.

Choose Alicia's Electric Keys if you require the distinctive, iconic sound of an electric grand piano, particularly for pop and contemporary songwriting with ready-to-use artist-specific effects. Opt for The Gentleman if your focus is on an authentic, acoustically rich upright piano sound, ideal for jazz, pop, or recording scenarios where a broad dynamic range and detailed acoustic nuances from a vintage instrument are desired.

Products Compared

• Alicia's Electric Keys
• The Gentleman

Insights from Real-World Use

Alicia's Electric Keys

• Thinks Alicia’s Electric Keys is excellent for mellow CP70 sound and natural touch.
• Says the 82 presets sound pretty good and outnumber Alicia's Keys.
• Acknowledges steep price but argues presets and deep controls deliver professional, sound-design value.
• Praises UI meter words that illuminate and flicker with playing intensity.
• Says it sits well in dense mixes without overpowering like some grand pianos.

The Gentleman

• Detailed sampling of key signs, quick pedals, and mechanical noise captures authentic character.
• Highly adjustable dynamic range makes it great for various genres.
• The Gentleman is versatile, excellent for classical, film scores, and sounds great when manipulated.
• All three pianos sound great but have vastly different characteristics.
• Native Instruments The Gentleman Loopcloud Melodics. 5 ... The keyboard itself is fabulous, and comes with an astounding array of music software. Review.