What piano was used on Massive Attack Teardrop?

A Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano was used for the main piano part on "Teardrop." The CP70 is an electro-acoustic instrument that combines real piano strings with electric pickups, giving it a distinctive dark, intimate character.

How to get Massive Attack Teardrop piano sound?

To recreate this sound, use a Yamaha CP70 or high-quality CP70 emulation, record with a close-placed condenser microphone, and apply gentle compression with some low-end emphasis. The key is the CP70's unique pickup-based sound rather than traditional acoustic piano.

Where was Massive Attack Teardrop recorded?

"Teardrop" was recorded at Christ Church in Clifton, Bristol, with Neil Davidge producing and Lee Shepherd engineering. The church setting likely contributed to the intimate, atmospheric quality of the recording.

What microphone was used on Teardrop piano?

A Neumann U87 condenser microphone was used to record the Yamaha CP70 piano. The close mic placement helped capture the dry, intimate sound that characterizes the track.

Can you recreate Teardrop piano sound with plugins?

Yes, plugins like Arturia's CP-70 V can effectively recreate this sound since they specifically model the Yamaha CP70's unique pickup-based tone. Combined with appropriate EQ and compression, software can get very close to the original character.

piano from "teardrop" by massive attack

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Tone Profile

The piano has a dark, intimate and slightly haunting tone, with a close, dry sound and pronounced low frequencies. The performance has some velocity variation creating a human feel.

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Yamaha CP70(instrument)
Neumann U87(microphone)

The Story

The piano on "Teardrop" was recorded using a Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano at Christ Church in Clifton, Bristol, with Neil Davidge producing and Lee Shepherd engineering. The CP70's distinctive electro-acoustic character was captured with close mic placement, creating the intimate, dark tone that defines the track.

Production Credits

Producer: Neil Davidge

Engineer: Lee Shepherd

Recorded at: Christ Church, Clifton, Bristol

Signal Chain

Instrument: Yamaha CP70Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a Yamaha CP70 or similar electro-acoustic piano for the core sound.
Record the piano with a Neumann U87 or similar condenser microphone placed close to the instrument.
Experiment with adding a touch of compression and EQ to enhance the low end and overall presence of the piano.
Consider using a touch of plate reverb to add some space and depth to the sound.

Original Gear

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Yamaha CP70Shop on Reverb(keyboard)
Neumann U87Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Nord Stage 4Shop on Reverb$3200-$3600

Alternative to: Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano

Contains high-quality CP70 samples and models that capture the original's electric grand character and tonal complexity

Arturia CP-70 VPlugin Boutique$100-$200

Alternative to: Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano

Dedicated CP70 emulation plugin that models the specific pickup characteristics and sound of the original instrument

Audio-Technica AT4040Shop on Reverb$300-$350

Alternative to: Neumann U87 microphone

Large diaphragm condenser with similar warmth and midrange character for capturing intimate piano tones

Warm Audio WA-87 R2Shop on Reverb$400-$450