Tone Profile

A pristine, resonant acoustic grand piano sound with a clear attack and natural decay, characteristic of mid-60s Blue Note jazz recordings. The tone is clean, dynamic, and captures the nuances of Hancock's touch.

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• Recorded by Rudy Van Gelder, known for his distinct jazz recording techniques.
• Likely used high-quality condenser microphones placed relatively close to the piano strings/soundboard.
• Minimal processing applied during tracking, with effects like reverb added later in the mixing stage.
• The sound benefits significantly from the acoustics of the Van Gelder studio space.
• Emphasis on capturing the natural dynamics and full frequency range of the acoustic piano.

Recreation Tips

• Use a high-quality sampled or modeled acoustic grand piano, preferably a Steinway model.
• Employ minimal processing; avoid heavy compression or equalization.
• Add a touch of high-quality plate reverb for space, keeping it subtle.
• Focus on dynamic playing and expressive voicings typical of Herbie Hancock's style during this period.
• If using microphones on a real piano, experiment with close-miking using condenser mics.

Recommended Gear

• Steinway Model B Grand Piano (or high-quality sample library like Keyscape Steinway C7, NI Noire)(instrument)
• Neumann U47 (or emulation)(mic)
• Neumann KM84 / KM184 (alternative mic)(mic)
• Universal Audio Fairchild 670 Compressor Plugin(plugin)
• Valhalla Plate Reverb Plugin(plugin)