BLUEPRINT – ELECTRIC KEYS BY FRACTURE SOUNDS

BLUEPRINT – ELECTRIC KEYS BY FRACTURE SOUNDS

KK-ACCESS REVIEW

For us, as sample library consumers, there have been no shortage of free Kontakt player compatible NKS libraries released in the past year or so.

Fracture Sounds were already setting good examples in this respect with their free mini libraries such as Desk Bell, Pumpkin Patch & Sleigh Bells, and are now launching an exciting new range of free Kontakt player libraries called Blueprints.

ELECTRIC BLUE

Kicking off this new series, we have Electric Keys, a vintage Rhodes Mark 1 – 73 Key Stage Piano, which immediately sets the bar remarkably high for the other releases that are due to follow.

These new blueprint series instruments began their lives as in house custom sample projects, and served as important creative development pit stops along the journey toward the final destination of their now well respected commercial releases.

TECH SPECS

Electric Keys runs in Kontakt 7 either full or free Kontakt player, and is compatible with Komplete Kontrol.

The installation requires 2.21GB of disk space for the NCW format compressed samples.

There is one Kontakt NKI preset, with no snapshots included.

DOWNLOAD & INSTALLATION

This is simplicity itself, after receiving your serial number, just paste it into Native Access (We recommend using Native Access 2 if you have not already switched).

Now the authorisation and installation process can all easily be handled accessibly and directly from here.

Komplete Kontrol will re scan and add Electric Keys to your factory browser as soon as you instantiate an instance in your DAW, and it will instantly be there ready for immediate use.

KOMPLETE KONTROL PLUG-IN EDIT NKS PARAMETERS

Page One – Sound, Response, FX

Knob 1 – Signal Switch – Direct Input, Amp
Knob 2 – Key Press
Knob 3 – Key Release
Knob 4 – Atmosphere
Knob 5 – Response, Sample Start
Knob 6 – Dynamic
Knob 7 – Stereo
Knob 8 – Chorus

Page Two – Reverb

Knob 1 – Reverb Amount
Knob 2 – Reverb Type, Hall, Room
Knob 3 – Reverb Size
Knob 4 – Reverb Damping
Knob 5 – Modulation
Knob 6 to 8 – Unallocated

ACCESSIBILITY

Despite what at first may seem an apparent lack of NKS presets & pages, this is really not a cause for concern, as Electric Keys has everything you viably need to instantly achieve a beautifully rich Electric piano sound out of the box, it can certainly rival if not surpass other paid for Electric piano sample libraries.

KEY CONTROLS

Having studied the parameters that are available in the Kontakt NKI preset, they have reassuringly been replicated within the Komplete Kontrol environment, so we are truly not missing out on any hidden treasures enjoyed by our sighted peers.

The Signal Switch control is perhaps one immediately obvious means of transforming the clean & pure vanilla Electric Keys sound, switching as it does from the clean direct input to a miked amp which introduces the grittier sound you would expect to hear from this iconic machine.

There is also the stereo width and chorus controls, which dial in their expected requisites.

I was really pleased to see that Fracture Sounds had included one of their signature Atmosphere layers which have now become a much loved staple hallmark of their commercial releases.

Having been derived and processed from the original Electric Keys sample set, it adds a layer of haunting beauty that transcends the stock EP sound and evolves it into something that extends beyond the original instruments concept.

The Key Press , Key Release, Sample Start & Response Dynamic controls will offer you the opportunity to customize the feel of Electric Keys to your playing style, as well as helping to shape the transients of the instrument.

I was able to dial up a pleasing plucked attack , which in combination with the atmosphere layer and sustain pedal gave it an almost guitar like timbre.

<pre class="wp-block-syntaxhighlighter-code"><br />For reverb, We have been provided with a choice of two spaces within Electric keys, Room or Hall, along with amount, size &amp; damping, which is definitely enough to get the job done. </pre>

You can always turn off the reverb effect, to make things entirely dry and opt to add your own choice of ambience by adding an additional Komplete Kontrol FX slot

CONCLUSION

I cannot in all earnest level any real critique toward Electric Keys, it’s a free product afterall, if you don’t like it then you can simply uninstall it!

I would however wager that regardless of it being free, you will love it, and find a place for it in your toolbox whenever you need that classic Electric Keys sound, and with the atmosphere layer and possibility for more finite adjustments, it will find a home in more projects than you might initially think.

At the end of the day, Electric Keys feels really nice to play, and sounds great, it is undoubtedly a must have for your sound palette.

What else can I say, this is a shorter review than is usual, however I have little doubt that Electric Keys will form the Blueprint of another success for Fracture Sounds!

Blueprint – Electric Keys from Fracture Sounds can be obtained from their website at no cost upon creation of an account and newsletter subscription.

Fracture Sounds home Page:
https://fracturesounds.com/

Electric Keys – Inspired By Sound Walkthrough:
https://youtu.be/On5hizYMD-I

(c) Chris Ankin

KK-Access.com

26TH September2023

Disclaimer

The author can not accept any responsibility for subsequent purchase decisions made as a result of this review,or Any inaccuracies found therein. All opinions and product functions stated are based solely on information perceived as a blind user whilst using the product and/or gathered from official factual sources such as the developer, web or supplied product manual.

About the Author

Based in Buckinghamshire, England, Chris Ankin has worked as a freelance review writer and contributor with articles published in Sound On Sound, Home & Studio Recording and ST Format Magazines.

He has also successfully worked extensively in and around the music, recording, film Soundtrack scoring, Game & media composition, the creative arts, Charitable trusts,publishing, music streaming and property investments since 1982 whilst continuously and deliberately managing to evade any mainstream recognition under his own name by the use of various pseudonyms.

E&OE