Steinway B grand piano famously used in albums by Elton John, David Bowie, and Fleetwood Mac, is now digitally preserved by Spitfire Audio's newest instrument collection, Strawberry Studios sound library.
The legendary sound of Strawberry Studios, often referred to as "France's Abbey Road," has been immortalized in a new instrument by Spitfire Audio. The Château Piano, meticulously sampled from the iconic 1901 Steinway B grand piano in Strawberry Studios' "George Sand" live room, offers a unique opportunity for musicians to create music with a piece of history.
Strawberry Studios, housed in the Château d’Hérouville near Paris, became one of the most famous residential recording studios starting in the 1960s. Notable artists such as Elton John, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Iggy Pop, and Rainbow have all recorded albums at this esteemed studio.
The Château Piano plugin, developed by Spitfire Audio, captures the essence of the original recordings. It includes eight individual signals, each recorded using multiple mic placements and effects treatments, just like in the original sessions. Moreover, the plugin offers a selection of 37 presets to help musicians get started.
The sampling process involved a collection of valve and condenser microphones, including a pair of vintage Neumann U67s, the same microphones used in Elton John's original recordings at Strawberry Studios. The instrument is compatible with both macOS and Windows, making it accessible to a wide range of musicians.
After closing in 1985, Strawberry Studios was purchased in 2015 by musicians and sound engineers Jean Taxis and Thierry Garacino. They have since restored the studio and its Steinway B grand piano, and the studio reopened in 2020. Thierry Garacino, the studio owner, stated that the unique sound of Elton John's recordings was inspired by Strawberry Studios, and playing three chords on the Château Piano recreates that sound.
For those intrigued by the history and allure of Strawberry Studios, more information can be found on Spitfire Audio's website. The Château Piano is available now at an introductory discount of £103/$127.
In a recent development, Splice has acquired Spitfire Audio in a rumoured $50m deal, further solidifying the company's position in the music industry. With the Château Piano, musicians can now bring a piece of Strawberry Studios' magic into their own music-making process.
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