Addictive Keys Modern Upright piano plugin interface by XLN Audio

Addictive Keys: Modern Upright – Upright Piano Virtual Instrument by XLN Audio

Rated 4.7/5 on Plugin Boutique (65 ratings)

Addictive Keys: Modern Upright is an upright piano virtual instrument from XLN Audio, based on a Yamaha U3 and recorded in seven microphone perspectives. It runs within the Addictive Keys engine.

VST2AUAAXStandaloneWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Sometimes a grand piano is more than a track needs. Modern Upright is built around a Yamaha U3 upright piano, which XLN Audio describes as a modern classic among pianists. The sampled instrument was recorded in a large auditorium soundstage with a detailed room ambience and a medium-to-long decay. Included presets span mellow, warm jazz sounds through to brighter, more forward pop tones. The instrument is designed to work within the Addictive Keys engine, where you can shape the sound further.

Best for

Intimate piano parts
Smooth jazz comping
Bright pop keys
Mixing a spacious room sound
Close, direct piano tones

Developer: XLN Audio
Category: Virtual Instruments
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Based on a Yamaha U3 upright piano
Seven distinct, blendable microphone perspectives
Close, floor, soundboard and ambient recording positions
Mono and stereo perspectives in one instrument
Included presets from mellow jazz to bright pop
ExploreMaps for one-click preview and selection
Macro controllers on many ExploreMaps
Runs within the Addictive Keys engine

03In depth

Sound, Character and Microphone Perspectives

The Yamaha U3 is described as having a tight and defined tone with an airy ambience. XLN Audio captured the instrument with seven microphone perspectives, ranging from close to far, floor to soundboard, and mono to stereo.

The recording chain includes Coles 4038 ribbon microphones at the front, a Sela T25 tube microphone at the back, a Neumann U47 on the bottom, a Sennheiser MKE212 floor PZM, an RCA 6203 close ribbon, and a Neumann M269 ambient tube microphone.

Because each perspective is distinct and can be blended, you can move between a close, direct piano and a more spacious room sound without loading a different instrument.

Explore Maps and Preset Navigation

Modern Upright includes ExploreMaps, a grid-style way to browse sounds. Each ExploreMap holds a selection of presets that you can preview and load with a single click, which makes it quicker to hear the range of sounds the instrument offers.

Many ExploreMaps include macro controllers that let you adjust several parameters at once. This can help when you need to fit the piano to a mix quickly, such as making it brighter for a pop track or warmer for a jazz arrangement.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	XLN Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Virtual Instruments
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is Modern Upright based on?

Modern Upright is based on a Yamaha U3 upright piano. XLN Audio describes it as a piano in excellent condition, recorded in a large auditorium soundstage.

What formats and operating systems does Modern Upright support?

Modern Upright is available as VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone. It runs on Windows and macOS and is 64-bit only.

What do I need to use Modern Upright?

You need a host that supports 64-bit VST, AU or AAX plugins, or you can run the Standalone application. XLN Audio lists Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cakewalk, Reason, Reaper and Cubase as tested hosts. Macs need macOS 10.13 or later and Windows needs Windows 7 to 11, with 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended) and an internet connection during installation.