Forged Keys FK-1
by Battersea Audio · Keys · Tape-processed vintage keys
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Forged Keys FK-1 brings Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Juno sounds that were recorded to tape, dipped in a light acid and re-recorded, alongside clean patches, now as a physically modelled instrument that uses those recordings as reference.
It has detune, tremolo, spread, echo and reverb and costs £40 on sale (about $53), normally £60.
Best for: Keys & Synths. Genres: Lo-Fi, R&B & Soul, Hip-Hop & Trap, Ambient & Cinematic.
Keywords: clean, electric piano, vintage, lo-fi, physical modelling, classic, gritty, hardware emulation, perpetual licence, 60s, 70s, cinematic, dreamy, film & game audio.
What it does
Forged Keys FK-1 is Battersea Audio's vintage keys instrument, built from a Rhodes, a Wurlitzer and a Juno. Many of its sounds were recorded to tape, the tape was "dipped in a light acid" (diluted hydrochloric acid) and the damaged result re-recorded; other patches are clean captures straight from the instruments.
- Three sources: Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos plus Juno synth keys in one instrument.
- Acid-treated tape: the processed patches carry the grit and wear of tape that was physically damaged before re-recording.
- Clean patches: direct recordings for when you want the plain instrument.
- Physically modelled: FK-1 was re-released as a physically modelled instrument that uses the original recordings as its reference audio.
- Detune and Tremolo: add drift, grit and the classic electric-piano wobble.
- Spread: pans each voice across the stereo field instead of a pseudo-stereo effect.
- Effects and control: built-in echo and reverb, full MIDI automation and NKS support.
Forged Keys first came out in late 2024, and Battersea's page says buyers still get the original Forged Keys library with FK-1. It has a perpetual license with lifetime updates and is part of the Complete Battersea Bundle.
Source: Battersea Audio product page
When to use it
Forged Keys FK-1 is for worn, lo-fi keys rather than a pristine electric piano. Compared with Keyscape or Waves' Electric 88 Piano, which aim to capture specific Rhodes and Wurlitzer instruments in fine detail, FK-1 is built around acid-damaged tape, with clean patches as a second option. It also adds Juno synth keys, which those electric-piano plugins don't cover. Addictive Keys' Mark One gives you more control over microphones and effect chains, while FK-1 has the damage already in the sound and keeps the controls simple: detune, tremolo, spread, echo and reverb.
- Best for: lo-fi and beat-tape chords, dusty neo-soul and R&B keys, and hazy synth keys for ambient and film.
- Genres: lo-fi hip-hop, R&B and neo-soul, ambient and cinematic, indie.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a detailed, realistic Rhodes or Wurlitzer with full editing (Keyscape, Electric 88 Piano, Addictive Keys), or a full Juno-style synth with its own controls.
What producers say
Independent reviews are scarce so far; buyers on Battersea's own store rate it highly.
- Battersea store reviews rate it 4.7 out of 5 from 13 reviews.
- One buyer liked the range, noting that some patches are "quite clean" while others have more character, and said he uses it often.
Where to buy
- Battersea Audio: $40 (regular $60) (£40 converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
Tutorials and reviews
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