Free Vintage Roland Mks-20 Piano Emulation Plugin Rdpiano For Musicians And Producers

The Roland MKS-20 stands as one of the most iconic digital piano modules of all time, renowned for its warm, expressive sound that defined much of the music landscape during the 1980s. Despite being decades old, the distinctive character of these instruments continues to be appreciated by musicians and producers seeking those typical sounds so warm and powerful in every mix. While numerous commercial sample libraries capture the essence of this legendary module, a free plugin option exists for those looking to authentically recreate these classic sounds without cost. This article explores the Roland MKS-20's significance and details the free RdPiano plugin that faithfully emulates these vintage instruments.

The Roland MKS-20: A Digital Piano Icon

The Roland MKS-20 'Digital Piano' can be defined as the most famous piano sound module of all time. Used in almost all the greatest hits of the 1980s, its distinctive sound remains highly sought after in modern music production. The module's tone blends sampled waveforms with synthesized elements for a uniquely dynamic response that cannot be easily replicated by purely sample-based instruments.

The MKS-20's electric pianos, particularly the Rhodes-like and FM-inspired sounds, stand out for their rich, shimmering quality and dynamic touch sensitivity. Its acoustic piano tones, while digital, carry a distinct character that sits beautifully in a mix, making it a favorite for gospel, R&B, pop, and contemporary jazz productions. This timeless sound module continues to be appreciated for its nostalgic tone and distinctive presence in modern recordings.

Originally, the MKS-20 module came with 8 basic sounds: 3 acoustic pianos, 2 electric pianos, 1 harpsichord, 1 clavinet, and 1 vibes. Each of these sounds was capable of various dynamic levels and could be processed with effects, tremolo, and the amazing MKS-20 Analog Chorus. The electric pianos were typically sampled with multiple velocity layers to capture every nuance and resonant quality of this expressive instrument.

The MKS-20 represents the era of SA synthesis (structured adaptive synthesis), a technology that combined sampling with synthesis techniques to create sounds with both digital clarity and organic expression. While FM synthesizers like the Yamaha DX7 dominated much of the 80s landscape, instruments like the Roland MKS-20, RD-1000, and Rhodes MK-80 (Rhodes was actually a Roland brand back then) offered alternative tonal palettes that became equally iconic.

RdPiano: The Free MKS-20 Emulation Plugin

For musicians and producers seeking to incorporate these classic 80s digital piano sounds into their setup without the expense of vintage hardware or commercial sample libraries, RdPiano offers an excellent solution. This free plugin by Italian developer Giulio Zausa (a.k.a. giulioz) faithfully emulates the SA synthesis digital pianos of the Roland MKS-20, RD1000, and Rhodes MK-80 electric piano.

What makes RdPiano particularly special is the depth of its emulation process. Rather than simply sampling the original instruments, Giulioz went to extraordinary lengths to analyze and replicate the actual hardware. The plugin simulates the CPU-B board reused in different models, accurately emulating both the CPU and the custom chips used in these vintage instruments. The emulation of the custom chips is derived from silicon analysis, meaning the developer examined the physical silicon of the original chips to understand their operation and recreate their behavior in software.

Giulioz obtained the 6800 CPU emulation code from MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator), who had previously reverse-engineered the VLSI custom chips containing Roland's harmonic/velocity sound analysis algorithm. This technical approach ensures that RdPiano doesn't merely approximate the sound of the original instruments but attempts to replicate their fundamental behavior at the chip level.

The result is an emulation that captures not just the basic tonal characteristics but also the subtle behaviors and idiosyncrasies that make these vintage instruments so beloved. The sound quality is excellent, with the Roland sounds exhibiting that legendary percussive character that can be both rhythmic and dreamlike depending on how they're played.

Features and Capabilities of RdPiano

RdPiano offers musicians a faithful recreation of the Roland MKS-20 and related instruments with several notable features:

1. Authentic Sound Reproduction: The plugin accurately captures the distinctive character of the SA synthesis digital pianos, including their unique attack, decay, and velocity response.

2. Multiple Emulated Models: RdPiano covers several classic instruments, including the Roland MKS-20, RD1000, and the Rhodes MK-80 electric piano. Roland had acquired the Rhodes name in 1987 and released the MK-80 and MK-60 in 1989, though these models are quite rare today.

3. Effect Simulation: The plugin approximates the BBD (Bucket Brigade Device) tremolo and chorus effects that were integral to the original instruments' sound. While the documentation notes that these effects are "less accurately than the digital emulation," they still contribute to the overall authenticity of the sound.

4. Cross-Platform Compatibility: RdPiano is available for both macOS and Windows, making it accessible to a wide range of music producers regardless of their operating system.

5. Lightweight Performance: As a CPU-emulated plugin rather than a sample-based instrument, RdPiano is relatively lightweight in terms of system resources, allowing it to run efficiently even on modest computer setups.

