What piano sound does Lizzo use on Truth Hurts?

The exact piano setup hasn't been officially confirmed, but the track features a bright, compressed grand piano sound typical of modern pop production. The piano has a clear, present character that cuts through the dense mix.

How to get Lizzo Truth Hurts piano tone?

Focus on a bright grand piano sound with moderate compression to control dynamics and EQ to enhance clarity in the upper frequencies. The key is achieving presence and brightness while maintaining the full body of a grand piano.

What studio was Truth Hurts recorded at?

Truth Hurts was produced by Ricky Reed, likely at his studio in Los Angeles. However, the specific studio details and recording setup haven't been extensively documented in public interviews.

How to compress piano like Truth Hurts?

Use medium attack and release settings on your compressor to even out the piano dynamics without losing the natural attack. An 1176-style compressor works well for this type of controlled, punchy piano sound in pop music.

piano from "truth hurts" by lizzo

truth hurts

lizzo

piano

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, present piano with a slightly compressed sound, fitting well within the pop mix. The tone is clean and clear, providing harmonic support and rhythmic drive to the song.

Shop This Rig

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Steinway Grand Piano(instrument)
Neumann U87(microphone)
Urei 1176(processing)

Production Credits

Producer: Ricky Reed

Engineer: Chris Gehringer

Recorded at: Ricky Reed's studio, Los Angeles

Signal Chain

Instrument: Steinway Grand PianoShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Processing: Urei 1176Shop on Reverb

Recording Notes

The piano was likely recorded with close miking techniques to capture a direct and clear sound.
Compression was applied during recording or mixing to ensure the piano maintains a consistent presence in the mix.
EQ was used to shape the piano's frequency response, enhancing clarity and brightness to help it cut through the mix.

Recreation Tips

Start with a bright-sounding grand piano sample or recording.
Use a compressor with a medium attack and release to even out the dynamics.
Apply EQ to boost the high frequencies for added clarity and presence. Reduce any muddiness in the low-mid frequencies.
Consider using a touch of reverb to add depth and blend the piano with the rest of the instruments.

Original Gear

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

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

Substitutions & Recommendations

Keyscape by SpectrasonicsPlugin Boutique$400-$450

Alternative to: Steinway Grand Piano

Features multiple high-quality Steinway samples with detailed velocity layers, perfect for achieving the bright, present grand piano sound

Native Instruments The GiantPlugin Boutique$100-$150

Alternative to: Steinway Grand Piano

Budget-friendly option with excellent Steinway samples and built-in compression and EQ for achieving that modern pop piano presence

Audio-Technica AT4040Shop on Reverb$300-$350

Alternative to: Neumann U87

Large-diaphragm condenser with similar bright character to the U87, great for close-miking piano for clarity and presence

Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter CollectionPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Urei 1176

Faithful recreation of the original 1176 hardware with the same fast attack and musical compression character for controlling piano dynamics

Warm Audio WA76Shop on Reverb$400-$450