Rhodes Music Introduces Pianology: A Collection of Expressive Acoustic and Electric Pianos
Leeds, United Kingdom, March 5, 2026 — Rhodes Music announces Pianology, a curated collection of three expressive virtual pianos, bringing together a concert grand, an acoustic upright, and a vintage electric grand. Carefully selected and voiced, these instruments represent sounds that are rare and seldom encountered outside renowned studios, concert halls, or private collections. Pianology places these instruments directly at the fingertips of composers, producers, and performers.
“Building on the worldwide success of V8 Pro, Wurli, and Anthology, Pianology marks the next chapter in our evolving Rhodes sound library,” said Dan Goldman, Chief Product Officer at Rhodes. “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.”
Featured Instruments
The three pianos in Pianology were selected for their distinct tonal profiles, dynamic range, and long-standing presence across recorded music. Each instrument was prepared and sampled by the Rhodes engineering and sound design team with a focus on instant playability.
- Japanese Upright Piano – A widely respected U-series upright known for its bright, controlled tone and direct response. Its compact sound and focused midrange make it well suited to contemporary scoring, jazz, and understated songwriting.
- American Grand Piano – A classic American concert grand with a broad dynamic range and a balanced tonal profile. Its harmonic depth and sustain support a wide range of playing styles, from solo piano repertoire to full ensemble arrangements.
- Japanese Electric Grand – A celebrated electro-acoustic piano featuring real strings and pickups, associated with the sounds of 1980s pop, rock, and electronic music. Its direct signal path produces a clear, present tone that integrates easily into layered productions.
Sound Shaping and Control
Pianology includes a streamlined set of sound-shaping controls designed to support expressive performance and practical production workflows. Global controls include Timbre Shift, Global Tune, Mechanical Noise, and Lid Position for the grand piano, allowing adjustment of tonal balance, tuning reference, and acoustic behavior.
An integrated Amp and Mic section provides access to amplifier models and microphone choices derived from Rhodes V8 Pro, supporting both natural acoustic presentations and more processed, amplified tones. Additional processing includes piano-voiced compression, EQ, modulation, delay, stereo tremolo, panning, and a selection of Rhodes reverbs, including the new Stage and Arena reverb modes. The tremolo effect is based on the Vintage Grand's circuitry, bringing that character to Pianology.
Velocity curve and velocity depth controls allow the playing response to be adapted to different controllers and performance styles, with presets capturing the complete state of the instrument for consistent recall across sessions.
Availability
Rhodes Pianology is available in VST, AU, and AAX formats through the official Rhodes Music store. An introductory offer of 30 percent off runs through April 7, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. GMT.
Standard Pricing:
- GBP: £139.95
- EUR: €159.95
- USD: $149.95
Introductory Offer
- GBP: £99.95
- EUR: €109.95
- USD: $104.95
For more information, visit www.rhodesmusic.com.
Audio demos are available on SoundCloud.
About Rhodes
For Rhodes loyalists around the world, this is a new chapter in Rhodes' history, not a new book. With the Rhodes MK8, we’re returning to the principles, aesthetic, craftsmanship, and pride of Harold Rhodes’ originals. We’re paying homage to the past with our gaze fixed firmly on what lies ahead.
Hunter Williams
