Developed hand in hand with award-winning Alicia Keys, Native Instruments’ Alicia’s Keys brings Alicia Keys’ very own music right at your home. The software accurately recreates Key’s very own Yamaha C3 Neo grand piano. The entire project is a product of a close craftsmanship between the renowned keyboard software developer Thomas Scarbee and Alicia Keys herself. And within two years, Native Instrument successfully captured that unique Alicia Keys sound with its latest equipments and hard work.

This new musical software makes use of only the finest vintage microphones and high-end studio gear, making this new sampled grand more than just you everyday piano. On top of that, it also has a number of strong features plus a great tone, all at a very decent price.

This virtual piano uses 17GB worth of high resolution samples plus 12 discrete velocity layers on every note. It uses sophisticated emulation of crucial sonic aspects such as key release, pedal sustain functionality as well as sympathetic resonance.

Alicia’s Keys’ user interface also provides complete control over the sound in order to further adjust it to the particular musical preference and personal playing style of the user. And to make things even better, it also includes a studio-quality convolution reverb that allows a number of authentic room ambiences ranging from a small piano chamber to a large stage or concert hall.

The actual piano that Alicia Keys uses is a Yamaha C3, a part of the limited edition Neo cabinetry. The C3 is a six-foot grand, which means that its low register is less full and deep than on a nine-foot concert grand. Yamaha pianos are unique from the rest because of its bright, in-your-face sound, and the same characteristic is preserved in Alicia’s Keys.

The moment you try it, you will notice right away the realistic features of Alicia’s Keys. Its velocity response makes it very playable even when you are not as good as Alicia Keys thanks to its keyboard that responds well as it should.

It also has a standard DSP reverb that allows you to run it smoothly on a slower computer. But even without the reverb, the pianos’ natural ambience is remarkable. Perhaps because it underwent meticulous tuning each unison has the right amount of microscopic tuning, making the tone of the choruses flawless, just like a real piano.

Alicia’s Keys is ideal for a pop ballad sound, richer and more up-front than the Yamaha C7 or the German Steinway. It is by far the most inviting to play and the most flexible to use among all other piano samples and virtual pianos.

With Alicia’s Keys, you can make music out of sheer inspiration. Evoke deep emotions with every note. Get Native Instrument’s Alicia’s Keys Virtual Piano today!

Check out other reviews on Native Instruments’ Alicia’s Keys

• Compact stereo speakers for laptops and desktops
• Connects easily through a USB port for power
• Audio Alignment technology for balance and accuracy
• Built-in power and volume controls
• Each speaker measures 2.8 x 3.7 x 4.8 inches (WxHxD)

The BXR1220 computer audio system delivers quality stereo sound at an extremely affordable price. Features built in controls for convenience

Rating: (out of 106 reviews)

List Price: $ 19.99

Price: $ 14.21

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Who says the iPod is for mobile music only? Not the folks at iHome, that’s for sure. Here’s our look at the very cool looking iSpeakers (ok i made that up), the iH69 speaker system. This may be a set of speakers worth considering.

iHome, the folks who brought you the hot iPod alarm clocks you’re starting to see in every hotel room similar to this one, is releasing two beautiful new iPod-compatible audio systems. One is small and loud, and the other’s got Bluetooth.

The iH69 iPod Computer Speaker System with Computer Sync, in addition to being a mouthful, is a compact, versatile solution for all your dorm/desktop/bedroom audio needs.The iH69 iPod Computer Speaker System with Computer Sync, in addition to being a mouthful, is a compact, versatile solution for all your dorm/desktop/bedroom audio needs. It docks, charges, plays and syncs your iPod and computer audio (or any other audio source for that matter) and sounds as good as some of the larger computer speaker options out there.

It’s being marketed as a clutter-reducing sound solution. The iH69 also has a remote control and is built on 20-watt, 2.5″ Reson8 speakers.

For a more robust choice, the iP47 looks like it will be a sick desktop solution with built-in Bluetooth to wirelessly stream your audio from a cell phone, PDA or computer.For a more robust choice, the iP47 looks like it will be a sick desktop solution with built-in Bluetooth to wirelessly stream your audio from a cell phone, PDA or computer. It also works with your iPhone and has a speakerphone/microphone combo that lets you take/make calls right on the device.

Like we’ve seen with other iHome clock/radio options, the iP47 also features dual alarms, AM/FM radio, snooze, etc.

Both products hit stores in June, and look for dads and grads to drool over them. The iP47 will sell for $199.99, and the iH69 has been delayed until fall, according to Laurie Bella, spokeswoman for iHome.

I have a few issues with the dock location, as in whether it will affect the sound from the speaker being, but it seems to be a nice little unit.

[via engadget]