What piano did Daft Punk use on Something About Us?

Daft Punk used a Rhodes Mark V electric piano for the main piano sound on 'Something About Us.' This vintage electric piano provides the characteristic warm, bell-like tones heard throughout the track.

How to get Daft Punk's piano tone from Something About Us?

Start with a Rhodes electric piano sound, apply gentle compression for sustain, boost low-mids around 250-500Hz for warmth, and add subtle high-frequency enhancement around 8-10kHz. Keep the signal relatively dry with minimal reverb to match the original's intimate character.

What studio did Daft Punk record Something About Us at?

The track was recorded at Daft House, Daft Punk's own studio in Paris. The duo maintained secrecy about their specific recording methods, though they used high-end gear like Focusrite ISA preamps and Pultec EQ on this album.

What effects did Daft Punk use on the piano in Something About Us?

The piano sound is notably clean and dry, processed primarily through a Focusrite ISA 430 channel strip and Pultec EQP-1A equalizer. The processing focused on warmth and clarity rather than heavy effects, with possible subtle tape saturation for character.

piano from "something about us" by daft punk

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Tone Profile

A clean and warm electric piano sound, reminiscent of a Rhodes or Wurlitzer, but with a slightly more polished and modern sheen. The tone is smooth and sustained, providing a mellow harmonic foundation.

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Rhodes Mark V(instrument)
Focusrite ISA 430(processing)
Pultec EQP-1A(processing)

The Story

Daft Punk's electric piano sound on 'Something About Us' from their 2001 album 'Discovery' was created using a Rhodes Mark V electric piano, processed through a Focusrite ISA 430 channel strip and Pultec EQP-1A equalizer. The track was recorded at their own studio, Daft House in Paris, with the duo maintaining their characteristic secrecy about specific recording techniques.

Production Credits

Producer: Daft Punk

Engineer: Unknown

Recorded at: Daft House, Paris

Signal Chain

Instrument: Rhodes Mark VShop on Reverb

Processing: Focusrite ISA 430Shop on Reverb, Pultec EQP-1AShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a clean Rhodes or Wurlitzer sound from a virtual instrument or sample library.
Use a gentle compressor to even out the dynamics and add sustain.
Apply a subtle EQ boost in the low-mid frequencies (around 250-500 Hz) to enhance the warmth of the piano.
Add a high shelf around 8-10kHz to brighten the sound. Be careful not to make it too harsh.
Consider using a tape emulation plugin for subtle saturation and character.
Keep the signal relatively dry, with minimal or no reverb.

Original Gear

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Rhodes Mark VShop on Reverb(keyboard)
Focusrite ISA 430Shop on Reverb(channel_strip)
Pultec EQP-1AShop on Reverb(eq)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Arturia V-CollectionPlugin Boutique$299-$599

Alternative to: Rhodes Mark V

Includes accurate Rhodes Mark V modeling with authentic tine resonance and amp characteristics essential for this warm, sustained piano tone

Focusrite ISA OneShop on Reverb$300-$400

Alternative to: Focusrite ISA 430

Modern version of the ISA preamp circuitry with similar warmth and clarity for capturing clean electric piano signals

Universal Audio Pultec EQP-1A PluginPlugin Boutique$149-$349

Alternative to: Pultec EQP-1A

Authentic emulation of the original Pultec's tube-driven low-mid warmth and high-end air that shaped this piano sound

Nord Electro 6DShop on Reverb$2000-$2500

Alternative to: Rhodes Mark V

Excellent Rhodes modeling with vintage tine characteristics and built-in effects for achieving this polished electric piano tone

Warm Audio EQP-WAShop on Reverb$400-$500