Tone Profile

This piano sound is dark, slightly detuned, and heavily compressed, providing a melancholic and gritty foundation for the track. It has a sampled and looped feel, contributing to the song's distinctive atmosphere.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The piano was likely recorded in a studio setting with close miking techniques to capture a clear and direct sound.
• Sampling through an E-mu SP-1200 and/or Akai S950 would impart a characteristic crunchy and lo-fi quality due to the sampler's limited bit depth and sample rate.
• Looping the sample creates a repetitive and hypnotic effect, a common technique in early hip-hop production.
• Compression was used to enhance the sustain and punch of the piano, making it stand out in the mix.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a clean recording of a Steinway piano.
• Use a sampler like the E-mu SP-1200 or Akai S950 to capture the piano sound, embracing the sampler's limitations for an authentic lo-fi feel.
• Experiment with different compression settings to achieve a thick, present tone.
• Loop the sample and adjust the loop points to create the desired rhythm and feel.
• Consider adding a touch of chorus or detuning to emulate the slight imperfections of the original sample.

Recommended Gear

• Steinway Piano(keyboard)
• Neumann U87(mic)
• E-mu SP-1200(synth)
• Akai S950(synth)