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piano from “i'm still standing” by elton john | ToneDB

i'm still standing

elton john

piano

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

The piano sound is bright, punchy, and slightly compressed, cutting through the mix with a clear and present tone. It provides a rhythmic and harmonic foundation with a lively and energetic character.

The Story

The piano sound on "I'm Still Standing" was recorded using a Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano, processed through a Urei 1176 compressor. The track was produced by Chris Thomas and engineered by Bill Price at AIR Studios in Montserrat. The CP-70's characteristic bright, punchy tone was enhanced with compression to add sustain and presence, helping the piano cut through the dense mix of this 1983 hit.

Production Credits

Producer: Chris Thomas

Engineer: Bill Price

Recorded at: AIR Studios (Montserrat)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Yamaha CP-70

Processing: Urei 1176

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano or a high-quality virtual instrument that emulates its sound.
  • Use a compressor to even out the dynamics and add sustain. Experiment with the attack and release times to achieve a punchy sound.
  • Consider adding a touch of chorus or slight modulation to widen the stereo image and enhance the richness of the piano tone.
  • EQ the piano to brighten the high frequencies and cut any muddiness in the low-mid range, ensuring clarity and definition.

Original Gear

Substitutions & Recommendations

Native Instruments The Gentleman$149

Alternative to: Yamaha CP-70 Electric Grand Piano

Includes detailed CP-70 samples and modeling, capturing the electric grand's characteristic bite and sustain

Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter Collection$199

Alternative to: Urei 1176 Compressor

Faithful emulation of the original 1176's fast attack and musical compression that made the CP-70 punch through the mix

Yamaha CP88$1,299

Alternative to: Yamaha CP-70 Electric Grand Piano

Modern stage piano with authentic CP-70 samples and the weighted action needed to recreate the original performance dynamics

Warm Audio WA76$399

Alternative to: Urei 1176 Compressor

Hardware recreation of the 1176 circuit with the same fast, punchy compression characteristics used on the original recording

Arturia Piano V$199

Alternative to: Yamaha CP-70 Electric Grand Piano

Features a detailed CP-70 model with physical modeling that captures both the electric pickups and acoustic resonance

Sources

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