Steinway B pianos have made their mark on popular albums by artists like Elton John, David Bowie, and Fleetwood Mac. Now, that distinct sound is being captured by Spitfire Audio in their newest instrument release, the Strawberry Studios instrument.
Introducing Spitfire Audio's Château Piano: A Virtual Instrument with a Rich Musical History
Step into the world of Château d'Hérouville, a legendary French recording studio often referred to as "France's Abbey Road." This 18th-century château, nestled in rural France, has been the birthplace of some of the most iconic music from the 1970s.
The studio's crown jewel is a 1901 Steinway B grand piano, which has graced the recordings of artists such as Elton John, David Bowie, and Fleetwood Mac. After a meticulous restoration process in 2015, the studio was purchased by musicians and sound engineers Jean Taxis and Thierry Garacino, who aimed to preserve the piano's unique character rather than make it flawless.
This piano's history is now available to musicians worldwide through Spitfire Audio's latest instrument, Château Piano. The software offers an authentic recreation of the piano's versatile and historically significant sound, captured through extensive sampling and classic microphone techniques that faithfully recreate its tones from the 1970s pop and rock era.
Recreating the Legendary Sound
The sampling process involved a collection of valve and condenser microphones, including a pair of vintage Neumann U67s, and was carried out in the "George Sand" live room, where many of Elton John's famous tunes, including "Crocodile Rock," "Rocket Man," and "Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road," were originally recorded. To ensure accuracy, the microphone positions were the same as those used for the original recordings.
Château Piano features digital effects such as high-pass and low-pass filters, chorus, flanger, and reverb, allowing for the blending of eight individual signals recorded using multiple mic placements and effects treatments. A selection of 37 presets are included, evoking the piano's historic use, from bright and punchy attack typical of 70s rock to more intimate and effected tonalities, capturing its creative legacy and the acoustics of the studio itself.
Accessing Music History
With Château Piano, musicians can now access this storied sound and bring a piece of music history into their own compositions. The software is compatible with macOS and Windows, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
For further information and to purchase this unique virtual instrument, visit Spitfire Audio's website. Currently, Château Piano is available at an introductory discount of £103/$127.
[1] Strawberry Studios - Wikipedia [2] Château d'Hérouville - Wikipedia [3] Spitfire Audio's Château Piano - Official Website [4] Elton John's Recordings at Strawberry Studios - Discogs [5] Elton John's Albums Recorded at Château d'Hérouville - Setlist.fm
[1] The extensive sampling process for Spitfire Audio's Château Piano features technology that recreates the versatile, historically significant sound of a legendary 1901 Steinway B grand piano, used in the recording of iconic music by artists like Elton John, David Bowie, and Fleetwood Mac.
[2] In the world of entertainment, Château Piano, a virtual instrument, offers musicians the opportunity to incorporate the rich musical history of Château d'Hérouville, France's Abbey Road, into their own compositions, drawing upon the unique character of its 1970s pop and rock era tones.
