Addictive Keys 1.7.3 on Mac

Addictive Keys is a virtual keyboard instrument that brings four distinct pianos into your music production setup.

Runs on ARM and x86 Macs

You can load Addictive Keys as a plug-in in most major DAW hosts, which makes it a flexible choice whether you work in Logic, Ableton, or something else. The Mac version runs on both ARM and x86 64-bit architectures, so it works on newer Apple Silicon machines and older Intel Macs alike. It needs macOS 10.13 or later. The manual also mentions a standalone mode, handy for quick practice sessions without opening a full project.

Sound and Collection

The pianos were recorded with a blend of modern and vintage gear, which gives each instrument its own character. The Complete Collection includes all four pianos: two acoustic and two electric. For songwriting or laying down tracks, Addictive Keys covers the keys side of things well.

Loading the Modern Upright in Ableton

I usually start a session by loading Addictive Keys as a VST3 instrument in Ableton. The first thing I do is pick a piano — say, the Modern Upright. It is based on a Yamaha U3, and it has a warm, slightly boxy tone that sits nicely in a mix without fighting a bassline. I play a few chords to get a feel for the velocity response. The plugin loads fast, so I am not waiting around.

Next, I scroll through the production-ready presets. For a lo-fi beat I am working on, I choose a preset with a bit of tape saturation and a close mic feel. The Mark One (the Rhodes Mk. 1) is another go-to for that project; its bell-like tone cuts through without being harsh. I adjust the built-in effects — reverb and compression — until the sound sits where I want it. The whole process takes maybe two minutes.

Once the sound is dialled in, I record a few takes. I keep the MIDI controller plugged in and play the part live rather than drawing notes. The standalone mode is useful here too: I can test parts away from the DAW if I want to focus purely on playing. When I am happy, I bounce the MIDI to audio and move on to mixing.

Four presets for songwriters

Addictive Keys suits different Mac users depending on what they need from a piano plugin. Songwriters who want a convincing piano sound without tweaking for hours will appreciate the presets. The four pianos cover enough ground — from bright electric to mellow acoustic — that you can find a starting point quickly.

Keyboard players who prefer to play live into a DAW will like the velocity layers and the fact that the plugin responds naturally to touch. Mixing engineers who need a piano that sits in a busy arrangement without extra processing will find the Electric Grand (CP-80) useful: it has a percussive attack that cuts through a dense mix. Producers working across genres, from hip-hop to indie rock, can switch between the Studio Grand and the Mark One without changing plugins.

Mac users on Apple Silicon will also benefit. The plugin runs natively on ARM, so there is no need to use Rosetta 2. That saves a bit of CPU overhead on a MacBook Air, leaving more room for other instruments and effects.

A Real-World Scenario: Producer Laying Down Keys for a Track

Maria is a producer based in Valencia who makes electronic pop. She is working on a track that needs a piano part with a vintage feel. She opens Addictive Keys in her DAW and picks the Electric Grand. The CP-80 sound gives her a slightly gritty, retro tone that fits the 80s-inspired beat she has already written.

She browses the presets and finds one called "Vintage Pop" that adds a subtle chorus effect. She records the verse part in two takes, then layers a second piano part with the Modern Upright for the chorus. The two pianos sit in different frequency ranges, so they do not clash. Maria exports the MIDI, adds a little automation to the plugin's reverb send, and the piano parts are done. She does not need to reach for another plugin or sample library for this track.

For Maria, Addictive Keys saves time because she does not have to tweak a raw piano sample or search through Kontakt libraries. The presets and the four piano characters give her exactly what she needs in a few minutes.

• macOS 10.13 or later
• Apple Silicon or Intel (x86 64-bit)

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