Impact Soundworks Altera Keys

This collection features 20 individual instruments inspired by legendary, era-defining sounds from the 70s and 80s. With our favorite electric and acoustic pianos and synths in mind, we created the instruments in Altera Keys entirely from scratch using synthesis and physical modeling. The result is something that sounds familiar yet totally new at the same time. Dive right in with over 250 presets in conveniently sorted categories. Or, effortlessly design your own custom sounds by mixing and matching five straightforward layers into something uniquely yours.

Whether you're a performing musician, media composer, or music producer, Altera Keys delivers both stage and studio playability and endless creative inspiration. Welcome to a new world of never-before-heard keyboard sounds for pop, funk, worship, R&B, jazz, New Age, EDM and beyond!

An Incredible Range of Keyboard Sounds
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.

The Power to Design Your Own Keyboard
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.

Easy Sound Shaping
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.

Mix-Ready FX, No External Plugins Required
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.

Timeless keyboard sounds, reinvented
20 deeply-sampled core instruments inspired by the Rhodes, Clavinet, Wurlitzer, DX7, JD-800, and many other era-defining keyboards. Up to 12 dynamic layers.

Massive range of carefully sculpted presets
An incredible 250+ (!!) presets spanning smooth bell tones, funky organ, retro synthwave, shimmering pads, and much more - clearly organized & browser-friendly.

Five distinct layers, a treasure trove of sound sources
Along with the 20 digital, analog, and acoustic-modeled Keys sound sources, Altera Keys comes with 13 distinct Tines & Releases sound sources, 20 long-tail Shimmer reverbs, and 10 beautiful Pads. Mix every layer together, route them separately, and create your dream patch.

Randomize for a unique, inspiring tone
Hit the random button to easily explore and audition familiar yet all-new sounds. Endless inspiration!

Ideal for live performance
Specifically designed to shine onstage with a band, in a house of worship, or any other live setting.