Rhodes Music has announced Pianology, a new virtual instrument collection featuring three deeply sampled pianos – a Japanese upright, an American concert grand, and a Japanese electric grand.
Aimed at composers, producers, and performers, Pianology feels like a natural extension of what Rhodes has been building with V8 Pro, Wurli, and Anthology
Rather than loading up on quantity, the team focused on three instruments selected for their distinct tonal character, dynamic range, and history in recorded music, sampling each one with playability as the priority.
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The three instruments each bring something different to the table. The Japanese upright is a U-series model, known for its bright, focused midrange – well-suited to contemporary scoring, jazz, and more restrained songwriting. The American concert grand covers the other end of the spectrum, with broad dynamic range and harmonic depth that holds up across solo repertoire and full ensemble arrangements alike. Then there’s the Japanese electric grand, an electro-acoustic instrument with real strings and pickups that’s closely tied to the sounds of 1980s pop, rock, and electronic music – its direct signal path gives it a clear, present tone that sits well in layered productions.
On the sound-shaping side, Pianology includes global controls for Timbre Shift, Global Tune, Mechanical Noise, and Lid Position, alongside an Amp and Mic section drawing from Rhodes V8 Pro’s amplifier models and microphone options. Effects include piano-voiced compression, EQ, modulation, delay, stereo tremolo, and a selection of Rhodes reverbs – including new Stage and Arena modes. The tremolo is based on the Vintage Grand’s circuitry, which is a nice touch.
Dan Goldman, Chief Product Officer at Rhodes, summed up the intent behind it, saying “With three carefully prepared and deeply sampled pianos, Pianology is designed for expressive playability, organic tone, and a close connection between player and instrument. Paired with our effects engine and sound-shaping tools, Pianology reflects Rhodes’ approach to tone and expressivity, placing the playing experience at the heart of the sound.”
Pianology is available now in VST, AU, and AAX formats, with an introductory discount running until 7 April 2026 at 12pm GMT (10:00 PM AEDT). For full details, head to rhodesmusic.com.
