Native Instruments ALICIA'S KEYS to be available in April

German audio software veterans Native Instruments announced ALICIA'S KEYS, a new software instrument that recreates Alicia Keys' personal grand piano with outstanding authenticity and playability. Developed in close collaboration with the Grammy-winning artist, the software is used as the primary instrument on her new album and on the current world tour. Designed as a comprehensive digital recreation of Alicia Key's own custom Yamaha "C3 Neo" grand piano, and based on Native Instruments' KONTAKT 4 sampler platform, ALICIA'S KEYS was meticulously recorded in Alicia's personal studio by her engineer Ann Mincieli and renowned sampling expert Thomas Scarbee over the course of two years, using vintage microphones and high-end outboard studio gear. The instrument utilizes 17 GB of high-resolution samples with 12 discrete velocity layers per note, and sophisticated emulation of crucial sonic aspects like key release, sustain pedal functionality and sympathetic resonance. For more information, watch the exclusive Alicia Keys video, and listen to the sound samples. ALICIA'S KEYS will be available as a stand-alone application, and as a VST, Audio Units, and RTAS (Pro Tools 7 or higher) plug-in running on both Windows and Mac OS X platforms. It's slated for release in April 2010 for a suggested retail price of $119 US / 99 EUR. [source]