Modartt user forum - Ideal piano for an intimate song?

Re: Ideal piano for an intimate song?

2025-06-26T05:54:16Z

Let me Google that for you - as the saying goes:
AI said: "Adele's recordings have prominently featured a Yamaha C7 grand piano on tracks like "Someone Like You" and a Fazioli F228 grand piano on "Hello". The Yamaha C7, a studio favorite known for its clear highs and solid low end, was permanently miked with a pair of Neumann U87s. For "Hello", the Fazioli F228 was meticulously sampled with multiple microphone pairs, capturing its unique sound for a plugin.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
"Someone Like You":
The Yamaha C7, a 7'6" grand piano, was a staple in the studio and known for its versatility. It was permanently miked with a matched pair of Neumann U87s.
"Hello":
The Fazioli F228, housed at Metropolis Studios, was the piano used for this iconic track. Waves created a plugin based on this specific piano, capturing its sound with eight pairs of microphones.
"When We Were Young":
Adele reportedly used Philip Glass's piano at a rented house during the recording sessions for the album "25"."

Philip Glass has used various Steinway pianos.

YC5 for Yamaha..

It should not be particularly arduous to try all the modern grands, swap them out when you've recreated the piano sound in MIDI. The Kawaii model should work especially well for a Fazioli substitute.

Re: Ideal piano for an intimate song?

2025-06-25T20:40:37Z

We all have personal music taste so it is possible you will get several different answers here, but my intimate, rich and warm sounding preset is Steinway B Dreamy, here an example:

https://forum.modartt.com/viewtopic.php?id=9941

Good Luck!

Best wishes,

Stig

Re: Ideal piano for an intimate song?

2025-06-25T18:32:26Z

A question better to a fan of Adele responde...

But you can test all pianoteq pianos available by just instaling the Demo verion.

https://www.modartt.com/try

Re: Ideal piano for an intimate song?

2025-06-25T17:36:27Z

I like the Steini B - Gentle preset.

Warm and cozy, plenty of bass.

At least the "Hello" chords work well in my opinion.

Fiddle with EQ and hammer hardness if too dull.

Re: Ideal piano for an intimate song?

2025-06-25T17:35:22Z

oiseau wrote:

Which piano from Pianoteq comes closest to the intimate piano sound of Adele's ballads? And which preset would you recommend?

unfortunately i can't answer your question directly since i'm not familiar with her recordings, but when i want an intimate piano sound i usually reach for the Steinway B. the gentle, intimate, player, late evening presets are great. but this might be completely off base from what you're looking for.

Ideal piano for an intimate song?

2025-06-25T14:08:17Z

Which piano from Pianoteq comes closest to the intimate piano sound of Adele's ballads? And which preset would you recommend?