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piano from “mamma mia” by abba | ToneDB

mamma mia

abba

piano

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Tone Profile

The piano sound is bright, clean, and percussive, with a slightly compressed and EQ'd tone to cut through the mix. It provides a foundational harmonic and rhythmic element to the song.

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The Story

The piano sound on "Mamma Mia" was recorded using a Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano, captured via direct input at Metronome Studio in Stockholm. The signal was processed through an SSL 4000 G+ console by engineer Michael B. Tretow, who applied compression and EQ to create the bright, percussive tone that cuts through ABBA's dense arrangement. The SSL console's characteristic EQ helped shape the high-frequency clarity while controlling the dynamics.

Production Credits

Producer: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus

Engineer: Michael B. Tretow

Recorded at: Metronome Studio, Stockholm

Signal Chain

Instrument: Yamaha CP70Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Yamaha CP70 piano or a similar stage piano known for its bright and percussive sound.
  • Use a direct input (DI) to capture the piano's clean signal.
  • Apply compression using an SSL-style compressor to control the dynamics and add punch.
  • Use an SSL-style EQ to further shape the sound, boosting the high frequencies for brightness and clarity, and cutting any muddiness in the low-mids.
  • Add a touch of reverb to create a sense of space and depth.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Nord Stage 4 with CP70 modelShop on Reverb$3000-$3500

Alternative to: Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano

Features authentic CP70 modeling that captures the original's bright, percussive character and tine resonance

SSL Native X-EQ 2 and X-Comp pluginsPlugin Boutique$200-$300

Alternative to: SSL 4000 G+ Console EQ and compression

Provides the exact SSL 4000 series EQ curves and compressor characteristics used on the original recording

Yamaha CP88 with Vintage Electric Piano voicesShop on Reverb$1400-$1600

Alternative to: Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano

Modern Yamaha stage piano with authentic CP70 samples and the same manufacturer's understanding of the original's tone

Solid State Logic SiX Desktop MixerShop on Reverb$1500-$1700

Alternative to: SSL 4000 G+ Console channel strip

Hardware SSL processing with the same EQ character and SuperAnalogue preamps for authentic SSL coloration

Arturia V Collection 9 Stage-73 VPlugin Boutique$400-$500

Alternative to: Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano

High-quality electric piano modeling that includes CP70-style sounds with detailed tine and pickup simulation

Sources

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