piano from “lean on me” by bill withers | ToneDB

lean on me

bill withers

piano

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

The piano sound is warm, intimate, and slightly compressed, creating a comforting and soulful atmosphere. It has a mellow, somewhat dark tone that blends beautifully with the other instruments in the mix.

Production Credits

Producer: Bill Withers

Engineer: Bill Halverson

Recorded at: The Record Plant (Los Angeles)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Acoustic Piano

Microphone: Neumann U87

Recording Notes

  • The piano was likely recorded in a studio setting with careful attention to microphone placement to capture the warmth and natural resonance of the instrument.
  • Compression was probably applied during recording or mixing to even out the dynamics and add sustain.
  • Given the era and production style, analog equipment would have been used for recording and mixing.

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a well-maintained acoustic piano with a warm and mellow tone.
  • Experiment with microphone placement to capture the desired sound. A single Neumann U87 or similar condenser mic placed a few feet away from the piano can work well.
  • Use gentle compression to even out the dynamics and add sustain. An LA-2A style compressor plugin can be a good choice.
  • Apply subtle EQ to shape the tone as needed. Reduce harsh frequencies and boost the low-mids for warmth.
  • Add a touch of reverb to create a sense of space, but keep it subtle to maintain the intimate feel.

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