What piano did The Jackson 5 use on I'll Be There?

The Jackson 5 used a Steinway Model D grand piano for "I'll Be There," recorded at Motown Studios in Detroit. This was the standard piano used for most Motown recordings during that era.

How to get that classic Motown piano sound?

The classic Motown piano sound comes from close-miked grand piano with gentle compression and vintage EQ. Use a quality grand piano sample, apply smooth optical compression like an LA-2A, and add brightness with vintage-style tube EQ.

What microphone was used to record Jackson 5 piano?

The piano on "I'll Be There" was recorded using Neumann U67 tube condenser microphones. These mics were standard at Motown Studios and contributed to the warm, rich sound of their piano recordings.

Who produced I'll Be There by Jackson 5?

"I'll Be There" was produced by Hal Davis and engineered by Russ Terrana at Motown Studios in Detroit. The song became one of The Jackson 5's biggest hits and showcased the classic Motown production style.

Best piano plugin for Jackson 5 sound?

Native Instruments The Giant or Spectrasonics Keyscape work well for recreating Jackson 5 piano tones. Both offer high-quality grand piano samples with the dynamic response and harmonic richness needed for soul and R&B styles.

piano from "i'll be there" by the jackson 5

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Tone Profile

A bright and soulful piano sound with a slightly compressed and warm character. It provides a harmonic and rhythmic foundation, typical of classic Motown recordings.

Shop This Rig

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Steinway Model D(instrument)
Neumann U67(microphone)
Teletronix LA-2A(compressor)
Pultec EQP-1A(eq)

The Story

"I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5 was recorded at Motown Studios in Detroit, produced by Hal Davis and engineered by Russ Terrana. The piano sound features a Steinway Model D grand piano captured with Neumann U67 microphones using close-miking techniques. The characteristic warm, compressed sound was achieved through careful microphone placement and mixing techniques typical of the Motown sound.

Production Credits

Producer: Hal Davis

Engineer: Russ Terrana

Recorded at: Motown Studios, Detroit, MI

Signal Chain

Instrument: Steinway Model DShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a high-quality grand piano sample or recording for the foundation.
Apply gentle compression to the piano track to control the dynamics and add sustain.
Use a vintage-style EQ to boost the high frequencies for clarity and add warmth in the low-mid range.
Experiment with different microphone positions to find a sound that captures both the directness and ambience of the piano.
Consider using a tape emulation plugin for subtle saturation and warmth, characteristic of Motown recordings.

Original Gear

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Steinway Model DShop on Reverb(keyboard)
Neumann U67Shop on Reverb(mic)
Teletronix LA-2AShop on Reverb(compressor)
Pultec EQP-1AShop on Reverb(eq)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Native Instruments The GiantPlugin Boutique$199-$249

Alternative to: Steinway Model D grand piano

Sampled from a Klavins Model 370i grand piano, provides the rich harmonic content and dynamic response needed for soulful Motown-style piano parts

Warm Audio WA-67Shop on Reverb$899-$999

Alternative to: Neumann U67 microphone

Tube condenser microphone that captures the warm, vintage character of the original U67 used on classic Motown recordings

Universal Audio LA-2A pluginPlugin Boutique$149-$199

Alternative to: Teletronix LA-2A compressor

Authentic emulation of the optical tube compressor used to achieve the smooth, sustained piano compression on Motown records

Softube Tube-Tech PE 1CPlugin Boutique$199-$299

Alternative to: Pultec EQP-1A equalizer

Provides the vintage tube EQ character for adding brightness and warmth that defined the Motown piano sound

Spectrasonics KeyscapePlugin Boutique$399-$499