The plugin's sound is particularly well-suited for certain musical applications. These sounds are described as "a throwback to 80s pop hits and TV shows, especially with simple stabbing chord patterns." The percussive nature of these instruments makes them ideal for rhythmic playing, while their unique tonal character adds vintage flavor to modern productions.

Comparing RdPiano to Commercial MKS-20 Options

While RdPiano provides a free and authentic emulation of the Roland MKS-20, several commercial alternatives exist for those seeking additional options or different approaches to capturing these classic sounds:

1. Prophet X Add-on Pack: Espen Kraft offers a Prophet X add-on pack containing approximately 1000 multi-samples and custom patches based on a vintage Roland MKS-20. This product includes samples both with and without the analog MKS-20 chorus built into the samples. The price is $12 USD (or €12 Euros), and it's sold directly through email. The download includes 12 individual patch sysex files as well as the full bank of these patches, with patches available in two different locations for convenience.

2. Nord Wave MKS20 Sample Library: Sc-sounds offers a sample collection for Nord Wave that carefully captures all possible nuances of the MKS-20. This collection includes all 8 basic sounds sampled in various versions, using different dynamic levels, with or without effects, EQ, tremolo, including the MKS-20 Analog Chorus. The collection is meticulously programmed for compatibility with Nord Electro 3, Nord Electro 4d, Nord Piano 2, and Nord Stage 2, guaranteeing maximum available polyphony.

3. Kontakt MKS-20 Sample Libraries: Several sample libraries are available for Native Instruments Kontakt, offering multi-sampled versions of the MKS-20 sounds. These typically include the original 8 preset sounds plus several variations, sampled with multiple velocity layers to capture every nuance and resonant quality of the instrument. These libraries often feature 24-bit/44.1kHz or higher quality samples and may include additional processing or effects.

4. MKS-20 Electric Grand Piano for Kontakt: Past to Future Reverbs offers a specialized Kontakt library focusing specifically on the electric grand piano sound from the legendary module. This library features unique scripting, 2 real velocity levels, round-robin behavior, a mix-ready sound recorded to tape, and includes a mixable Lexicon 200 IR. The package contains over 750 MB of samples at 24-Bit/48 kHz quality, along with release samples and individual WAV files.

While these commercial options offer high-quality samples and additional features, RdPiano provides an authentic hardware emulation that may better capture the behavior and response of the original instruments, particularly for those interested in the technical nuances of the SA synthesis approach.

How to Access and Use RdPiano

RdPiano is available as a free download, making it accessible to musicians and producers on any budget. The plugin can be downloaded from various music technology websites and plugin repositories that feature free audio software.

To use RdPiano, users must first download and install the plugin on their system. The plugin is compatible with common plugin formats, allowing it to work in most digital audio workstations (DAWs) that support VST, AU, or AAX plugin formats. Installation typically involves running the installer file and following the on-screen instructions, after which the plugin should appear in the plugin list of the user's DAW.

Once installed, RdPiano can be loaded onto a track or instrument channel within the DAW. The plugin interface is designed to be straightforward, with controls for selecting between the different emulated models (MKS-20, RD1000, Rhodes MK-80) and adjusting various parameters to shape the sound. The plugin responds to MIDI velocity, allowing for dynamic expression similar to the original instruments.

For those new to these classic sounds, experimenting with different playing techniques can yield interesting results. The percussive nature of these instruments makes them particularly effective when played with rhythmic patterns, while their unique tonal characteristics add vintage flavor to chords and melodies.

Conclusion

The Roland MKS-20 remains one of the most iconic digital piano modules in music history, with its distinctive sounds continuing to find applications in modern productions. While commercial sample libraries offer high-quality recreations of these sounds, RdPiano provides a free alternative that goes beyond simple sampling by emulating the actual hardware behavior of these vintage instruments.

Through detailed analysis of the original silicon chips and CPU architecture, RdPiano captures not just the tonal characteristics but also the subtle behaviors that make these instruments so beloved. The plugin offers an authentic recreation of the SA synthesis digital pianos of the 1980s, including the Roland MKS-20, RD1000, and Rhodes MK-80, making it an invaluable tool for musicians seeking to incorporate these classic sounds into their productions without cost.

For producers working on projects that require vintage 80s piano tones, film scoring that calls for period-accurate sounds, or simply for those who appreciate the history of electronic instruments, RdPiano represents an excellent free resource that honors these classic instruments while making their unique character accessible to everyone.

Sources

1. Roland MKS-20 for the Prophet X add-on patch/sample bank
2. Nord Wave MKS20 Sample Library
3. RDPiano MixComp Free Plugins
4. MKS Pianos Kontakt Samples
5. Roland RdPiano Free Emulates MKS-20
6. MKS-20 Electric Grand Piano for Kontakt
7. Giulioz RdPiano