TONEDB

piano from “memory” by andrew lloyd webber | ToneDB

memory

andrew lloyd webber

piano

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

The piano has a rich, full sound with a touch of reverb, creating a melancholic and reflective mood. It aims for a classic Broadway musical piano tone, emphasizing sustain and clarity.

Gear

Steinway Model Dinstrument
Reverb$52995Sweetwater
Neumann U87microphone
ReverbSweetwater
Lexicon 224processing
ReverbSweetwater

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

The Story

The piano on "Memory" from the original Cats recording was tracked at CTS Studios in Wembley with Mike Ross-Trevor engineering. The setup used a Steinway Model D grand piano captured with Neumann U87 microphones, with Lexicon 224 reverb added in post-production. The recording approach emphasized both the direct piano sound and the natural room acoustics of the studio space.

Production Credits

Producer: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Engineer: Mike Ross-Trevor

Recorded at: CTS Studios, Wembley

Signal Chain

Instrument: Steinway Model D

Microphone: Neumann U87

Processing: Lexicon 224

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a high-quality grand piano sample or recording.
  • Use a bright condenser microphone for recording.
  • Experiment with microphone placement to capture both direct sound and room ambience.
  • Add a touch of plate reverb to simulate a concert hall environment.
  • Use EQ to shape the piano's tone, focusing on the low mids for warmth and the high frequencies for clarity.

Original Gear

  • Steinway Model D(keyboard)
  • Neumann U87(mic)
  • Lexicon 224(reverb)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Native Instruments The Gentleman$99-$149

Alternative to: Steinway Model D grand piano

Sampled Steinway Model D with multiple mic positions and room ambience, perfect for Broadway-style ballads

ReverbSweetwater
Audio-Technica AT4050$400-$500

Alternative to: Neumann U87 microphone

Large diaphragm condenser with similar warmth and clarity characteristics for piano recording

ReverbSweetwater
Eventide SP2016 Reverb Plugin$179-$199

Alternative to: Lexicon 224 reverb

Includes Room and Hall algorithms that recreate the classic Lexicon sound for orchestral and theatrical productions

ReverbSweetwater
Neumann U87 Ai$3400-$3800

Alternative to: Neumann U87 microphone

Modern version of the exact microphone used on the original recording, maintains the same sonic character

ReverbSweetwater
Universal Audio Lexicon 224 Plugin$349-$399

Alternative to: Lexicon 224 reverb

Exact emulation of the original Lexicon 224 hardware used on the Cats recording

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Insights

No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!