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piano from “in my place” by coldplay | ToneDB

in my place

coldplay

piano

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

The piano sound is bright, warm, and intimate, with a slightly compressed and focused character that complements the song's emotional tone. It sounds like a well-recorded acoustic piano, captured with quality microphones and processed for clarity and presence.

Gear

Yamaha C7 Grand Pianoinstrument
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Neumann U87microphone
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Urei 1176processing
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The Story

"In My Place" features a Yamaha C7 Grand Piano recorded at Studio Guillaume Tell in Paris during the sessions for Coldplay's "A Rush of Blood to the Head" album. The piano was captured with Neumann U87 microphones and processed through a Urei 1176 compressor to achieve the song's characteristic bright, warm, and intimate piano sound. Producer Ken Nelson and engineer Mark Phythian used close-miking techniques to create the direct and detailed character that sits prominently in the mix.

Production Credits

Producer: Ken Nelson

Engineer: Mark Phythian

Recorded at: Studio Guillaume Tell, Paris

Signal Chain

Instrument: Yamaha C7 Grand Piano

Microphone: Neumann U87

Processing: Urei 1176

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a well-maintained grand piano, preferably a Yamaha C7 or similar model known for its balanced tone.
  • Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot that captures the piano's natural sound.
  • Use a high-quality condenser microphone like the Neumann U87 for a clear and detailed recording.
  • Apply gentle compression with a Urei 1176 or similar compressor to add punch and control the dynamic range.
  • Use EQ sparingly to enhance the piano's brightness and clarity, while avoiding harshness.
  • Consider adding a touch of reverb to create a sense of space and depth.

Original Gear

  • Yamaha C7 Grand Piano(keyboard)
  • Neumann U87(mic)
  • Urei 1176(compressor)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Native Instruments The Gentleman$99-$149

Alternative to: Yamaha C7 Grand Piano

Sampled from vintage grand pianos with multiple mic positions, captures the warm, intimate character of the original recording

ReverbSweetwater
Audio-Technica AT4040$299-$349

Alternative to: Neumann U87

Large-diaphragm condenser with similar frequency response and warmth as the U87 for piano recording

ReverbSweetwater
Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter Collection$299-$349

Alternative to: Urei 1176 compressor

Faithful emulation of the original hardware providing the same punch and dynamic control on piano

ReverbSweetwater
Neumann U87 Ai$3,500-$3,700

Alternative to: Neumann U87

Modern version of the exact microphone used, provides identical tonal characteristics and recording quality

ReverbSweetwater
Spectrasonics Keyscape$399-$449

Alternative to: Yamaha C7 Grand Piano

Includes expertly sampled Yamaha C7 with multiple mic positions and processing options to recreate the studio sound

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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