TONEDB

piano from “hello” by adele | ToneDB

hello

adele

piano

85% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A rich, resonant, and dynamic grand piano sound with a melancholic character, captured with studio clarity and subtle ambience.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Yamaha C7 Grand Piano

Amp: N/A

Microphone: Neumann U87 (pair)

Processing: Neve 1073 Preamp, Subtle Compression (e.g., LA-2A), Studio Reverb (e.g., Lexicon 480L or Bricasti M7)

Other: Likely close-miked pair over hammers/strings, possibly blended with room mics. Recorded in a high-quality studio (e.g., Metropolis Studios, London).

Recording Notes

  • Recorded in a professional studio environment with excellent acoustics.
  • High-quality condenser microphones were likely used for detail and nuance.
  • Performance dynamics are crucial to the sound.
  • Subtle use of compression to even out dynamics without sacrificing feel.
  • High-end reverb adds space and depth.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a high-quality sampled grand piano library (e.g., Keyscape, Ivory II).
  • Select a preset based on a Yamaha C7 or similar bright but full grand.
  • Apply subtle compression (2:1 or 3:1 ratio, slow attack, moderate release) to control peaks.
  • Use a high-quality algorithmic or convolution reverb (hall or large room setting) with a decay time around 2-3 seconds, mixed relatively low.
  • Pay close attention to playing velocity and dynamics to mimic the original performance.
  • Consider a slight EQ boost in the low-mids for warmth and a gentle cut around 300-500 Hz if muddiness occurs.

Sources