piano from “sir duke” by stevie wonder | ToneDB
sir duke
stevie wonder
piano
Tone Profile
The piano sound is bright and percussive, with a clear attack that cuts through the mix. It has a slightly compressed and EQ'd tone, providing a full and present sound without being overly harsh.
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The Story
Stevie Wonder recorded "Sir Duke" at Crystal Sound Studios in Los Angeles with engineer Gary Olazabal. The piano sound was captured using a Neumann U87 microphone on a Steinway grand piano, with LA-2A compression applied to even out dynamics and enhance sustain. The recording used close-miking techniques to achieve the direct, present tone that cuts through the dense arrangement.
Production Credits
Producer: Stevie Wonder
Engineer: Gary Olazabal
Recorded at: Crystal Sound Studios, Los Angeles
Signal Chain
Instrument: Steinway Grand PianoShop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb
Processing: LA-2AShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a bright and well-maintained grand piano, preferably a Steinway.
- Use a high-quality condenser microphone like a Neumann U87 for recording.
- Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot for capturing the piano's tone.
- Apply gentle compression using a LA-2A to even out the dynamics and add sustain.
- Use EQ to boost the high frequencies and add clarity to the sound.
- Consider using a touch of reverb to add depth and space to the piano sound.
Original Gear
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- Steinway Grand PianoShop on Reverb(keyboard)
- Neumann U87Shop on Reverb(mic)
- LA-2AShop on Reverb(compressor)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Steinway Grand Piano
Sampled from a Steinway D grand piano with multiple mic positions, allowing you to recreate the close-miked bright tone
Alternative to: Neumann U87
Large diaphragm condenser with similar bright character to the U87 at a more accessible price point
Alternative to: LA-2A Compressor
Exact digital recreation of the original LA-2A used on the recording, providing the same smooth optical compression
Alternative to: Neumann U87
Affordable clone of the U87 with the same capsule design and bright condenser character needed for this piano sound
Alternative to: LA-2A Compressor
Hardware recreation of the LA-2A optical compressor circuit that provides the same smooth dynamic control heard on the original
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