What piano was used on The Velvet Underground's Sunday Morning?

The specific piano model used on 'Sunday Morning' hasn't been documented in available sources. It was recorded at TTG Studios in Hollywood with producer Tom Wilson, but the exact instrument details aren't confirmed in interviews or session notes.

How to get the bright piano sound on Sunday Morning by Velvet Underground?

The bright, jangly piano sound can be achieved by close-miking a piano with a large-diaphragm condenser mic and applying a high-shelf EQ boost. The original was recorded with a Neumann U67, which contributed to the detailed midrange and percussive attack.

What microphone was used to record Sunday Morning piano?

According to available gear documentation, a Neumann U67 microphone was used to record the piano on 'Sunday Morning.' This tube condenser mic was popular in 1960s recording sessions and contributed to the warm yet detailed sound.

Where was The Velvet Underground Sunday Morning recorded?

Sunday Morning was recorded at TTG Studios in Hollywood, California, with producer Tom Wilson and engineer Gary Kellgren. The relatively untreated room likely contributed to the raw, slightly ambient quality of the piano sound.

piano from "sunday morning" by the velvet underground

sunday morning

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Tone Profile

A bright and slightly jangly piano sound with a percussive attack, reminiscent of a tack piano. The tone is clean but with a slightly lo-fi quality, adding to its unique character.

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Piano(instrument)
Neumann U67(microphone)

Production Credits

Producer: Tom Wilson

Engineer: Gary Kellgren

Recorded at: TTG Studios, Hollywood, CA

Signal Chain

Instrument: PianoShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb

Recording Notes

The piano was likely recorded in a relatively untreated room, contributing to the raw and slightly ambient sound.
Close-miking techniques were probably employed to capture the directness and percussive nature of the piano.

Recreation Tips

Use a bright-sounding piano sample or patch as your starting point.
Experiment with adding a subtle chorus or detuning effect to create a slightly warbly texture.
Consider using a transient shaper to enhance the attack of the piano notes.
Apply a gentle high-shelf EQ boost to further brighten the sound.
If desired, add a touch of short, bright reverb to simulate the room ambience.

Original Gear

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Neumann U67Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Warm Audio WA-67Shop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Neumann U67 microphone

Faithful recreation of the U67's tube warmth and detailed midrange that captured the piano's percussive attack

Golden Age Project R1 MkIIIShop on Reverb$300-$400

Alternative to: Neumann U67 microphone

Budget ribbon mic that provides vintage character and natural compression for that slightly lo-fi piano sound

Universal Audio Neve 1073 pluginPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: 1960s piano recording chain

Period-appropriate preamp modeling with high-shelf EQ boost to achieve the bright, jangly piano tone

Native Instruments The GiantPlugin Boutique$100-$150

Alternative to: Vintage piano with tack-like sound

Sampled vintage piano with built-in character and the ability to enhance percussive attack

FabFilter Pro-Q 3Plugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: 1960s recording environment

High-shelf EQ boost around 3-5kHz to recreate the bright, slightly harsh quality of the original recording

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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piano from “sunday morning” by the velvet underground | ToneDB