piano from “heal the world” by michael jackson | ToneDB
heal the world
michael jackson
piano
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
The piano has a warm, slightly compressed tone with a touch of chorus, creating a lush and inviting sound. It blends well with the other instruments while maintaining clarity and presence.
Gear
- Yamaha CP-70instrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Roland JC-120processing
- ReverbSweetwater
- Urei 1176processing
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
The piano sound on "Heal the World" was recorded by Bruce Swedien at Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles using a Yamaha CP-70 electric grand piano. The CP-70 was processed through a Roland JC-120 amplifier for its built-in stereo chorus effect, and compressed with a Urei 1176 to help it sit consistently in the dense mix. This combination of the CP-70's bright electric grand sound with stereo chorus and vintage compression created the warm, lush piano tone that became a signature element of the track.
Production Credits
Producer: Bruce Swedien
Engineer: Bruce Swedien
Recorded at: Ocean Way Recording, Los Angeles
Signal Chain
Instrument: Yamaha CP-70
Processing: Roland JC-120, Urei 1176
Recreation Tips
- Start with a bright, acoustic piano sound.
- Apply a subtle stereo chorus effect to widen the stereo image.
- Use a compressor to even out the dynamics and add punch.
- EQ to taste, focusing on warmth in the low-mids and clarity in the high frequencies.
Original Gear
- Yamaha CP-70(keyboard)
- Roland JC-120(amp)
- Urei 1176(compressor)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Yamaha CP-70
Modern stage piano with authentic CP-70 samples and built-in chorus effects that captures the original's bright electric grand character
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Roland JC-120 chorus
Recreates the classic Roland chorus sound with stereo outputs for the wide, shimmering effect heard on the track
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Urei 1176
Authentic emulation of the original 1176 compressor used by Bruce Swedien, providing the same fast attack and smooth leveling
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Yamaha CP-70
Detailed software recreation of the CP-70 with built-in effects processing and the ability to adjust pickup positions and amp settings
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Urei 1176
Affordable hardware recreation of the 1176 circuit that delivers similar compression characteristics for piano in a modern studio setup
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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