Cassette Keys.02 for SFZ Player preset pack artwork for SFZ Player

Cassette Keys.02 for SFZ Player: FM-Inspired Keys Preset Pack

Cassette Keys.02 for SFZ Player is a preset expansion pack of two vintage-style keyboard instruments, inspired by 1980s FM electric pianos and built from cassette deck recordings. It runs in any SFZ player.

REQUIRESSFZ PlayerHost synth sold separately

All presets for SFZ Player

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

Download Now

Opens the store in a new tab

01Overview

Cassette Keys.02 is a follow-up to Cassette Keys.01, built to sound different and larger rather than replace it. The pack contains two instruments inspired by classic 80s FM keys, expanded with other synthesis methods and a small amount of sampling for transient attack. Each instrument has five dynamic layers, recorded through three different cassette decks, so the character shifts with how the decks colored the sound. The two packs are designed to complement each other.

Best for

Vintage keys sound design
Lo-fi keyboard parts
Retro pop production
Tape-colored electric piano
Transient-rich key stabs

Developer: THEPHONOLOOP
Category: Expansion Packs
Requires: SFZ Player
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Two FM-inspired keyboard instruments with extra synthesis and sampling
Five dynamic layers per instrument
Recorded through three different cassette decks
2,193 samples totaling about 5.73 GB of 24-bit WAV
Simulated round-robin for more realistic fast passages
12 basic presets with and without round-robin per deck

03In depth

Vintage FM Key Sounds Recorded on Cassette

The core of Cassette Keys.02 is two keyboard instruments based on classic FM key sounds from the 1980s. The developer expanded them with additional synthesis techniques and a little sampling, which adds interesting transient sounds to the attack.

Each instrument uses five dynamic layers, so playing softer or harder changes the tone. Every layer was recorded through three cassette decks, giving the pack a lo-fi, tape-processed character that is different from clean digital keys.

The pack has 2,193 samples in total, with 365 samples per deck plus three noise samples from each deck, for about 5.73 GB of uncompressed 24-bit WAV files.

Simulated Round-Robin and Presets

Simulated round-robin is included as a feature. According to THEPHONOLOOP, it makes faster note passages sound more realistic and adds nonlinearity to the instrument. It is available in the Kontakt and SFZ versions.

The pack includes 12 basic presets. Each deck has versions with and without simulated round-robin, so you can choose between a tighter, more repeatable sound and one with more variation on fast passages.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	THEPHONOLOOP
Type	Preset pack / expansion
Category	Expansion Packs
Requires	SFZ Player

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What do I need to use Cassette Keys.02?

Cassette Keys.02 for SFZ Player requires an SFZ player. The developer lists Plogue Sforzando as an example, and any SFZ player can be used.

Does Cassette Keys.02 have round-robin?

Yes. It includes simulated round-robin, which makes faster note passages sound more realistic, and each deck has presets with and without it.

How many samples are in the pack?

The pack contains 2,193 samples, with 365 per deck plus three noise samples from each deck, totaling about 5.73 GB of uncompressed 24-bit WAV files.

How is Cassette Keys.02 different from Cassette Keys.01?

THEPHONOLOOP developed Cassette Keys.02 as a successor that complements the first pack. It is bigger, uses the new .02 interface, and contains two instruments with additional synthesis and sampling.