What keyboard did Supertramp use on Goodbye Stranger?

Supertramp used a Fender Rhodes electric piano on "Goodbye Stranger." The Rhodes was a staple of 1970s rock and pop recordings and provided the song's characteristic bright, bell-like electric piano sound.

How to get Supertramp's piano tone from Goodbye Stranger?

To recreate this tone, start with a Rhodes electric piano or quality emulation, record through a large diaphragm condenser mic, and apply gentle optical compression like an LA-2A. Use EQ to enhance brightness while cutting low-mid muddiness, and add subtle reverb for depth.

What studio was Goodbye Stranger recorded at?

"Goodbye Stranger" was recorded at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles with Peter Henderson serving as both producer and engineer. The Village was known for its high-end equipment and acoustics, contributing to the song's polished sound.

What microphone was used to record Supertramp's piano?

The electric piano on "Goodbye Stranger" was recorded using a Neumann U87 condenser microphone. The U87 was chosen for its ability to capture detailed, balanced sound with the brightness needed for the song's sophisticated arrangement.

What compression was used on Goodbye Stranger piano?

An LA-2A optical compressor was used to process the Rhodes piano sound on "Goodbye Stranger." This compression helped even out the dynamics and allowed the piano to sit well in the mix while maintaining its natural character.

piano from "goodbye stranger" by supertramp

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Tone Profile

A bright and clear piano sound with a slightly compressed and EQ'd tone, typical of 70s rock recordings. The overall vibe is clean and polished, fitting the song's sophisticated arrangement.

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Rhodes Piano(instrument)
Neumann U87(microphone)
LA-2A(processing)

The Story

The electric piano sound on "Goodbye Stranger" was recorded using a Fender Rhodes through a Neumann U87 microphone with LA-2A compression. The track was recorded at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, produced and engineered by Peter Henderson, with careful attention to mic placement and processing to achieve the bright, polished sound characteristic of Supertramp's sophisticated 70s productions.

Production Credits

Producer: Peter Henderson

Engineer: Peter Henderson

Recorded at: The Village Recorder, Los Angeles

Signal Chain

Instrument: Rhodes PianoShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Processing: LA-2AShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Rhodes Piano or a similar electric piano.
Use a Neumann U87 or similar condenser microphone to capture a detailed and balanced sound.
Apply gentle compression using an LA-2A-style compressor to even out the dynamics.
Use EQ to boost the high frequencies for brightness and cut any muddiness in the low-mid frequencies.
Experiment with slight amounts of reverb to add depth without washing out the sound.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Roland FP-E50Shop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Fender Rhodes Piano

Modern digital piano with authentic Rhodes modeling and built-in effects, perfect for recreating that classic 70s electric piano tone

Audio-Technica AT4040Shop on Reverb$300-$350

Alternative to: Neumann U87

Large diaphragm condenser with similar frequency response to the U87, capturing the detailed brightness of the original recording

Universal Audio LA-2A PluginPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: LA-2A Compressor

Faithful digital recreation of the original LA-2A's smooth optical compression that shaped the piano's dynamics

Arturia Stage-73 VPlugin Boutique$200-$250

Alternative to: Fender Rhodes Piano

Detailed software emulation of vintage Rhodes pianos with authentic 70s character and built-in amp modeling

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

Alternative to: Neumann U87

Affordable clone of the U87 circuit design, delivering similar sonic characteristics for recording electric piano

Warm Audio WA-2AShop on Reverb$650-$750