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piano from “killer queen” by queen | ToneDB

killer queen

queen

piano

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

The piano sound is bright and clear, with a slightly honky and percussive attack that cuts through the mix. It has a somewhat dry, close-mic'd sound, typical of many rock recordings from the era.

Gear

Bechstein Concert Grand Pianoinstrument
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Neumann U67microphone
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Neve 1073preamp
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Pultec EQP-1Aeq
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Urei 1176compressor
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The Story

The piano on 'Killer Queen' was recorded using a Bechstein Concert Grand Piano at Rockfield Studios in Wales. The recording features close microphone placement, likely using a Neumann U67, to capture the bright, percussive attack that characterizes the track. Producer Roy Thomas Baker and engineer Mike Stone employed careful EQ and compression during mixing to achieve the piano's distinctive clear, punchy sound that cuts through Queen's dense arrangements.

Production Credits

Producer: Roy Thomas Baker

Engineer: Mike Stone

Recorded at: Rockfield Studios, Wales

Signal Chain

Instrument: Bechstein Concert Grand Piano

Microphone: Neumann U67

Recreation Tips

  • Use a bright-sounding piano sample or VST plugin.
  • Apply EQ to boost the high frequencies and reduce any muddiness in the low-mids.
  • Use a compressor to even out the dynamics and add punch.
  • Experiment with slight distortion or saturation to add character and grit.
  • Consider using a short, bright reverb or delay to add depth and space.

Original Gear

  • Bechstein Concert Grand Piano(keyboard)
  • Neumann U67(mic)
  • Neve 1073(preamp)
  • Pultec EQP-1A(eq)
  • Urei 1176(compressor)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Native Instruments The Giant$99-$149

Alternative to: Bechstein Concert Grand Piano

Sampled from a vintage grand piano with multiple mic positions, captures the bright, percussive character needed for this tone

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Slate Digital VMS with U67 model$999-$1299

Alternative to: Neumann U67 microphone

Tube condenser modeling system that recreates the U67's warm yet clear sound for close piano miking

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BAE 1073MP$1800-$2200

Alternative to: Neve console EQ

Provides the musical high-frequency boost and punch that defines the bright piano sound on this track

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Warm Audio WA-2A$899-$999

Alternative to: Vintage console compression

Optical tube compression adds the smooth dynamics control needed to make the piano sit prominently in a dense rock mix

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Spectrasonics Keyscape$399-$449

Alternative to: Bechstein Concert Grand Piano

Includes multiple grand piano samples with authentic close-mic'd sounds perfect for recreating this bright, punchy piano tone

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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