Tone Profile

The sound is bright and brassy, reminiscent of a piccolo trumpet, but with a distinct synthesized quality. It's clean, punchy, and has a slightly artificial edge that separates it from a purely acoustic instrument.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The Beatles used a Clavioline, an early monophonic electronic keyboard, to create the piccolo trumpet sound on Penny Lane.
• The Clavioline's timbre was manipulated to mimic the bright, piercing tone of a piccolo trumpet.
• The direct output of the Clavioline was likely used, without additional amplification or effects.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a monophonic synth and select a sawtooth or square wave.
• Use a high-pass filter to thin out the low end and focus on the upper frequencies.
• Add a touch of overdrive for a subtle brassy edge, being careful not to muddy the sound.
• Use a fast attack and moderate release for a punchy, percussive sound.
• Experiment with pitch bends and vibrato to emulate the expressive capabilities of a trumpet.
• The Clavioline sound is quite dry, so avoid any reverb or delay.

Recommended Gear

• Clavioline(synth)