What piano did Fats Domino play on Blueberry Hill?

While the exact piano model hasn't been definitively documented, Fats Domino typically played Steinway grand pianos during his recording sessions. The recording was done at J&M Recording Studio in New Orleans, which would have had professional-quality acoustic pianos.

How to get Fats Domino's piano tone on Blueberry Hill?

The key is capturing a warm, vintage piano sound with slight honky-tonk character. Use a quality grand piano sample, apply gentle compression for sustain, boost mid-range frequencies for that characteristic 'bark,' and add subtle plate reverb to simulate the studio ambience.

What microphone was used to record Blueberry Hill piano?

The piano was recorded using an RCA 44 ribbon microphone at J&M Recording Studio. This was a classic ribbon mic of the 1950s known for its warm, smooth tone that was perfect for capturing the full body of acoustic piano.

Who produced Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill recording?

"Blueberry Hill" was produced by Dave Bartholomew and engineered by Cosimo Matassa at J&M Recording Studio in New Orleans. This team was responsible for many of Fats Domino's classic recordings during the 1950s.

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Tone Profile

Warm, vintage piano tone with a slightly honky-tonk character. The sound is full and present, capturing the energy of a live performance.

Shop This Rig

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Steinway Grand Piano(instrument)
RCA 44(microphone)

The Story

Fats Domino's piano on "Blueberry Hill" was recorded at J&M Recording Studio in New Orleans with producer Dave Bartholomew and engineer Cosimo Matassa. The piano was captured using an RCA 44 microphone, which was a staple ribbon mic of the era known for its warm, vintage tone. The recording captured Domino's characteristic honky-tonk piano style with the full, present sound typical of 1950s live studio recordings.

Production Credits

Producer: Dave Bartholomew

Engineer: Cosimo Matassa

Recorded at: J&M Recording Studio, New Orleans

Signal Chain

Instrument: Steinway Grand PianoShop on Reverb

Microphone: RCA 44Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a high-quality grand piano sample or instrument as your base.
Apply a touch of compression to even out the dynamics and add sustain.
Experiment with EQ to emphasize the mid-range frequencies, adding a slight 'honk' or 'bark' to the tone.
Add a touch of plate reverb to emulate the ambience of a live recording session.

Original Gear

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Steinway Grand PianoShop on Reverb(keyboard)
RCA 44Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Native Instruments The GiantPlugin Boutique$149-199

Alternative to: Steinway Grand Piano

Sampled from a vintage Klavins Una Corda piano, captures the intimate, slightly honky-tonk character of 1950s piano recordings

Golden Age Project R1 MkIIIShop on Reverb$199-249

Alternative to: RCA 44 ribbon microphone

Active ribbon microphone that provides the warm, vintage character of classic RCA ribbons for recording acoustic piano

Addictive Keys Studio GrandPlugin Boutique$99-149

Alternative to: Steinway Grand Piano

Budget-friendly option that includes vintage microphone modeling and can be shaped to match 1950s piano tones

Royer R-121Shop on Reverb$1299-1499