What piano did Marc Cohn use on Walking in Memphis?

Marc Cohn used a Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano on "Walking in Memphis." The CP-70 was a popular electric piano in the late 80s and early 90s known for its bright, percussive tone that cuts through a mix while maintaining piano-like dynamics.

How to get Marc Cohn's piano tone from Walking in Memphis?

To recreate this tone, you'll need the bright, percussive character of a Yamaha CP-70 electric piano, recorded with a quality condenser microphone like a Neumann U87. Add moderate compression for sustain and spacious reverb to capture the gospel-influenced atmosphere of the original recording.

What studio was Walking in Memphis recorded at?

"Walking in Memphis" was recorded at The Power Station in New York City. The studio's acoustics contributed to the spacious, natural reverb heard on the piano track, which was engineered by Tchad Blake and produced by John Leventhal.

Is the piano on Walking in Memphis acoustic or electric?

The piano on "Walking in Memphis" is electric - specifically a Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano. While it has piano-like dynamics and feel, the CP-70 uses electromagnetic pickups rather than acoustic resonance, giving it the distinctive bright, percussive character heard on the recording.

What microphone was used to record Walking in Memphis piano?

The piano on "Walking in Memphis" was recorded using a Neumann U87 condenser microphone. The U87's balanced frequency response and sensitivity made it ideal for capturing both the percussive attack and sustained resonance of the Yamaha CP-70.

piano from "walking in memphis" by marc cohn

walking in memphis

marc cohn

piano

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Tone Profile

The piano tone is bright and clear, with a touch of natural reverb that gives it a spacious, gospel-infused feel. It's a sound that's intimate yet expansive, capturing the soulful essence of the song.

Shop This Rig

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Yamaha CP-70(instrument)
Neumann U87(microphone)

The Story

Marc Cohn's piano tone on "Walking in Memphis" was created using a Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano, recorded through a Neumann U87 microphone at The Power Station in NYC. The song was produced by John Leventhal and engineered by Tchad Blake, who captured the CP-70's distinctive bright, percussive character with natural studio reverb to create the spacious, gospel-influenced sound.

Production Credits

Producer: John Leventhal

Engineer: Tchad Blake

Recorded at: The Power Station, NYC

Signal Chain

Instrument: Yamaha CP-70Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Yamaha CP-70 or a similar electric grand piano known for its bright and clear tone.
Use a Neumann U87 or a comparable condenser microphone to capture the piano's sound.
Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot that captures the piano's natural resonance.
Apply gentle compression to even out the dynamics and add sustain.
Use a touch of reverb to create a sense of space and depth.

Original Gear

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Yamaha CP-70Shop on Reverb(keyboard)
Neumann U87Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Yamaha CP88Shop on Reverb$1,800-$2,200

Alternative to: Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano

Modern recreation of Yamaha's electric piano legacy with detailed CP-70 samples and vintage modeling

Native Instruments Vintage Electric PianosPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano

Includes authentic CP-70 samples with the exact bright, percussive character of the original

Audio-Technica AT4040Shop on Reverb$300-$400

Alternative to: Neumann U87 microphone

Large diaphragm condenser with similar warmth and clarity for recording electric piano

Warm Audio WA-87 R2Shop on Reverb$450-$550

Alternative to: Neumann U87 microphone

Faithful recreation of the U87 circuit and capsule design at a more accessible price point

Valhalla RoomPlugin Boutique$50-$60

Alternative to: The Power Station studio acoustics

Provides the spacious, natural reverb character that defines the song's gospel-influenced atmosphere

Sources

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piano from “walking in memphis” by marc cohn | ToneDB