AudioKit Pro has officially moved Retro Keys to version 1.1, bringing a suite of refinements to their latest nostalgic powerhouse. Retro Keys is more than just a rompler; it’s a love letter to the era of analog warmth and early digital charm. While AudioKit’s previous releases like King of Digital or Sintesi focus on complex synthesis, Retro Keys is designed for immediate inspiration. It’s the “grab-and-go” instrument for producers who need that specific 80s pop, 90s R&B, or modern Lo-Fi aesthetic without scrolling through thousands of clinical presets.
The v1.1 update focuses heavily on the user experience and AUv3 stability. AudioKit Pro is known for having one of the most efficient audio engines in the mobile world, and this update ensures that Retro Keys remains a lightweight, reliable companion in heavy sessions within hosts like AUM, Logic Pro for iPad, and Cubasis 3.
What’s New in Version 1.1?
The jump to 1.1 isn’t just about bug fixes; it’s about making the app feel more like a professional hardware module. The developers have listened to the early feedback from the community to tighten up the performance and expand the playability of the core sounds.
- Improved AUv3 State Saving: Ensures your custom tweaks and patches reload perfectly every time you open your DAW project.
- Refined Touch Response: Enhanced velocity curves for a more expressive playing experience, particularly when using external MIDI controllers.
- UI Performance Boost: Smoother animations and faster preset switching, reducing friction during the creative process.
- Optimized Memory Footprint: Despite the high-quality samples, the app remains incredibly small, making it ideal for producers working on base-model iPads or iPhones with limited storage.
- Fixed Sustain Pedal Logic: Addressed minor glitches regarding MIDI sustain messages in certain AUv3 hosts.
AudioKit Pro announced Retro Keys, a four-in-one vintage keyboard AUv3 app for iPhone and iPad. It puts four distinct instruments in one 150MB package: the Stage 73 (RHDS) Rhodes-style tone, WurlEE ’78 Wurlitzer character, CP Electric Grand, and a Retro Piano that captures hammer mechanism noise on key release. AudioKit recorded the actual hardware to analog tape with a Grammy-nominated engineer, then blended those samples with physical modeling — so the velocity response and release behavior come from real physics rather than velocity-mapped samples alone. Currently available on pre-order for $4.99 ahead of the regular $19.99 price.
The 150MB footprint is the technical story here. Multi-sampled electric pianos typically demand gigabytes; AudioKit’s hybrid engine keeps everything under that ceiling without audible compromise. Over 200 presets from artists including Moby Pixel, Doug Woods (The Sound Test Room), and DMT Cymatics cover neo-soul, jazz, indie pop, and cinematic territory. The tape-style 8-track double tracking and selectable noise floors — vinyl crackle, tape hiss, room noise — give you direct lo-fi texture control rather than a generic “warmth” knob. As an AUv3 in Logic Pro for iPad, Retro Keys loads on any instrument track as a standard instrument plugin with full automation support.
For producers running a mobile rig through AUM, you can stack multiple instances — one Rhodes for the main chord layer, one CP for a brighter top line — and the CPU overhead stays manageable given the hybrid engine design. Aftertouch maps to any parameter, sustain pedals work, and the built-in Record Idea button captures riffs and exports audio without leaving the app. No subscription. Buy once, own forever.
Key features:
- Four Instruments: Stage 73 (RHDS), WurlEE ’78, CP Electric Grand, and Retro Piano with physical modeling and analog tape samples
- 150MB Footprint: Hybrid sampling plus physical modeling engine keeps the full app under 150MB
- 200+ Presets: Curated by Moby Pixel, Analog Matthew, Doug Woods, Bri Kup, and DMT Cymatics
- Tape-Style Double Tracking: 8-track vintage stereo widening
- Selectable Noise Floors: Vinyl crackle, tape hiss, and room noise
- Expressive Control: MIDI, sustain pedal, and Aftertouch with mappable destinations
- Record Idea Button: Capture and export audio from within the app
- Universal AUv3 and standalone on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
App price: $4.99 (pre-order; regular price $19.99).
No in-app purchases, no subscription.
