What microphone did Radiohead use to record the piano on Pyramid Song?

Radiohead used a Neumann U87 microphone to record the piano on "Pyramid Song." This large diaphragm condenser microphone is known for its warm, detailed sound and was a key component in capturing the intimate yet spacious character of the piano.

Where was Pyramid Song recorded?

"Pyramid Song" was recorded at Astoria Houseboat on the River Thames in London during the Amnesiac sessions. The unique acoustic environment of the houseboat contributed significantly to the spacious, ambient quality of the piano sound.

How to get the detuned piano sound on Pyramid Song?

The detuned character comes from the natural tuning state of the piano used during recording. To recreate this, you can slightly detune piano samples or use plugins that emulate aged or slightly out-of-tune pianos, combined with natural room reverb.

Who produced Pyramid Song by Radiohead?

"Pyramid Song" was produced by Nigel Godrich, who has been Radiohead's primary producer since OK Computer. Godrich also served as the engineer for the recording sessions at Astoria Houseboat.

What piano plugin sounds like Pyramid Song?

Native Instruments Una Corda or similar soft piano libraries can recreate the intimate, slightly detuned character. The key is finding samples with natural imperfections and combining them with spacious reverb to match the houseboat recording environment.

piano from "pyramid song" by radiohead

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Tone Profile

The piano sound is dark, somber, and slightly detuned, creating a melancholic and dreamlike atmosphere. It has a slightly distant and spacious quality, contributing to the song's overall ethereal feel.

Shop This Rig

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Piano(instrument)
Neumann U87(microphone)

The Story

The piano sound on Radiohead's "Pyramid Song" was recorded during the Amnesiac sessions at Astoria Houseboat on the River Thames in London, produced by Nigel Godrich. The distinctive dark and slightly detuned character comes from the piano's natural tuning state and the spacious recording environment of the houseboat. The recording was captured with a Neumann U87 microphone, which contributed to the intimate yet distant quality of the sound.

Production Credits

Producer: Nigel Godrich

Engineer: Nigel Godrich

Recorded at: Astoria Houseboat, River Thames, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: PianoShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a piano sample or recording that has a slightly dark and mellow tone.
Experiment with detuning the piano slightly to achieve that characteristic warble.
Use a touch of reverb to create a sense of space and depth.
Apply gentle compression to control the dynamics and bring out the quieter nuances.
Consider adding a subtle layer of tape saturation or a touch of overdrive for added warmth and character.

Original Gear

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Neumann U87Shop on Reverb(mic)
PianoShop on Reverb(keyboard)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Audio-Technica AT4040Shop on Reverb$300-$350

Alternative to: Neumann U87 microphone

Large diaphragm condenser with warm character that captures piano with similar intimacy and presence as the U87

Neumann U87AiShop on Reverb$3600-$3800

Alternative to: Neumann U87 microphone

Modern version of the exact microphone used, providing the same warm, detailed piano capture

Valhalla VintageVerbPlugin Boutique$50-$60

Alternative to: Houseboat recording space

Provides natural room ambience and spacious reverb to recreate the environmental characteristics

Native Instruments Una CordaPlugin Boutique$100-$130

Alternative to: Slightly detuned piano

Soft piano sample library with natural detuning and intimate character similar to the original recording

FabFilter Pro-C 2Plugin Boutique$170-$200

Alternative to: Analog console compression

Gentle, transparent compression to control dynamics while maintaining the piano's natural feel

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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piano from “pyramid song” by radiohead | ToneDB