---

---

Altera Keys places a treasure trove of distinctive keyboard sounds at your fingertips. We used boutique synthesis and physical modeling to create sounds from 20 classic core instruments inspired by the Rhodes, Clavinet, Wurlitzer, DX7, JD-800, and many other keyboards that defined the classic sounds of the 70s and 80s.

Designing your own custom multi-layered key sound is practically effortless: five Layers (Keys, Shimmer, Pad, Tines, and Releases) let you create a unique sound from scratch or a never-before-heard take on a classic instrument.

Altera Keys’ 250+ presets cover a wide range of sounds: smooth bell tones, gorgeous glassy tines, classic synthwave sounds, biting organ funk, shimmering pads, growling basses, and wildly experimental and textural sounds. Altera Keys has been deeply sampled and plays like a dream in live performance, with up to 12 dynamic layers per instrument. It’s easy to find the sound you need on the fly, as they’re organized into easy-to-browse categories.

---

---

Altera Keys’ modular design lets you venture into new sonic territory even if you’re not a sound designer! Its straightforward and easy-to-use interface gives you control over the five distinct layers of your sound:

• Keys: Select an acoustic, analog, or digital-style keyboard as the basis for the sound
• Tines: Add extra attack noise at the start of notes, with a variety of warm, thick, harmonic, inharmonic, and glassy tones
• Releases: Choose from an array of release types emulating mechanical (key-up) noise
• Shimmer: Add a gorgeous long-tail reverb from a selection of carefully hand-sculpted, model-specific reverbs
• Pad: Thicken your sound with a selection from ten synth pad types ranging from warm to bright

All layers can be mixed and engaged individually.

Or if you just want to dive right into new, exciting sounds, Altera Keys includes a random button on the main page that is guaranteed to sound great no matter what it gives you. You can randomize the sound sources, the mix levels, the controls on the sound page, or any combination of all three! Audition dozens of sounds in minutes and discover novel combinations for completely unique and original sounds.

---

---

Tweaking patches with different key feel, attack & release time, tremolo rate (etc) is easily possible on the all-in-one Sound shaping tab. No menu-diving, complex routing, or tabs: all the crucial controls you need are here, and none that you don’t.

If your MIDI controller has keys that are a little too heavy or light, you can adjust the Velocity Curve from a single knob to compensate. Plus, all non-release layers have their own adjustable Velocity -> Volume and Brightness sliders, letting you adjust the dynamic and brightness range of each part of the instrument.

But the real crown jewel of this section is the beautiful Preamp effect, which accurately models the legendary preamps used in real Rhodes keyboards in the 70s & 80s. When enabled, the preamp adds extra weight and depth to the sound, with adjustable Bass and Treble response. The preamp also drives the Tremolo effect, which can be set to free-running, mono vs. stereo, and synced to host BPM.

---

---

The vast majority of Altera Keys‘ factory preset bank makes use of the Mixer & FX tab, which features dozens of high-quality digital and analog-modeled effects that can be used in any order you’d like – with up to 8 insert slots available!

Particularly useful effects include a lovely chorus with Synth, Universal, Ensemble, and Dimension modes; a powerful phaser with an intense possible range of feedback and stereo; multiple algorithmic reverbs for Room, Hall, and vintage Plate; a convolution reverb featuring dozens of impulses; a Cabinet emulator to fit your patch in realistic cabs; multiple guitar amps, compressors, analog-style EQs and much more.

Of course, if you want to route keyboard layers to process further in your DAW, Altera Keys also supports bypassing these insert FX on a per-layer basis, or even routing to different DAW tracks/mixer channels!