There are some keyboards that are truly timeless. Take the Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer 200 A electric pianos, for example, and the funky Hohner Clavinet. It’s no surprise that these classic instruments have been emulated many times in software, but now e-instruments is seeking to raise the bar with Vibrant, a meticulously sampled collection that brings together all of these vintage keyboards in one lavish package.
This is one of a growing number of libraries that are being released for HALion, Steinberg’s high-spec sampling workstation. This means that it can be used in any DAW, either in the full version of the software or the free HALion Sonic SE 3.
e-instruments certainly knows a thing or two about sampling. Its founder, Thomas Koritke, spent more than 15 years creating sounds for more than 100 Yamaha products, and helped to create a large part of the company’s library. He’s also created a variety of highly-regarded sample libraries of his own: the likes of Session Horns, Session Strings and Session Strings Pro.
Vibrant is another no-compromise offering that continues e-instruments’ mission to create acoustically accurate instruments with high sound quality and intuitive interfaces. It contains four keyboards, starting with the classic Rhodes Stage Mark I, a wonderfully versatile electric piano with a unique bell-like quality. It can sound as mellow or as dirty as you need it to.
A second Rhodes, the Suitcase model, is also included. This was an evolution of the original that added an amp and speakers for its own distinctive tone.
Next up, we have the Wurlitzer 200 A, another electric piano that has a charm all of its own. Its throaty, punchy tone has cut through the mix in all manner of classic fusion, funk, disco and pop tracks.
Finally, there’s the Hohner Clavinet - think Stevie Wonder’s Superstition - a staple of funk and soul that’s as percussive as it is powerful.
As you can see, each of the instruments has a distinctive look that recalls the keyboard that it’s emulating. A simple control set, meanwhile, means that you’ll spend less time with your mouse and more time playing. The central Character knob lets you move between warm and edgy tones, and there are Bass/Treble and Attack/Decay knobs to the left and right of this. You also get four slots for assigning the 18 available effects.
Vibrant is a loving tribute to some of the greatest keyboards in popular music history, then, and you can buy it now for €129/$129 from the e-instruments website or the Steinberg store.