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

walking in memphis

marc cohn

piano

AI generatedv1.0

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.

Gear

Yamaha CP-70instrument
ReverbSweetwater
Neumann U87microphone
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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-70

Microphone: Neumann U87

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

  • Yamaha CP-70(keyboard)
  • Neumann U87(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Yamaha CP88$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

ReverbSweetwater
Native Instruments Vintage Electric Pianos$150-$200

Alternative to: Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano

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

ReverbSweetwater
Audio-Technica AT4040$300-$400

Alternative to: Neumann U87 microphone

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

ReverbSweetwater
Warm Audio WA-87 R2$450-$550

Alternative to: Neumann U87 microphone

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

ReverbSweetwater
Valhalla Room$50-$60

Alternative to: The Power Station studio acoustics

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

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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