What piano did Coldplay use on In My Place?

Coldplay used a Yamaha C7 Grand Piano for "In My Place," recorded at Studio Guillaume Tell in Paris. The Yamaha C7 is known for its balanced tone and is a popular choice in professional recording studios.

How to get Coldplay In My Place piano tone?

To recreate the tone, start with a grand piano (Yamaha C7 if possible), record with a large-diaphragm condenser microphone like a Neumann U87, and apply gentle compression with an 1176-style compressor. Close-miking techniques and subtle EQ to enhance brightness are key.

What microphones were used to record In My Place piano?

The piano on "In My Place" was recorded using Neumann U87 microphones. These large-diaphragm condensers are industry standards for piano recording due to their clear, detailed sound and warm character.

What compressor was used on In My Place piano?

A Urei 1176 compressor was used to process the piano on "In My Place." This classic compressor added punch and controlled the dynamic range while maintaining the piano's natural character.

Who produced Coldplay In My Place?

"In My Place" was produced by Ken Nelson with Mark Phythian as the engineer. The song was recorded at Studio Guillaume Tell in Paris during the sessions for Coldplay's "A Rush of Blood to the Head" album.

piano from "in my place" by coldplay

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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.

Shop This Rig

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Yamaha C7 Grand Piano(instrument)
Neumann U87(microphone)
Urei 1176(processing)

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 PianoShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Processing: Urei 1176Shop on Reverb

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

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Yamaha C7 Grand PianoShop on Reverb(keyboard)
Neumann U87Shop on Reverb(mic)
Urei 1176Shop on Reverb(compressor)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Native Instruments The GentlemanPlugin Boutique$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

Audio-Technica AT4040Shop on Reverb$299-$349

Alternative to: Neumann U87

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

Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter CollectionPlugin Boutique$299-$349

Alternative to: Urei 1176 compressor

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

Neumann U87 AiShop on Reverb$3,500-$3,700

Alternative to: Neumann U87

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

Spectrasonics KeyscapePlugin Boutique$399-$449