rhodes sound

[lemonsucker]

what is the best way to get a good rhodes sound without buying the real thing?
is there a keyboard, a virtual instrument, a soundfont or whatever that sounds pretty much like the real thing?
i've really fallen in love with this instrument but i can't afford it, and i need midi and all, so a keyboard or an expander with a really good rhodes sound would really be a better investment.
thanks a lot in advance.

[Krakit]

These things are lots of trouble.

Anyway, I don't know if you'll be satisfied by them, but the QSR has a ton of Rhodes (and Wurli) sounds. I think they get pretty close. At any rate, you'll have lots to choose from in a single unit. Plus you can get the Vintage Keyboards card (which I think still comes with it at a discount). That has even more Rhodes patches in it.

[Roel]

The Roland A90 has some wonderfull rhodes and wurly's. And it's not as heavy to play, easier on the wirsts. And on your back if you want to move it...

But I guess a second hand rhodes would be cheaper. The Roland JV1010 has some rhodes sounds, but compared to the A90, they really ain't worth sh!t. Maybe the 'vintage keyboard' expansion that fits in, never had the chance to try it...

[Shailat]

If you own a sampler or have any way to load samples,
You can buy a sample CD of rhodes sounds that are very convincing for up to $200.
Just load it and use a midi capable keyboard.

[lemonsucker]

uh, thanks a lot! i was interested in the alesis thing for other reasons, so i guess i'll try out one of those soon. thanks again.

[robert jaybird]

CHeck oiut clavia's "electro". Clavia started the Virtual analog th9ng, and now they've made a synth thast models classic organ and rhodes type sounds. That would be better most likely than samples because it not only gives you the sound of the instrument but the feel.

[dhosek]

I've got two sets of Rhodes sounds.

Roland A90EX (controller keyboard)
Voce Electric Piano (1/2 rack module)

I'd have to say that the Voce is slightly better with its sounds, but it dies tonally at the extremes of the 88 key range while the Roland is solid all the way through. I tend to use the Roland more out of convenience, but there's a lot of time when nothing beats the Voce.

I just finished the first cut of my Voce page at http://don.dream-in-color.net/music/voce.html

One of these days I'll get started on my A90EX page and add some more useful info on the Voce page.

-dh