Fender Rhodes 1973 with Avion Studios Preamp

video upload by Analog Prophet

"Fender Rhodes 1973, with the RetroFlyer active preamp from Aviom Studios, containing EQ (mid 800hz +/- 7dB).
Fender Rhodes 1973 with RetroFlyer mod. The RetroFlyer mod from Aviom Studios is an built in pre amp with EQ (800hz +/- 7dB) and stereo tremolo. The sound examples are unprocessed straight to the computer.

1. Original sound without any processing before RetroFlyer was mounted.
2. RetroFlyer preamp mounted without any processing but with the built in EQ.
3. RetroFlyer preamp with EQ and built in stereo tremolo."

via Avion Studios

Goodbye flat, dull Rhodes sound - hello Retroflyer!

The Retroflyer is an active preamp with volume, mid boost/cut and fully adjustable tremolo designed to fit perfectly into passive Mark I and II Fender Rhodes. We wrote a huge blog post about it if you want heaps of info but here are the bullet points:

High-headroom, high-detail, low-noise preamp circuit
High input impedance with full frequency and dynamic range
On board 3-position high pass filter
7db Balanced Mid Boost/Cut
Twin VCA true stereo tremolo
Custom faceplate w/ custom dual concentric knobs (both made in the USA)
High quality, name brand components throughout
Extensive power filtering, power supply included
Complete kit installs in less than 15 minutes
1 year warranty with lifetime support
Designed, tested and manufactured by Avion Studios in the USA.
This design represents hundreds of hours of work and we honestly couldn’t be happier. It frankly sounds fantastic. The bass is full, the mids are clear and the highs shine.

See the Avion Studios label for more.

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Rhodes piano and Sequential Prophet 10 Ambient mood

video by MIDERA

"I had filmed using another angle, but apparently I didn't actually hit 'record'. With 2 minutes left I heard the shutter snap as the unit shut down and I realized there would be no 'overhead' shot. I wasn't going to re-make the video. So this is what you're stuck with. Shot #2.

I used the Sequential Prophet 10 which went through the Tomkat Super Day Dreamer pedal, into the Boss MD500 and had some Eventide Blackhole VST on it.

The Rhodes Mark I Stage Piano 1977 went through the Avion Studios Retro Flyer preamp and then through Eventide Blackhole VST."

Rhodes Piano and Prophet 10 somber jazz

video by MIDERA

"I don't know what to call it? It's a bit too slow to be funk, I'm not really good enough at playing to even achieve that. So - it's somber jazz. I've been working on this piece for about a week, although I don't think I'll ever be satisfied, it's been fun to play.

Nothing much else to say about it really.

Rhodes Mark I Stage Piano 73
Sequential Prophet 10
Strymon DIG
Eventide Space
Avion Studios Retro Flyer Preamp"

Saturday night session: Rhodes Mark 1 Stage piano and Sequential Prophet 10

video by MIDERA

"First - let me apologize, the video is pretty bad/bright. Maybe just don't watch the video. Tab over and do something else while you listen...

Anyway, I rearranged my studio (you probably wouldn't notice) and installed the Avion Studios Retro Flyer preamp into the Rhodes (with - I must admit, a lot of headaches, most likely due to my own incompetence). Needless to say - it's all hooked up and the tremolo you're hearing is coming straight from the Retro Flyer preamp.

I thought I might enjoy the Prophet 10 on top, but I'm not so sure about it. I've actually still had a lot of trouble fitting this into my studio. I think I just do way better with FX riddled synths. I'm not sure what it is. The Prophet hasn't made its way into any of my music really.

In the first piece (made up) - I use both of them. Maybe some sort of slow funk? I'm just not much of a pianist to really claim how to make this sort of music, but hey, it was kinda fun and that was the point.

The second track is something I made back in 2011, on a rainy day in April. I recall I wrote it when I was feeling very sad about my Dad having passed the year before. I really enjoy playing this, but I do really like the original, which you can listen to here: [embed below]

The third track is The Great Pumpkin Waltz by Vince Guaraldi.

The final track was just me messing around, I didn't have any idea what I was playing when I sat down, and that becomes obvious pretty immediately...

0:00​ Rhodes and P10
6:18​ Beneath the weight of grief
8:08​ The Great Pumpkin Waltz
9:38​ Improvisations"

Midera · Beneath the weight of grief