Sonivox takes simplicity to the max. Each of the Suitcase (Rhodes), Wurly, and Clav DVIs (each sold separately) has a list of presets down the left side of the window, and three horizontal sliders on the right, whose functions remain the same no matter what preset you load: volume, plus two effects. (Chorus on/off and tremolo depth on the Suitcase, low cut and release noise on the Clav, and tremolo plus release noise on the Wurly). Whatever other effects and EQ curves you get are “sampled in” as part of the presets themselves.
From middle C on up, the Suitcase sounded a lot like Elektrik Piano’s Mk I: bell-like, clear, and sweet. Below middle C, it had the exact bark and spit I couldn’t quite get out of Elektrik, and a tighter release time, reminding me more of my Stage Mk II. Wow — this is one funky, playable Rhodes sound! Bummer that there’s no preset with a phaser, though. The Wurly DVI didn’t disappoint, with a wide range of presets that emphasized both the gentler and ruder attitudes the real thing can take, depending on how it’s calibrated. The Clavinet featured a solid, full-bodied basic patch that sounded like both pickups were in phase and all filter tabs were open on whatever real Clav Sonivox sampled, and my favorite effected preset was a “Touch Filter” one that was perfect for the intro to Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good.”
Downloading and authorizing was painless. It has to be said: These sounds are on par with those in Elektrik Piano, in spite of their popcorn price. In fact, if Sonivox’s download server isn’t already crashing from the demand, I think it’s because of that “perceived value” thing where people think that something this cheap can’t be good. That’s what I thought before trying them for myself, and I’ve never been happier to be wrong.
INSTRUMENTS
Rhodes Suitcase, Wurlitzer 200A, Hohner Clavinet D6 (separate plug-ins for each).
PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED
No.
PLUG-IN FORMATS
VST, RTAS, standalone.
PROS
Downloadable. Shockingly good sonic renditions given the super-low price.
CONS
At press time, Mac versions not yet shipping.
BOTTOM LINE
The steal of the century.